Port information & tips for Curieuse Island
Curieuse Island is a pristine natural jewel of the Seychelles and delights as a protected national park with its unique biodiversity. Visitors can expect a paradisiacal backdrop of striking granite rocks, turquoise water, and the rare Coco de Mer palms. Highlights include the Aldabra giant tortoise sanctuary, the fascinating hiking trails through the dense mangrove forests, and the historical Doctor’s House at Anse St. José. Going ashore is easy via tender boat at the natural landing site of Baie Laraie, from where guests can explore the car-free nature paradise directly on foot. Thanks to the well-maintained paths, the most important sights and the picturesque coast can be reached within a few minutes, inviting you on a tour of discovery amidst this protected idyll.
Getting to and from the cruise port of La Curieuse in the Seychelles is a picturesque journey through the island archipelago. Since La Curieuse is a protected natural island and not a traditional embarkation port for ocean cruises, travel for guests from the DACH region involves transfers from the main islands, particularly Mahé and Praslin. Cruises that visit La Curieuse usually begin and end in the port of Victoria on Mahé or in Baie Ste. Anne on Praslin.
Airplane
Your journey to the Seychelles will take you to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on the main island of Mahé, which is easily accessible from Europe with direct flights or connecting services. The airport is located about 8 to 11 kilometers southeast of Victoria and the ferry terminal there. A taxi ride from the airport to the ferry terminal in Victoria takes about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Island Transfer
From Mahé, you can continue to Praslin, the closest larger island to La Curieuse, by domestic flight or ferry. Air Seychelles offers regular, approximately 15 to 20-minute domestic flights from Mahé International Airport (SEZ) to Praslin Island Airport (PRI). Alternatively, the fast Cat Cocos ferry connects the Inter Island Quay in Victoria on Mahé with Baie Ste. Anne on Praslin. The crossing takes around 75 minutes and offers a wonderful view of the islands; early booking is recommended.
Pre-Cruise Stay and Crossing to La Curieuse
For a relaxed start to your cruise experience, a pre-cruise stay on Praslin is recommended. From there, La Curieuse is only a short boat ride away, for example, a 20-minute crossing from Anse Possession or Grand Anse Main Beach. Cruise ships usually anchor off the coast and transport their passengers by tender boat to the Baie Laraie Beach Landing on La Curieuse. This is purely a port of call for shore excursions, with no infrastructure of its own for embarkation.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually provide you with a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and bear in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually about one hour before the scheduled departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the latest announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Getting to and from the cruise port of La Curieuse in the Seychelles is a picturesque journey through the island archipelago. Since La Curieuse is a protected natural island and not a traditional embarkation port for ocean cruises, travel for guests from the DACH region involves transfers from the main islands, particularly Mahé and Praslin. Cruises that visit La Curieuse usually begin and end in the port of Victoria on Mahé or in Baie Ste. Anne on Praslin.
Airplane
Your journey to the Seychelles will take you to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) on the main island of Mahé, which is easily accessible from Europe with direct flights or connecting services. The airport is located about 8 to 11 kilometers southeast of Victoria and the ferry terminal there. A taxi ride from the airport to the ferry terminal in Victoria takes about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Island Transfer
From Mahé, you can continue to Praslin, the closest larger island to La Curieuse, by domestic flight or ferry. Air Seychelles offers regular, approximately 15 to 20-minute domestic flights from Mahé International Airport (SEZ) to Praslin Island Airport (PRI). Alternatively, the fast Cat Cocos ferry connects the Inter Island Quay in Victoria on Mahé with Baie Ste. Anne on Praslin. The crossing takes around 75 minutes and offers a wonderful view of the islands; early booking is recommended.
