From Blue Bay: Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Excursion with BBQ

The best part of this trip is the variety packed into one seven-hour speedboat day. You move from coral gardens to an old lighthouse, a river waterfall, a sandy beach, and a second snorkel stop without spending the day stuck in a bus or at one resort.

I especially like the Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling and the included BBQ with drinks. The boat also avoids the slow, one-note feel of a simple beach transfer. The tradeoff is that Ile aux Cerfs gets only about 100 minutes, so you have time for lunch and a swim, but not a long, lazy afternoon on the island.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Bay Marine Park first: Spend about 35 minutes snorkeling among coral and colorful fish in Mauritius’ largest coral reserve.
• A real lighthouse stop: Ile aux Phare, also called Ile aux Fouquets, gives you time to walk around an old lighthouse ruin.
• Waterfall with cheeky monkeys: The Grand River South East stop lasts about 25 minutes and adds wildlife and river scenery to the day.
• Beach BBQ included: Fish and chicken, vegetarian meals by request, plus alcoholic and soft drinks are covered in the price.
• Two chances to snorkel: You get another 45-minute break near Ile aux Aigrettes on the return route.
• Comfortable boat service: The two skippers have been praised for taking care of passengers and avoiding an overcrowded boat.

A full day on Mauritius’ southeast coast

This is not simply a ride to Ile aux Cerfs. It is a moving tour of the southeast coast, with the speedboat doing the work between stops.

You meet the Totof Tours team at Blue Bay Public Beach at 9:30am. Look opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop for the path to the beach. A small stand with a dark gray parasol marks the meeting point. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to Blue Bay.

The tour returns around 4pm. That timing makes it a substantial day out, but the schedule has enough changes of scenery to keep it from feeling repetitive. You are on the boat, in the water, walking on an island, watching a waterfall, and eating on a beach.

The boat is a speedboat rather than a large sightseeing vessel. That matters in two ways. You cover more coast in less time, and you get a closer feel for the water. On the other hand, a speedboat can feel lively when the sea is rough. Conditions also affect the exact order of the day. The skippers have adjusted the program when the weather turned unsettled, which is useful on an island where sea conditions can change.

Starting with Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling

Your first water stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, about 35 minutes into the day. This is one of the strongest parts of the excursion because you start with the main natural attraction rather than waiting until the end.

The marine park is known for its coral reserve, and you can expect to see a range of fish in clear water when conditions cooperate. One recent outing included many colorful fish and even a shipwreck sighting. The boat provides a mask, snorkel, and life jacket, though the practical packing list also suggests bringing your own snorkeling gear if you prefer equipment that fits you perfectly.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, and water shoes. Water shoes are especially useful around rocky or coral areas, where bare feet can be uncomfortable. The snorkeling period is long enough to get a good look around, but it is not an all-morning session. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, use the full 35 minutes rather than lingering on the boat.

The water is not guaranteed to be calm every day. Weather can change visibility and comfort, and the crew may adapt the program. That flexibility is a plus, but you should not treat the exact conditions as fixed.

Passing Point d’Esny and reaching Ile aux Phare

After Blue Bay, the boat follows the coast by Point d’Esny toward Mahebourg, the former capital of Mauritius. The ride gives you a different view of the southeast than you get from the road, with open water, beaches, and small offshore islands passing by.

The next stop is Ile aux Phare, also known as Ile aux Fouquets. You get about 30 minutes to walk on the island and see the old lighthouse ruin. It is a short stop, so think of it as a close look and a chance to stretch your legs, not a long historical tour.

The lighthouse gives the trip some character. You are not only moving between swimming spots; you are also seeing a piece of the coast’s maritime past. The ruin is weathered, and the appeal comes from its setting and age rather than from a polished museum presentation.

Wear shoes that can handle uneven ground. You may be tempted to stay near the boat, but the walk is worthwhile if you like old structures, island views, and places that feel less developed than the main beach stops.

The Grand River South East waterfall

The speedboat then heads toward the mouth of the Grand River South East. The waterfall visit lasts about 25 minutes, with the boat entering the river so you can see the falls from the water.

This is one of the more unusual parts of the outing. The river setting breaks up the open-sea cruising, and the surrounding scenery gives you a quieter contrast to the beach and snorkeling stops. The area is also home to monkeys. They are described as cheeky for good reason, so keep food and loose items secure and do not try to feed them.

Do not expect a long walk to a large inland waterfall. This is a boat visit to the falls, built into a wider coastal route. The short stop works well as part of a varied day, but people wanting a serious waterfall hike will find it limited.

The river portion also shows why a speedboat is useful here. You can move into the river and return to the coast without needing a separate transfer. The crew can adjust the timing or route if weather conditions make the original plan less comfortable.

Lunch on the beach at Ile aux Cerfs

The main beach stop at Ile aux Cerfs lasts about 100 minutes. This includes the BBQ lunch, free time, and a chance to swim or relax near the entrance to the lagoon.

Lunch includes fish and chicken, with a vegetarian meal available if you request it when booking. Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are also included during the meal and throughout the excursion. That inclusion adds real value to the $106 price, particularly because you are not paying separately for the boat, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, food, and drinks.

