Mauritius South Tour Including Blue Bay Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkelling

Blue Bay Marine Park is the star here. You ride out from Blue Bay Beach in a glass-bottom boat, then swim and snorkel over coral and tropical fish in water that shifts through several shades of blue. I like that the day combines sea life with southern Mauritius scenery and wildlife on land, rather than asking you to choose one or the other.

I also like the private vehicle and flexible timing. Your group can decide where to linger, and hotel pickup, transport, parking, and snorkeling equipment are covered. The main caution is that the glass-bottom boat portion is not private, and the day can feel spread thin if you try to give every stop equal time.

Key points to know

• Blue Bay is the strongest part of the day: The marine park offers clear water, coral, colorful fish, and a glass-bottom boat ride.
• The car and driver are private: You travel with your own group, up to 15 people, and can adjust the pace.
• La Vanille is a major wildlife stop: Expect crocodiles, giant tortoises, tropical plants, and a large insect collection.
• Gris Gris offers raw southern scenery: Big waves crash against cliffs where the protective reef breaks.
• St. Aubin adds rum and plantation culture: You can see traditional production, sample rum, and visit gardens and a colonial house.
• Extra costs matter: Lunch and admission to La Vanille and St. Aubin are not included in the $100.86 price.

Blue Bay Marine Park is the real reason to book

I would plan this outing around Blue Bay. The southern marine park is known for calm, clear water, coral formations, and a broad range of fish, including trumpet fish. From the beach, you board a glass-bottom boat and get your first look at the reef before using the supplied mask and snorkeling equipment.

The boat ride helps you see the underwater setting even if you are not a confident swimmer. On a cloudy day, the water can still be clear enough to spot fish and coral, though sea conditions and visibility will always affect the experience.

You should allow about two hours here. That gives you time for the boat ride and snorkeling without having to rush straight back to the vehicle. The beach itself is also part of the appeal, with clean-looking water and the bright colors that give Blue Bay its name.

One detail matters when you picture the day: this is a private tour, but the glass-bottom boat section is shared. If you expect a boat reserved only for your group, adjust your expectations before booking. The private part applies to the road transport and general touring plan.

The marine park received the warmest response in the available feedback, and I can see why. The combination of a boat view, easy access from the beach, provided gear, and the chance to swim among fish makes this the most active and memorable section.

Gris Gris shows a wilder side of Mauritius

After the calm lagoon at Blue Bay, Gris Gris changes the mood. Much of Mauritius is protected by coral reefs, which create sheltered water around the island. At Gris Gris, the reef breaks, leaving the coast exposed to large waves and open-sea force.

You get about 30 minutes to look across the cliffs and watch the surf. This is a short stop, but it gives the day a needed contrast. Blue Bay is about water you can enter. Gris Gris is about water you respect from shore.

A nearby rock formation called La Roche qui Pleure, or the Crying Rock, appears to shed tears when waves strike it. The name is easy to understand once the surf reaches the rock. You will not need a long visit to appreciate the view, so this is a sensible stop to keep brief if you want more time at the park or distillery.

The scenery here is rugged rather than polished. If you want a gentle beach stop, Gris Gris may feel stark. If you like powerful surf, exposed cliffs, and a quick look at a less sheltered coast, it earns its place.

La Vanille brings crocodiles and giant tortoises

La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes takes about two hours and covers 3.5 hectares of tropical greenery. The paths run among palms, banana trees, and giant bamboo, with animal enclosures adding a very different experience from the marine park.

The headline animals are Nile crocodiles and giant tortoises. The park lists about 2,000 Nile crocodiles and 1,000 giant tortoises, so this is not a small garden stop with one or two animals. You will also visit an insectarium with a private collection of 23,000 species.

I would set your expectations carefully. One person found La Vanille underwhelming compared with Blue Bay, and that is useful advice. The park offers plenty to see, but it is more structured and enclosed than a natural wildlife encounter. It may be a highlight for families, animal lovers, and anyone interested in tortoises or insects. It may feel less compelling if your main goal is wild scenery or active snorkeling.

The admission fee is not included. That gives you a choice, since you can skip the park if the extra charge does not suit your interests. It also means the advertised tour price does not represent the full cost of the day.

Your private driver can help shape the timing, but the schedule has limits. The tour is listed at roughly eight hours, and the operator warns that you may not see every stop in detail. If La Vanille matters most to you, say so early and protect its two-hour visit.

St. Aubin turns the afternoon toward rum

The St. Aubin Rhumerie offers a change from animals and coast. The distillery uses both traditional and artisanal methods to produce rum, and the visit can include an explanation of how the drink is made, followed by samples of different varieties.

You can also see the colonial house, vanilla plantings, and anthurium flowers. That mix makes St. Aubin more than a tasting stop. It connects rum with local crops, gardens, and the island’s plantation setting.

The planned visit lasts about two hours, which is generous compared with the short stop at Gris Gris. I would use that time according to your interests. If you enjoy rum and local products, the distillery can be one of the day’s best stops. If you do not drink, ask how much of the visit can be devoted to the house and plantations.

Admission is extra. There is also an important scheduling catch: St. Aubin is closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and public holidays. Check the day before you book, since this is not a minor detail. A tour built around four stops is less useful if one of the main stops is unavailable.