Pre-Cruise Stay and Crossing to La Curieuse
For a relaxed start to your cruise experience, a pre-cruise stay on Praslin is recommended. From there, La Curieuse is only a short boat ride away, for example, a 20-minute crossing from Anse Possession or Grand Anse Main Beach. Cruise ships usually anchor off the coast and transport their passengers by tender boat to the Baie Laraie Beach Landing on La Curieuse. This is purely a port of call for shore excursions, with no infrastructure of its own for embarkation.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually provide you with a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port and bear in mind that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination - is usually about one hour before the scheduled departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the latest announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Access to Curieuse Island is easy and convenient by boat directly to the picturesque sandy beaches, thanks to its sheltered location. From there, a unique nature reserve opens up to you, which you can experience flexibly and close to nature.
On Foot
The island can be explored exclusively on foot via idyllic hiking trails and offers direct encounters with free-roaming giant tortoises. A well-maintained path connects Baie Laraie and Anse St. José in around 45 minutes and leads you through fascinating mangrove landscapes.
Water Taxi
Private water taxis are the primary connection to the neighboring island of Praslin and regularly head to the landing sites of Curieuse. These boats allow for an individual arrival as well as a flexible return and simultaneously offer the first impressive views of the coastline from the water.
Dinghy Shuttle
Cruise ships use their own tender boats or Zodiacs to bring guests safely and comfortably directly to the beach. This service allows for direct entry into the national park's trail network and ensures a smooth process for your shore excursion into untouched nature.
To make the most of your stay on the pristine nature island of Curieuse, we recommend a combination of observing the famous giant tortoises and relaxing hours on the natural dream beaches of the national park.
Baie Laraie
In this idyllic bay, visitors encounter the impressive Aldabra giant tortoises in their natural habitat and can observe the fascinating animals up close thanks to their trusting nature. The area also serves as an ideal starting point for a hike across the island, which leads on well-maintained wooden boardwalks directly through the protected mangrove forests.
Anse St. Jose
This paradise beach section impresses with its fine white sand and crystal-clear water, inviting you to take a refreshing dip in the Indian Ocean after a short walk across the island. The bay also provides a perfect backdrop for a relaxed picnic under palm trees and is ideally suited for snorkelers thanks to its calm location.
Das Arzthaus
The historic building at Anse St. Jose is a significant cultural monument of the Seychelles and today houses an informative museum that brings visitors closer to the eventful history of the former leper colony. The colonial-style architecture is perfectly preserved and at the same time offers an interesting contrast to the wild, untouched nature of the surroundings.
Anse St. José
The picturesque bay of Anse St. José is directly accessible by the ship's own tender boat and welcomes travelers with a dreamlike white sandy beach and the granite rocks characteristic of the Seychelles. This location is perfect for a relaxed swimming stop and also offers an interesting small museum in the historic "Doctor's House," which provides insights into the history of the island. Thanks to the natural shade under large Takamaka trees and its idyllic location in the national park, you can enjoy a particularly peaceful atmosphere in untouched nature. Ideally, visit the beach directly in the morning to take advantage of the gentle morning sun, and combine your stay with a short walk along the mangrove path so that you can begin your relaxed return journey to the ship in the early afternoon.
The return journey from the island's natural beauties to your ship is straightforward and safe thanks to well-organized tender connections and clearly marked paths.
Tender Boats (Shuttle Service)
The ship's own tender boats commute regularly between the two main landing points, Baie Laraie and Anse St. José, and take you directly back to your ship. Find out about the time of the last return trip in advance and arrive at the wooden piers in good time to enjoy the crossing in a relaxed manner.
Water Taxis
Local water taxis and boats from private tour operators are available at the island's landing points and offer a flexible return travel option. These private providers will reliably bring you back to your ship or to the departure port on Praslin and can be easily organized directly on the beach or through your guide.
On Foot via Island Trails
The marked hiking trails lead you safely through the mangrove forests and connect the turtle sanctuary with the Doctor’s House. Plan about 45 to 60 minutes for the path between the two landing stations and use the well-maintained paths to arrive at the boat departure point on time and full of new impressions.
