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A.Savin CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Curieuse Island

Island

Curieuse, off Praslin, protects a giant tortoise colony, red‑mangrove stands and shallow reefs; visitors take short boats from Praslin for guided nature walks, tortoise encounters and snorkeling.

Curieuse Island VictoriaPraslinLa DigueCurieuse Island
In this guide

Curieuse Island essentials

Address: Curieuse Island (Curieuse Marine National Park), Seychelles
Admission: Landing/park fees apply for Curieuse Marine National Park; day-trip boat transfers usually arranged from Praslin
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About Curieuse Island

Curieuse Island is a small granitic island off the eastern coast of Praslin in the Seychelles, protected as part of the Curieuse Marine National Park and noted for its wildlife and coastal habitats. The island is best known for its population of Aldabra giant tortoises and its mangrove ecosystems.

Visitors travel by boat from Praslin to walk short trails, see free-roaming tortoises, visit beaches and inspect mangrove forests and coral-fringed shores. The island offers close encounters with tortoises and opportunities for marine snorkelling in adjacent reef areas.

Curieuse has a recorded human history that includes colonial-era settlement and a 19th-century leper colony; remains from that period are among the island’s interpretive points. Conservation and visitor management are focused on protecting the island’s habitats while allowing regulated public access.

Located immediately north of Praslin island, Curieuse is reached by a short boat ride from Praslin’s western beaches and lies within the inner islands’ marine park system.

  • Historic ruins: Formerly home to a 19th-century leper colony; ruins from the historic settlement are preserved and visible along some shore paths.

What to See#

  • Tortoise enclosure and free-roaming population: A small, protected island designated as a common nesting and grazing area for giant tortoises that were introduced from Aldabra; tortoises are a major visitor attraction.
  • Mangrove and marine habitats: A coastal mangrove and shallow reef zone forming part of the adjacent marine park, with marked walking routes and guided visits to beaches and shore habitats.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Curieuse Island

For the calmest seas and most reliable boat access, go in the drier months May-September.

Dry season (best for boat access and snorkeling)
May-September · 24-28 °C
Calmer seas and lower humidity make boat trips and beach visits easier and water visibility tends to be good.
Wet/warm season
November-March · 26-30 °C
Warmer, more humid and rainier-sea conditions can be choppier and some boat services may be interrupted by heavy showers.
Shoulder months
April & October · 24-29 °C
Transitional months with variable weather but often a mix of calm sea days and short rain spells-good for fewer crowds.

Weather & Climate near Curieuse Island

Climate

Curieuse Island's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 24°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2262 mm/year), wettest in January.

Air Quality: AQI 20 Good
Best Time to Visit
MayJuneMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 24° - 30° 30° 367 mm partly cloudy 82% 3.8 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.2h
February Very Good 25° - 30° 31° 269 mm partly cloudy 80% 4.4 m/s 2.8 extreme 12.1h
March Very Good 25° - 31° 32° 185 mm partly cloudy 78% 3.9 m/s 2.8 extreme 12.0h
April Very Good 25° - 31° 32° 173 mm some cloud 77% 3.7 m/s 2.6 extreme 11.9h
May Very Good 26° - 31° 32° 147 mm partly cloudy 80% 4.6 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.8h
June Very Good 25° - 29° 27° 94 mm partly cloudy 82% 5.8 m/s 2.0 very high 11.7h
July Very Good 24° - 28° 26° 81 mm partly cloudy 83% 6.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.8h
August Very Good 24° - 28° 26° 130 mm partly cloudy 82% 6.4 m/s 2.3 extreme 11.9h
September Very Good 24° - 29° 27° 140 mm partly cloudy 81% 5.6 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.0h
October Very Good 25° - 29° 27° 186 mm partly cloudy 80% 4.4 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.1h
November Very Good 24° - 30° 30° 207 mm partly cloudy 80% 3.8 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.2h
December Very Good 24° - 30° 30° 283 mm partly cloudy 81% 4.1 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.3h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Curieuse Island

Curieuse Island is reached only by boat from Praslin. Day-trip boats and organized tours depart regularly from Praslin’s harbours (Baie Sainte Anne and the Anse Volbert/Côte d’Or area) and the crossing is short (typically around 10-20 minutes). Boats land on Curieuse’s beach; once ashore everything is within a short walk.

Tips for Visiting Curieuse Island

  • Plan your visit with a morning landing to see the giant tortoises active and to explore the mangrove boardwalk before multiple day boats arrive around midday.
  • Travel to Curieuse on an organized boat from Praslin or a licensed operator-landing zones and visitor flows are regulated by the marine park and rangers can orient you to the short interpretive trails and historic leper colony ruins.
  • If your trip includes snorkeling, ask the boat operator about tides and quieter anchor spots-many visitors anchor at the popular beach while quieter snorkeling sites are reached by small skiff or less-crowded departures.