Experience Unforgettable Turtle Watching In Seychelles

Curieuse Island, a granite outcrop in the northern Seychelles, functions as a nature reserve where roughly 100,000 Aldabra giant tortoises roam freely, their domed shells reaching lengths of up to 1.2 meters and weights near 250 kg. These terrestrial giants, classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, are the primary draw, but the island also hosts the endemic Seychelles black parrot and requires boat-only access with strictly guided excursions. This article covers where to reliably see both land and sea turtles across the archipelago, the conservation frameworks protecting them, and the practical choices that determine whether you spend your day watching a tortoise feed or staring at an empty beach.

The two main sea turtle species—the green turtle and the hawksbill—nest on specific beaches, and their seasons are narrower than the general travel windows. Hawksbill nesting peaks between October and April, with eggs incubating for roughly eight weeks before hatchlings emerge, usually at night, using starlight and moonlight to navigate to the sea. A hatchling’s gender depends on nest temperature: hotter sand produces more females, cooler sand more males. Understanding these biological constraints is the difference between arriving during a nesting window and seeing only tracks.

Where Turtles Live in Seychelles: Islands and Nesting Beaches

The archipelago’s turtle habitats split cleanly between Aldabra giant tortoises on protected islands and sea turtles along specific beach stretches. Curieuse Island, accessed only by boat from Praslin, holds the most accessible population of Aldabra tortoises, but these are confined to guided excursions—you cannot wander independently. The southern portion of Mahé, particularly Anse Forbans and Anse Intendance, concentrates the best sea turtle nesting grounds, though these beaches are not uniformly accessible during nesting season.

The Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (MCSS) has monitored nesting activity on Anse Grand Police for over two decades, one of six beaches along Mahé’s southwestern coast that continue to host significant hawksbill and some green turtle nesting. In 2023, MCSS ran its third consecutive ‘Adopt a Beach’ programme, where corporate teams like Jouel joined conservation activities, locating two hawksbill tracks and existing nests of both species. This monitoring is part of a broader push toward designating these critical nesting sites as seasonally protected areas under the GOS-GEF-UNDP Ridge to Reef Project.

A limitation worth noting: you cannot reliably see a sea turtle nesting on demand. Female hawksbills return to the same beaches where they were born, but nesting is nocturnal, weather-dependent, and illegal to interfere with. The southern Mahé beaches offer the highest probability, but even there, a guided MCSS program is your best bet rather than independent beach-walking.

What I’d do: Skip the guesswork on Mahé and book a guided excursion with MCSS or a licensed operator who coordinates with their monitoring schedule. On Praslin side, commit to the full-day Curieuse Island guided trip—the tortoises are there, but the boat schedules are fixed, and the guided groups are small.

Curieuse Island: The Reliable Giant Tortoise Experience

Curieuse Island sits in the northern Seychelles, a nature reserve reached only by boat, and its Aldabra giant tortoises are the largest terrestrial tortoises globally—measuring up to 1.2 meters and weighing nearly 250 kg. These tortoises feed primarily on plants, and their population across the archipelago is estimated at around 100,000, though Curieuse concentrates a visible, accessible subset. The island also hosts the endemic Seychelles black parrot, adding a secondary wildlife draw.

The Guided Excursion Structure

All excursions on Curieuse are strictly guided by professional guides, and it is prohibited to feed or disturb the animals or pick vegetation. The guided format ensures you see the tortoises without stressing them, but it also means you cannot linger on your own schedule. The best times to visit Seychelles generally—April to May and October to November—coincide with weaker trade winds, which makes the boat crossing from Praslin more comfortable.

Combining Curieuse with Other Praslin Activities

A day trip to Curieuse fits naturally with a Praslin itinerary that includes the Vallée de Mai or Anse Lazio. The boat schedules from Praslin are fixed, so you cannot do both Curieuse and a full Praslin beach day in one outing. Plan Curieuse for a dedicated morning, then afternoon at Anse Lazio or the Vallée de Mai if your boat returns early enough.

What I’d do: Pair Curieuse with a morning Vallée de Mai visit on a separate day. Trying to combine both in one day creates a rushed schedule, and the guided Curieuse excursion deserves the full morning without clock-watching.

Practical Planning: Timing, Access, and What to Expect

The seasonal windows for turtle observation differ between Aldabra tortoises on Curieuse and sea turtles on Mahé. Aldabra tortoises are present year-round, but boat access to Curieuse is weather-dependent, making the April–May and October–November trade wind lulls the most reliable periods. For sea turtles, hawksbill nesting peaks October to April, with hatchlings emerging roughly eight weeks later, usually at night.

Getting There: Boat Logistics and Guided Programs

Curieuse Island requires a boat from Praslin, typically arranged through tour operators in Baie Sainte Anne or Anse Volbert. The crossing is short but can be uncomfortable in strong trade winds—check the forecast and avoid the June–September southeast monsoon if you are prone to seasickness. On Mahé, the MCSS ‘Adopt a Beach’ program offers structured access to Anse Grand Police, but this is a corporate sponsorship initiative; individual travelers should contact MCSS directly to inquire about public participation or guided walks.

