From Blue Bay: Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Excursion with BBQ

Ile aux Cerfs is the headline, but the best part of this seven-hour speedboat trip is how much southeast Mauritius you see along the way. You snorkel in Blue Bay Marine Park, pass Point d’Esny and Mahébourg, visit an old lighthouse ruin, watch for monkeys at Grand River South East, and finish with lunch on a beach.

I like the two snorkeling stops, which give you a second chance if the sea or weather affects the first one. I also like the small-group feel reported by several customers, with a comfortable boat that was not overloaded. The tradeoff is time: with several stops packed into one day, you may wish for a longer stay on Ile aux Cerfs. Music on the boat can also be a little loud, though you can ask for it to be lowered.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Bay Marine Park comes first, with about 35 minutes for snorkeling among coral and colorful fish.
• Ile aux Fouquets offers a quick island walk and a look at an old lighthouse ruin.
• Grand River South East brings scenery and cheeky monkeys, so keep food and loose items secure.
• The BBQ includes fish, chicken, vegetarian food by request, and drinks, with about 100 minutes at Ile aux Cerfs.
• A second swim and snorkeling stop near Ile aux Aigrettes gives the day a calmer finish.
• The $106 price includes the boat, equipment, meal, and drinks, but not transport from your hotel.

Why this Blue Bay to Ile aux Cerfs route works

Many boat outings near Mauritius focus only on Ile aux Cerfs. This one uses the island as the middle and main beach stop, not the entire story. That matters if you want a fuller day on the water rather than a simple transfer to a popular beach.

You begin at Blue Bay Public Beach at 9:30 AM and return around 4 PM. The route covers the southeast coast, the marine park, offshore islands, a river mouth, and the famous Ile aux Cerfs lagoon. You get active time, sightseeing, lunch, and a couple of quieter breaks without needing to arrange separate bookings.

The boat leaves from a small stand with a dark gray parasol on the path opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own way to Blue Bay. This is an important cost and timing detail, especially if you are staying elsewhere on Mauritius.

The price is $106 per person. That is not the cheapest way to see Ile aux Cerfs, but the value improves when you count what is covered: the speedboat, life jacket, mask and snorkel, BBQ lunch, alcoholic drinks, and soft drinks. You are also getting a full day rather than a short beach shuttle. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat, a meal, drinks, and snorkeling, the package makes practical sense.

35 minutes in Blue Bay Marine Park

The first stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, one of the most important reasons to choose this departure point. You get about 35 minutes to snorkel in a protected coral area, and the water is known for its coral reserve and fish life.

This is a good opening stop because you can get into the water before the day becomes hot and before lunch slows you down. The snorkeling equipment provided is a mask and snorkel, and a life jacket is included. Bring your own equipment if you prefer a particular fit, but the supplied gear covers the basic need.

Expect this to be a focused swim, not an all-morning snorkeling session. Thirty-five minutes is enough to see fish and coral, but it goes quickly once everyone is in the water. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, use the time well and listen carefully when the crew gives instructions.

Conditions matter here. One customer described seeing many colorful fish and even a shipwreck during the outing. Another noted that the crew adjusted the program when the weather changed. That flexibility is useful on a boat trip, where sea conditions can affect which stop feels most comfortable.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and water shoes. Water shoes are especially sensible for entering shallow water or walking on uneven surfaces, though the supplied information does not specify the exact entry conditions.

Point d’Esny, Mahébourg, and the old lighthouse

After the first swim, the speedboat runs along the coast by Point d’Esny toward Mahébourg, the former capital of Mauritius. This section gives you a moving view of the southeast shore rather than another formal stop, so keep your camera ready before the boat slows near Ile aux Fouquets.

Ile aux Fouquets is best understood as a short historical pause. You have about 30 minutes to walk on the island and see the remains of an old lighthouse. It is not a long museum visit or a carefully presented historical site. Its appeal comes from the setting: a small offshore island, open views, and a weathered structure that hints at the area’s maritime past.

The stop also breaks up the water time. After snorkeling, you can stretch your legs and look around before climbing back aboard. Wear footwear you can manage easily, since the practical focus here is a brief walk rather than a polished sightseeing facility.

This is one place where expectations matter. If you want a detailed account of the lighthouse or a long exploration, 30 minutes will feel short. If you enjoy small, unusual stops that add character to a boat route, it earns its place.

Grand River South East and its watchful monkeys

The next stop takes you into Grand River South East, where the boat visits a waterfall. The river setting changes the rhythm of the trip. You move away from open coastal water and into a narrower, more sheltered area, with the waterfall providing a clear visual target.

The scenery is a major part of the appeal, but the monkeys are the memorable detail. They are described as cheeky for good reason. Keep snacks, bags, and loose objects close, and do not treat them as tame pets. The information provided specifically warns you to be aware, so take that seriously.

You get about 25 minutes here. That is enough for a look at the waterfall and a few photographs, but not enough for a long walk or a full nature visit. The short stop works because it adds a completely different setting without taking too much time from lunch and the beach.

The crew’s handling of changing weather is worth noting. The route may be adjusted to make the best use of the conditions, so the exact feel of the river stop can depend on the day. A flexible attitude will serve you better than expecting every minute to unfold in a fixed order.

A 100-minute BBQ break at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the longest stop, with about 100 minutes for lunch and beach time. You reach a beach near the entrance to the lagoon, eat the BBQ, and have time to relax before the return journey.

The meal includes fish and chicken. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking. Do not wait until lunchtime to mention dietary needs, since the instruction is to arrange the vegetarian meal with your reservation.

