Visit Curieuse Island in the Seychelles: Complete Guide

Hello again! I’m back with another article about one of the islands in the Seychelles. This time, we are setting off to visit Curieuse Island! To tell you the truth, I noticed that I was receiving more and more questions about the Seychelles archipelago. That is why I have started writing new articles about the smaller islands, such as Silhouette Island and Cerf Island, which are every bit as worthy of a visit as the main islands.

Curieuse Island lies just north of Praslin, the second-largest island in the archipelago, and is only a 15-minute boat ride away. For the record, Curieuse Island was once known as Île Rouge, a name inspired by the color of its soil, which comes from its geological composition of iron oxide, granite and other minerals. That is one of the features that makes the island so distinctive. But there is more! This protected natural island is home to the famous Aldabra giant tortoises, giving you a wonderful opportunity to see and even encounter them. As for the scenery, expect white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs and lush vegetation, including mangrove forests. Tempted yet?

I wrote this article based on my own research and the experiences of friends who were lucky enough to discover Curieuse Island. I hope it inspires you to visit, especially if you are planning to stay on Praslin—it would be a shame to miss the chance to spend a day on Curieuse Island.

You do not plan a trip to the Seychelles every day. In my opinion, it is important not to overlook lesser-known corners of paradise that are every bit as worthy of a visit. Curieuse Island is a perfect example. This tropical island is home to extraordinary flora and fauna, including almost 200 giant tortoises roaming freely. It is also one of the few places where the coco de mer grows naturally.

Historically, the British used the island as a leper colony from 1829 to 1965, a period that left a lasting mark on Curieuse Island. Several buildings from that era are still standing, and you can even visit the Doctor’s House Museum. It is always a welcome addition when a destination allows you to explore its history as well as its landscapes. I am sure history lovers will agree.

If you are looking for a more peaceful setting with sandy beaches, coconut palms, clear waters and tropical rainforest, you will not be disappointed. What’s more, as mentioned above, Curieuse Island is very easy to reach from Praslin.

As you can see, the island offers a wonderful blend of history and nature in an idyllic setting. For more information about the Seychelles, take a look at our dedicated page.

As soon as you arrive on Curieuse Island, you will notice that there are no roads or cars. Instead, footpaths wind through the island’s dense vegetation, making it perfect for walkers. Here are a few of the trails you can explore on Curieuse Island:

• Anse Saint-José to Laraie Baie trail: begin at the magnificent white-sand beach of Saint-José and finish at Laraie Baie, the main habitat of the giant tortoises. It certainly makes you want to explore, doesn’t it? You may even come across a few tortoises along the way. Some will happily approach you, while others may prefer to keep their distance. As an added bonus, the trail also takes you through mangrove forests.
• Laraie Baie to Anse Badamier trail: once you have explored the giant tortoise habitat, you can set off along another trail that is completely different from the first. The path leads past rocky outcrops surrounded by tropical vegetation. It is a peaceful experience, with the feeling of being alone in the world—or almost—accompanied by birdsong. Above all, it is a wonderful opportunity to observe endemic species such as the Seychelles bulbul, terns and many others.

In my opinion, Curieuse Island really is a paradise for nature lovers.

The island is home to dream beaches with white sand, a clear lagoon, palm trees and granite rocks. They are ideal for swimming, relaxing and sunbathing. Here is my selection of the most beautiful beaches you will not want to miss:

• Anse Saint-José: quite simply one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It is also one of the quieter ones, making it perfect for a peaceful break. The water is crystal clear, so you can easily spot colorful fish and coral beneath the surface.
• Anse Badamier: a beautiful white-sand beach surrounded by vegetation and rock formations. You will find yourself immersed in a secluded, postcard-perfect setting, far from the busier beaches. It is an ideal place to swim, relax, observe marine life and more.
• Anse Papaie: a beautiful beach backed by cliffs and, best of all, located close to the tortoise sanctuary.
• Laraie Bay: located right beside Anse Papaie, this is quite simply THE place you should not miss. Here, you can see giant tortoises in their natural habitat, all in a dream setting between a turquoise lagoon and fine sand. As you can see, visiting this beautiful beach on Curieuse Island is a must.

