From Blue Bay: Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Excursion with BBQ

Speedboats and snorkels make this day fly. This Blue Bay excursion is interesting because it strings together Ile aux Cerfs, reef snorkeling, and a waterfall stop in one smooth day. I especially like the snorkeling time in Blue Bay Marine Park and the included BBQ meal with drinks. The one thing to watch is that there is no hotel pickup, so you’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point on time.

You’ll also feel the trip has a practical rhythm: start early, do the water activities while conditions are best, then enjoy beach time and lunch before heading back. One review even notes the guides adapt the program when the weather gets tricky, which matters on an island day. And if you’re expecting hours of lounging on Ile aux Cerfs, plan for a set amount of time rather than an open-ended hangout.

Key Things I’d Put on Your Radar

• Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling right at the start, with masks and snorkels provided
• Ile aux Fouquets lighthouse ruin for a quick land break between water stops
• Grand River South East waterfall plus a chance to spot cheeky monkeys around the area
• Ile aux Cerfs beach and lagoon entrance time, with a proper BBQ meal
• Ile aux Aigrettes snorkeling/snack break on the way back for a final water moment

Meeting at Blue Bay Public Beach: the 9:30 Start and Your Checklist

This tour runs about 7 hours, starting at 9:30am from Blue Bay Public Beach in the southeast of Mauritius. You’ll meet at a small stand (dark grey parasol) on the path to the beach, opposite the main parking and Blue Bay Tuck Shop. If you’re staying nearby, that’s easy. If not, build extra time for the drive and parking because the boat leaves on schedule.

No hotel pickup is included, so think of this as a “meet at the beach” day. The included gear helps, but you still need to show up ready to get in the water: swimwear, towel, water shoes, and your snorkeling gear requirement is covered by the tour (they provide mask and snorkel), but the “what to bring” list is still worth following. Life jackets are included, which is reassuring on speedboat days.

One more practical thought: you’re on the water and moving between stops, so you’ll want to keep your essentials simple. If you’ve got prescription eyewear or contact lenses, plan how you’ll manage them for snorkeling since the tour’s snorkeling blocks are scheduled, not flexible.

Blue Bay Marine Park Snorkeling: Best Color Per Minute

The tour’s first big wow moment is snorkeling in the Blue Bay Marine Park, described as the largest coral reserve from Mauritius. You get about 35 minutes in the water, which is short enough that you still feel fresh after, but long enough to see real variety if conditions are decent.

Because the tour provides snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel), you don’t need to hunt down gear rentals. Life jacket coverage also makes it feel safer and calmer, especially if you’re not a confident swimmer.

If you’re a fish-spotter, this is the stop to lean into. One review highlighted many different, colorful fish, and another mentioned a shipwreck sighting during snorkeling. Those are not guaranteed every day, but the general point is solid: this part of the day is where the water experience is doing the heavy lifting.

Tip for maximizing your 35 minutes: once you’re in, spend the first moments getting your breathing and position right, then look outward and slightly downward rather than just staring at the surface. The reef and fish tend to reward steady, patient scanning.

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse Ruin: A Quick Land Break With Island Atmosphere

After the first snorkeling run, you’ll head along the coast toward Mahebourg and then to Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse. You get about 30 minutes here, which is not enough for a long hike, but perfect for a short stretch and a change of scenery.

This stop centers on the ancient lighthouse ruin, which gives the day a sense of place beyond beach-and-water. It’s the kind of moment that helps the rest of the excursion click: you’re not just visiting islands, you’re passing through the island’s stories and geography.

Drawback to be aware of: 30 minutes is brief. If you love lingering in one spot, you may feel the time window. But if you’re comfortable with a fast, stop-and-go format, this land break keeps the day from feeling one-note.

Grand River South East Waterfall: The Monkeys Add Chaos (In a Good Way)

Next up is the Grand River South East area, where the tour focuses on the waterfall and nearby wildlife. Expect about 25 minutes for this stop. It’s a compact visit, but it’s built around a strong visual payoff: water falling into lush surroundings and a real chance of spotting cheeky monkeys.

This is one of those stops that’s hard to simulate from photos. The sound and movement of water makes the place feel active, and the monkeys bring unpredictability. That unpredictability is fun, as long as you keep a sensible distance and don’t try to feed or approach them.

Because the stop is short, aim to come off the boat ready to move. Wear what you need to be stable on uneven surfaces, and keep your belongings secured since you’re around animals and people.

If weather is acting up, the guide team may adjust timing. One review noted that the guides adapted the program to tricky conditions, which is important here because a waterfall visit and animal spotting can be more enjoyable when conditions are favorable.

Ile aux Cerfs: BBQ Lunch, Beach Time, and That Lagoon Feeling

This is the centerpiece of the day. You’ll reach Ile aux Cerfs, where you spend about 100 minutes for lunch and BBQ, plus beach time. One of the smartest parts of this tour design is lunch happens after the earlier activities, so you’re hungry in a good way rather than tired and grumpy.

