From Blue Bay: Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Excursion with BBQ

The best part of this day is the variety. In seven hours, you get two snorkeling stops, a ruined lighthouse, a waterfall reached by boat, monkeys, a beach BBQ, and the wide lagoon around Ile aux Cerfs. It is a busy day, but it gives you a strong taste of Mauritius southeast coast without arranging several separate outings.

I like the easy start at Blue Bay Public Beach and the fact that snorkeling gear, life jackets, food, and drinks are included. I also like the small touches that make the boat ride more than simple transport, such as the old lighthouse ruin and the chance of spotting dolphins. The main trade-off is time: some people will wish for a longer stay on Ile aux Cerfs, and the music on the boat may be louder than you prefer.

Key points to know before booking

• Two water stops: You snorkel for about 35 minutes in Blue Bay Marine Park, then get another 45-minute swimming and snorkeling break near Ile aux Aigrettes.
• A full southeast coast route: The boat travels from Blue Bay past Point d’Esny and Mahebourg before reaching the islands and river waterfall.
• A varied lunch stop: At Ile aux Cerfs, you get about 100 minutes for a BBQ, drinks, and beach time.
• A little island history: The stop at Ile aux Fouquets, also described in the tour details as Ile aux Phare, includes time to see an old lighthouse ruin.
• Food can be adapted: Fish and chicken are offered, while a vegetarian meal is available if you request it when booking.
• Weather can change the plan: The crew may adjust the order or shape of the day when conditions shift.

Starting at Blue Bay at 9:30am

The meeting point is at Totof Tours Mauritius, opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop. Look for the path leading to the beach and a small stand with a dark grey parasol.

This is a beach meeting point rather than a hotel pickup. You need to make your own way there, so build in enough time to find the parking and walk down to the stand. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The day begins at 9:30am and ends around 4pm. That timing gives you a full day on the water, but it also means you should arrive ready to go. Wear your swimwear under your clothes, bring a towel, and keep water shoes handy for rocky or uneven shore areas.

The boat is a speedboat, so the trip between stops is part of the fun. You get open views of the coast and reach places more quickly than on a slower craft. On the other hand, a speedboat ride can feel lively when the water is rough. Life jackets are included, and the crew provides mask and snorkel equipment.

First water stop at Blue Bay Marine Park

Your first activity is about 35 minutes of snorkeling in Blue Bay Marine Park. The park is described as Mauritius’s largest coral reserve, so this is an important stop rather than a quick swim beside the beach.

The appeal here is the chance to see coral and colorful fish without needing a separate snorkeling tour. Several people have reported seeing many kinds of fish, including bright tropical species. A shipwreck has also been seen during the excursion, adding something unusual to the underwater view.

Thirty-five minutes is enough for a good look, especially if you are comfortable in the water. It is not a long, unhurried snorkeling session, so you should treat it as one part of a larger day. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, remember that the trip also includes several sightseeing stops and a BBQ beach break.

The crew supplies masks and snorkels, but bring your own gear if you prefer a particular fit. The practical items matter here: swimwear, a towel, and water shoes are specifically recommended. If you are new to snorkeling, tell the crew. The guides are described as helpful, and the tour includes life jackets.

Along Point d’Esny toward Mahebourg

After Blue Bay Marine Park, the boat follows the coast past Point d’Esny toward Mahebourg, the former capital of Mauritius. This part helps you see the southeast as a connected coastal region rather than a series of isolated stops.

The ride gives you views from the water and a sense of how the islands sit beside the mainland. You are not scheduled for a walking tour of Mahebourg, so do not expect time to explore its streets or museums. The value here is the coastal passage and the change of scenery between snorkeling and the islands.

A speedboat also lets you cover this route without spending much of the day in transit. The crew may add music during the ride. Most of the practical feedback is positive about the boat and the care taken by the skippers, but one person found the music too prominent and did not feel comfortable asking for it to be lowered. If you prefer a quiet ride, it is reasonable to ask politely.

The old lighthouse at Ile aux Fouquets

The next stop is listed as Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, while the description also calls it Ile aux Phare. Plan on a short visit of about 30 minutes.

The attraction is an old lighthouse ruin and the simple pleasure of walking on a small offshore island. This breaks up the water activities with a bit of history and gives you a different view of the coast. It is not presented as a restored lighthouse museum, so keep expectations modest. You are coming for the ruin, the island setting, and the boat approach.

Thirty minutes passes quickly. Use it to look around, take photographs, and get a sense of the exposed island rather than expecting a long hike. Good footwear helps, which is another reason water shoes are useful.

This stop also gives the day more character. A trip made only of beaches and snorkeling can start to feel repetitive. The lighthouse ruin adds a reminder that these islands have had practical maritime uses, not just postcard scenery.

Grand River South East and its waterfall

The speedboat then enters Grand River South East for a 25-minute visit to the waterfall. The river approach is one of the most scenic parts of the route, with the boat moving from open coastal water into a narrower setting.

The waterfall is viewed as part of a short boat stop, not as a land excursion. You will have time to look, take pictures, and watch the river surroundings before continuing. The tour description warns you about cheeky monkeys in the area. Keep food and loose items secure, and do not encourage the animals to come closer.

This stop is brief, but it changes the rhythm of the day. You go from coral water and island ruins to fresh water, rock, and vegetation along the river. Weather can affect how this part feels. The crew has adjusted the program when conditions were unsettled, which is useful on a day built around outdoor stops.

You should also keep the timing in mind. The waterfall is a pleasant break, but it is not the central event. If you want a long river visit or a substantial walk, this excursion is not designed for that.

