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

The best part of this seven-hour lagoon trip is its mix of water, islands, wildlife, and food. You snorkel at Blue Bay Marine Park, pass along the southeast coast, stop at a lighthouse, visit a waterfall, and finish with a beach barbecue on Ile aux Cerfs. It is a full day, but the stops keep it moving.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, which gives the boat a friendly, personal feel. I also like the lunch setup: fish, chicken, lobster, homemade punch, and plenty of time to swim or relax on the beach. Guides including Pascale, Christopher, William, Mathéo, Val, Valerie, and Steeve have been praised for their care and good humor.

The main consideration is pace. You are fitting snorkeling, several island stops, a river visit, lunch, and free time into seven hours. If you want a slow beach day with few stops, this is not it. If you want a broad taste of the southeast coast in one outing, the busy schedule works well.

What makes this boat day worth your time

• Blue Bay snorkeling: Start in a protected marine area with coral and plenty of fish.
• Small-group sailing: Shared trips are limited to 10 people, or you can ask about an exclusive departure.
• Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse: Stop for photographs and a short guided visit at one of the route’s most striking landmarks.
• Grand River South East: Travel upriver to see a waterfall, with possible monkey sightings along the way.
• Beach barbecue on Ile aux Cerfs: Eat fish, chicken, and lobster on a quiet beach, with homemade punch served alongside.
• Careful, nature-minded guiding: The team places clear importance on the sea, fish, coral, and ecology.

Blue Bay starts the day with fish and coral

The trip begins near the parking area at HP49+C2C in Blue Bay. Look for a guide wearing a white polo shirt. The exact departure time depends on availability, so check your booking before setting out.

The first major stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, where you use the supplied mask and snorkel equipment. Life jackets and a safety kit are included. The focus here is on seeing the lagoon as a living place, not simply as a pretty patch of water.

The marine park is an important reason to bring a towel, water shoes, and a hat. Water shoes are especially useful around a boat landing or rocky edge, though the supplied information does not specify the exact entry point. You should also bring drinking water and cash for any personal spending.

You may see a good number of tropical fish and coral in the reserve. One departure also had sightings of turtles and dolphins, but wildlife is never a fixed part of a boat schedule. Treat those animals as a fortunate extra, not a promise.

The snorkeling stop gives you a pleasant early break from sitting in the boat. It also helps set the tone for the day: the crew wants you to notice the sea itself, not race from one photo stop to the next.

Ile aux Aigrettes adds a swim and a cocktail stop

From Blue Bay, the route continues toward Ile aux Aigrettes. The stop includes time for photographs, a cocktail, and swimming. That combination makes it less formal than the lighthouse visit that follows.

You can use this pause to dry off, take pictures, or simply enjoy the changing view from the water. It is a useful middle step between snorkeling and the longer coastal run. The day is not built around one grand attraction. Instead, it strings together short experiences that give you a broad sense of the southeast.

Keep your camera protected from spray. The supplied details do not promise dry storage on board, so a waterproof pouch is a sensible precaution. You should also keep your belongings compact. A small-group boat is more comfortable when everyone avoids bringing bulky bags.

The phrase five islands appears in the experience title, while the planned route specifically names Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets, and Ile aux Cerfs, along with Blue Bay and the river area. You will spend much of the day moving through the southeast island and coastal area, with time at several named stops rather than a long stay on every island.

Ile aux Fouquets is the main photo stop

The lighthouse at Ile aux Fouquets is one of the clearest visual highlights. The boat pauses for photographs, a visit, and a guided tour of about 20 minutes.

That short duration matters. You have enough time to see the site and hear about it from the guide, but this is not a long historical visit. Think of it as a compact stop with a strong setting, good views, and time to take photographs before the boat moves on.

The lighthouse works well for anyone who enjoys seeing recognizable places without spending half a day at one attraction. You should not expect a museum-style experience or an extended walk. The value is in the combination of the old lighthouse, open water, and the guide’s brief explanation.

This is also one point where the trip’s small size helps. With 10 people or fewer, it should be easier to hear the guide and take turns getting good photographs. The company offers shared trips and private or exclusive arrangements, so an exclusive boat may suit you if you want more control over the pace.

Grand River South East brings a change of scenery

The boat then heads to Grand River South East. Here, you get a guided visit and a chance to take photographs near the waterfall.

The river section changes the mood. After open lagoon water and island views, you are moving into a larger river area. The waterfall provides another kind of picture, and the route gives you a break from the sea without ending the boat experience.

Monkey sightings have occurred during this part of the trip. Again, you should keep expectations sensible. Animals move freely, and the guide cannot guarantee what you will see. The value of this stop is the river journey and waterfall first, with wildlife as a welcome possibility.

This stop also shows why the tour is useful for first-time visitors to the southeast. You do not have to arrange separate outings for snorkeling, the lighthouse, the river, and Ile aux Cerfs. The boat connects them in one day.

Ile aux Cerfs is saved for lunch and free time

The final main stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you get a beach break, lunch, swimming, photographs, and free time. This is where the day slows down.

The barbecue is a major part of the experience. The menu includes fish, chicken, and lobster, with homemade punch and other food served during the meal. You should expect a generous, social lunch rather than a quick sandwich between activities. One lunch service brought out different meats and seafood at regular intervals, including lobster, and another was praised for its strong flavors.

The meal is prepared on a quiet beach, which gives it a more relaxed feel than eating at a busy restaurant. You can spend time by the water after lunch, swim, take pictures, or simply sit with a drink. The beach stop is long enough to feel like a reward at the end of the route, though the exact amount of free time can vary with the day’s conditions and schedule.