Drinks are included during lunch and throughout the excursion. The package includes alcoholic and soft drinks, which adds real value to a long day in the sun. Still, you should bring personal drinking water if you prefer a particular drink or want something available between scheduled service points.

The beach stop is pleasant, but it is not a full afternoon at leisure. One customer specifically wished for more time on Ile aux Cerfs. That is the clearest limitation of this route. You see more places because you do not stay at one place for hours. If your ideal day means planting yourself on one beach, this schedule may feel rushed.

If you want a broad introduction to the southeast, the 100 minutes are a fair compromise. You get lunch, a swim, and time to sit on the sand. If Ile aux Cerfs is your sole priority, choose a trip built around a longer island stay instead.

The BBQ also helps make the excursion feel social and informal. You are not stopping at a restaurant with a long menu. You are eating a straightforward grilled meal as part of the day, with drinks already handled. That keeps the outing simple and avoids losing time looking for lunch.

A second swim near Ile aux Aigrettes

The return route includes a 45-minute break around Ile aux Aigrettes, with another chance to swim and snorkel. I see this as one of the smartest parts of the schedule. If the first snorkeling stop was affected by weather, crowded water, or an imperfect mask fit, you get another opportunity.

It also gives you a quieter finish after the busy middle of the day. By this point, you have visited the lighthouse, river, waterfall, and beach. A final swim lets you enjoy the sea without needing to rush toward another major sight.

The stop is described as being in the surrounding area of Ile aux Aigrettes, not as a formal island visit. Do not expect a guided tour of the island itself. Think of it as a swimming and snorkeling pause near the island.

The crew may adjust the order or details when conditions require it. That can mean a slightly different flow from the advertised sequence, but the aim is to keep the day enjoyable and safe.

Boat comfort, guiding, and the feel of the day

The speedboat is central to the experience. It lets you cover the southeast coast and reach several offshore points in one day. A comfortable, uncrowded boat can make a big difference, especially when you are moving between swim stops in wet swimwear.

Guiding is available in English and French. The crew explains the stops and helps with practical needs, including snorkeling and getting settled on the boat. Several customers praised the helpful service and the way the guides adapted when the weather was unsettled.

There is also music on the boat. One customer found it a little too prominent but did not ask for it to be lowered. That is easy to manage: speak up politely if you want a quieter ride. The boat is a shared experience, so the sound level may reflect the mood of the group and the crew.

Dolphins were spotted during one outing, but this is not presented as a dolphin-watching tour. Treat that as a fortunate possibility, not a promised part of the schedule. The same applies to unusually clear snorkeling, sea conditions, and wildlife sightings.

Who will get the most from this excursion

I would choose this trip if you want variety. It suits people who would rather see several parts of the southeast than spend all day at one beach. The mix of snorkeling, a lighthouse ruin, a waterfall, monkeys, a BBQ, and a second swim gives you a broad day out without arranging each piece yourself.

It also suits couples, families, and groups who like an active outing but do not want a demanding land hike. You do need to be comfortable getting into the water and spending much of the day on a boat. Swimwear, a towel, and water shoes are essential practical items.

You may want another option if your priority is a long, quiet stay on Ile aux Cerfs. The island receives the longest single stop, but the total visit is still only about 100 minutes. You may also prefer a different outing if loud music bothers you and you do not want to ask the crew to reduce it.

The tour is less suited to anyone expecting hotel-to-hotel convenience, since transfers are not included. Check how you will reach Blue Bay before paying. The meeting point is specific, with the small stand under a dark gray parasol opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop.

Booking flexibility and what to pack

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option keeps payment flexible. Check the available starting time when booking, since the stated departure is 9:30 AM and the activity lasts about seven hours.

Pack:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Water shoes
• Snorkeling gear if you prefer your own
• Sun protection and a secure bag for small items
• Any personal drink or snack you may want between stops

The supplied snorkeling kit includes a mask and snorkel, and life jackets are included. A vegetarian BBQ is possible, but request it in advance.

Should you book this Mauritius speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a full southeast Mauritius day with plenty of variety and a meal included. The strongest reasons are the two snorkeling opportunities, the helpful crew, the comfortable boat, and the way the route combines Blue Bay Marine Park, Ile aux Fouquets, Grand River South East, Ile aux Cerfs, and Ile aux Aigrettes.

At $106, the cost is fair for a seven-hour outing that includes transport by speedboat, equipment, BBQ food, and drinks. Just keep your expectations clear: Ile aux Cerfs is not the whole day, hotel transfers are not included, and music may be noticeable on the boat.

For an active first look at Mauritius’s southeast coast, I would book it. For a slow beach day centered almost entirely on Ile aux Cerfs, choose a shorter route with more island time.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

It starts at Blue Bay Public Beach from the Totof Tours meeting point. The stand is on the beach path opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop, under a dark gray parasol.

What time does the tour begin and end?

The excursion starts at 9:30 AM and ends at about 4:00 PM, for a total duration of roughly seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to and from Blue Bay Public Beach.

What languages are available?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, along with a life jacket. You can also bring your own snorkeling gear.

How many snorkeling stops are there?

There are two scheduled snorkeling opportunities: about 35 minutes at Blue Bay Marine Park and about 45 minutes near Ile aux Aigrettes.

What food is served at lunch?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are included during lunch and throughout the excursion.

How long do you stay at Ile aux Cerfs?

The scheduled stop at Ile aux Cerfs lasts about 100 minutes and includes the BBQ lunch and beach time.

Can I cancel the booking?

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