BBQ and beach time at Ile aux Cerfs

The main beach stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you get about 100 minutes for lunch and a rest near the entrance to the lagoon. This is the longest single stop of the day.

The BBQ includes fish and chicken, along with alcoholic and soft drinks during the meal and the excursion. Vegetarians need to request a suitable meal when making the reservation. That request is important because the standard menu is described around fish and chicken.

The food is served as part of the beach break, so you can combine lunch with swimming, sitting by the water, or a short walk. The stop is long enough to eat without rushing and enjoy the setting, though it may feel short if you want a slow beach afternoon.

That is the biggest limitation for anyone booking mainly for Ile aux Cerfs. The island is famous, and you may want more time there than the schedule allows. This is a sightseeing circuit, not a full-day resort beach stay. You get a sample of Ile aux Cerfs while also visiting the marine park, lighthouse, river, and second snorkeling area.

The BBQ adds good value to the $106 price. Buying a comparable lunch and drinks independently on an island can make a boat trip cost more, and you would still need to arrange the transport and snorkeling. The value is strongest if you plan to use the food, drinks, equipment, and all the stops. If you want only a long beach session, a simpler beach day may suit you better.

The second swim near Ile aux Aigrettes

On the return route, the boat makes another break near Ile aux Aigrettes. You get about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

This second water stop is useful because conditions can vary from one location to another. If the first snorkeling session is not perfect for you, the later break gives you another chance. It also lets confident swimmers spend more time in the water instead of treating Blue Bay Marine Park as the only aquatic activity.

The stop is described as being in the surroundings of Ile aux Aigrettes, not as a land visit to the island. You should expect water time rather than an island tour. As always, your comfort depends on the sea conditions and your swimming ability.

The return snorkeling is one of the better design choices in the schedule. A single stop can be disappointing if visibility or weather is poor. Two separate chances make the day less dependent on one location.

Boat comfort, crew, and changing weather

The boat is described as comfortable and not overloaded. That matters on a seven-hour outing, since you will spend a fair amount of time aboard between the stops. The two skippers are reported to take care of the group, explain parts of the route, and help when needed.

The crew may adjust the program when the weather turns difficult. That flexibility is useful, but it also means the exact order or feel of the day can change. Sea conditions may affect the smoothness of the ride, the amount of time in the water, or how the stops are handled.

Dolphins have been seen during the excursion, but this is an accidental sighting, not a promised activity. The same applies to the fish and the shipwreck. The marine park gives you a good reason to expect underwater interest, but nature does not follow a timetable.

The tour is offered in English and French. The included drinks run through the excursion, with the BBQ meal as the main food service. Keep in mind that music may be played aboard the boat. You can ask the crew to lower it if you would rather listen to the sea and conversation.

What the $106 price includes

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Mauritius. It is also more than a simple transfer to Ile aux Cerfs. You are paying for a seven-hour guided speedboat route with several distinct stops.

The package includes:

• Speedboat transportation during the excursion
• English or French guiding
• Snorkeling mask and snorkel
• Life jacket
• BBQ lunch
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Beach time at Ile aux Cerfs

The price makes the most sense for you if you value convenience. You do not need to arrange separate boat transport, find snorkeling equipment, or buy lunch and drinks on the island. You also get the lighthouse and waterfall stops, which would be difficult to combine independently in one day.

The value is weaker if your priorities are narrow. Someone who wants a quiet boat ride may not like the music. Someone focused on Ile aux Cerfs may find 100 minutes too brief. Someone who does not eat the included meal or drink may not receive the full benefit of the package.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve while paying later. Check the available start time when booking, even though the stated departure is 9:30am.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip for a first visit to the southeast of Mauritius, especially if you want several highlights in one outing. It suits couples, families, and groups who like a mixture of water time, short sightseeing stops, and a casual meal outdoors.

It also works well for people who do not want to spend the whole day on one beach. The route keeps changing, and each stop lasts long enough to give you a taste without requiring a full commitment.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboat travel, need a very quiet outing, or want hours of uninterrupted time on Ile aux Cerfs. The schedule is active, and the day can feel full. It is best approached as a broad coastal sampler rather than a slow island escape.

Should you book the Blue Bay speedboat excursion?

Book it if you want variety and convenience: coral snorkeling, a lighthouse ruin, a river waterfall, monkeys, a BBQ, drinks, and another chance to swim, all from one departure point. The two water stops and flexible response to weather make the plan more forgiving than a single-location snorkeling trip.

Skip it if your dream day is simply lying on Ile aux Cerfs from morning to late afternoon. You will get beach time, but the tour uses that day to show you much more of the southeast. For most people comparing full-day boat trips, the $106 price is fair when you plan to take advantage of the meal, drinks, equipment, and complete route.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

It starts at Totof Tours Mauritius at Blue Bay Public Beach. The meeting point is opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop, along the path to the beach, near a small stand with a dark grey parasol.

What time does the boat leave?

The excursion starts at 9:30am and returns at about 4pm.

How long is the experience?

The full excursion lasts about seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the Blue Bay meeting point yourself.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, along with a life jacket.

How many snorkeling stops are there?

There are two listed snorkeling opportunities. The first lasts about 35 minutes at Blue Bay Marine Park, and the second lasts about 45 minutes near Ile aux Aigrettes.

What food is served?

The included BBQ offers fish and chicken. A vegetarian meal can be requested when you make the reservation.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic and soft drinks are included during the meal and the excursion.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, water shoes, and snorkeling gear if you prefer to use your own equipment.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.