From Blue Bay: Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Excursion with BBQ

The best of southeast Mauritius fits into one boat day. This $106 speedboat trip packs Blue Bay snorkeling, a ruined lighthouse, the Grand River South East waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, a beach BBQ, and a second snorkeling stop into seven hours. I like the strong mix of sea time and short island visits, plus the fact that lunch, drinks, equipment, and a life jacket are included.

I also like the small-boat feel reported by recent customers, who found the boat comfortable and not overloaded. The main thing to consider is time: Ile aux Cerfs receives about 100 minutes including lunch, so you may wish for a longer beach stay. Music on the boat can also be a little loud, though you can ask the crew to turn it down.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Bay Marine Park comes first: You get about 35 minutes to snorkel among coral and fish in Mauritius’s largest coral reserve.
• The lighthouse stop is short but unusual: Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile aux Phare, gives you time to walk around an old lighthouse ruin.
• The waterfall includes cheeky monkeys: The Grand River South East stop lasts about 25 minutes and combines scenery with a bit of animal mischief.
• Lunch is served at Ile aux Cerfs: The BBQ includes fish, chicken, alcoholic drinks, and soft drinks. Request a vegetarian meal when booking.
• The return includes another snorkel stop: You get about 45 minutes near Ile aux Aigrettes before returning to Blue Bay.
• It is a self-drive meeting point: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the Blue Bay Public Beach yourself.

Why this seven-hour boat trip works

This is a busy day, but not a confused one. The route follows a sensible loop from Blue Bay through the southeast coast, past Mahebourg, toward the islands and river mouth, then back by way of Ile aux Aigrettes.

I like this format because you do not spend the entire day parked on one beach. You see several different sides of the region: protected coral water, open sea, an old navigation site, a river waterfall, a resort-style island, and another snorkel area. The stops are brief, so you should book this for variety rather than for long, unhurried sightseeing.

The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m. from Blue Bay Public Beach and returns at about 4 p.m. That timing gives you a full morning and afternoon without requiring an evening commitment. It is a useful choice if you want to keep dinner plans open or are fitting the excursion into a short stay in southeast Mauritius.

The activity is guided in English and French. Two skippers operate the boat, and recent feedback particularly praised their care, explanations, and ability to adjust the program when weather changed. That flexibility matters on a sea trip, where conditions can affect snorkeling and the safest route.

Meeting the boat at Blue Bay Public Beach

The meeting point is easy to miss if you simply arrive at the beach and start looking for a large tour office. Opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop, look for the path leading to the beach. The operator’s small stand has a dark grey parasol.

The tour begins at Totof Tours Mauritius. Since hotel pickup is not included, allow enough time to reach Blue Bay Public Beach before the 9:30 a.m. departure. Your planning should include the journey to the meeting point, parking or local transport, and a few minutes to find the stand.

Wear your swimwear under your clothes if possible. Bring a towel, water shoes, and any personal snorkeling gear you prefer. Mask and snorkel equipment, plus a life jacket, are included, but bringing your own mask can be useful if fit and comfort matter to you.

35 minutes in Blue Bay Marine Park

The first water stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, described as the largest coral reserve in Mauritius. You receive about 35 minutes for snorkeling, enough for a proper look but not an extended session.

This opening stop is one of the strongest parts of the day. You get into the water early, before the heat of the afternoon, and the marine park gives the excursion a clear sense of place rather than making the outing only about beaches and lunch. Recent feedback praised the colorful fish and the quality of the snorkeling stops, with one person also noting a shipwreck along the route.

The exact underwater conditions depend on the day. Water clarity and weather can change, and the crew may adjust the order or location of activities. That is not a flaw in itself. A skipper who changes the plan sensibly is giving you a safer and often better day.

Thirty-five minutes can pass quickly if you are a keen snorkeler. Still, it is a useful first session, especially if you want to test the equipment, water temperature, and your comfort before the later stop. Listen carefully to the crew’s instructions and keep the life jacket on if asked.

A quick look at Ile aux Fouquets lighthouse

The boat then travels along the coast from Point d’Esny toward Mahebourg, the former capital of Mauritius, before stopping at Ile aux Fouquets. This island is also referred to as Ile aux Phare, and its old lighthouse ruin gives the stop a different character from the beach portions of the tour.

You have about 30 minutes to walk on the island or inspect the lighthouse remains. Do not expect a long historical visit with indoor exhibits or a formal museum. The value is in the setting: a small offshore island, an old navigation landmark, and a chance to stretch your legs after the first swim.

I like this stop because it breaks up the water activities. You are not simply racing from one swimming area to another. The drawback is that 30 minutes is enough for a look, not a detailed exploration. Wear shoes that can handle uneven ground, and water shoes are particularly practical for this sort of day.

The route may also offer extra sights. One recent customer specifically noted seeing a shipwreck and dolphins, but neither should be treated as guaranteed. They are pleasant possibilities, not fixed parts of the schedule.

The Grand River South East waterfall and its monkeys

The next stop takes the boat into the Grand River South East, where you visit a waterfall. The ride into the river gives you a change of scenery from the open lagoon, and the waterfall is viewed as part of the boat excursion rather than as a long land walk.

You have approximately 25 minutes here. The scene is attractive, but the monkeys are often the real source of excitement. They are described as cheeky for good reason, so keep food and loose belongings secure and follow the crew’s advice. Do not approach or feed them.

This is a short stop, but it adds a bit of fun and local character to the route. Families and anyone who enjoys wildlife will likely appreciate it. If you want a long, quiet waterfall visit, you may find the timing limited. The stop is designed as one piece of a larger day, not as the main event.