If lobster is important to you, note that it is included in the described barbecue offering, but menus can depend on availability. The supplied information names fish, chicken, and lobster, so you should not assume other specific dishes or dietary substitutions unless you confirm them before booking.

The homemade punch adds to the festive mood. Drink carefully, especially if you plan to swim or if the boat ride back is still ahead. The team’s job is to keep the day comfortable and safe, but you are responsible for pacing yourself.

The guides shape the feel of the trip

The company’s team includes French and English-speaking guides. Names connected with different departures include Pascale, Christopher, William, Mathéo, Val, Valerie, and Steeve. The crew may vary, so you should not assume one particular guide unless the operator confirms it.

The strongest part of the guiding style is the attention to comfort and safety. The crew provides life jackets, snorkeling equipment, and a safety kit. They also present the trip as one built around respect for nature, fish, coral, and the lagoon.

That approach matters on a marine outing. A good boat trip is not only about finding clear water. It is also about avoiding careless treatment of the reef and sea life. You should follow the guide’s instructions around coral and animals, and avoid touching anything underwater.

The small group is a real advantage. Ten people is still enough for a social day, but it is far less crowded than a large excursion boat. You can ask questions, get help with equipment, and hear instructions without fighting through a crowd.

Shared boat or exclusive outing

You can book a shared trip or ask about an exclusive option. The shared version is limited to 10 participants, making it the better value for most people who enjoy meeting others and do not need to set the schedule.

An exclusive outing may appeal to families, couples, or groups who want more privacy. The supplied details do not state a separate private price or promise a fully custom route, so confirm those points before paying. Do not assume that exclusivity automatically means every stop will last longer.

At $111 per person, the price is not the cheapest way to spend time on the water in Mauritius. It does cover a substantial day: snorkeling equipment, safety gear, a guide, several coastal and island stops, a river visit, and a barbecue lunch with lobster included in the stated menu.

I see the value in the variety. Booking separate activities for Blue Bay snorkeling, the lighthouse, Grand River South East, and Ile aux Cerfs could take more planning and transport. Here, the operator links them in one outing and provides the boat crew and equipment.

The price makes most sense if you plan to use the whole day. If you intend to skip snorkeling, avoid swimming, or leave before lunch, you will not get the full benefit.

Who will enjoy this day most

This trip suits you if you want a varied first look at southeast Mauritius. You get water time, photographs, a short guided visit, a waterfall, lunch, and free time without having to organize each piece yourself.

It is also a good fit for small families and groups of friends who prefer a friendly boat rather than a large cruise. The seven-hour duration gives you enough time to settle into the day, while the changes of location prevent it from feeling like one long boat ride.

Food lovers will appreciate the barbecue. The combination of fish, chicken, lobster, homemade punch, and a beach setting is one of the day’s strongest selling points.

You should think twice if you want a quiet, private beach day with no fixed program. This is an active schedule, and some stops are brief. You also need to be comfortable around water and able to use the boat’s safety arrangements, even though the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Practical things to bring

Pack lightly, but do not arrive empty-handed. The most useful items are:

• Hat and sun protection
• Towel
• Water shoes
• Drinking water
• Cash
• Waterproof protection for your phone and camera

You should wear clothing that works for swimming and drying in the sun. The operator supplies snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel unless you prefer your personal gear.

Meet next to the parking area and look for the white polo shirt. Since the meeting point is given as HP49+C2C, check the map and allow enough time to find the parking area.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still changing.

How the day feels as a whole

The route has a good rhythm. Blue Bay gives you fish and coral early on. Ile aux Aigrettes adds a swim and cocktail. Ile aux Fouquets brings a strong photo stop. Grand River South East changes the setting again, and Ile aux Cerfs gives you the longest relaxed pause with lunch.

The boat day is strongest when you treat it as a sampler of the southeast rather than a single focused attraction. You will not spend hours at the lighthouse or waterfall. Instead, you get several well-spaced tastes, followed by a meal and beach time.

The food and crew are central to the experience. Pascale, William, Mathéo, Val, Valerie, Steeve, and Christopher have all been associated with warm, helpful service on different outings. That personal touch matters when you are sharing a small boat for seven hours.

Should you book this Blue Bay boat trip?

Book it if you want a full southeast Mauritius day with snorkeling, island views, a lighthouse, a river waterfall, and a barbecue on Ile aux Cerfs. The small group, included equipment, bilingual guiding, and varied route make the $111 price reasonable for an active day.

Choose another outing if your priority is complete privacy, a slow schedule, or a specialist snorkeling trip. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced way to see several sides of the lagoon in one booking, with lunch good enough to be one of the day’s main attractions.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The activity lasts seven hours.

Where does the trip start?

The listed starting location is HP49+C2C in Blue Bay. You should meet next to the parking area and look for a guide wearing a white polo shirt.

Where does the trip finish?

The trip finishes at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point.

How many people are in the shared group?

The shared trip is limited to a maximum of 10 participants.

Can I book a private or exclusive trip?

Yes. The operator offers the possibility of taking the trip as a shared outing or on an exclusive basis. Confirm the private arrangement and price before booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and a safety kit are included.

What languages do the guides speak?

The live guides speak French and English.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served as a beach barbecue on Ile aux Cerfs. The stated food includes fish, chicken, and lobster, along with homemade punch and other food.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash. You may also want protection for your phone or camera around the water.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.