Praslin & La Digue

Curieuse Island day trip

Curieuse is a marine national park island about 2 km off Praslin's north-east coast, with hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises, a mangrove boardwalk at Baie Laraie, wild coco de mer and leper colony ruins. Boats cross from Côte d'Or; the park fee is SCR 300 (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026).

Last verified 16 September 2026

Praslin

What it is

Curieuse is a small granite island about 2 km off Praslin's north-east coast and the centre of Curieuse Marine National Park, designated on 11 June 1979. The park boundary covers the whole island and the channel to Praslin, including St Pierre and Chauve Souris. Curieuse is the only place apart from Praslin where the coco de mer grows naturally.

What you see

Hundreds of giant tortoises, introduced from Aldabra between 1978 and 1982, live on the island, and a nursery raises young tortoises until they are five years old. At Baie Laraie a boardwalk on piles crosses the mangrove swamp, where six of the seven mangrove species known in Seychelles grow, and stays usable at high tide. Curieuse was used to quarantine people with leprosy for almost a hundred years, and the ruins of the leprosarium still stand at Anse José. The Doctor's House, built in 1873, is closed for renovation. Between October and early March, SPGA runs the guided Nesting Sea Turtle Trail: 770 m, about 45 minutes, to Grand Anse, where green and hawksbill turtles nest.

How to get there

You need a boat. SPGA says the 20-minute crossing from Côte d'Or can be arranged through local tour operators or charters. Geoli Charters' full day runs from about 9.45am to 4pm: a snorkelling stop at St Pierre, landing at Anse José, a guided walk along the 1.7 km trail to the tortoises at Baie Laraie, a Creole barbecue and a second snorkelling stop. Angel Tours, Loyalty Charter and Infinity Boat Charter also run Curieuse and St Pierre trips from Praslin.

Cost and hours

The park is open daily; SPGA's park page gives 9am to 5pm and its visitor information page 8am to 5pm. Non-residents over 12 pay SCR 300 (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026), and the turtle trail costs SCR 150 on top. On site SPGA accepts cards only. Tour operators normally include park fees; Geoli lists them in its price.

Tips

SPGA lists the northern coast of Curieuse, including Anse Badamier, as a restricted zone. Barbecue grills are available for a fee. The Coco Curieuse Boutique at Baie Laraie sells coco de mer nuts. Fishing gear and spear guns are not allowed anywhere in the park.

Visiting

Opening hours
Daily. SPGA's Curieuse page gives 9am to 5pm; SPGA's visitor information page gives 8am to 5pm for marine national parks (both checked 16 September 2026).
Fees
SCR 300 for non-residents over 12; Nesting Sea Turtle Trail SCR 150 extra, October to early March; card payment only on site (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026).
Operators

Where it is

Thing to do

Curieuse Island day trip

Curieuse is a marine national park island about 2 km off Praslin's north-east coast, with hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises, a mangrove boardwalk at Baie Laraie, wild coco de mer and leper colony ruins.

Map of Curieuse Island day trip and the nearest places to stayCoastline © OpenStreetMap contributors. Positions are approximate.
The 4 places on this map

Places to stay nearest Curieuse Island day trip

  • Anse Boudin Chalets & Villa

    Self-catering in Anse Boudin, Praslin

    A family-run property at Anse Boudin with a three-bedroom villa and six one-bedroom apartments, all self-catering, a short walk from the beach. Five giant tortoises live in the grounds.

    • Honeymoon
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Self-catering
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Villa Manoir

    Self-catering in Anse Boudin, Praslin

    A small self-catering property at Anse Boudin in Praslin's north-west, about 400 metres from Anse Boudin beach and 1 km from Anse Lazio, according to the tourism board. The listing records four air-conditioned units, some with kitchenettes.

    • Families
    • Self-catering
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

  • Lazio Beach Residence

    Apartment in Anse Lazio, Praslin

    A family-run apart-hotel of 12 self-catering suites directly on Anse Lazio, each with a sea view. It takes adults only, with a three-night minimum stay.

    • Beachfront
    • Honeymoon
    • Couples
    • Self-catering
    Check availability on Booking.com

    Affiliate link

Questions

How do I get to Curieuse Island?
By boat. SPGA says the crossing from Côte d'Or on Praslin takes about 20 minutes and is arranged through local tour operators or charters.
Are park fees included in Curieuse tours?
SPGA says visitors booking through tour operators normally have entry fees included. Geoli Charters lists marine park entrance fees in its Curieuse package; confirm with your operator.
When can I see nesting turtles on Curieuse?
SPGA's guided Nesting Sea Turtle Trail runs between October and early March and costs SCR 150 on top of the SCR 300 park fee (SPGA, checked 16 September 2026). The Tourism Board listing, updated 30 September 2025, shows departures at 10am and 2pm on weekdays.
Can I visit the Doctor's House?
SPGA says the 1873 Doctor's House at Anse José is closed for renovation.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.