Ile Aux 2 Cocos with lunch and Snorkeling or Glass Bottom

A small island, big day. Ile des Deux Cocos gives you a polished island escape just five minutes from the mainland, with a generous buffet lunch and unlimited local drinks included. I also like the choice between a snorkeling boat trip and a glass-bottom boat, so you can explore the sea at your own pace. The main consideration is that this is a resort-style day, not a quiet, rugged island outing, and the advertised two-day duration needs checking before you book.

The service is a real strength. Adarsh is praised for keeping the day running smoothly, while driver Zameer is singled out for being an excellent driver and sharing useful information about Mauritius. The $141 price is fair if you plan to eat, drink, snorkel, and use the activities, but less attractive if you only want a few hours on a beach.

Key points at a glance

• A five-minute boat ride starts the escape: The short transfer from the Ile des Deux Cocos jetty gets you onto the island quickly, without a long cruise or complicated journey.
• Two ways to see Blue Bay’s marine life: Choose a snorkeling boat trip or remain dry on the glass-bottom boat.
• Lunch arrives at 12:30: The open-air buffet includes a broad selection, with seafood, chicken, curries, salads, and other dishes.
• Your drinks are covered: Still and sparkling water, soft drinks, juices, local beer, house wine, local spirits, cocktails, and a homemade rum selection are included.
• The island is more than a beach: You can play giant chess, beach volleyball, badminton, bocce ball, Frisbee, archery, and other games.
• The Follies Villa adds character: This old colonial villa, built for Sir Hesketh Bell, can be visited when available.

Reaching Ile des Deux Cocos by boat

Your day begins at the Ile des Deux Cocos jetty, where a shuttle boat carries you south-east to the island. The crossing takes about five minutes. That short ride matters: you get the sense of leaving the mainland behind without spending a large part of the day in transit.

On arrival, a signature cocktail sets the tone. Staff welcome you at the jetty, then you have time to settle into the island and choose what you want to do first. This is not an excursion built around a packed sequence of timed stops. It gives you a central island base, then lets you move between water activities, games, lunch, and shaded places to sit.

The private-group format may suit families or a group marking a birthday, reunion, or work occasion. It can also make the day feel less rigid. Still, you should confirm exactly how the private arrangement works when you book, since the supplied information does not explain the group size or whether your boat transfer is exclusive.

Choosing snorkeling or the glass-bottom boat

The marine visit is the heart of the experience. You can take a snorkeling boat trip to see the underwater life around Blue Bay Marine Park, or choose a glass-bottom boat if you prefer to stay dry.

The snorkeling option is the better pick if you want a closer look at the sea. The underwater life reported around the area includes barracudas and striped fish, with clear turquoise water creating good viewing conditions. Keep in mind that sea conditions can affect visibility, and the information does not promise a particular snorkeling route or amount of time in the water.

The glass-bottom boat makes the outing more inclusive. It lets you see the marine life without swimming, which can be useful if you are less comfortable in the water or simply want a more relaxed look. It also gives families a way to enjoy the marine park together when not everyone wants to snorkel.

You may need to choose one option rather than expect unlimited turns on both. The activity description presents snorkeling and the glass-bottom boat as alternatives, so ask the local contact about the schedule on your chosen date.

Blue Bay Marine Park and the value of the water

Blue Bay Marine Park is not just a backdrop for a boat ride. The appeal is the chance to see a different side of Mauritius, one shaped by coral, fish, and shallow tropical water rather than hotel pools and beach chairs.

I would make the marine activity a priority early in the day if the schedule allows. Water conditions and available departures can shape the experience, while land games can usually wait. You also avoid reaching lunch without having tried the main activity.

Bring beachwear, as requested, and plan for time around the water. The supplied details do not mention towels, masks, fins, lockers, or changing facilities, so ask what is provided before you arrive rather than assume the package covers every beach item.

Lunch at 12:30 in the open air

Lunch is served at 12:30, giving the day a clear middle point. The buffet is described as generous and varied, with seafood such as calamari and prawns, tandoori chicken, curry, fish, and other dishes prepared by the island’s chefs.

That variety is useful for a mixed group. You can build a full meal, choose something familiar, or sample local-style flavors without committing to one set dish. The open-air setting, tents, and deep seating create a more relaxed lunch than a formal dining room, and live music adds atmosphere.

The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to this outing. The useful detail is not simply that lunch is included, but that it is both plentiful and broad enough to suit different tastes. If you have a strict dietary need, contact the provider in advance. No special-diet arrangements are stated in the supplied information.

The timing also affects value. You are not paying only for access to a beach. The $141 package includes a substantial midday meal and a full drink service, which can otherwise add up quickly at a luxury island venue.

Unlimited drinks and the homemade rum selection

The drinks package is unusually broad for a day trip. It includes still and sparkling water, soft drinks, fruit juices, local beer, house wine, local spirits, and cocktails. A homemade rum selection is also included.

For many people, this is where the all-inclusive pricing earns its keep. You can have a welcome drink, something cold during the afternoon, wine with lunch, and a cocktail without reaching for your wallet each time. Families may value the juices and soft drinks, while adults may appreciate the local beer, rum, and cocktails.

The phrase local drinks matters. This is not presented as a premium international bar with every imported brand. If you are expecting top-shelf spirits or a long list of global wines, adjust your expectations. The package is designed around local products and house pours.

I would still pace yourself. A sunny day, boat trips, and unlimited alcohol are a poor combination if you treat the bar as the main attraction. Water is included, so use it generously.

Land activities when you want a break from water

Ile des Deux Cocos works well for a group because not everyone needs to spend the day snorkeling. Complimentary activities include archery, giant chess, bocce ball, beach volleyball, Frisbee, badminton, and boot camp-style exercise.