Costs and Booking Considerations

Curieuse Island excursions vary by operator but typically include boat transfer, guide, and park fees. Expect to pay around $60–$80 per person for a half-day trip. MCSS monitoring programs on Mahé are free to join during scheduled activities, but availability is limited and geared toward corporate groups or volunteers—not drop-in tourists. The GOS-GEF-UNDP Ridge to Reef Project funds the seasonal protected areas initiative, meaning public access to nesting beaches may be restricted during peak nesting months to protect the sites.

What I’d do: Book Curieuse at least a week in advance through a Praslin-based operator. For Mahé nesting beaches, contact MCSS before your trip to see if any public monitoring walks are scheduled—do not assume you can walk onto Anse Grand Police unguided.

On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go

Packing and Preparation

The Curieuse Island excursion involves walking on sandy trails and potentially uneven terrain near the mangroves where black parrots are often seen. Sturdy sandals or lightweight hiking shoes are more practical than flip-flops. A hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water are essential—the island has limited shade, and guided walks can last 2–3 hours. For Mahé nesting beaches, bring a red-filtered flashlight if you plan to visit at night; white light disorients turtles and hatchlings.

Conservation Etiquette and Local Rules

It is prohibited to feed or disturb animals on Curieuse Island, and picking flowers or vegetation in the national park is also banned. On Mahé, the MCSS and the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment are working toward designating critical nesting sites as seasonally protected areas. This means some beaches may have restricted access during nesting months—check the current status before planning a visit. Sea turtles are protected species, and interfering with nesting is illegal, with fines that can reach significant amounts.

Photography and Gear Recommendations

Capturing tortoises on Curieuse is straightforward with a standard camera or smartphone, but the low-light conditions of nocturnal hatchling emergences on Mahé demand better equipment. A compact action camera like the DJI Osmo Action 6 handles low-light video well and is waterproof to 20 meters, useful for beachside filming in damp conditions. For aerial shots of the coastline or tortoise groups, the DJI Mini 3 is under 249 grams (no registration needed) and offers vertical shooting for social media, but check local drone regulations—Curieuse is a nature reserve with restrictions.

This article may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, IslandHopperGuides may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Common Questions About Turtle Watching in Seychelles

Can I see turtles on any Seychelles beach?

No. Aldabra giant tortoises are confined to specific protected islands like Curieuse. Sea turtle nesting is concentrated on Mahé’s southwestern beaches, particularly Anse Forbans and Anse Intendance, but nesting is seasonal and nocturnal—you cannot expect to see a turtle on a random beach walk during the day.

Is it guaranteed I will see a giant tortoise on Curieuse?

Nearly guaranteed, but only on guided excursions. The Aldabra tortoises roam freely across the island, and guides know their usual feeding areas. However, the boat crossing is weather-dependent, and if seas are rough, tours may be cancelled—the April–May and October–November windows offer the calmest conditions.

What happens if I accidentally disturb a nesting turtle?

Disturbing a nesting sea turtle is illegal, and you could face fines. More importantly, a startled turtle may abandon her nest, killing the eggs. Maintain at least 10 meters of distance, use red light only, and never approach from the front where she can see you—approach from behind if you must move closer.

When is the worst time for turtle watching?

June through September, when the southeast trade winds are strongest, makes the Curieuse boat crossing uncomfortable and sometimes impossible. For sea turtles, the nesting season ends around April, so June to September offers minimal nesting activity on Mahé beaches. The island still hosts resident tortoises year-round, but access is the bottleneck.

Can I volunteer with turtle conservation during my trip?

Yes, but primarily through the MCSS ‘Adopt a Beach’ program, which is currently structured for corporate groups. Individual travelers should contact MCSS in advance to ask about volunteer opportunities—they may accommodate motivated visitors, but availability is limited and not advertised for casual tourists.

The fundamental tension in Seychelles turtle watching is that the most reliable species—the Aldabra giant tortoise—requires a boat trip and a guide, while the more dramatic sea turtle nesting is a seasonal, nocturnal, and legally restricted phenomenon that rewards patience over spontaneity. For most travelers, a Curieuse Island excursion from Praslin delivers the guaranteed encounter, while the Mahé nesting beaches remain a bonus for those willing to coordinate with local conservation schedules. Plan around the trade wind lulls, book guided access, and treat the sea turtles as a privilege rather than an expectation—the archipelago’s conservation framework exists precisely because these animals are not a guaranteed spectacle. For more on combining turtle watching with other activities, see our guide on snorkeling Seychelles’ coral reefs.

Sources and further reading

Visiting the turtles on Curieuse Island. Sailoe, 2024.

Corporate collaboration for the conservation of nesting sea turtles. Seychelles Nation, 2023.

Turtle spotting in Seychelles. Inside Seychelles, 2024.