Mauritius South Tour Including Blue Bay Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkelling

Blue Bay is the star here: clear water, coral gardens, tropical fish, and a glass bottom boat that gets you onto the reef without wasting time. I like the private vehicle and the freedom to set your pace, and I like that snorkeling gear and hotel transfers are included. The main catch is that entrance fees and lunch are extra, and the glass bottom boat is shared rather than private.

This is a full southern Mauritius day, not a single polished attraction. You’ll see stormy cliffs at Gris Gris, crocodiles and giant tortoises at La Vanille, and traditional rum production at Saint Aubin. La Vanille may feel less special if animal parks are not your thing, and one past outing included an expensive, imposed restaurant stop, so clarify lunch plans before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Bay is the strongest part of the day: Expect clear water, coral formations, trumpet fish, and other tropical species.
• The car and driver are private for your group: You can choose how long to spend at each stop, within the roughly eight-hour day.
• The glass bottom boat is shared: The land transport is private, but the boat portion is not.
• La Vanille is a major animal stop: Its 3.5 hectares include crocodiles, giant tortoises, and a large insect collection.
• Saint Aubin is schedule-sensitive: The rhumerie is closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and public holidays.
• The advertised price is not all-inclusive: At $100.86 per person, you still pay separately for La Vanille, Saint Aubin, and lunch.

Blue Bay makes the morning count

Your day begins around 9:00 a.m., with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned, insured taxi, minibus, or coach. The exact vehicle depends on the size of your party, but the outing can accommodate no more than 15 people. Since your road transport is arranged for your own group, you avoid the usual hop-on, hop-off feel of a large coach tour.

At Blue Bay Beach, the water changes through several shades of blue. That color is not just a postcard effect. The bay is protected by reef, which helps keep the water calm enough for a boat ride and snorkeling in suitable weather.

The glass bottom boat takes you toward Blue Bay Marine Park. Its clear panels give you a first look at the reef before you enter the water. You may see trumpet fish, other tropical fish, coral formations, and additional marine life beneath the boat. The boat ride is useful even if you are not a confident swimmer, since you can still see part of the underwater world from above.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, which saves you from packing fins and a mask or renting them separately. The time at this stop is about two hours, so you have a reasonable chance to enjoy both the boat and the water rather than rushing through a short photo stop.

I would give Blue Bay your best attention. One person who took the trip on a cloudy day still found the water clear enough to observe a range of fish. That is a useful point: bright sunshine helps the colors, but a cloudy morning does not automatically spoil the experience.

The main limitation is that the boat is not private. Your car and road schedule belong to your group, but the marine excursion is shared. If you want a completely private boat outing, this is not the right product.

Sea conditions and weather matter here. The tour requires good weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation. Even in fair weather, the sea can affect visibility and comfort, so keep your expectations realistic. Blue Bay is the day’s strongest nature stop, but it is not a guaranteed aquarium.

Gris Gris shows Mauritius in a different mood

After the calm reef at Blue Bay, Gris Gris gives you the opposite view of the southern coast. Much of Mauritius is protected by coral reef, but this stretch has an opening in the reef. Large waves roll directly toward the cliffs, creating a rougher and more dramatic scene.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough to look out over the coast, take in the wave action, and walk a short distance toward La Roche qui Pleure. The name means The Crying Rock, referring to the way water runs down the formation when waves strike it.

Gris Gris is not a swimming stop. The appeal is the contrast between the quiet lagoon and the open sea. I like this short pause because it prevents the day from becoming a string of enclosed attractions. You get wind, spray, rock, and the sound of the sea doing what it does best.

Do not expect a long coastal walk. Thirty minutes is a compact visit, and the stop works best as a scenic break between Blue Bay and the animal park. If your group prefers more time at the water, you can ask the driver about adjusting the schedule, but every change means less time elsewhere.

La Vanille puts animals at the center

La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes covers 3.5 hectares of greenery, with palm trees, banana trees, and giant bamboo. The setting gives you room to walk, but the animals are the reason to pay the entrance fee.

The park is home to about 2,000 Nile crocodiles and 1,000 giant tortoises. Those numbers make this a substantial animal stop rather than a quick roadside attraction. You can also visit an insectarium with a private collection of about 23,000 species.

This is the longest stop after Blue Bay, at roughly two hours. That gives you time to walk through the grounds and see more than one section of the park. It also means you should not treat La Vanille as a quick add-on. The visit takes a real portion of your day.

I would be selective here. If you enjoy crocodiles, tortoises, and insects, La Vanille adds variety that the marine stop cannot provide. If you mainly want coastal scenery and snorkeling, two hours in an animal park may feel long. One person found the park underwhelming and suggested that the value drops if you are short on time.

The entrance fee is not included in the tour price. This flexibility can work in your favor because you are not forced to pay for an attraction you do not want. You can also decide to spend more time at Blue Bay or Gris Gris, subject to the day’s driving schedule.

Do ask about the stop before the morning gets too far along. The operator says the driver can adjust the time at each attraction, but you may not reach every listed stop if your group moves slowly or chooses longer visits. A private itinerary gives you choices, not extra hours.

