Coin de Mire 2-Hour Private Snorkeling Trip

Coin de Mire is the star here: a short speedboat ride from Grand Baie brings you to a shallow reef where colorful fish gather in the clear Indian Ocean. The private setting means your group of up to eight can enjoy the boat and water without being folded into a large excursion.

I like the small private group, which is useful for families or friends with different swimming speeds. I also like the simple two-hour format, plus snacks, soft drinks, and equipment supplied on board.

The main caution is equipment quality. One past experience found the masks and snorkels old, with limited sizes and poor flotation choices for children. The reef still has plenty of fish, but the living coral may be sparse.

Key points to know before booking

• Coin de Mire is a shallow northern reef: Expect colorful fish such as damselfish, with plenty to see even though living coral may be limited.
• The boat is private for up to eight people: You are not sharing the speedboat with a large tour group.
• Two departure choices are listed: Meet at Grand Baie Public Beach for the morning session at 9am or the afternoon session at noon.
• The crew supplies basic extras: Snorkeling equipment, snacks, water, and soft drinks are included. Champagne and other special drinks cost extra.
• An early start may offer quieter water time: One morning booking departed at 8am and reached the site ahead of other motorboats, so ask about the exact departure time when you reserve.
• Bring your own essentials: Pack sunscreen, towels, and an underwater camera.

Why Coin de Mire is the focus

This trip is built around one main idea: get from Grand Baie to Coin de Mire, then spend your water time snorkeling. That focus works well if you want a short marine outing rather than a full-day cruise with several stops.

Coin de Mire lies north of Mauritius. The snorkeling area is described as shallow, which makes it more approachable for many swimmers than a deep-water site. You can look for small reef fish moving through the water, including damselfish, while viewing the seabed and remaining coral.

I would set your expectations carefully. The site has fish and marine life, but it may not look like a perfect coral garden. One past outing found almost no living coral, even though there were still many fish. That is important if your main reason for booking is healthy coral rather than fish watching.

The appeal is also tied to timing. A morning trip can give you a calmer, quieter visit before more speedboats reach the area. One booking left at 8am and arrived about an hour before other motorboats. The advertised morning session is 9am, so ask Le Transporteur to confirm the actual departure time if getting there early matters to you.

Leaving Grand Baie by private speedboat

You meet the crew at Grand Baie Public Beach. The published meeting point is simple, but you should allow enough time to find the beach and be ready for your selected departure. The morning session is listed at 9am, and the afternoon session at noon.

Once aboard, you ride in a private speedboat toward Coin de Mire. The private format is the clearest reason to pay more than you would for a standard shared boat. Your group has the boat to itself, up to eight people, so you can keep the outing focused on your own pace and preferences.

That does not mean the crew can change every part of the plan. The trip lasts two hours, and the main stop is Coin de Mire. Still, a private boat is useful if you are traveling with children, relatives, or friends who prefer not to spend the day with strangers.

The crew speaks English and French. Live guidance and audio support are listed in both languages, so language should not be a major obstacle for most English or French speakers.

Snorkeling over the shallow reef

At Coin de Mire, the crew provides snorkeling equipment before you enter the water. The shallow setting gives you a good chance to view fish without needing advanced snorkeling skills, though you should always be comfortable in the water before joining any swim activity.

The marine life is the strongest part of the outing. Look for fish such as damselfish among the reef areas. The description promises colorful marine fauna and flora, but the condition of the coral can vary. Do not book this expecting a pristine coral wall or a full scuba-style experience.

I would think of the site as a fish-watching stop with some coral, rather than a coral specialist’s destination. That distinction helps you choose wisely. If you want a relaxed look at Indian Ocean sea life during a short boat trip, the site may fit. If you are chasing extensive live coral, this may leave you wanting more.

The water session also depends on the equipment supplied. A past outing found older snorkeling gear, few sizes, and limited flotation equipment for children. For that reason, I would ask about available mask sizes and children’s life jackets before setting out. Bring personal gear if you already own a well-fitting mask and snorkel.

What is included on the boat

Snacks and drinks are included, but the drinks are limited to water and soft drinks. Champagne and other special drinks are not part of the package. This is a modest refreshment service, not a catered luxury cruise.

That distinction matters because one past booking expected snacks and drinks but did not receive them. The current package information says they are included, yet I would still confirm what will be loaded onto the boat before departure. If refreshments are important to you, carry a little extra water and a snack of your own.

