Review of an expedition cruise to the Seychelles with Ponant from January 25 to February 2, 2026 (page 6 of 11)

Hi Catherine,

So here we are in Robinson Crusoe mode 😊☀️! Really nice and insightful discovery.

Ah, here we are in full-on Robinson Crusoe mode! 😄☀️

Absolutely, way more fun than the hassle of getting to beaches and parking lots, and on top of that, we eat *way* better than poor Robinson. ;)

Wednesday, January 28, Curieuse Island



Breakfast over the sea—just how we like it.



We’re the last group to disembark today. To keep things fair, the disembarkation order changes every day.

Curieuse is called the "red island" because of its red earth and 750-million-year-old granite. But it was the French East India Company schooner *La Curieuse*, sent to the Seychelles in 1768 to assert French sovereignty and commanded by explorer Marion du Fresne, that gave the island its current name.

It was during this expedition that the strange coco de mer was discovered on Praslin and Curieuse. Curieuse is the only other place, besides Praslin, where the coco de mer palm grows naturally. The guide reminds us that coconut trees kill more people every year than sharks do.

In 1829, the Seychellois government acquired the island to establish a leper colony. The Doctor Mac Gregor House, which treated lepers during the colonial era, has been turned into a museum.

Starting in the 1970s, the island was transformed into a nature reserve. It became famous for its giant tortoise protection program, where the tortoises roam freely in a secure environment. Curieuse is also a marine protected area. To avoid damaging the seabed, the ship will stay in dynamic positioning all day without dropping anchor.

Not all passengers are early risers. Since we show up a bit early and there are missing people to fill the Zodiac, we disembark well ahead of schedule—which is great for us. We land on a deserted, paradise-like beach.





We have to weave through these large rocks planted in the sand...





...to reach a small wild beach.

Wednesday, January 28, Curieuse Island (continued)

We’re at the edge of the mangrove. Old dead trees lie on the sand, lining the beach.





Just a few meters away, in the undergrowth, a turtle goes about its business.



Our plan is to settle under the soothing shade of a tree that stretches its branches out for us to hang our things. There’s no one around—it’s paradise on earth.



The environment is stunning, and being alone makes it even more magical. Through the crystal-clear water, you can see shells moving, leaving trails in the sand.



The beach slopes gently into the sea, skirting a small rock jetty covered in grasses that sway gently with the movement of the water. Swarms of tiny fish emerge from the grasses as soon as you stop and come closer, as if they’re curious. I even spot a school of brightly colored little squid. Too bad I don’t have anything to photograph them with.





The most common are little fish with dark blue and white stripes. They’re super curious and come right up as soon as you stay still. Others are light gray with a neon yellow tail. I count at least ten different species I can observe that morning in this exquisite-temperature sea, surrounded by this enchanting landscape.

Passengers have the option to go snorkeling at the other end of the beach, but for me, who doesn’t do that, it’s a delight just watching all these little fish, and I spend a long time doing so.

Morning slips away too quickly. We take a short walk along the beach before heading back to the Zodiac that will take us to the boat—the last return of the morning at 11:30.





Time flew by so fast that we completely forgot to visit the doctor’s museum house.

Hello! Thanks for sharing these heavenly spots without the crowds of the beautiful beaches!

It’s simply magnificent—an absolute paradise just like you’d dream of, and no mosquitoes! Thanks so much for these gorgeous photos

Hi Catherine,

Your trip reports are always amazing, interesting, and a pleasure to read. Here are the Seychelles I’ve been waiting for and know well—those beautiful beaches, granite rocks, and fine sand.

That’s why we’ve always been told that Mahé isn’t *the* Seychelles. Thanks again for the lovely photos! !

Thank you, Catherine, for your wonderful account that makes us dream and gives us the urge to go. Best regards, Claudine

Thanks Marie-Christine, We were really lucky to visit these stunning places in perfect conditions.

Hi Catherine, No mosquitoes and sunshine in the sky—what a stroke of luck for fully enjoying these little islands!

Thanks, Alfred—these beaches are truly paradise on earth.

Thanks Claudine, seeing the Seychelles like this really makes you dream.

Wednesday, January 28, Curieuse Island (continued)

Lunch outdoors on the terrace is simple but delicious. Cod fritters with rougail sauce—not too spicy but tasty. A beef and vegetable pasta wok, served Asian-style for us. And way too many other options to list. No need to worry, the dishes are all-you-can-eat at both lunch and dinner, just like on other cruise lines.

This afternoon, we’re offered a guided walk through the mangrove to the viewpoint overlooking Labraie Bay.

Our guides’ tropical explorer outfits are on point—each one puts their own spin on them.





The tide’s out, which makes crossing the mangrove a bit of a shame. I had no idea there were 70 different species of trees or shrubs in the world’s mangroves.







This little shy crab scurries off to hide.



A delicate hibiscus flower tucked among the foliage awaits us.



