Experience the Seychelles
Curieuse
This place is only a short boat ride from Praslin. The island belongs to the group of inner islands and, as a subsidiary island, is an integral part of the geographical structure of the Seychelles.
Auf einen Blick
Inselgruppe: Inner Islands
Inseltyp: Sub-island
Fläche: 2,93 km²
Entfernung zu Mahé: 48 km
Anreise: boat
Bewohnt: ja
Geologie: granite
Besonderheiten: Granite mountains, short hiking trails, bays with rocks
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The red island of gentle giants and wild mangroves
Anyone spending their holiday on Praslin simply must take a trip to Curieuse. This uninhabited island rises from the ocean just one to two kilometers off the north coast of Praslin. Even from afar, its striking, bare red earth stands out, breaking through the green jungle in many places and creating a stunning contrast to the turquoise sea.
Curieuse has no hotels, no restaurants and no traffic, but it offers an absolute abundance of untouched nature, history and animal encounters that you won't soon forget.
Close contact with the Aldabra giant tortoises
The undisputed main reason to visit Curieuse is its most famous inhabitants. The island is a huge breeding and conservation program for the endangered Aldabra giant tortoises.
Welcome to Baie Laraie: When your boat docks in this bay, it usually only takes a few seconds before you spot the first armored giants. Around 300 of these fascinating animals roam freely here.
A truly unique encounter: Unlike in many zoos, here you can get incredibly close (while following the rules). The tortoises love it when you gently stroke their necks; they stretch them upwards with obvious pleasure! It's an absolutely surreal and wonderful experience to sit next to an animal that is easily over 100 years old and weighs more than you do.
Red earth, Coco de Mer and magical mangrove forests
Curieuse shares an exclusive secret with its neighboring island of Praslin: only on these two islands does the legendary giant nut, Coco de Mer, grow completely naturally in the wild. But the island's true magic is revealed on a hike across its landscape.
The jungle trail: A well-maintained path, approximately 1.5 kilometers long, leads you from Baie Laraie to the other side of the island, to Anse San Jose. The trail winds across fascinating red soil, past wild vanilla plants and enormous granite boulders.
On wooden boardwalks through the mangroves: The absolute highlight of the hike is the long boardwalk that leads you directly through an intact, dense mangrove forest. The root system of the trees juts out of the mud like claws. If you are quiet and look closely, you will discover huge, colorful mud crabs, countless small fish, and exotic birds in the dense foliage. A photographer's paradise!
The legacy of the leper colony and a historic dream house
Curieuse has a dark but fascinating history. From the late 19th to the mid-20th century, the island served as a quarantine station for lepers.
The Doctor's House: At the end of your hike, at Anse San Jose bay, you will reach the "Doctor's House." This beautifully restored Creole colonial-style house was once the residence of the island's doctor. Today, it is a national monument and houses a small, informative museum about the island's history and its flora and fauna.
Relax at Anse San Jose: A fine, white sandy beach stretches out in front of the Doctor's House, perfect for a refreshing dip. The large Takamaka trees provide a wonderful setting for a picnic. Tip: Most tour operators organize a fantastic Creole barbecue for their guests right here on the beach!
The verdict: A trip to Curieuse (usually offered as a half- or full-day tour combined with a snorkeling stop at the tiny island of St. Pierre) is the perfect micro-adventure. It's a must for animal lovers, families, and photographers who want to experience the untamed nature of the Seychelles up close.