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

The best part of this seven-hour southeast Mauritius boat trip is its variety. You snorkel in Blue Bay, pass several islands, photograph a lighthouse, visit a river waterfall, and finish with a relaxed barbecue on Ile aux Cerfs. It feels like a full day on the water rather than a quick ride to one beach.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, and I like that the lunch is more than a token sandwich, with fish, chicken, lobster, fruit, and homemade punch. The main consideration is pace: this is a full day with several stops, so anyone wanting a quiet, slow beach outing may find the schedule busy.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Bay snorkeling comes early, with equipment and life jackets supplied.
• Five island-area stops give you a broad look at Mauritius’s southeast coast.
• Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse offers one of the day’s best photo settings and a short guided visit.
• Grand River South East adds a waterfall stop and possible monkey sightings.
• The Ile aux Cerfs barbecue is a substantial beach lunch, including fish, chicken, lobster, and homemade punch.
• The boat holds up to 10 people, with French and English guiding and a choice of shared or exclusive trips.

A full day across Mauritius’s southeast lagoon

This trip works because it combines several classic southeast Mauritius sights without making you arrange separate boat rides, snorkeling, and lunch plans. You start near Blue Bay at HP49+C2C, meet by the parking area, and look for a guide wearing a white polo shirt.

The route ends at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point. Since the starting and finishing points are listed separately, check the exact meeting and drop-off details before booking, especially if you are arranging your own transport. The activity lasts about seven hours, so plan on giving it most of your day.

The boat is limited to 10 people on a shared trip. That matters here. A lagoon day with a small group feels more personal, and it gives you a better chance to ask questions or get help with snorkeling gear. You can also choose an exclusive outing if you want more control over the day.

The company puts strong emphasis on respect for the sea, fish, coral, and the wider natural setting. That does not turn the boat trip into a formal ecology lesson, but it does shape the outing. You are visiting a marine park and several sensitive coastal sites, so careful behavior matters.

Blue Bay Marine Park and the first swim

The first water stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, where you snorkel in a protected fish and coral area. This is a practical place to begin because the sea portion starts with a clear activity, rather than leaving you sitting on the boat for the first hour.

Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and a safety kit are included. You should still bring your own towel, hat, water shoes, and drinking water if you prefer having personal supplies close at hand. Cash is also listed as something to bring.

The Blue Bay stop is one of the strongest parts of the day if you enjoy seeing marine life at close range. A sighting of fish is expected from the purpose of the stop, while larger wildlife is less certain. On some outings, people have seen turtles and dolphins, but those are lucky sightings rather than a promise.

You should be comfortable getting into the water and using a mask and snorkel. The tour is wheelchair accessible, but the supplied information does not explain how boarding, swimming, or transfers are handled for each passenger. If you use a wheelchair, ask the operator for those details before you pay.

Ile aux Aigrettes for swimming and photographs

The route continues to Ile aux Aigrettes for a photo stop, cocktail, and swimming. This is a lighter part of the schedule after snorkeling. You get time to look around, take pictures, and cool off without the stop being only a quick camera pause.

The cocktail adds a holiday feel, but remember to pace yourself. You still have several hours on the boat, another island stop, a river visit, and lunch ahead. A hat and water are especially useful in the open sun.

The islands along this coast are best appreciated from the water. Instead of seeing only one resort beach, you get changing views of small islets, open lagoon, and the shoreline. The route gives you a sense of how spread out the southeast coast is.

Do not expect a long, independent visit on every island. The day is designed around a series of short experiences, so the value comes from the combination rather than from spending half a day at one stop.

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse and the coastal route

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse provides one of the clearest sightseeing moments. You stop for photographs and take part in a guided visit of about 20 minutes. The lighthouse gives the boat route a distinct landmark and a useful break from swimming.

This is a good stop for anyone who likes a little history and structure mixed into a beach day, though the supplied details do not give a full account of the lighthouse’s history. The visit is short, so keep your expectations in proportion. You are not getting a museum tour or a long walking excursion.

The surrounding view is one of the day’s main photographic rewards. Bring a phone or camera that you can use safely around water. A dry bag would be sensible, though it is not listed as a required item.

The coastal passage between stops is part of the experience, not just transport. You move past several islands and along the southeast coast, with the boat giving you broad views that are difficult to get from land. If the water is choppy, though, the ride may feel more active than a sheltered resort cruise. The operator provides safety equipment and life jackets, but you should be prepared for normal boat movement.

Grand River South East and the waterfall visit

At Grand River South East, the boat heads toward a large river and a waterfall. This changes the scenery and keeps the day from becoming a simple sequence of beaches.

You get a guided visit and a photo stop. The waterfall is the main reason to come ashore or travel upriver, while the trip itself provides another look at Mauritius’s natural setting. Some outings have also produced monkey sightings along the river. As with turtles and dolphins, treat monkeys as a possible bonus, not the central reason to book.

This part is especially useful for you if you want more than sun and swimming. The river adds variety and gives the guide another chance to explain the area. It also breaks up the time before lunch at Ile aux Cerfs.

