Full Day at Ile Des Deux Cocos

Ile des Deux Cocos gives you a simple island day with very little planning to do. You arrive by shuttle from Blue Bay, claim a beach chair, then choose between snorkeling in the marine park and a glass-bottom boat ride. Lunch, drinks, towels, and sun cream are the main things you need to handle yourself.

I like the easy mix of water time and rest, and I like that non-snorkelers still get a proper look beneath the surface. The buffet and unlimited local drinks also add real value to the $180 price, especially if you plan to spend most of the day on the island.

The main drawback is the fixed schedule. You have roughly six hours, with the return shuttle beginning at 3:30pm, so this is a structured outing rather than a private island stay with complete freedom. Bring your own towel and sun cream, and remember that activities such as archery and beach games cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Bay is your launch point: The shuttle boat leaves the Ile Des Deux Cocos jetty at 9am.
• Two ways to see the marine park: You can use the supplied snorkeling gear or take a glass-bottom boat ride.
• Lunch and drinks are included: An open buffet and unlimited local drinks are part of the package, with rum varieties prepared on the island.
• The island day is flexible: Swim, sunbathe, sit on the beach, or walk the paths through native woodland.
• The schedule is set: The return shuttle starts at 3:30pm and finishes the transfer back to the main island by about 4pm.
• Ravi may be part of your service team: One booking account specifically praised Ravi for making arrangements easy and keeping things on time.

Reaching Ile Des Deux Cocos from Blue Bay

Your day begins at the Blue Bay jetty at 9am. From there, the shuttle boat carries you to Ile Des Deux Cocos, a small out island in the Blue Bay area. The boat transfer is included, as is private transportation connected with the tour, including hotel pickup in Mauritius.

That hotel pickup matters if you are staying away from Blue Bay. You do not need to arrange your own taxi to the jetty, though you should still check the pickup details when booking. If you are coming from a cruise port, a taxi can also work. One booking account used a taxi from the cruise harbor and back, with the timing handled well.

The schedule gives you a full morning and afternoon, but not an open-ended day. The published hours run from 9am to 3:30pm, while the return shuttle begins at 3:30pm and completes the transfer by about 4pm. I would treat this as a six-hour experience and avoid scheduling another important activity too close to the return.

A welcome cocktail and a place to settle in

When you reach the island jetty, staff welcome you with a refreshing local cocktail. This is a small touch, but it helps you shift from transfer mode into holiday mode quickly.

You can place your towel on the beach or use one of the sun beds. The island is designed for an easy day, not a demanding program. You do not have to rush straight into the water. Settle in, look over the available activities, and decide how much time you want to spend moving around.

The beach is the center of the experience. You can swim, sunbathe, or simply sit near the water with a drink. For people who want a little more exercise, paths lead through native woodland. The island walk gives the day some variety, although the supplied details do not specify the length or difficulty of the paths.

Snorkeling in the Blue Bay marine park

The main active part of the outing is snorkeling in the offshore marine park. Staff provide the snorkeling gear, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. You choose the equipment on the island before heading into the water.

This is useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers and keen snorkelers can spend time looking below the surface, while friends or family members who prefer not to snorkel have another option. The marine park setting is the reason to pick this excursion over a basic beach day.

You should still bring sensible sun protection. The instructions specifically ask you to bring sun cream and a towel. Since you are combining beach time, swimming, and an open boat transfer, those two items are more important than trying to pack extra clothing or equipment.

The snorkeling portion is not described as a guided lesson, so you should expect access to gear and the marine park rather than a detailed private coaching session. If you are not confident in the water, the glass-bottom boat offers a less active way to see the marine area.

The glass-bottom boat for a no-swim option

The glass-bottom boat is a strong feature for anyone who would rather stay dry. You can see the marine park through the boat without putting on snorkeling gear, making the outing suitable for a group with different comfort levels in the water.

I especially like this choice for people who want a relaxed island day but still want something to do beyond sitting on the sand. It also means a non-snorkeler is not left behind while others use the water.

The information provided does not give a separate departure time or duration for the glass-bottom boat ride. Ask the staff on arrival how the ride fits into the day. The key point is that both snorkeling and the glass-bottom boat are included, so you are not paying again to choose the calmer option.

Lunch by the beach and an open bar

Around midday, you choose a table on the beach for the open buffet. The meal includes local food, and the buffet is described as offering a large range of fresh dishes. That matters because the island setting gives you few practical alternatives for lunch. With the meal included, you can spend your time enjoying the island instead of arranging food elsewhere.

The open buffet is unlimited, but you should think of it as a relaxed island lunch rather than a formal restaurant meal. You select a table, eat near the beach, and return for more if you wish. The informal setup fits the rest of the day.

The bar stays open with unlimited local drinks. You can also taste different varieties of rum prepared on the island. This is one of the biggest factors behind the price. A $180 day is not cheap, but the cost covers the boat, hotel pickup, water activities, lunch, and drinks. If you would otherwise pay separately for transport, food, snorkeling, and beverages, the package becomes easier to justify.

Drink responsibly, especially in the sun and around the water. The unlimited bar is a useful inclusion, not a reason to spend the whole day drinking.

Afternoon freedom on a small island

After lunch, you can return to the beach, keep using the bar, swim again, or walk around the island. This is where the tour feels less like a sightseeing circuit and more like a day at a private resort, although the schedule still controls your departure.

I like having this unplanned block. The morning already gives you a clear choice between snorkeling and the glass-bottom boat, while the afternoon lets you slow down. You can read, sunbathe, or take a short walk rather than follow another group from one stop to the next.

The island also includes optional recreation such as archery, giant chess, bocce balls, beach volleyball, frisbee, and badminton. These are not included in the package, so confirm the extra cost before taking part. If your main goal is swimming and rest, you can simply ignore these add-ons.

Service and the private-tour question

The activity is listed as a private tour, with only your group taking part. That can be helpful if you value a more personal arrangement and do not want to share the full land portion with a large crowd. At the same time, the island’s shuttle, bar, buffet, and water activities are naturally organized around a shared resort-style setup.

Ravi is the only staff member named in the available information. His help with arrangements was specifically praised, along with reliable timing. You should not assume Ravi will be your guide on every departure, but asking for him when confirming details may be worthwhile if he is available.

The strongest service points are practical ones: hotel pickup, an easy boat transfer, staff assistance with equipment, and a clear return schedule. Do not expect a long cultural tour or a detailed commentary program. The focus is relaxation, food, drinks, and access to the marine park.

What $180 buys you in real value

At $180 per person, this is a premium beach day. You are paying for convenience as much as scenery. Hotel pickup removes one transport problem, the boat transfer is handled, snorkeling equipment is available, and both lunch and unlimited drinks are included.

The value improves if you use several parts of the package. Someone who snorkels, eats a full lunch, enjoys several drinks, and uses the return transport will get more from the price than someone who only wants to sit on the beach for six hours.

It is also a better fit for people who want a single booking that covers the whole day. If you are comfortable arranging your own taxi, buying lunch, and visiting a beach without organized activities, you may find the price high. If you prefer a ready-made island outing, the package saves time and removes small decisions.

The high rating of 4.8 from nine ratings supports the idea that the core experience is working well, especially the service, food, and calm beach setting. The number of ratings is still small, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than final proof that every departure will be identical.

Who should book this island day

I would recommend Ile Des Deux Cocos to couples, families, and mixed groups where some people want water activities and others want to relax. The glass-bottom boat is especially useful when not everyone wants to snorkel.

It also suits cruise passengers who can arrange a dependable taxi to Blue Bay and return to the ship with enough time. Build in a generous buffer, since the island transfer finishes around 4pm and the tour does not control traffic after you leave the jetty.

This is less suitable for someone seeking a packed sightseeing day around Mauritius. You will spend most of your time on one small island, with the beach, marine park, food, and bar as the main attractions. It is also not the best pick if you dislike fixed departure times or do not want to pay for included drinks and lunch.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

Should you book Ile Des Deux Cocos?

Book it if you want a polished island escape with snorkeling, a glass-bottom boat, lunch, drinks, and transport in one price. The mix works well for groups with different interests, and the buffet, service, and easy schedule are the parts I find most useful.

Skip it if you only want a cheap beach visit, a long guided tour, or complete control over your timetable. For a relaxed day in Blue Bay where you can swim, eat well, sample local rum, and do as little as you please, this is a solid choice.

FAQ

Where does the boat to Ile Des Deux Cocos leave from?

The shuttle boat leaves from the Ile Des Deux Cocos jetty at Blue Bay at 9am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup in Mauritius is provided, along with private transportation connected with the activity.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts about six hours. The return shuttle starts at 3:30pm, with the transfer back to the main island finishing at about 4pm.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided for exploring the marine park.

Can I take a glass-bottom boat instead of snorkeling?

Yes. A glass-bottom boat ride is included for seeing the marine park without snorkeling.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes an open buffet lunch and an unlimited open bar with local drinks. Different varieties of rum prepared on the island are also available to taste.