Behind this curtain of trees lies the beach where we were this morning.



It’s more visible at low tide. The small wall on the right is what remains of an early 20th-century turtle farm. Hawksbill turtles weren’t fit for consumption—they were raised for their shells, which were used to make various art objects, fashionable at the time.

Wednesday, January 28, Curieuse Island (continued)

Once again, we cross the mangrove on our way back. The young shoots are vigorous and plentiful.







The day ends with a lovely tropical evening on the ship’s deck, where soaking up the "douceur de vivre" is pure delight.



At the end of the meal, we’re offered a Bordier cheese buffet—a Ponant classic.

Indeed, the outfits of the guides were... surprising 😇 It was a really lovely day and a beautiful evening!

Indeed, the guides' outfits were... surprising

With the heat we had!!! A good sunscreen was enough to avoid getting sunburned. I still don’t get it...

Thursday 29, Aride Island (morning) and Curieuse Island (afternoon)

The weather is a bit cloudy this morning. During yesterday’s briefing for the stopover, we were warned that disembarking the zodiac on this beach is usually quite rough. A video showed us big waves crashing over the zodiac. We know what to expect.

So we get ready for a trip that’s as watertight as possible. Aride is also a nature reserve, so we have to carefully prepare and clean our bags and shoes before going ashore. No outside pollution is allowed. Rangers from the island check our bags and the cleanliness of our shoe soles before we board the zodiac.

The sea is calm, with no swell, and our experienced driver knows how to avoid the seawater shower.



The welcome on the beach is very well organized—benches and small towels are available to clean our feet. Yes, because like every time, it’s a "wet landing," which means stepping into the waves on the beach. We also have lockers to leave our things.



A female ranger who lives on the island guides us during the visit. Twelve people live here permanently to maintain the site, monitor, and count the birds.

Aride is a nature reserve—one of the most important seabird colonies in the Indian Ocean, with half a million birds breeding here each year. The island is also home to rare endemic plants and reptiles. Visits are strictly regulated to keep Aride a preserved sanctuary.

The poison tree produces distinctive fruits and very pretty flowers. The bark and fruits, when crushed, are used as poison for fishing—they stun or kill fish by asphyxiation while keeping their flesh intact. All parts of the tree are toxic.



This lizard, often quite plump, is the Seychelles’ scavenger. It cleans up everything left behind, and we’re grateful it helps limit the number of mosquitoes.



The walk continues. These outings, called hikes, are only one or two kilometers long, but stops are very frequent because there’s so much to see and so many explanations to listen to.

Thursday 29, Aride Island (morning) and Curieuse (afternoon) (continued)

The Tropicbirds nest in cavities at the base of trees, directly on the ground because this island has also been completely rat-free. I’ll say it again—they’re so beautiful to see and surprising like this, lying on the ground.





Who’s hiding between the roots of this tree? A very young Tropicbird chick.





Here’s another chick, a little older.



As in Rémire, we see lots of white terns with their pretty blue-based beaks. We’re here at the time when they’re most numerous. They lay a single egg in the fork of a branch without building a nest. The egg is flexible when laid to adapt to the shape of the cavity where it’s placed. The chick has strong claws that keep it from falling off its branch. The white tern can travel 200 km offshore from its resting area to feed.





The island is covered in guano, which hardens like stone when it dries. For a long time, it was harvested and sent to France to be used and distributed in Europe as fertilizer—it’s one of the best on earth.

I love the tropical explorer’s protective gear against external aggressions, especially the shoes… 😉 When they ask us to wear closed shoes that no one actually wears. 😏

Thursday 29, Aride Island (morning) and Curieuse (afternoon) (continued)

The walk continues through the forest, passing by a turtle conservation center until we visit a tiny, completely uninteresting shop.







The return trip by zodiac goes just as smoothly as the way there, and we once again avoid getting soaked by the sea.

Lunch on the terrace—today we’re enjoying delicious grilled prawn skewers.

The boat sets off for Curieuse. Anse St José, where we’re headed, is on the other side of the island, opposite from where we were yesterday morning.

The weather has clouded over; it’s a little less hot, but most of all, the colors aren’t as vibrant.





Despite that, the beach is still very pleasant. The dead trees lying on the sand create a unique setting I really like.







The water is absolutely delightful. I’ve never swum in the sea so much in my life. And reading, lying on the sand after a long swim and some chats in the water, is a truly relaxing and blissful moment.

The sky is getting heavier and heavier, so we head back to the boat around 4 PM.

Our table of six has invited a naturalist to join us for dinner tonight.

The show—the only one that will take place in the theater—is called "New York." I find it particularly ill-timed for a French company, given the current context after the tariff episodes, Greenland, etc.

Hi Catherine,

Gorgeous beaches, warm water, lush vegetation, birds, and turtles—along with a deep respect for nature and the environment—really live up to the Seychelles we all imagine.

Thanks for sharing! 😊