A private car gives you control, with one clear limit

Your group receives private transfers to and from the hotel in an air-conditioned, insured taxi, minibus, or coach. The maximum group size is 15, so the meaning of private depends on your booking. A couple or small family will have much more room to shape the day than a full group of 15.

The driver is fully licensed and qualified. Parking fees, waiting time, and transport are included, which removes several small costs that can otherwise creep into a full-day outing.

The strongest practical benefit is flexibility. You can decide how long to stay at each attraction, and you can skip the paid sites that do not interest you. That works well for a mixed group, such as one person who wants to snorkel longer, another who prefers animals, and someone else who wants the distillery.

There is a trade-off. The driver may focus more on transport than guiding. One guest reported receiving limited explanation, while another review praised the freedom to choose the stops. I would treat this as a flexible private touring service, not a fully scripted history tour with a specialist guide at every site.

If you want detailed interpretation, ask questions as you go and make your preferred stops clear at the start. The provider acknowledged feedback about communication, so setting expectations early is sensible.

The price makes sense only after you add the extras

At $100.86 per person, the tour offers a solid amount of transport and activity for a full day. You receive hotel pickup and return, a private vehicle, parking and waiting time, the glass-bottom boat trip, and snorkeling equipment.

The price does not cover lunch or snacks. It also excludes entry to La Vanille Nature Park and St. Aubin Rhumerie. Those fees can change the value calculation, especially if your group wants to visit both paid attractions.

I would compare the cost with what you would spend arranging transport to four southern sites on your own. The private transfer is valuable if you want one vehicle, hotel pickup, and no need to manage directions between Blue Bay, Gris Gris, La Vanille, and St. Aubin.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to snorkel. In that case, a shorter Blue Bay outing might suit you better, though this tour gives you the other stops as part of the same day.

Lunch deserves a little care. It is not included, and one piece of feedback raised concern about being taken to an expensive restaurant. I would ask the driver about lunch arrangements and prices before settling into the day. The supplied details do not promise a specific restaurant, so you should not assume the meal is included or fixed in advance.

How to divide the eight-hour day

The listed times add up to about six and a half hours at the attractions: two hours at Blue Bay, 30 minutes at Gris Gris, two hours at La Vanille, and two hours at St. Aubin. The full outing lasts about eight hours, leaving time for driving, hotel pickup, parking, and transitions.

That sounds comfortable, but it is not unlimited. Southern Mauritius roads and stop-to-stop travel take time, and the operator warns that you might not see every attraction depending on your group’s speed.

I would make a priority list before leaving:

• Choose Blue Bay first if snorkeling is your main goal.
• Keep Gris Gris short unless the cliffs and surf are a major interest.
• Choose La Vanille for crocodiles, tortoises, and insects.
• Choose St. Aubin for rum, gardens, and plantation details.

A flexible day works best when you accept that not every stop deserves the same amount of time. Trying to give all four equal attention can turn the outing into a series of quick looks.

The start time is 9:00 a.m. That gives you a full morning and afternoon, but it also means you should be ready at your hotel before the vehicle arrives. Confirmation is provided at booking, and pickup is offered.

Who will enjoy this southern Mauritius tour

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want variety. The day mixes snorkeling, coastal views, crocodiles, tortoises, insects, rum, gardens, and private transport. That range is useful when people in your group have different interests.

Animal lovers have plenty to focus on at La Vanille, while swimmers and snorkelers get the most active section at Blue Bay. People who enjoy food and drink culture may prefer the St. Aubin visit.

It also suits anyone who does not want to rent a car or organize several separate excursions. The included transport and flexible stop times remove much of the planning work.

I would hesitate if you want a slow beach day, a fully private boat, or a specialist guide who provides detailed commentary at every stop. The outing covers a lot, and the shared boat and possible limited driver commentary may not match those expectations.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information. Still, you should be comfortable with getting in and out of a boat and taking part in snorkeling if you want the full Blue Bay experience. The tour depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can take another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Blue Bay snorkeling is your main goal and you like the idea of adding southern Mauritius wildlife, cliffs, and rum without arranging separate transport. The glass-bottom boat, supplied gear, private vehicle, and flexible timing give the day a practical shape.

Before booking, confirm the St. Aubin opening day, budget for two attraction fees and lunch, and tell the driver which stop matters most. If you want maximum time in the water, protect Blue Bay first. If you prefer animals and rum to snorkeling, make that clear at the start.

I would call this a good-value variety day, not a perfect deep experience at every stop. Its best feature is the mix of coastal nature and land-based attractions, while its main weakness is the risk of rushing or paying extra for stops that may not appeal to everyone.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a licensed driver, an air-conditioned and insured vehicle, private hotel transfers, parking and waiting time, a glass-bottom boat ride, and snorkeling equipment.

Is the glass-bottom boat private?

No. The road transport and general touring arrangement are private for your group, but the glass-bottom boat portion is shared.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, starting at 9:00 a.m.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the Blue Bay Marine Park portion.

Are attraction admission fees included?

Admission to La Vanille Nature Park and St. Aubin Rhumerie is not included. The supplier does not collect those entrance fees, so you can choose to skip either attraction.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and snacks are not included in the price.

Is St. Aubin Rhumerie open every day?

No. St. Aubin Rhumerie is closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and public holidays.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.