Blue bay: boat trip for ile au cerf (5 islands, barbecue)

The best part of this seven-hour boat trip is its variety. You snorkel in Blue Bay Marine Park, pass several islands, stop at Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, look for monkeys along Grand River South East, and finish with a barbecue on a quiet beach at Ile au Cerf. Guides named in recent bookings include Pascale, Christopher, William, Mathéo, Val, and Steve.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, which gives the day a personal feel and makes it easier to get help in the water. I also like the generous lunch, with fish, chicken, lobster, seafood, homemade punch, and coffee. The main consideration is pace: this is a full day on the water with several stops, so it may feel busy if you want a slow, beach-only outing.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat groups: Shared trips are limited to 10 participants, with exclusive trips also available.
• Blue Bay snorkeling: Use the supplied mask, snorkel, and safety equipment in a fish and coral reserve.
• Five-island route: See Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets, Ile au Cerf, and other island scenery along Mauritius’s southeast coast.
• Lighthouse and waterfall stops: Visit Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse and travel up Grand River South East to a waterfall.
• Beach barbecue: Lunch on Ile au Cerf includes fish, chicken, lobster, seafood, homemade punch, and other food.
• Easy planning: French and English guides, free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now, pay-later booking.

Why this boat day works so well

Mauritius has plenty of boat trips, but they do not all offer the same mix. Some focus mainly on snorkeling. Others take you straight to Ile au Cerf for beach time. This outing links several parts of the southeast coast, so you get water time, short sightseeing stops, a river visit, and a cooked lunch in one day.

That variety is the main reason I would consider it good value at $111 per person. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The price includes a guide, life jacket, safety kit, snorkeling equipment, the island route, and lunch with several main dishes. The final value depends on your priorities, but the combination is stronger than a simple transfer to the beach.

I also appreciate the clear respect for the sea, fish, coral, and wider natural setting. The experience is built around showing you the lagoon rather than treating it as a backdrop for a quick photo. Still, nature sets the schedule. Water conditions, visibility, and the time available at each stop can affect the day.

Starting at Blue Bay

The meeting point is next to the parking area at HP49+C2C. Look for a guide wearing a white polo shirt. That detail matters because boat departure points can be busy, and a clear clothing description makes the first few minutes less stressful.

The trip is based in the southeast, close to Blue Bay Marine Park. You should bring a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash. Water shoes are especially useful for a day that combines snorkeling, boat boarding, swimming, and a beach stop.

The boat setup is available as a shared trip or an exclusive outing. The shared option has a maximum of 10 people, a useful middle ground between a private charter and a large excursion boat. You get a social atmosphere without a crowd of dozens.

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the information does not explain how boarding, snorkeling, or movement between the boat and beach are handled. If you need specific assistance, ask the operator before booking. That is sensible for any activity involving a boat and several shore stops.

Snorkeling in Blue Bay Marine Park

The first major stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, where you can snorkel among fish and coral. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, so you do not need to pack your own mask or flotation gear unless you prefer using personal equipment.

This is an important stop because it gives the day a direct connection with Mauritius’s marine life. You are not simply looking at the lagoon from the boat. You get time in the water, with the guide and safety kit available to support the group.

Keep your expectations sensible. The quality of any snorkeling stop depends on sea conditions, water clarity, and how comfortable you are in the water. The program emphasizes respect for fish and coral, so this is not a place for standing on coral, touching marine life, or treating the reserve like a swimming pool.

The snorkeling is likely to suit confident swimmers and beginners who are comfortable with a life jacket, but the supplied information does not give a minimum swimming requirement. If you are nervous, tell the guide before entering the water. A small group should make it easier to get attention than on a crowded boat.

Ile aux Aigrettes for swimming and photos

The route then reaches Ile aux Aigrettes for a photo stop, cocktail, and swimming. This is a lighter part of the day after snorkeling, giving you time to enjoy the setting without needing to follow a formal sightseeing schedule.

The cocktail adds a holiday touch, but the stop still seems designed around the water and the views. Bring your towel within easy reach rather than leaving it buried in a dry bag. Water shoes can also help if the entry point is uneven.

The itinerary does not promise a long visit here, so think of Ile aux Aigrettes as a short stop rather than a full island tour. That is typical of a day that tries to include several places. You get a taste of the island scenery, then continue along the southeast coast.

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse is one of the more distinctive stops. You have time for photos, a visit, and a guided tour of about 20 minutes. That short guided portion gives the stop more substance than a simple boat pass.

The lighthouse offers a clear visual focus for the trip. It is the sort of place where a few well-timed photos can say more than a long list of facts. The surrounding water and low island setting also help break up the boat ride.

Do not expect a long museum visit or an extended land walk. Twenty minutes is enough for a compact look and some pictures, but not for a detailed historical program. If you enjoy quick stops with a strong sense of place, this fits the day well. If you want one site explored at length, the schedule may feel too brisk.

Grand River South East and the waterfall

The boat continues to Grand River South East, where you stop for photos and a guided visit. The route includes travel up the river to see a waterfall, adding a change of scenery from the open lagoon.

This river section gives the day a useful rhythm. After snorkeling and island stops, you move into a narrower setting with vegetation along the banks and moving freshwater. The route is also an opportunity to watch for wildlife. One recent booking described seeing monkeys during this part of the trip.

I would treat the monkeys as a fortunate possibility, not a guaranteed part of the program. The same applies to any other wildlife. You may find the river visit especially rewarding if you enjoy watching for animals, but the waterfall remains the main planned attraction.

The guided element helps here. A guide can point out what you might otherwise miss and keep the stop organized. Since the full outing lasts seven hours, the river visit is likely to be an efficient look rather than a long walk or hike.