Saint Aubin connects rum with the countryside

The final listed stop is Rhumerie de Saint Aubin, a traditional and artisanal rum distillery. The visit lasts about two hours and includes the chance to learn how rum is made and sample different varieties.

Saint Aubin also offers more than the factory. You can see a colonial house, vanilla plantations, and anthurium flowers. That combination gives the stop a local agricultural side, rather than making it only a tasting room.

The distillery charges its own entrance fee, which is not included. You should also check the opening day carefully. Saint Aubin is closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and public holidays. If your date falls into one of those periods, the driver may need to spend more time at the other stops, but you should not assume the distillery will be available.

Rum tasting is not ideal for every group. Families with children, anyone avoiding alcohol, or anyone who prefers extra time outdoors may want to skip it. The private format makes that choice easier than on a fixed group coach schedule.

One practical point deserves attention: lunch is not included. A past customer objected to being taken to a costly restaurant for a meal that did not feel worth the price. You can avoid confusion by asking before departure whether lunch is planned, where it will be, and whether you may choose your own option. The tour information does not promise a meal, so budget separately and do not assume food is part of the $100.86 price.

What the private format really gives you

The word private matters most between stops. Your group receives a private transfer to and from the hotel, and the vehicle is air-conditioned and insured. Waiting time and parking fees are covered, which removes some small but annoying costs during a long day.

Your driver is fully licensed and qualified. The driver can also help manage the order of stops and the amount of time you spend at each one. That is useful if your group contains a strong snorkeler, a reluctant swimmer, or someone who wants more time at the animal park.

Do not expect the same level of guiding at every stop. One person on a private outing felt the driver explained little, while another found the freedom over the schedule useful. The safest approach is to ask direct questions at the start: how much time is realistic at each attraction, what is open that day, and how lunch will work.

The glass bottom boat is the exception to the private setup. It is shared, so the tour is best described as a private land tour with a shared marine activity. That distinction matters if you are booking for a honeymoon or hoping for a quiet boat ride.

Is $100.86 good value for the day?

At $100.86 per person, the price can be fair if you use the full day and value private transport. You receive hotel transfers, an air-conditioned vehicle, a licensed driver, parking and waiting time, the glass bottom boat ride, and snorkeling equipment.

You still need to add the entrance fee for La Vanille, the entrance fee for Saint Aubin, and lunch or snacks. Those extras can change the final cost quite a bit. The advantage is that you can skip an attraction and avoid paying its fee if it does not interest you.

The value is strongest for a small group that wants door-to-door transport without arranging several separate outings. It is less convincing if you only want Blue Bay, since the marine stop is the part most praised for clear water and fish. In that case, a shorter snorkeling trip might suit you better, though this tour gives you far more variety.

Group discounts are offered, but the exact terms are not provided here. Ask for the final price for your party before paying. With a maximum of 15 people, the outing is smaller than a large coach excursion, but it is not necessarily an intimate two-person experience.

Who should choose this southern Mauritius tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to pack several major southern sights into one day and prefer private road transport. It works well for couples, families, and small groups with mixed interests. A keen snorkeler can enjoy Blue Bay, while other people in the group can look forward to animals, scenery, or rum.

It also suits anyone who dislikes rigid sightseeing. You have some control over the length of each stop, and the driver can adjust the day according to your group’s pace. Just remember that flexibility cannot create more time. Spending longer at one place may mean missing another.

I would think twice if you want a fully guided cultural tour. The driver may provide useful help, but the experience is not presented as a detailed lecture at every attraction. I would also reconsider if you dislike paying attraction fees separately or if lunch arrangements need to be completely organized in advance.

The outing earns a current average of 4.2 out of 5 from nine ratings. The clearest pattern is the strength of Blue Bay and the more mixed response to La Vanille and the food arrangements. That makes the booking decision simple: choose it for the water, variety, and private vehicle, not because every stop is equally compelling.

My booking advice

Book this tour if Blue Bay snorkeling is your priority and you want Gris Gris, La Vanille, and Saint Aubin folded into the same southern route. The supplied equipment, hotel pickup, and flexible timing save effort, while the private car gives your group more control than a standard coach excursion.

Before paying, confirm three things: the total cost after entrance fees, the lunch plan, and whether Saint Aubin is open on your date. If you are booking on a Sunday, public holiday, or Saturday afternoon, expect the distillery stop to be unavailable. If your group mainly wants snorkeling, ask how much time can be protected for Blue Bay.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a fully licensed driver, an air-conditioned and insured taxi, minibus, or coach, private transfers to and from your hotel, waiting time and parking fees, a glass bottom boat ride, and snorkeling equipment.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for La Vanille Nature Park and Rhumerie de Saint Aubin are not included. Lunch and snacks are also separate.

Is the glass bottom boat private?

No. The road transport and transfers are private for your group, but the glass bottom boat portion is shared.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. The listed stops take about two hours at Blue Bay, 30 minutes at Gris Gris, two hours at La Vanille, and two hours at Saint Aubin, not counting road travel.

Can I choose how long to stay at each stop?

Yes. You can choose how long to spend at each attraction, depending on your group’s pace. You may not have time to visit every listed stop if you take longer at earlier attractions.

Is Saint Aubin Rhumerie open every day?

No. It is closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and public holidays.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.