The meal is more practical beach lunch than formal dining. You eat, take a break, and enjoy the setting. The food has been singled out as delicious, which is a good sign for anyone who worries that an all-day boat trip will finish with a forgettable packed meal.

The main limitation is time. One passenger wished for a longer stay at Ile aux Cerfs, and I understand why. The island is the headline stop for many people, yet the schedule gives you less than two hours. Once you eat and settle in, the time for swimming or walking can feel brief.

You can make the most of it by deciding what matters before you arrive. If you want a swim, change quickly and get in the water. If you prefer to eat slowly and sit on the beach, do that without trying to squeeze in every activity. The tour gives you a taste of Ile aux Cerfs, not a full resort day.

A second swim near Ile aux Aigrettes

The return route includes about 45 minutes near Ile aux Aigrettes for another break and snorkeling. This is a useful feature because you get a second chance in the water after lunch rather than ending the active part of the day at the BBQ.

The stop also gives you room to adjust your day. If the first snorkeling session was shortened by conditions, you can use this time for another swim. If you already had enough snorkeling, you can simply relax in the water or on the boat.

The schedule describes this as the surrounding waters of Ile aux Aigrettes, not a visit to the island itself. Keep that distinction in mind when comparing excursions. You are stopping for a break and snorkeling, not taking a guided island tour.

After this stop, the boat returns to Blue Bay Public Beach, arriving around 4pm. By then, you have had two water sessions, several coastal stops, lunch, and a river visit. It is a busy day, but the movement is part of the appeal.

What the crew and boat service are like

The excursion is led in English and French. The two skippers have been praised for looking after passengers, keeping the boat comfortable, and not packing it too tightly. That last point matters on a speedboat, where personal space can make a big difference during a full day.

The crew also explains parts of the route and helps with the practical side of snorkeling and boarding. On one outing, the skippers adapted the plan to changing weather and still kept the day enjoyable. That is the kind of service you want from a boat operator, since sea conditions are outside anyone’s control.

There is one small comfort issue to consider: music on the boat may be played more loudly than some people prefer. It is not a major problem, but if you want a quiet ride, ask the crew to turn it down. The boat itself has been described as comfortable and not overcrowded, which offsets the noise concern for most people.

A few people also saw dolphins during the trip. Treat that as a lucky possibility, not part of the promised itinerary. The reliable wildlife encounter is the monkey stop at Grand River South East.

Is $106 a fair price?

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Mauritius, but the package includes a lot. You receive the speedboat trip, several stops, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, BBQ lunch, and drinks. You also avoid arranging separate boat rides to Blue Bay, Ile aux Phare, Grand River South East, and Ile aux Cerfs.

The price makes the most sense if you value variety and convenience. You see more than you would on a single beach transfer, and you do not need to negotiate separate transport or meal arrangements during the day.

It is less compelling if you want to spend most of your time at Ile aux Cerfs. A dedicated island day might give you longer on the sand, while this trip divides the day among five main locations. The value comes from the whole route, not from extended time at one beach.

The included drinks also matter. You can have alcoholic and soft drinks during the meal and excursion without adding several small purchases to the day. If you are comparing boat trips, check whether those extras are included, since a lower headline price can rise once food, gear, and drinks are added.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

I would point this excursion toward people who want a busy, active day and prefer seeing several southeast coast attractions in one outing. It suits couples, friends, and families who are comfortable swimming, boarding a speedboat, and moving between short stops.

It is also a good choice if you want snorkeling but do not want a snorkeling-only trip. The lighthouse, waterfall, monkeys, beach BBQ, and coastal ride give the day more range.

You may want another option if you dislike boats, want a quiet luxury setting, or need long, unhurried time on Ile aux Cerfs. The itinerary is fixed enough to cover many highlights, but the tradeoff is limited time at individual stops.

Ask for the vegetarian BBQ when you reserve if needed. Bring swimwear, towel, water shoes, and snorkeling gear if you have your own. The tour supplies a mask and snorkel, but personal equipment can be more comfortable.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your island plans depend on weather, though the final decision to go should still account for sea conditions.

The final call

Book this trip if you want Mauritius’ southeast coast in one energetic day, with strong snorkeling, a real beach lunch, and plenty of scenery between stops. The best features are the two water sessions, the helpful two-person crew, and the fact that food, drinks, and basic gear are already covered.

Skip it if your ideal Ile aux Cerfs visit means spending half the day on one beach. For everyone else, the $106 price is reasonable for a full route that combines sea, river, history, wildlife, and lunch without making you arrange the pieces yourself.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat excursion start?

It starts at Totof Tours 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 gray parasol.

What time does the tour depart and return?

The tour starts at 9:30am and returns to Blue Bay Public Beach at about 4pm. The total duration is approximately seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What food is served at the BBQ?

The BBQ includes fish and chicken. A vegetarian meal is available if you request it when making your reservation.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Alcoholic and soft drinks are included during the meal and the excursion. The tour also provides a mask, snorkel, and life jacket.

What languages are available, and can I cancel?

The live tour is available in English and French. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option is available.