Lunch on Ile au Cerf

The day finishes on Ile au Cerf, where the crew prepares a barbecue on a quiet beach. This is the centerpiece for many people, and the food description is unusually generous for a boat outing: fish, chicken, lobster, seafood, fruit, homemade punch, and other dishes are part of the meal.

Several bookings praised the food, with one describing a steady stream of meat and seafood arriving at the table. Another singled out the lobster on the secluded island. I would not read those comments as a promise of an unlimited feast, but they do suggest that lunch is treated as a central part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

The beach setting makes the meal feel special without requiring a formal restaurant. You can eat, swim, take photos, and enjoy free time in the same place. The homemade punch adds local character, though you should pace yourself if you plan to swim afterward.

Coffee is also served, and one booking specifically noted that it was well prepared. That may sound minor, but a proper coffee after a long morning on the water can be welcome. The lunch stop is where the boat day slows down and becomes more social.

I like that the meal includes more than one protein. Fish and chicken give you familiar choices, while lobster and seafood make the lunch feel tied to the island setting. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, ask before booking because the supplied details do not describe substitutions.

A small group changes the feel

The maximum of 10 participants is one of the strongest practical features. On a shared trip, that size should make boarding, snorkeling instructions, and meal service easier to manage. You are also more likely to have a chance to speak with the guide than you would on a large cruise.

The operator also offers exclusive trips. That option is worth considering for a family, couple, or group of friends that wants control over the day’s mood. The available information does not state the private-trip price or exact capacity, so check those details before choosing exclusivity.

The guide team speaks French and English. Names associated with recent outings include Pascale, Christopher, William, Mathéo, Val, and Steve. You may not have the same guide on your date, but the repeated praise for both captains and hosts suggests that the human side of the outing matters here.

The crew’s role is not limited to steering the boat. They provide the life jackets, safety kit, snorkeling gear, and guidance at the stops. That is valuable on a varied trip where you move between open water, reef, river, island, and beach.

What the $111 price includes

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile au Cerf. It may still be a sensible purchase if you want a full day with several included elements instead of paying separately for transport, snorkeling, food, and sightseeing.

The price covers:

• A seven-hour boat experience
• A French or English-speaking guide
• Life jacket and safety kit
• Snorkeling equipment
• Stops at Blue Bay Marine Park, Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, Grand River South East, and Ile au Cerf
• A barbecue lunch on the beach
• Fish, chicken, lobster, seafood, homemade punch, and other food

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise book several activities. You get water time, island scenery, a lighthouse, a waterfall, swimming, free time, and lunch in one organized day.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet beach afternoon. You spend part of the day moving between stops, and some visits are short. In that case, a simpler beach transfer or a private boat with fewer planned stops could fit better, though that would be a different experience.

Practical preparation for the boat

Pack light, but bring the items that make a wet day easier. A hat protects you from the sun, while a towel and water shoes help with swimming and beach time. Cash is listed as something to bring, so do not assume every small expense at the meeting point or along the route will accept a card.

Keep your phone or camera in a waterproof pouch. The lighthouse, river, islands, and beach all offer photo stops, but the boat itself is a wet environment. A dry bag also keeps spare clothing and documents safer.

You should wear swimwear under light clothing and keep sun protection handy. The exact duration at each stop is not provided, so avoid packing your belongings in a way that requires a long unpacking session every time the boat reaches shore.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are building a Mauritius itinerary around weather and availability. Starting times vary, so check the available departure time when booking.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full southeast-coast experience with plenty of variety. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like swimming, quick sightseeing stops, seafood, and a relaxed beach meal.

It is also a good choice if you care about group size. Ten people is small enough to avoid the feel of a mass excursion, while still giving you the easy social energy of a shared outing.

You may want a different option if you dislike boats, do not want to swim, or prefer spending most of the day in one place. The itinerary includes several transitions, and the best parts depend on your interest in the sea and changing scenery.

The outing also suits people who appreciate a guide’s presence. You are not left to find snorkeling equipment, organize lunch, or navigate between the islands on your own. That convenience is part of what you are paying for.

Should you book the Blue Bay to Ile au Cerf trip?

Book it if you want one well-filled day that combines Blue Bay snorkeling, island views, a lighthouse, a waterfall, swimming, and a substantial barbecue. The small group, included equipment, bilingual guides, and flexible cancellation terms make the planning straightforward.

Think twice if your ideal Mauritius day means lying quietly on one beach with no schedule. This boat trip covers a lot of ground, and the stops are designed to fit together within seven hours.

For most people who want to see more than Ile au Cerf alone, the $111 price is reasonable, especially with lobster, seafood, drinks, and equipment included. Bring a hat, towel, water shoes, cash, and a good attitude toward changing sea conditions. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is a strong way to see the southeast lagoon without joining a large boat crowd.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Bay boat trip last?

The activity lasts seven hours. Check the available booking times for the exact departure schedule.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet next to the parking area at HP49+C2C. Your guide will be wearing a white polo shirt.

What places does the boat trip visit?

The route includes Blue Bay Marine Park, Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, Grand River South East, and Ile au Cerf. Stops include snorkeling, swimming, photos, a lighthouse visit, a waterfall visit, and beach time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The crew prepares a barbecue on Ile au Cerf with fish, chicken, lobster, seafood, and other food. Homemade punch and coffee are also included in the meal service.

How many people are in the shared group?

The shared trip is limited to a maximum of 10 participants. An exclusive trip is also available.

What languages do the guides speak?

The live guides speak French and English. Life jackets, a safety kit, and snorkeling equipment are included.