St. Pierre, island in the Seychelles
Useful facts about St. Pierre
The tiny islet of St. Pierre, just off the north-east coast of Praslin, is a treat for snorkellers and swimmers. As along the whole of this stretch of coast, the snorkelling here is especially good. The little island often appears in advertising photos of the Seychelles. It is made of granite and uninhabited, and you can only reach it by boat.
St. Pierre lies about 1.5 km off the beach at Anse Volbert. Depending on the boat, the crossing takes around 15 to 20 minutes. The island belongs to the Curieuse Marine National Park, whose boundaries take in Curieuse, the whole channel as far as Praslin, as well as St. Pierre and Chauve Souris.
St. Pierre is not much good for sunbathing. It is more a cluster of weathered granite boulders than an island in the usual sense, and there is no beach for swimming. The appeal lies under water: plenty of reef fish live around the rock, and now and then you may see sea turtles.
Getting there and boat trips
On a tour from Praslin
St. Pierre is almost always visited as part of a boat trip. It is usually a half-day excursion with a snorkelling stop rather than a crossing of its own. The most common combination is with the neighbouring island of Curieuse: a walk to the giant tortoises, then snorkelling at St. Pierre. Boats leave Anse Volbert at about 9.30 am, with some operators from about 8.30 am. Pure snorkelling trips last around 3 to 4 hours.
Most operators are based on the Côte d’Or. You will find an overview of the options on the boat trips page. Choose a licensed operator, ask beforehand whether the park fee, drinks and lunch are included in the price, and compare prices before you book.
| Tour (from Anse Volbert) | Duration | Guide price per person (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Half day: Curieuse and snorkelling at St. Pierre | approx. 4 hrs | from approx. €75, all inclusive according to the operator |
| Full day: Curieuse, St. Pierre, Creole BBQ | 6 to 7 hrs | from approx. €95 |
| Full day with an extra stop at Anse Lazio | 6 to 7 hrs | approx. €120 |
Getting to Praslin
You can reach Praslin from Mahé by ferry or on a domestic flight. Once there, you get to Anse Volbert by bus or hire car. A few operators also run trips from Mahé to La Digue, Curieuse, St. Pierre and Anse Lazio, but that makes for a long day on the water. Some tours are expressly meant only for guests staying on Praslin. If you want to enjoy St. Pierre in peace, you are better off staying overnight on Praslin.
Snorkelling and swimming
Best time and conditions
The sea is calmest in the transitional months. April, October and November fall between the two monsoon seasons, with calmer water, lighter winds and visibility that can reach 30 metres. Outside those months you can still hope for a quiet week with visibility of 12 to 18 metres. During the trade wind season from May to September the water tends to be choppier and less clear. St. Pierre sits out in open water. The west side of the islet is more sheltered, and skippers usually head for that side when there is a swell. Ask about the current conditions the evening before and, if possible, book with some flexibility.
The bay of Anse Volbert itself is shallow and dominated by broad seagrass meadows. If you want more fish in front of your mask, St. Pierre is the better choice. For what swimming is like on the beaches of Praslin, see the page on Praslin, and for general advice go to Diving and snorkelling.
Rules in the Marine Park
- Touch nothing, do not stand on the coral, take nothing away.
- Spearfishing, fishing tackle and fish traps are banned in the park.
- Boats must anchor or moor in the designated areas and keep a lookout for swimmers.
- Wear a Lycra shirt or use reef-friendly sun cream. Granite heats up fiercely in the midday sun, and sturdy water shoes help on the rocks.
- Weak swimmers should wear a life jacket. There can be currents when the sea is rough and around the rocks.
Worth seeing nearby
| Destination | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Curieuse | Giant tortoises, mangroves and walking trails. The crossing from Côte d’Or takes about 20 minutes. The park is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. From October to early March there is also a supervised path to the sea turtle nesting sites (Rs 150, as of November 2026). |
| Chauve Souris | A small islet roughly 200 metres off the beach at Anse Volbert, good for snorkelling. |
| Praslin | Beaches such as Anse Lazio, the Vallée de Mai nature reserve and the coastal villages. |
| Dream beaches | More beaches of the Seychelles at a glance. |
On Curieuse you will find the old doctor's house, an example of Creole colonial architecture that now serves as a museum. You can find walks on Praslin and Curieuse on the Hiking page.
Accommodation, practical tips and day trip
There is no accommodation on St. Pierre itself. Hotels, guesthouses and holiday apartments nearby are listed under Holidays on Praslin, and restaurants under Restaurants on Praslin. Anse Volbert is the most practical base, as the boats leave from there.
Bring drinking water, sun protection, a towel and a waterproof bag. Food and toilets are only available on board, and on Curieuse also at the visitor centre. Besides your credit card, bring some cash in rupees; you will find tips under Money and banks. For medical emergencies, see Hospital, clinics and emergency numbers.
St. Pierre is a day trip, and an overnight stay there is not possible. Allow at least half a day, or a full day if you combine it with Curieuse. When travelling with children the half-day tour is worth choosing, since time in the water for snorkelling is limited anyway. More destinations around the islands are on the page Islands of the Seychelles.