Giant chess and beach volleyball offer easy choices for a family or group with mixed ages. Badminton and bocce ball are calmer, while archery and boot camp provide a more structured activity. You can also simply sit in the shade, enjoy the setting, and let the schedule loosen.

This range is one reason the experience suits celebrations and group get-togethers. People can split up for a while and still meet for lunch or drinks. The tradeoff is that an activities list does not mean every activity runs continuously. Ask which options are operating on the day you visit.

If your ideal island day means doing nothing at all, you are not required to join in. The island provides enough structure for active visitors, but you can treat the games as optional extras.

The Follies Villa and the island’s colonial character

The Follies Villa gives the outing a sense of place beyond the water and buffet. It was built more than 100 years ago by Sir Hesketh Bell, one of the first British governors of Mauritius.

Its design combines British and Moorish influences with a Mauritian-style interior. That mix makes it a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in architecture, colonial-era Mauritius, or unusual buildings. The villa was also used for glamorous parties, which helps explain its theatrical name and atmosphere.

Access is listed as available upon availability, so do not treat the villa visit as guaranteed. If seeing it matters to you, confirm before booking and again when you arrive. The villa is an added layer to the day, not the sole reason to choose this excursion.

I like that the visit gives you something to look at between swims and meals. A luxury island experience can otherwise become a sequence of drinks and deck chairs. Here, the villa supplies a small architectural story.

Service, guides, and how the day feels

The people working on the trip make a noticeable difference. Adarsh is praised for attentive care throughout the day, checking that everything needed is in place. That kind of practical attention matters more than grand speeches when you are coordinating drinks, lunch, boats, and activities.

The local driving service also gets specific approval. Zameer is described as an excellent driver who helped explain more about Mauritius. If your package includes a driver or land transfer, ask for his service by name when communicating with the provider, though availability cannot be assumed.

Live guides are available in French and English. That is helpful for international groups, especially when receiving instructions for the boat trip or learning about the island and villa.

The high rating is based on only two supplied ratings, so I would not treat it as a large statistical record. Still, both accounts point to the same strengths: caring staff, very good food, enjoyable snorkeling, and smooth organization.

Is $141 a fair price?

At $141 per person, this is a premium day out. The value depends on how much of the package you use.

You receive the boat transfer, a welcome cocktail, a buffet lunch, unlimited local drinks, marine activities, land games, and possibly a villa visit. If you would normally pay separately for lunch, drinks, a boat trip, and access to organized activities, the bundled price is sensible.

The price is less convincing for someone who wants only a short beach stop. You are paying for the full island program and all-inclusive service, not just transport to a patch of sand.

The supplied duration says two days, while the description lays out one luxury day with lunch and a five-minute boat transfer. That is a clear point to verify before paying. Ask for the exact start and finish time, the operating date, and whether two days is a booking-system error or a genuine schedule.

The activity also offers reserve-now, pay-later booking and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Those terms give you some flexibility, but check the final booking conditions and availability directly.

Who should book this island day?

I would recommend it to families, couples, friends, colleagues, and anyone planning a special occasion. The combination of water activities, games, drinks, music, and a large lunch gives each person something to enjoy.

It is particularly useful for a group with mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can use the glass-bottom boat, and someone else can play giant chess or relax with a drink. Few small-island outings handle that mix as neatly.

You should think twice if you want a simple, low-cost beach visit, a long open-water cruise, or a strongly independent day with no resort-style service. This experience is polished and organized. That is its strength, but it may feel too packaged for someone seeking a remote-island adventure.

There is also conflicting information about mobility. The activity is marked wheelchair accessible in one place, yet another note says it is not suitable for wheelchair users. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, do not rely on the general label. Contact OceanAfrican Tours before booking and ask about the jetty, shuttle boat, island paths, toilets, and activity access.

Should you book Ile des Deux Cocos?

Book it if you want a comfortable all-inclusive day where the food, drinks, boat ride, marine viewing, and games are arranged for you. The strongest reasons are the attentive service associated with Adarsh, the helpful driving experience linked with Zameer, the well-received buffet, and the choice between snorkeling and a glass-bottom boat.

Before booking, confirm the strange two-day duration, the precise meeting point, villa access, activity schedule, and mobility arrangements. You can request the exact location and on-site contact through WhatsApp, which is useful because the meeting details are not fully specified here.

For a special family day or group celebration, $141 can make good sense. For a quiet beach afternoon on a smaller budget, choose something simpler.

FAQ

Where does the Ile des Deux Cocos trip begin?

The departure point is the Ile des Deux Cocos jetty. A shuttle boat then takes you to the island in about five minutes.

How long is the boat transfer?

The boat ride from the jetty to Ile des Deux Cocos takes approximately five minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is served at 12:30 and is included in the package.

What food is available at lunch?

The buffet includes a variety of dishes. Examples given include calamari, prawns, tandoori chicken, curry, and fish.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes water, soft drinks, fruit juices, local beer, house wine, local spirits, cocktails, and a homemade rum selection.

Can I choose between snorkeling and a glass-bottom boat?

Yes. You can choose a snorkeling boat trip or a glass-bottom boat trip to view the marine life.

What other activities are included?

Included island activities include archery, giant chess, bocce ball, beach volleyball, Frisbee, badminton, boot camp, snorkeling, and the glass-bottom boat.

Can I visit the Follies Villa?

A visit to the colonial villa is included when available. Access is not guaranteed, so confirm this if it is important to you.

What languages are available?

Live tour guidance is available in French and English.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear. The supplied details do not specify other required items, so ask the provider what equipment and facilities are available.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available, subject to availability and the final booking terms.