Coin de Mire 2-Hour Private Snorkeling Trip

Coin de Mire gives you a quick, private way to reach one of northern Mauritius’s best-known snorkeling spots. From Grand Baie, you ride by speedboat to shallow reef water where you can look for damselfish and other Indian Ocean sea life among the coral.

I like the private boat, which keeps the outing more personal than a crowded group cruise, and the short two-hour format, which fits neatly into a beach day. The crew also supplies snorkeling gear, snacks, water, and soft drinks, so you do not need to pack a full boat picnic.

The main concern is that the reef and equipment may not match every traveler’s expectations. One recent visitor found the underwater area beautiful and well preserved, while another found little living coral and old gear with poor size choices. Check your equipment before leaving shore, especially for children.

Key points to know before booking

• Coin de Mire is reached by private speedboat from Grand Baie, with a two-hour total outing.
• Morning and afternoon sessions are offered, though the exact departure time should be confirmed because one recent trip left at 8am rather than 9am.
• The reef is shallow and fish-filled, with damselfish and other marine life, but coral conditions may vary.
• The price is $412 for up to eight people, making it far better value for a full group than for one or two guests.
• Snacks, water, and soft drinks are included, but champagne and other special drinks cost extra.
• Bring sunscreen, a towel, and an underwater camera, and check children’s flotation gear before departure.

A fast ride from Grand Baie to Coin de Mire

Your outing begins at Grand Baie public beach. The advertised departure times are 9am for the morning session and noon for the afternoon session, but the timing deserves a quick check before you set out. A recent booking with Le Transporteur departed at 8am, so do not rely on the printed schedule alone.

That early start can be useful. Leaving before the main flow of motorboats may give you calmer water and a quieter reef. One recent morning group reached the site about an hour before other boats and found the water pleasantly peaceful. If you care most about space and quiet, ask if an earlier departure is available.

Once aboard, you head north by private speedboat. The ride itself is part of the appeal. You are not spending half a day on a large vessel before getting into the water. The two-hour schedule keeps the plan simple: leave Grand Baie, reach the snorkeling area, spend time in the water, and return.

The boat is private for your group of up to eight people. That matters most if you are traveling with family or friends and want to set the pace among yourselves. It also changes the value calculation. At the full capacity of eight, the listed $412 price works out to $51.50 per person. For two people, it is $206 each, which is a much steeper price for a short outing.

What makes Coin de Mire appealing

Coin de Mire is located off the north coast of Mauritius and is known for shallow reef snorkeling. That shallower water can make the site more approachable for people who are comfortable swimming but do not want a demanding open-water session.

The advertised attraction is the mix of marine fauna and flora, with colorful fish moving around the reef. Damselfish are specifically noted in the description. You may also find other small reef fish as you move through the water, though the exact amount of marine life will depend on visibility, sea conditions, and the part of the reef you visit.

The underwater setting has received mixed but useful assessments. One recent visitor described the seafloor as among the best preserved they had seen and praised the clear instructions from a two-person crew. Another found the reef disappointing, with almost no living coral, though plenty of fish remained.

That difference is worth taking seriously. Snorkeling is not a fixed show. Light, weather, water clarity, seasonal conditions, and expectations all affect the experience. If your main goal is to see schools of fish in shallow water, Coin de Mire may suit you well. If your main goal is extensive living coral, you should keep expectations modest.

The snorkeling stop and time in the water

At Coin de Mire, the crew provides snorkeling equipment before you enter the Indian Ocean. You can then swim over the shallow reef and watch fish in their natural setting.

The two-hour duration includes the boat ride and snorkeling time, so this is not an all-day marine excursion. That short format works well if you are fitting the activity around other plans in Mauritius. It also means you should not expect several reef stops or a long leisurely lunch on board.

A private trip can help here. You may be able to ask the crew for practical help with mask fit, fins, and the safest way to enter the water. English and French are listed as guide and audio-guide languages. The information does not name individual guides, but the crew is responsible for the boat, instructions, and equipment.

Follow the safety briefing closely. The reef may be shallow, but shallow water does not remove the need for care. Watch your fins around coral, keep your hands off marine life, and stay within the area directed by the crew.

If you are taking children, ask about flotation equipment before the boat leaves. A past visitor found only one standard life vest and one small-child orange rescue vest available when children needed them. That is a serious practical point. The current equipment supply may differ, but families should confirm sizes in advance rather than assume a full range will be aboard.

Equipment, drinks, and what to pack

Snorkeling equipment is included. In practice, the fit and condition matter as much as the fact that gear is supplied. A past visit involved old equipment, limited sizes, and gear that did not work especially well. Try on your mask and fins before heading away from Grand Baie, and tell the crew at once if something leaks or feels wrong.

Pack your own sunscreen and apply it before boarding. The water can make time pass quickly, and a short boat trip still leaves you exposed to strong sun. You should also bring a towel and an underwater camera if you have one.

The included refreshments are basic. The stated package includes snacks, water, and soft drinks. Champagne and other special drinks are not included. One older booking reported that snacks and drinks were missing, despite being advertised, so it is sensible to confirm the refreshment package with Le Transporteur before departure.

