Curieuse is a small national park island a short boat ride off Praslin, famous for its hundreds of free-roaming giant tortoises. A boardwalk trail crosses a rare mangrove forest and distinctive red earth to a beautiful beach, where boat trips usually serve a barbecue lunch, near the restored Doctor's House from the island's past as a leper colony. It is reached on an organised day trip from Praslin, often combined with snorkeling at St Pierre or Coco Island. There is a national park landing fee, and it is wise to book ahead in the busy season.
A short boat ride off Praslin lies one of the most rewarding day trips in Seychelles. Curieuse is a small national park island where hundreds of giant tortoises roam free, where rare red earth meets a unique mangrove forest, and where a beach lunch under takamaka trees rounds off the day. Here is what to expect and how to visit.
The giant tortoises
Curieuse is best known for its giant tortoises, which wander freely across the island rather than living behind fences. The island plays an important role in the conservation of these gentle giants, and walking among them, watching them graze and plod through the grass, is the highlight of any visit. They are used to people, but they are wild animals, so the rule is to admire, photograph and keep a respectful distance.
Mangroves, red earth and the coco de mer
Beyond the tortoises, Curieuse has a strange and beautiful landscape. A boardwalk trail leads across the island through a rare mangrove forest, one of the best examples in the inner islands, and the distinctive red lateritic soil gives the place an otherworldly look. Curieuse is also one of the few places, alongside Praslin, where the famous coco de mer palm grows in the wild.
The beach and the old leper colony
The trail across the island ends at a beautiful beach, where boat trips usually serve a barbecue lunch in the shade of the takamaka trees. Nearby stands Doctor’s House, a restored colonial building from the island’s past as a leper colony, now a small museum that tells the story. It is a gentle, fascinating end to the walk before the boat home.
How to visit Curieuse
Curieuse is reached by boat, almost always on an organised day trip from Praslin, and many trips combine it with snorkeling at nearby St Pierre or Coco Island, which makes for a superb full day on the water. There is a national park fee for landing, which goes towards the island’s conservation work. Trips run regularly, but it is wise to book ahead in the busy season.
Tips for the day
- Wear walking shoes or sturdy sandals for the boardwalk and trail across the island.
- Bring sun protection, water and a hat, as much of the walk is exposed.
- Pack a mask if your trip includes a snorkeling stop, though most provide gear.
- Keep your distance from the tortoises and never feed them.
Plan your trip
Curieuse pairs perfectly with a stay on Praslin, which is the launch point for the boat trips and a fine base for the inner islands. Base yourself on Praslin by browsing our directory, check the ferry schedule to reach the island in the first place, and book your Curieuse boat trip locally once you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
What is Curieuse Island known for?
Its hundreds of free-roaming giant tortoises, which wander the island rather than living behind fences. It also has a rare mangrove forest, distinctive red earth, wild coco de mer palms and a beautiful beach for a barbecue lunch.
How do you get to Curieuse Island?
By boat, almost always on an organised day trip from Praslin. Many trips combine Curieuse with a snorkeling stop at nearby St Pierre or Coco Island for a full day on the water. There is a national park fee for landing.
Can you see giant tortoises on Curieuse?
Yes. Curieuse is one of the best places in Seychelles to see giant tortoises roaming free. They are used to people but wild, so admire and photograph them while keeping a respectful distance and never feeding them.
Is Curieuse Island worth visiting?
Yes, it is one of the most rewarding day trips in Seychelles, combining free-roaming tortoises, a unique mangrove and red-earth landscape, wild coco de mer, a barbecue-lunch beach and a museum in the historic Doctor's House.
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