BBQ lunch at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop, and about 100 minutes are allocated for lunch and free time. The BBQ includes fish and chicken, with alcoholic drinks and soft drinks included during the meal and excursion.

At this price, the included meal and drinks make a meaningful difference. A separate lunch on a popular island can quickly add to the cost of a boat day, while here you know the core food and refreshments are part of the package. The meal is served on a beach at the entrance to the lagoon, giving you time to eat and relax beside the water.

Vegetarian food is available if you request it when you reserve. Do not wait until lunch to mention it. The tour specifically asks you to provide that information in advance, which gives the crew a better chance to prepare an appropriate meal.

I would treat the 100-minute stop as a combined lunch and beach break, not as 100 minutes of swimming. Once you account for getting off the boat, eating, and settling in, your pure beach time will be shorter. One customer’s only real criticism was wanting more time on Ile aux Cerfs, and that is a fair point for anyone who prefers a slow day.

Still, the short stay may suit you if you enjoy movement and variety. You get lunch, a rest, and a chance to see the island without giving up the waterfall and second snorkeling stop.

Returning by Ile aux Aigrettes

The final major stop is near Ile aux Aigrettes, where you have about 45 minutes for a break and another round of snorkeling. This return stop is a welcome feature. You are not simply heading straight back after lunch, and you get one more chance to swim while the day is still warm.

A second snorkel gives you a useful comparison with Blue Bay Marine Park. The water, fish, and viewing conditions may feel different, though the exact experience depends on the sea and weather that day. If you are less confident in the water, you can use the break to relax rather than forcing yourself into another session.

After this stop, the speedboat returns to Blue Bay Public Beach, with arrival expected around 4 p.m. The return time is approximate in the practical sense, since sea conditions and route adjustments can affect the schedule.

Boat comfort, crew style, and music

The boat is a speedboat, so expect a lively ride rather than a quiet cruise. You will cover a fair stretch of the southeast coast, and the speed is part of the appeal. It lets the tour connect several sites in one day.

Recent feedback describes the boat as comfortable and not overcrowded. That is important here. A packed boat would make the repeated boarding, swimming, and meal transitions more tiring. Two skippers were also praised for looking after people and explaining the stops.

The crew adapted the program well when weather became uncertain. That is one of the best signs in a sea excursion. You should value a changed schedule that protects safety and preserves good snorkeling over a rigid promise to visit every point in exactly the planned order.

There is one small comfort issue to know about: music may play on the boat, and one person found it too loud. If you prefer conversation or the natural sound of the sea, simply ask the crew to lower it. The feedback suggests that the request would be reasonable, even if some people hesitate to make it.

Is $106 good value?

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Mauritius’s southeast coast, but it includes a lot. You receive the speedboat ride, two snorkeling opportunities, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, the lighthouse and waterfall visits, Ile aux Cerfs time, a BBQ, alcoholic drinks, and soft drinks.

The price makes the most sense if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, a boat trip, snorkeling gear, and lunch. It also saves you the trouble of arranging several coastal stops on your own. The included food and drinks are especially useful because the day runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a long stay on Ile aux Cerfs. In that case, a simpler transfer or beach-focused outing might suit you better, though no alternative is specified here. This tour is built around a full route and several short experiences.

The strong overall rating of 4.8 from 118 ratings supports the idea that the package generally delivers what it promises. The most praised elements are the snorkeling, helpful skippers, comfortable boat, adaptable schedule, and tasty BBQ. The recurring cautions are limited time on Ile aux Cerfs and music that may be louder than you prefer.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several southeast Mauritius highlights in one organized day. It works particularly well for people who enjoy swimming, short walks, boat rides, and a relaxed outdoor lunch rather than formal sightseeing.

It also suits families and mixed groups. A keen snorkeler has two water stops, while someone less interested in snorkeling can enjoy the lighthouse, waterfall, monkeys, boat ride, and beach meal. The guides speak English and French, which helps if your group includes speakers of either language.

You should think twice if you dislike fast boat rides, want a quiet day, or need long periods at one beach. The schedule has several transitions, and the day’s pleasure comes from variety. Anyone with strict dietary needs should also contact the operator in advance, since the vegetarian option must be requested when booking.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later terms give you useful flexibility. The practical issue is not booking, but getting yourself to the Blue Bay meeting point on time.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if you want a well-filled day with excellent snorkeling, a BBQ, and a broad look at the southeast coast. The crew’s reported care and ability to adjust for weather add real value, while the included drinks and equipment keep the $106 price reasonable.

Skip it if Ile aux Cerfs is your only priority. You may feel rushed by the 100-minute lunch and beach stop. For everyone else, this is a strong choice for seeing more of Mauritius by water without arranging each stop separately. Bring water shoes, protect your belongings around the monkeys, and ask for lower music if needed. That preparation should leave you free to enjoy the fish, ruins, waterfall, beach, and open-water ride.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat excursion begin?

The tour begins at Totof Tours Mauritius at Blue Bay Public Beach. Opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop, follow the path to the beach and look for a small stand with a dark grey parasol.

What time does the tour start and finish?

The excursion starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at about 4 p.m. The full experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point at Blue Bay Public Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel, along with a life jacket, are included. You should also bring swimwear, a towel, water shoes, and any personal snorkeling gear you prefer.

What food is included at lunch?

The BBQ includes fish and chicken. A vegetarian meal can be arranged if you request it when making your reservation.

Are drinks included?

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

What languages are available on the tour?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.