Do not expect a full meal. This is a short snorkeling trip, not a catered cruise. The snacks are useful for a little energy after swimming, while water and soft drinks cover the basic need for a drink on a warm outing.

Is $412 a fair price?

The price is $412 per private group of up to eight. That can be good value if you fill the boat. Eight people sharing the cost pay $51.50 each, which is reasonable for a private speedboat, crew, equipment, refreshments, and a trip to a well-known reef site.

The calculation changes sharply with a small party. Two people pay $206 each, and three people pay about $137.33 each. At those rates, you are paying mainly for privacy and direct access rather than a long list of included services.

I would compare the price with your priorities. If you are a family or group of friends, the private setup is a strong feature. You avoid being tied to strangers and can enjoy a more direct outing. If you are traveling as a couple, a shared boat or longer snorkeling excursion may offer more time in the water for less money, though this experience has the advantage of privacy.

The short length is both a benefit and a limitation. You spend only two hours on the activity, so it will not consume your day. But the price does not buy a full-day cruise, multiple stops, or a large meal. Book it for a focused reef visit, not for an entire day at sea.

Morning or afternoon: which session works best?

The morning session is the better choice if you want a fresh start and the best chance of reaching Coin de Mire before more boats arrive. The most positive recent account came from an early departure and praised the quiet conditions, punctual crew, and clear instructions.

The listed morning time is 9am, though an 8am departure has also been used. Confirm the exact time and meeting instructions after booking. If you are staying outside Grand Baie, allow enough time to reach the public beach without rushing.

The afternoon session begins at noon according to the supplied schedule. It may suit you if you prefer a slower morning or want to combine snorkeling with another morning activity. The available information does not establish that afternoon water conditions are better or worse, so I would choose based on your wider plans and ask about the day’s conditions.

The private format gives you some flexibility, but do not assume the schedule is open-ended. This is still a two-hour trip with a planned departure and return.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of friends or a family of up to eight that wants a private boat and a short outing. The cost becomes much more sensible when shared, and the direct route to Coin de Mire keeps the day easy to plan.

It can also suit confident swimmers who mainly want to see fish in shallow reef water. Damselfish and other marine life are part of the appeal, and the short session does not demand a major commitment.

Families should take extra care with life-jacket sizes and snorkeling gear. The past shortage of suitable children’s flotation equipment is not a minor issue. Ask specific questions before booking if your children need more than standard adult equipment.

I would be more cautious if you are an experienced snorkeler seeking extensive coral gardens. The reef has been praised for its beauty and condition, but another account found very little living coral. The fish may still make the stop worthwhile, but the coral experience is not guaranteed to match a brochure-style picture.

The trip is also less compelling for solo visitors or couples unless privacy matters a great deal. The full-group price is designed to be shared.

How to make the most of the two hours

Start by confirming the departure time, the meeting point at Grand Baie public beach, and what refreshments will actually be aboard. Since one recent trip left at 8am and another account raised concerns about missing snacks and drinks, a quick confirmation removes avoidable surprises.

Arrive ready to board. Wear practical swim clothing, bring a towel, and carry sunscreen and an underwater camera if you want photographs. The supplied information does not mention changing facilities, lockers, or storage, so avoid bringing valuables that you do not need.

At the boat, check the mask seal and fin size. If you need a child’s life jacket, ask to see the available options before leaving. It is much easier to solve a fit problem at Grand Baie than once you are at the reef.

Listen to the crew’s instructions, especially about where to swim and how to treat the coral. Stay near your group and use the time in the water wisely. Since the trip is only two hours, extended time on shore or delays with equipment will cut into the main reason you booked.

Booking flexibility and practical details

The activity is offered as a private group with English and French support. An audio guide is also listed in English and French, though the central attraction is the sea, not a long narrated sightseeing program.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still shifting. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms are useful, but you should still confirm the final start time and inclusions before the cancellation deadline.

The meeting point is Grand Baie public beach. The provided information does not include hotel pickup, so plan to reach the beach on your own unless the operator tells you otherwise.

Should you book the Coin de Mire trip?

Book it if you are sharing the cost with a group, want a private speedboat, and prefer a short snorkeling outing over a full-day cruise. The early morning option may be especially appealing because reaching the reef ahead of other boats can make the stop calmer and more pleasant.

Think twice if you are paying for the boat with only one or two people, or if living coral is your main reason for going. The reef can offer plenty of fish and beautiful underwater scenes, but conditions and coral quality are not guaranteed. Confirm the departure time, snacks, equipment condition, and children’s flotation sizes before you commit.

For the right group, this is a simple and practical way to reach Coin de Mire. Its best features are privacy, a helpful two-hour schedule, and the chance to snorkel a northern Mauritius reef without giving up the whole day.

FAQ

Where does the Coin de Mire snorkeling trip begin?

The trip begins at Grand Baie public beach in Mauritius.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts two hours, including the private boat trip and snorkeling time.

What departure times are available?

The listed sessions depart at 9am and noon. One recent booking departed at 8am, so confirm the exact start time with Le Transporteur.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The experience is for a private group of up to eight people.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, snacks, water, and soft drinks are included. Special drinks such as champagne are not included.

Are guides available in English or French?

Yes. Live guide and audio guide support are listed in English and French.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, a towel, and an underwater camera if you want to take photographs in the water.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.