From Blue Bay: Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Excursion with BBQ

Sea, sand, and a little monkey trouble. This seven-hour speedboat trip packs the southeast of Mauritius into one lively day, with snorkeling in Blue Bay Marine Park, a stop at Ile aux Phare, the Grand River South East waterfall, and beach time at Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the mix of water time and short island visits, since you are not stuck on the beach all day or confined to the boat.

I also like that the BBQ lunch and drinks are included, along with a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. The main consideration is pace. You visit several places in one day, so your time at Ile aux Cerfs is limited to about 100 minutes, and one French-speaking guest wished for longer there. Music on the boat may also be louder than some people prefer.

Key Points at a Glance

• Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling: Begin with about 35 minutes among coral and colorful fish in Mauritius’ largest coral reserve.
• Ile aux Phare lighthouse ruin: Walk around a small island and see the remains of an old lighthouse, plus the nearby shipwreck noted by one guest.
• Grand River South East waterfall: Enter the river by boat and watch for the cheeky monkeys living around the falls.
• BBQ on Ile aux Cerfs: Fish and chicken are served with alcoholic and soft drinks, while vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking.
• Two separate snorkeling opportunities: You snorkel first at Blue Bay and get another chance near Ile aux Aigrettes on the return trip.
• Comfortable speedboat outing: The boat is described as comfortable and not overloaded, though conditions and the day’s route can affect the exact experience.

Why This Southeast Mauritius Trip Works

This is a good choice if you want to see several of Mauritius’ best-known coastal sights without arranging separate transport, meals, and boat trips. The route has a clear rhythm: coral reserve, small island, river waterfall, long lunch stop, then one final swim before returning to Blue Bay.

The speedboat matters. You cover more water than you would on a slow sightseeing boat, and the ride itself becomes part of the day. You see the coast from the water as you travel from Blue Bay along Point d’Esny toward Mahebourg, the former capital of Mauritius, then onward toward the islands and lagoon.

The trip begins at 9:30 in the morning and returns at about 4:00 in the afternoon. That makes it a full day, but not a late one. You still have the evening free for dinner or a quiet walk around Blue Bay.

The outing has earned a 4.8 rating from 118 bookings, and the strongest praise centers on the snorkeling stops, the helpful crew, the food, and the comfortable boat. One guest also saw dolphins, though you should treat that as a lucky possibility rather than a planned part of the trip.

Finding the Boat at Blue Bay Public Beach

The meeting point is at Totof Tours in Blue Bay. From the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop, look for the path leading to the beach. A small stand with a dark gray parasol marks the meeting spot.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach Blue Bay Public Beach on your own. Plan a little extra time to locate the stand, especially if you do not know the beach area. The listed departure time is 9:30, and a boat trip cannot easily wait for late arrivals.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and water shoes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included, but snorkeling gear is also listed among the recommended items to bring. If you have a mask that fits you well, carrying it may be useful, though the supplied equipment is part of the trip.

First Stop: Blue Bay Marine Park

The first water stop gives you about 35 minutes to snorkel in Blue Bay Marine Park. This is one of the strongest parts of the day because it gets you into the water early, before the trip turns toward the islands and river.

The marine park is described as the largest coral reserve in Mauritius. The fish sightings can be excellent. One German guest reported seeing many different colorful fish, and the snorkeling stops were one of the main reasons for giving the trip a top rating.

You should think of this as a guided boat excursion rather than a long, quiet snorkeling session. Thirty-five minutes is enough to see fish and coral, but it passes quickly once you adjust your mask and get comfortable in the water. If snorkeling is your main goal, use your time well and get into the water promptly.

The life jacket is included, which is useful if you are not a confident swimmer. The crew can also help with the equipment. The guides received praise for being attentive and explaining what you were seeing, although no individual guide names are provided.

Ile aux Phare and Its Old Lighthouse

The next stop is Ile aux Phare, also called Ile aux Fouquets in the itinerary. You have around 30 minutes to walk around the island and see the old lighthouse ruin.

This is a short stop, but it adds a little character to a day that could otherwise become a string of swimming breaks. The ruined lighthouse gives the island a sense of past working life, when navigation lights mattered to ships crossing the waters around Mauritius.

One guest also specifically noted seeing a shipwreck during the day. The details of its location and condition are not provided, so do not book this expecting a formal shipwreck visit. Still, keep your eyes open during the boat ride and at the island stop.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick walk and photographs. It is not enough for an extended exploration, so you should stay aware of the departure time. The island may feel exposed in bright sun, making a hat and sun protection sensible additions to your day bag.

The Grand River South East Waterfall

From the islands, the boat heads toward Grand River South East, where you spend about 25 minutes visiting the waterfall. The boat enters the river, giving you a different setting from the open lagoon and beach stops.

The waterfall is not just about the falling water. The area is also home to monkeys, described as cheeky for good reason. Keep food and loose items secure, and enjoy watching them without trying to approach or feed them. The monkey encounter adds a bit of humor to the day, but it is still important to give the animals space.

