Last summer we took a boat trip to the Kuriat Islands, located off Monastir in Tunisia. This was a really great trip that included everything from an entertaining boat ride on a pirate ship to beach life and learning about sea turtles.
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Kuriat Islands, off Monastir in Tunisia
The Kuriat Islands consist of two islands, the larger of which is an island with a military base, while the smaller welcomes tourists. This is a small uninhabited island where tourists, who come during the day, interact with sea turtles and their egg-laying sites. We visited the island last summer during a press trip, when direct flights between Stockholm and Tunisia finally started.
From Monastir - a boat trip to the Kuriat Islands
We travelled to Monastir, on the coast, for our full day at sea. With us we had swimwear, water and a curious mind. In the harbour, we encountered a lovely environment with white houses and lots of leisure boats of different sizes.
Boat trip with a pirate ship
We were ready to board this boat trip to the Kuriat Islands, and there was a large pirate ship waiting for us in the harbour.
On board were, in addition to our group of Swedish and Norwegian writers, a large group of holidaymakers looking forward to a great day on the water.
The boat trip took quite a while, maybe between 1.5 and 2 hours, but we never got bored. We enjoyed the sun and the view on deck, while music was played to get everyone in a good mood.
We got the best view of the pirate ship when it was time to leave it. Just before we arrived at the island, we had to step over to a smaller boat, which drove all passengers in shuttle traffic to the Kuriat Islands.
Sun and sea in the Kuriat Islands
So what do you do on the Kuriat Islands? Well, above all, you enjoy the sun, swimming, and the tranquillity of this uninhabited island. There's a fantastic sandy beach with shaded "summer huts" or lovely hammocks for those who wish.
We spent most of the time just lounging, or lying in the clear and lovely water.
Sea turtles in the Kuriat Islands
As well as being known for its beautiful paradise beach, the Kuriat Islands are famous for their sea turtles. We were extremely impressed by how well the turtles are cared for and how careful they are to ensure that tourists do not disturb the animals' natural life.
There are small cottages on the island where we met the non-profit organisation 'Notre Grand Bleu Association'. Here they educate tourists about sea turtles and the environment, while observing and protecting the animals.
For example, they mark with small signs where the turtles have laid their eggs so that people keep their distance. There is also a walking trail with information on birdlife and nature on the island and its surroundings.
Lunch on the Kuriat Islands
There are no shops on the island, so you need to either join a tour where food is included, or bring your own food. When you go on an organised full-day tour, as we did, lunch is included and this is then served at the beach.
We got a lovely plate with grilled fish, chicken, rice, different salads and a big piece of baguette. This sat nicely after a wonderful and exciting day out!
Boat trip back to Monastir - a festive journey
In the afternoon it was time to head back towards Monastir again. We thought that this might be a somewhat boring trip back, as everyone is just waiting to arrive, but we couldn't be more wrong. Now dance rhythms were played and almost everyone got up on the "dance floor".
A group of guys also showed what they could do up the mast. Difficult to capture on film, but they knew what they were doing, so to speak ...
The journey back went faster than the eye and we were back in the harbour in Monastir. A very nice excursion day!
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
If you take a boat trip to the Kuriat Islands, you can also check out the city of Monastir, where there is a historic old town centre and where you can also see the defensive fortress Ribat of Monastir and the Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba.
You can also discover the popular tourist resort of Sousse or the city of Mahdia. In addition, you can make an excursion to El Djem, where you will find one of the largest amphitheatres in the world, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Facts about boat trip to the Kuriat Islands in Tunisia
- Country: Tunisia
- Location: The Kuriat Islands are located off Monastir, on the east coast of Tunisia.
- Environmental protection: The Kuriat archipelago is one of four maritime protected areas in Tunisia. The islands are important for birdlife and are an important nesting site for sea turtles.
Good to know before a boat trip to the Kuriat Islands
- Travel to Tunisia: Direct flights from Stockholm Arlanda to Tunis run once a week, on Mondays, with the airline Nouvelair. There are charter flights to Hammamet and Sousse, including Apollo and Detur.
- Get to the Kuriat Islands: Take a "pirate boat" tour or hire a motorised boat with a driver.
- Booking: Book via your hotel or via the local booking office.
- Include: Swimwear, towel/sarong, sun hat/cap, sunscreen, flip-flops or similar, water, food (if you are not on a guided tour with food included), snacks and some cash (if there is a possibility to buy drinks or similar on the island).
- Accessibility: There is a staircase between deck 1 and 2 on the boat. You need to take a step from the larger boat to the smaller boat.
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Lena - good for the soul says:
It looks really lovely and nice. Can believe that you were a little surprised by the return journey if you thought of something else 🙂 .
Hug Lena
08 October 2023 - 8:36
Petra says:
It was a lovely day of boating and swimming 🥰.
09 October 2023 - 7:22