The BBQ is fish and chicken, and a vegetarian option is possible if you tell the team when you reserve. Along with the food, there are alcoholic and soft drinks included during the meal and also mentioned as included for the excursion.

You eat on the beach at the entrance to the lagoon from Ile aux Cerfs. That detail matters: lunch isn’t a generic catering situation. It’s tied to the island environment, and you get a real break in the day instead of just a food stop between boat transfers.

How much do you get to enjoy the island? 100 minutes is enough for a relaxed meal, a swim or two if you want, and some strolling. One review specifically wished there was a bit more time on Ile aux Cerfs, which is the only common “con” note you might notice. If you want long, slow island time, you might find this day trip format too structured. If you like variety and don’t mind set time blocks, it works well.

Also, keep your expectations flexible for wildlife and water. This is a beach-lagoon zone, so you’ll likely be balancing relaxation with quick chances to hop in and enjoy the water.

Ile aux Aigrettes: Final Snorkel Stop Before Back to Blue Bay

On the return trip, you’ll get another scheduled chance to swim and snorkel around Ile aux Aigrettes. You also get a break time here, about 45 minutes, which gives you one last stretch before returning to Blue Bay.

This segment helps tie the day together. The first snorkeling stop gets you into the reef mindset; the final stop gives you a “last look” before the day ends. If you’re the type who likes comparing what you see from one reef area to another, this is a nice bonus.

One review also mentioned seeing dolphins. That’s not something you can plan around, but it’s a reminder that the open-water portion sometimes turns into its own wildlife show, especially on island days where local marine life is active.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For (and What You’re Not)

At $106 per person for a roughly 7-hour speedboat outing, you’re paying for three main things:

1. Transport by speedboat on a multi-stop route (not just a single island transfer)
2. Two snorkeling sessions with equipment included and life jackets provided
3. Food and drinks, with a BBQ lunch included in the middle of the day

You’re not paying for hotel pickup and drop-off. So the real value question for you is simple: can you reach Blue Bay Public Beach at the meeting time without stress? If you can, the price starts to look fair for the mix of water time, island time, and meal.

Comfort also comes into play. A review mentioned a comfortable, not-overcrowded boat, and another praised the helpful guides who explained things along the way. Add in the guide team flexibility when weather changes, and the day doesn’t feel like a rigid checklist.

The only “price-adjacent” consideration is how you feel about time allocation. If you want long beach stretches, the scheduled nature of the stops might feel short. If you want variety plus a meal in the middle, this tour fits that style.

On-Board Details That Can Make or Break the Day

A few small factors from the experience are worth taking seriously because they affect how pleasant the day feels.

• Weather responsiveness: One review noted the guides adapted the program to capricious weather. That’s a positive sign for safety and sanity.
• Music level: One comment said the music on the boat was a bit too present. If you’re sensitive to sound, it’s reasonable to ask (politely) if they can lower it, since the guides were reported as helpful.
• Language: You’ll have a live tour guide in English and French, which is useful for understanding timing and safety instructions without feeling lost.

Who This Tour Best Fits

This excursion is a strong match if you want an island day that has a clear “mix” formula:

• snorkeling plus sea life chances,
• a waterfall stop that breaks up the beach rhythm,
• and a real BBQ lunch in a beach setting.

It’s also a good fit if you prefer guided structure over planning your own route. You show up, follow the timing, and get the key stops in one day without juggling ferries or rentals.

If you’re traveling with someone who only likes snorkeling but not lots of beach time (or vice versa), this format gives both options on different parts of the day.

Should You Book This Blue Bay Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat BBQ Trip?

If you like day trips that bundle nature, islands, and a meal into one organized plan, I’d say it’s a book-worthy option. The best reasons are practical: two snorkeling windows, equipment provided, a middle-of-day BBQ with drinks, and a route that doesn’t just repeat the same view.

I’d hesitate only if you’re the type who wants hours and hours of free time on Ile aux Cerfs or you rely on hotel pickup to manage logistics. For everyone else, this is a solid way to get off Mauritius’s main drag and enjoy the southeast coastline with minimal effort.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Blue Bay Ile aux Cerfs speedboat excursion?

The trip lasts about 7 hours and typically starts at 9:30am and ends around 4:00pm.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet opposite the main Parking and Blue Bay Tuck Shop, at the path to the beach where there is a small stand with a dark grey parasol.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll need to get to the meeting point yourself.

What snorkeling is included and do they provide equipment?

You’ll snorkel at Blue Bay Marine Park and also get another snorkeling/swimming break around Ile aux Aigrettes. Snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel) and a life jacket are included.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is a BBQ with fish and chicken, plus drinks. Alcoholic and soft drinks are included with the meal.

Is there a vegetarian meal option?

Yes. If you prefer vegetarian food, you need to tell the provider when you reserve.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, water shoes, and any snorkeling gear you want to use (the tour provides mask and snorkel).