Which Seychelles Turtle Tour Is Right for You?
| Tour | Duration | Group size | Best for | Rating | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-day Curieuse & St Pierre + lunch | Full day | Group | The all-rounder, most booked | 4.9★ | $90 | Check → |
| Curieuse, St Pierre, 2 stops & BBQ | Full day | Group | Two snorkel stops plus BBQ | 4.9★ | $114 | Check → |
| Curieuse & St Pierre half-day | Half day | Group | Best value snorkel | 4.6★ | $53 | Check → |
| St Pierre & Anse Petite Cour snorkel | Half day | Small | Snorkel-focused trip | 4.5★ | $103 | Check → |
| Curieuse & St Pierre + Creole BBQ | Full day | Group | Island day with BBQ | 4.6★ | $91 | Check → |
| Private Curieuse, St Pierre & Anse Georgette | Full day | Private | Private charter | 5.0★ | $525 | Check → |
Sea Turtle Species & Best Months in Praslin, Seychelles
| Species | January–March | April–June | July–September | October–December | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawksbill Turtle | Common | Common | Common | Common | Very likely |
| Green Sea Turtle | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
The sea turtles you snorkel with in the Seychelles are hawksbills and green turtles. Hawksbills forage the granite reefs and nest on Curieuse beaches from October to February; green turtles graze the seagrass nearby. These are wild marine turtles, not to be confused with the giant Aldabra tortoises that live on land at Curieuse. Keep your distance in the water, stay off the coral, and never touch or chase a turtle.
What to Expect on the Day
1
Depart from Praslin
Meet at the jetty at Grand Anse or Baie Sainte Anne for a boat across to Curieuse and St Pierre, with gear and a guide.
Praslin is reached by ferry or a short flight from Mahé; base yourself here for the turtle trips.2
Snorkel St Pierre
Snorkel the reef around the granite islet of St Pierre, where hawksbill and green sea turtles feed among the boulders.
3
Walk Curieuse
Land on Curieuse to walk the reserve among the giant Aldabra tortoises, a land species you meet on foot, not in the water.
4
Creole BBQ and a second swim
Full-day trips include a Creole BBQ lunch on the beach and often a second snorkel or swim before heading back.
No turtle sighted? Sea turtles are resident on the St Pierre and Curieuse reefs and are seen on most snorkel trips, though no wild sighting is ever guaranteed. Remember that the giant tortoises on Curieuse are a separate land animal, so a trip that promises 'turtles' may mean those; check that snorkeling at St Pierre is included if swimming with sea turtles is your goal.
Sea Turtle Behaviors to Watch For
Foraging the Granite Reef
Hawksbill turtles pick through the coral and sponges among St Pierre's granite boulders, often at ease with calm snorkelers nearby.
Common at St Pierre
Grazing the Seagrass
Green turtles graze the seagrass beds in the shallows around Curieuse and Praslin between reef visits.
Regular
Surfacing to Breathe
Turtles rise for air every few minutes to an hour. Give them a clear path to the surface and never crowd the space above one.
On every snorkel
Nesting on Curieuse
From October to February, hawksbills nest on Curieuse beaches. View any nesting turtle from a distance and follow your guide's instructions.
Oct–Feb, on shore
What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)
✓ Bring
- Reef-safe (oxybenzone-free) sunscreen
- Swimsuit worn under your clothes
- A rash guard for sun protection
- Water shoes for the granite and beaches
- Towel and a change of clothes
- Waterproof phone case or GoPro
- Cash in rupees for park fees and extras
✗ Leave at home
- Regular sunscreen (harmful to the coral)
- Anything you would touch a turtle or the coral with
- Single-use plastics
- Any temptation to feed or ride the giant tortoises on land
Seasickness tip: The crossing to Curieuse and St Pierre is short and usually calm, but the southeast trade-wind season (June to September) can be choppier. Take a tablet the night before if you are prone to seasickness.
Where Tours Depart From
| Port / Area | Details | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Anse | A main departure beach on Praslin's south coast for full-day and half-day boat trips. | Full-day Curieuse & St Pierre tours |
| Baie Sainte Anne | Praslin's second harbour, used for some private and small-group charters. | Private and tailored trips |
Praslin sits about 45km northeast of Mahé, reached by a one-hour ferry from Mahé or a short domestic flight. All the Curieuse and St Pierre turtle trips leave from Praslin's beaches, so stay on the island for the easiest access.
How to Choose an Ethical Tour
What ethical operators do
- Brief a strict no-touch, no-chase policy
- Keep a respectful distance from turtles
- Never block a turtle’s path to the surface
- Require reef-safe sunscreen from all guests
- Cap group sizes for calmer encounters
- Support reef and sea-turtle conservation
Red flags to avoid
- Let guests touch, ride, or chase turtles
- Feed turtles to lure them in
- Crowd or corner a turtle in the water
- Stand on coral or trample seagrass
- Oversized groups with no guide in the water
- Any “hold a turtle” photo op