The schedule may feel full by this point. You have already snorkeled, swum, visited a lighthouse, and traveled along the coast. If you prefer a slow pace with long periods in one place, this may be the least suitable feature of the trip. If you like a day with plenty to see, the variety is a major benefit.

Ile aux Cerfs and the long beach lunch

The final major stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you have a beach break, free time, swimming, photographs, and lunch. This is where the day slows down. After the boat route and sightseeing, you can settle into the beach setting rather than immediately moving on.

Lunch is a major part of the value. The barbecue includes fish, chicken, and lobster, with fruit and other food prepared during the meal. Homemade punch is served as well. The exact menu and quantities can vary, but the available details point to a generous, freshly prepared feast rather than a basic packed lunch.

The meal has received especially strong praise. One account describes different meats and seafood arriving at the table at regular intervals, while another singles out the lobster on a secluded island. That makes lunch more than a convenient stop. It is one of the day’s signature moments.

The beach setting also gives you the chance to choose your own pace. You can swim, take photos, sit with a drink, or simply enjoy the meal. The beach is described as quiet, but the tour does not promise private access. Ile aux Cerfs is a popular destination, so conditions can change.

If you do not eat seafood, chicken is included. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, ask in advance because the supplied information does not list alternative menus. Bring cash as requested, but do not assume extra purchases or drinks are included beyond what is stated.

The guiding team and the small-boat feel

The guiding team has included Pascale, Christopher, William, Mathéo, Val, Valérie, and Steeve. Names associated with the trip describe both boat captains and hosts, so you may meet different combinations depending on the departure.

The strongest pattern is personal service. Drinks are attended to, safety is watched, and the guides stay involved instead of leaving you to manage each stop alone. French and English are the working languages.

A 10-person limit is one of the clearest reasons to choose this trip over a large boat cruise. You get a more manageable group at the snorkeling stop, more room for questions, and a better chance of being noticed if you need help. It also supports the company’s stated focus on the sea and coral, since a small group is easier to manage around sensitive areas.

An exclusive trip is available if you want a private boat arrangement. The supplied information does not specify the private-trip price or exact capacity, so ask for those details before booking. The shared option is already small enough for many people.

Is $111 a fair price?

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water in Mauritius. It is also not just a boat transfer. The price covers about seven hours, guiding, safety equipment, snorkeling equipment, multiple coastal and island stops, and a substantial barbecue lunch.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a snorkeling trip, a lighthouse visit, a river excursion, and lunch. You are also paying for a small group rather than a packed boat. The lobster and homemade punch add to the appeal, though the final value depends partly on how much time you want to spend swimming and how much you enjoy guided sightseeing.

I would compare this with any shorter Ile aux Cerfs cruise you are considering. A shorter trip may cost less and give you more time at one beach, but it will not offer the same sequence of Blue Bay, the lighthouse, Grand River South East, and the barbecue.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet beach day or do not eat seafood. In that case, the activity list may be more than you need. For a full southeast Mauritius day with food included, the price is reasonable.

What to pack and how to prepare

Bring a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash. Water shoes are particularly useful because the day includes snorkeling, swimming, and beach time. They can also make uneven or wet surfaces more comfortable.

Wear swimwear under light clothing and use sun protection. The supplied list does not specifically mention sunscreen, but you should bring it for a full day on the water. A waterproof pouch for your phone is also sensible, although it is not listed as included.

Meet next to the parking area at HP49+C2C and look for the guide in a white polo shirt. Because the trip ends at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point, confirm transport between the meeting point and finish before the day begins.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Mauritius schedule may change. Check availability for the exact starting time, since departures are not stated as one fixed hour.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

You should consider booking if you want a compact tour of the southeast lagoon, enjoy snorkeling and swimming, and like having lunch handled for you. It is also a strong fit for couples, families, and small groups who prefer a personal boat outing over a large cruise.

The day suits people who want variety. You see marine life, islands, a lighthouse, a river waterfall, and a beach, all with a guide who can manage the practical details.

It may not suit you if you want complete independence, long quiet stretches, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The schedule has several stops, and the boat portion can be active. Anyone with mobility needs should confirm the practical boarding and water-access arrangements even though the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Should you book the Blue Bay and Ile aux Cerfs boat trip?

I would book this if you want one well-packed day that combines Blue Bay snorkeling with the southeast coast’s main water sights. The small group, capable guiding team, and unusually generous barbecue are the strongest reasons to choose it.

The best way to think about the $111 price is as payment for a full day of logistics, not simply a boat seat. You get equipment, safety support, several stops, and lunch with lobster. If that sounds better than arranging separate outings, this is a sensible choice.

Skip it if your ideal Mauritius day means staying in one place with no timetable. For everyone else, the mix of water, islands, river scenery, and a long beach meal gives you a well-rounded look at the southeast.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The activity lasts seven hours.

Where does the experience start?

The meeting location is HP49+C2C, next to the parking area. Your guide will wear a white polo shirt.

Where does the trip finish?

The trip finishes at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point.

How many people are in the shared boat?

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

Is a private trip available?

Yes. The trip can be booked as a shared outing or on an exclusive basis. The private-trip price and exact capacity are not provided.

What languages are spoken?

The live guides speak French and English.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash.