From Blue Bay: Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Excursion with BBQ

The best part of this day is the variety. In seven hours, you move from the coral water of Blue Bay Marine Park to a ruined lighthouse, a river waterfall, and the broad beach of Ile aux Cerfs. The speedboat keeps the day moving, but there is still time to swim, eat, and sit by the lagoon.

I like the two snorkel stops, since they give you more than one chance to see fish. I also like the included BBQ, drinks, masks, snorkels, and life jackets. That makes the $106 price easier to judge, especially if you want one boat trip that covers several southeast sights.

The main drawback is pace. Ile aux Cerfs gets about 100 minutes, and one recent booking party wished for more beach time there. Music on the boat may also be louder than some people prefer, although you can ask the crew to turn it down.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Bay Marine Park opens the day with 35 minutes of snorkeling, giving you an early look at Mauritius’s coral reserve.
• The lighthouse stop is brief but atmospheric, with about 30 minutes to walk around the old ruin on Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile aux Phare.
• The Grand River South East waterfall includes cheeky monkeys, so keep food and loose items secure.
• The BBQ is served on Ile aux Cerfs, with fish and chicken, a vegetarian option by request, plus alcoholic and soft drinks.
• A second 45-minute swim stop near Ile aux Aigrettes gives you another chance to get in the water before returning to Blue Bay.
• The tour runs from 9:30 a.m. to about 4 p.m., with no hotel pickup or drop-off included.

Why this Blue Bay speedboat trip works well

Mauritius has plenty of boat outings, but this one makes a full day of the southeast coast rather than stopping at just one beach. You start at Blue Bay Public Beach, travel along the water toward Mahebourg, cross past small islands, enter the Grand River South East, and finish with more swimming near Ile aux Aigrettes.

I like this arrangement because the day has a clear rhythm. The first stop is active, the middle section mixes scenery and local landmarks, lunch gives you a long rest, and the last stop returns you to the water. You are not asked to spend seven hours doing the same thing.

The speedboat matters here. It lets the crew connect Blue Bay, the lighthouse island, the river, and Ile aux Cerfs in one outing. You will feel the wind and spray, so this is more lively than a slow sightseeing cruise. If you want a quiet ride with no movement, this may not be your best choice.

The boat is described as comfortable and not overloaded, with two skippers on at least one recent departure. The crew adjusted the plan when weather changed, which is useful in Mauritius, where conditions can affect snorkeling and open-water travel. English and French are available.

Starting at Blue Bay Marine Park

Meet at Totof Tours near the Blue Bay Public Beach. The meeting point is opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop. Look for the path to the beach and a small stand with a dark gray parasol.

The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m., so arrive ready to find the stand without wasting time. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to Blue Bay, which is an important cost and timing detail when comparing this trip with hotel-based excursions.

The first water stop lasts about 35 minutes in Blue Bay Marine Park, described as Mauritius’s largest coral reserve. You receive a mask, snorkel, and life jacket, though bringing your own mask may be wise if you care about fit. The tour information also suggests bringing snorkeling gear, so check what you prefer to use before setting out.

I like starting here rather than saving the first swim for later. The water gives you an early sense of the day, and the stop is long enough for a proper look rather than a quick dip. Previous participants saw many colorful fish, and one outing also spotted a shipwreck and dolphins. Those sightings are not guaranteed, but they show what can turn a good marine stop into a memorable one.

Bring a towel, swimwear, and water shoes. Water shoes are especially useful around rocky or uneven entries, though the exact shore conditions can change.

Passing Point d’Esny and Mahebourg

After snorkeling, the boat follows the coast from Point d’Esny toward Mahebourg. Mahebourg was once the capital of Mauritius, and the route gives you a water-level view of the southeast rather than a land-based town tour.

This part is less about getting off the boat and more about the ride itself. Sit where you can enjoy the coast, but protect anything that should not get wet. Speedboats can be fun, yet spray is part of the deal.

Music may be played during the ride. One recent booking party found it a little too loud but did not ask the crew to lower it. I would simply ask politely if the volume bothers you. That small bit of direct communication can make the ride more comfortable.

The excursion is guided in English and French. The crew also explains the stops and helps with the water activities. You should expect practical guidance rather than a long lecture about every point along the coast.

The ruined lighthouse on Ile aux Fouquets

The next stop is the small lighthouse island, identified in the tour details as Ile aux Fouquets and elsewhere as Ile aux Phare. You have about 30 minutes to walk around and see the old lighthouse ruin.

This is a short stop, but it adds a touch of island character to a day otherwise centered on beaches and water. The weathered lighthouse gives you something to explore between swims, and the island offers a change of pace from the boat.

Do not expect a full museum visit or a long historical presentation. You have enough time for a walk, photographs, and a look at the ruin before moving on. If you like old structures and small islands, this stop will probably feel worthwhile. If your only goal is beach time, you may see it as time taken away from Ile aux Cerfs.

The timing is one reason to keep expectations realistic. This is a varied excursion, not a series of long stays at every location.

Entering Grand River South East

The boat then heads into Grand River South East to see its waterfall. The stop lasts about 25 minutes, so you will have time to take in the falling water and the surrounding scenery from the boat.

The river section feels different from the open sea. The boat moves into a narrower setting, and the waterfall gives the trip a clear visual highlight. Monkeys live in the area and may come close, which explains the warning to be careful. Do not assume they are tame, and keep food and small personal items under control.

This is another stop where the boat is part of the attraction. You are not given a long land walk to the waterfall. The value comes from approaching it by water, seeing the river mouth, and watching for monkeys along the banks.

Weather can affect how this section feels. The crew has adjusted the schedule when conditions were poor, which is a good sign for a day that depends on several outdoor stops. The exact order may change if the water or sky makes another plan safer.

Lunch and beach time on Ile aux Cerfs

The longest stop is Ile aux Cerfs, with about 100 minutes for lunch and beach time. This is the part many people picture when they think of a Mauritius boat trip: pale sand, open lagoon water, and time to slow down after the morning’s activity.

Lunch is a BBQ with fish and chicken. A vegetarian meal can be arranged if you state that when booking. Drinks are included during lunch and throughout the excursion, with alcoholic and soft drinks listed as part of the package.

For me, the included meal is a real advantage. You do not need to leave the beach to search for lunch, and the food turns the trip into a full-day outing rather than a transport service between snorkel stops. The inclusion of drinks also helps the $106 price make more sense, especially when you count the boat, equipment, guides, and several separate locations.

Still, 100 minutes is not a huge amount of time on Ile aux Cerfs. You will need to divide it between eating, sitting on the beach, and swimming. If you want a slow island day with hours to wander, this trip will feel too busy. If you prefer to see several places in one day, the limited stay is a fair trade.

The tour uses a beach at the entrance to the lagoon for the meal and break. That gives you a pleasant setting, but it is worth remembering that Ile aux Cerfs is only one part of the schedule. The day does not end there.

The second swim near Ile aux Aigrettes

On the return route, you get about 45 minutes for a break and another snorkeling stop around Ile aux Aigrettes. I like this final water stop because it gives you a second chance if the first snorkeling session was cut short by weather, nerves, or equipment trouble.

You may also prefer the later swim because you know what to expect. By then, you have had time to settle into the boat and get comfortable with the mask and snorkel. There is no need to treat the first stop as your only opportunity.

The tour details do not promise a particular species or visibility at this point. Conditions can change during the day, so think of the second stop as extra water time rather than a guaranteed wildlife encounter. Dolphins were seen on one recent outing, but that remains a lucky possibility, not part of the fixed program.

After the stop, the boat returns to the Blue Bay Public Beach and arrives around 4 p.m.

What the $106 price includes

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time around Mauritius. The value depends on how many parts of the day you would otherwise arrange separately.

The price includes:

• The speedboat trip
• Two snorkeling stops
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jackets
• The lighthouse island visit
• The Grand River South East waterfall visit
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time
• BBQ lunch
• Alcoholic and soft drinks

That is a substantial package for seven hours. A separate boat ride, lunch, drinks, and equipment rental could quickly add up, while also requiring you to coordinate the route yourself.

The main extra cost is getting to and from Blue Bay. Since hotel transportation is not included, add your own transport expense when comparing options. If you are already staying near Blue Bay, the price looks stronger. If you are far away, the day requires more planning.

The rating is 4.8 from 118 bookings, and the strongest praise centers on the snorkeling, helpful crew, comfortable boat, adaptable schedule, and BBQ. I would give those points real weight because they affect the parts of the day you experience for the longest time. The only clear cautions are limited Ile aux Cerfs time and music that may be too loud for some people.

Who should book this excursion

I would choose this trip if you want a busy but well-rounded water day. It suits couples, families, and small groups who would rather see several southeast highlights than spend the entire day in one place.

It also works well if snorkeling is high on your list. You get two planned water stops, equipment, and a life jacket. You should still be comfortable getting into the sea and handling a mask and snorkel, since the central activities all depend on water conditions.

This is a good fit for anyone who likes a lively boat ride, short sightseeing stops, and an included meal. It is less suitable if you want long, quiet beach time, a slow cruise, or a private schedule.

Bring swimwear, a towel, water shoes, and sunscreen. Keep your phone and other valuables protected from spray. If you need a vegetarian lunch, request it when you reserve. If you prefer quiet rides, ask the crew to lower the music rather than putting up with it.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options are useful if your weather plans are still uncertain.

My call: a strong southeast Mauritius day

I would book the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat excursion if I wanted one organized day that combines snorkeling, small-island scenery, a waterfall, a BBQ, and beach time. The route covers a lot without requiring you to arrange separate boats, meals, and equipment.

I would skip it only if Ile aux Cerfs is my main goal and I want several quiet hours there. In that case, the 100-minute beach stop may feel rushed. For everyone else, the mix is the appeal: two chances to snorkel, a lighthouse ruin, monkeys by the river, an included lunch, and a return to Blue Bay before evening.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

It starts at Totof Tours by Blue Bay Public Beach in Mauritius. The meeting point is opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop, along the path to the beach, near a small stand with a dark gray parasol.

What time does the boat leave and return?

The excursion starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at about 4 p.m., for a total duration of seven hours.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transportation to and from Blue Bay.

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 and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Alcoholic and soft drinks are included during lunch and the excursion. The tour also provides a mask, snorkel, and life jacket.

What languages are available, and can I cancel?

The live tour is available in English and French. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option is available.