The included gear is convenient. You do not need to arrange a separate rental before reaching the beach. Still, convenience is not the same as top condition, so check the fit before leaving Grand Baie. A mask that leaks or fins that do not fit can waste a large part of a two-hour outing.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, and an underwater camera. These are not supplied. Sunscreen is especially useful because you will spend time on an open boat and in exposed water. A towel is equally practical after the swim, while an underwater camera lets you record the fish without expecting the crew to provide photography.

Is two hours enough?

Two hours is enough for a focused trip to Coin de Mire, but it is not a leisurely full-day marine excursion. Time is shared between the boat ride, safety instructions, entering the water, snorkeling, and returning to Grand Baie.

I like this length for a morning or afternoon that already includes other plans. You can see a northern reef without giving up an entire day. Families may also find the shorter schedule easier than a long boat outing.

The tradeoff is limited flexibility. You are not getting several snorkeling sites, a long beach stop, or hours to linger after the water session. If you need frequent breaks or want to spend a long time swimming, the schedule may feel tight.

The private format helps make the short duration more useful. You are not waiting for a large group to board or gathering people from several hotels. Your time is still fixed, but less of it should be lost to group management.

Private value at $412 per group

The price is $412 for the whole group, with up to eight people. That works out to about $51.50 per person if eight people share the cost. For a couple, the per-person price is much higher, so the value improves as your group gets larger.

I see the price as reasonable for a group that wants privacy, a dedicated speedboat, and a short trip to a named snorkeling site. The package also covers snorkeling equipment, snacks, and soft drinks, which saves you from arranging those items separately.

For two people, I would compare the price carefully with shared boat trips in Grand Baie. You are paying for privacy and control, not for a long list of stops. For six to eight people, the calculation looks better, especially if the group values having its own boat.

The reef itself should guide your decision. The price is easier to justify if your priority is a private boat ride and a convenient swim with fish. It is harder to justify if you expect excellent coral, new equipment, or premium drinks. Champagne and other special drinks are extra, and the standard package contains only nonalcoholic drinks.

Timing, comfort, and practical concerns

You have two listed start times: 9am and noon. Morning is the safer choice if you want the best chance of reaching Coin de Mire before other motorboats. It also leaves the rest of your day free.

The noon trip may suit you if you prefer a slower morning or have other plans before lunch. The information provided does not promise that one departure has better water conditions than the other, so I would choose based on your schedule and ask the operator about the day’s conditions.

The boat is a private speedboat, not a large covered vessel. The information does not specify shade, seating layout, or toilet facilities, so do not assume those features are available. Bring sun protection and dress for a short open-water ride.

For families, flotation equipment deserves extra attention. A previous outing had only one standard sailing vest and one orange vest for a very small child. Ask about children’s sizes before booking, particularly if your children are not confident swimmers.

The crew received strong marks for punctuality, clear instructions, and a friendly manner on one recent morning outing. That matters on a short trip because clear guidance helps you spend more of your limited time in the water rather than sorting out basic arrangements.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this trip most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can share the $412 cost. The private boat gives you a quieter, more personal outing than a standard group cruise, and the two-hour schedule is easy to fit into a Mauritius holiday.

It also suits swimmers who want a straightforward reef stop without a full day at sea. You get a boat ride, a snorkeling session, basic refreshments, and a return to Grand Baie.

I would be more cautious if you are a serious coral enthusiast. The reef has fish, but living coral may be limited. I would also be cautious if you need a wide range of children’s flotation sizes or insist on newer rental equipment.

Pack your own mask and snorkel if you have them. That small step can improve the experience and reduce the risk of spending your water time adjusting a poor fit.

Should you book Coin de Mire?

Book it if your priorities are a private speedboat, a small group, and a short snorkeling visit with colorful fish. The best value comes when six to eight people share the group price. Choose the morning departure if arriving before the other boats appeals to you, and confirm the exact time because one outing began at 8am while the standard morning time is listed as 9am.

Think twice if you want extensive live coral, excellent children’s safety gear, or a luxury drinks service. Coin de Mire appears better suited to a pleasant, focused fish-watching trip than to a world-class coral expedition.

FAQ

Where does the Coin de Mire snorkeling trip meet?

The meeting point is Grand Baie Public Beach in Mauritius.

How long does the trip last?

The experience lasts two hours.

What time does the boat leave?

The listed morning departure is 9am, and the afternoon departure is noon. Confirm the exact time when booking, as one past morning outing departed at 8am.

Is the boat private?

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

What is the maximum group size?

The maximum group size is eight people.

What languages are available?

Live tour guidance and audio support are available in English and French.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are food and drinks included?

Snacks, water, and soft drinks are included. Special drinks, including champagne, are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, a towel, and an underwater camera.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.