We remain in Baie Laraie at the Tortoise Sanctuary, a center created to feed and care for the island’s land tortoises. This is where you will have the best chance of seeing them roaming freely. Sea turtles also come here to lay their eggs. In my opinion, meeting the Aldabra giant tortoises will be an unforgettable experience.

As you may have guessed, Curieuse Island is an excellent place for diving and snorkeling. Its crystal-clear waters are home to remarkable biodiversity, including coral, parrotfish, butterflyfish, barracuda, jacks, rays and much more. You will return to the surface with colorful images that will stay with you for a long time. A quick tip: do not forget to bring your snorkeling gear—it would be a shame to miss out! For the best diving spots, head to Jardin de Corail and Pointe Rouge, where the clear waters are particularly rich in marine life. Snorkeling, meanwhile, is easy from any of the dream beaches mentioned above. So, are you ready to take the plunge?

As its name suggests, the Doctor’s House was once the colonial home of a doctor who treated people with leprosy. Since this period left a lasting mark on the island’s history, the Maison du Docteur was restored and is now a national monument. The good news is that it is open to visitors, with exhibitions tracing the history of Curieuse Island. In my opinion, this is a real bonus for travelers.

Getting there is very easy. As mentioned above, Curieuse Island lies close to Praslin. Boats leave from Anse Volbert in northern Praslin, and the crossing takes around 15 minutes. You can book a group excursion that includes the boat transfer or arrange a private boat and travel independently. Finally, you will be asked to pay a fee of 21 euros to visit the island with a guide. This fee helps finance the protection of the flora and fauna of Curieuse Island.

In fact, there is no accommodation on the island itself. Do not worry, though: you can easily stay in Anse Volbert, in northern Praslin. I recommend setting aside one full day to explore Curieuse Island. That is entirely manageable and gives you the ideal amount of time to discover this little slice of paradise at your own pace. In the meantime, here are a few very comfortable places to stay in Anse Volbert on Praslin:

• Hôtel Le Duc de Praslin : a beautiful five-star hotel in an idyllic setting overlooking the ocean. Facilities include luxurious suites and apartments and, above all, a thalassotherapy center that is ideal for moments of complete relaxation. In short, this property ticks all the boxes for a dream vacation.
• Paradise Sun Hotel Seychelles : a charming four-star hotel offering high-quality services and amenities. You will stay in the heart of a picturesque, paradise-like setting and enjoy a superb location directly on a dream beach. The comfortable, fully air-conditioned rooms are decorated in a Creole style.
• Mango Lodge : this property offers apartments and small chalets with kitchenettes and, above all, balconies with panoramic sea views that are perfect for admiring the sunsets. All of this comes at an affordable price, making it a genuinely good deal.

For more details and additional accommodation options, I have written a complete article about where to stay on Praslin.

As there are no hotels on Curieuse Island, there are no restaurants either. A quick word of advice: if you are visiting independently, do not forget to bring something to eat. There are picnic areas and barbecues around the island. If you join an organized excursion, a group meal is usually included, so there is no need to pack one.

As you can imagine, there are not many ways to get around Curieuse Island. Everything is done on foot because there are no cars or roads, only paths waiting to be explored. In other words, it offers a complete change of scenery.

That brings this short guide to visiting Curieuse Island in the Seychelles to an end. This little corner of paradise should now hold far fewer secrets for you. To help you plan your trip to this dream destination, I suggest reading our articles about things to do on Mahé and La Digue. They were written by Aurélie, who has wonderful memories of spending her honeymoon there.

If you have already visited the Seychelles archipelago or Curieuse Island, feel free to share your experience with us. It is always interesting to read your feedback.

See you soon for more discoveries!

Written by Sylvain PONS

In this article, I'd like to introduce you to the wonders of the Seychelles archipelago, a paradise lost in the middle of the Indian Ocean, perfect for relaxing, having a good time and simply enjoying yourself!

Despite our care, a mistake may have slipped into this article. If you find any, please don't hesitate to let us know so we can correct it as soon as possible and keep our information up-to-date!