Weather can affect the route and timing. On one outing, the guides adjusted the program to suit changing conditions and still delivered a good day. That flexibility is useful on a speedboat trip, where wind and rain can make one stop less pleasant than another.

The 25-minute visit is brief. You see the waterfall and the river surroundings, then continue toward Ile aux Cerfs. This stop works best as a scenic break rather than a full nature walk.

Lunch and Beach Time at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop, with around 100 minutes for lunch and relaxation. The boat reaches the beach at the entrance to the lagoon, where you can eat, swim, and take in the famous island setting.

Lunch includes a BBQ with fish and chicken. A vegetarian meal can be arranged, but you need to request it when making your reservation. Drinks are included during lunch and throughout the excursion, with both alcoholic and soft drinks available.

This is a practical feature of the tour. At $106 per person, you are paying not just for a boat ride, but also for a full day of transport on the water, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, a cooked meal, and drinks. If you would otherwise book a separate boat trip and buy lunch and drinks at the beach, the package offers reasonable value.

The tradeoff is time. One French guest thought the stop at Ile aux Cerfs should have been longer. I can understand that view. Ninety minutes to 100 minutes sounds generous until you include getting off the boat, finding a comfortable place, eating, swimming, and getting ready to leave.

You will need to choose your priorities. Eat first if the BBQ is important, then swim. Or take a quick swim before lunch if the water is your main reason for booking. Do not expect a whole afternoon of unhurried beach time. This is a sightseeing circuit with a beach stop, not a dedicated Ile aux Cerfs beach day.

A Second Swim Near Ile aux Aigrettes

Before returning to Blue Bay, the boat stops near Ile aux Aigrettes for about 45 minutes of break time and snorkeling. This gives the day a welcome second water session after the busy middle section.

The exact snorkeling conditions can vary with weather and water clarity. Still, the extra stop is valuable because you get another chance to swim without giving up the morning visit to Blue Bay Marine Park.

You may find the second stop more relaxing than the first because you already know how the equipment works and have settled into the boat’s routine. If you are not keen to snorkel again, you can use the time as a swim or floating break, provided conditions and crew instructions allow it.

The boat then returns to Blue Bay Public Beach, with the excursion ending around 4:00 in the afternoon.

Boat Comfort, Guides, and Weather

The experience depends heavily on the sea conditions and the crew’s choices. Two French guests gave especially useful feedback: the boat felt comfortable and not overcrowded, and the skippers took good care of the people on board. That matters on a seven-hour outing, since a cramped boat can make a pleasant route tiring.

The guides speak English and French. Their role goes beyond steering. They help with snorkeling, explain parts of the route, and adjust the schedule when weather changes. One guest specifically praised the guides for being helpful and explaining several sights.

There is one small comfort issue to keep in mind. Music may be played on the boat, and one person found it a little too loud but did not ask for it to be lowered. If you prefer a quieter ride, ask politely. That is a simple fix, but it is better to know before you board.

The speedboat can make the ride lively. If you are sensitive to movement, the open-water portions may feel bumpy in rough conditions. The information provided does not state a minimum age, accessibility details, or a maximum group size, so ask Totof Tours directly if any of those points matter to you.

Who Gets the Best Value From This Trip

I would choose this excursion if you want a broad taste of the southeast in one day. It suits people who enjoy changing scenery, short island walks, snorkeling, a cooked lunch, and the feeling of moving through a region rather than staying in one place.

It is also a useful option for couples, families, and small groups who want the practical parts handled together. You do not need to organize a separate snorkeling boat, find lunch, or work out a route to the waterfall.

You may want another kind of outing if you want long, quiet beach time at Ile aux Cerfs. The schedule gives you around 100 minutes there, while the rest of the day is split among several stops. It is also less suited to anyone who dislikes speedboat movement, loud music, or a tightly timed program.

Vegetarians should request their meal in advance. Everyone should bring swimwear, a towel, water shoes, and sun protection. The trip includes drinks, but bringing any personal essentials you need for a full day at sea is sensible.

Should You Book the Blue Bay Speedboat Excursion?

Book it if you want a well-filled day with strong snorkeling, a comfortable boat, a BBQ lunch, and several distinctive stops for $106. The best parts are the coral reserve, the two chances to swim, the old lighthouse, and the river waterfall with its monkeys.

Skip it if your main goal is to spend most of the day on Ile aux Cerfs or if you prefer a slow, silent boat ride. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see a large part of southeast Mauritius without sacrificing lunch, drinks, or time in the water. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later also make it easier to fit into a changing holiday plan.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

It starts at Blue Bay Public Beach, at Totof Tours Mauritius. From the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop, follow the path to the beach and look for the small stand with a dark gray parasol.

What time does the trip depart and return?

The excursion starts at 9:30 in the morning and ends at about 4:00 in the afternoon.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask, snorkel, and life jacket are included. Swimwear, a towel, water shoes, and snorkeling gear are also listed among the recommended items to bring.

What food is served at lunch?

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

Are drinks included?

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

What languages are available?

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