REVIEW · BLUE BAY MARINE PARK
From Blue Bay: Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Excursion with BBQ
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Totof Tours Mauritius · Bookable on GetYourGuide
If you want Mauritius in one packed day, this route delivers. The Blue Bay to Ile aux Cerfs speedboat plan mixes calm lagoon swimming with real on-island time, plus a BBQ lunch that keeps the day moving. It’s the kind of tour that makes sense if you’re short on vacation days but still want variety.
I especially like the snorkeling in Blue Bay Marine Park right at the start. You get a focused 35-minute session with provided mask and snorkel gear, which makes it easy to jump in without fuss.
My other big favorite is the Grand River South East stop: you’re there for the waterfall scenery and the chance to spot the cheeky island monkeys. The only drawback to watch is that your time on Ile aux Cerfs is limited, so if you want hours of beach lounging, you may wish for a longer stretch there.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth planning around
- Blue Bay to Ile aux Cerfs: why this speedboat day trip works
- First snorkeling stop: Blue Bay Marine Park (and what to expect)
- Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse ruin: island wandering without the long grind
- Grand River South East waterfall and monkeys: nature with personality
- Ile aux Cerfs beach time and BBQ: the heart of the tour
- Ile aux Aigrettes return stop: one last swim before heading back
- Price and logistics: what you’re really paying for at $106
- Guides, comfort, and how weather can change the day
- What to bring so the day feels easy
- Should you book the Blue Bay Ile aux Cerfs BBQ speedboat?
- FAQ
- What time does the speedboat excursion start?
- How long is the tour?
- Where do I meet the tour?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- What snorkeling is included?
- Is snorkeling equipment provided?
- What’s included with lunch?
- What islands and sights does the tour visit?
- What languages are the guides?
Key highlights worth planning around
- Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling early on, using included mask and snorkel gear
- A quick island look at Ile aux Fouquets with an old lighthouse ruin and island walking time
- Grand River South East waterfall + monkeys in the same stop
- Ile aux Cerfs beach break + BBQ lunch with fish and chicken, plus drinks
- Return snorkeling chance near Ile aux Aigrettes before you head back
Blue Bay to Ile aux Cerfs: why this speedboat day trip works
This is a classic southeast Mauritius day: lots of water time, a couple of land moments, and a lunch that’s built into the schedule. Starting from Blue Bay Public Beach at 09:30, the day stays structured enough that you don’t waste hours figuring out transport or timing.
You get a speedboat experience, but it’s not just for show. The itinerary is designed around short, practical windows: snorkel sessions that fit the day, island visits that don’t drag, and enough downtime to cool off between stops. If you like your travel days active but not chaotic, this pacing hits the sweet spot.
One more reason this tour feels good: it’s designed for small, manageable chunks of time. Even the lunch and beach break aren’t thrown in as an afterthought. Everything is tied to where the day is heading next—so you end up seeing more than you would if you tried to stitch together islands on your own.
First snorkeling stop: Blue Bay Marine Park (and what to expect)
You start with snorkeling in the Blue Bay Marine Park, described as Mauritius’s largest coral reserve. Practically, that means you’re going somewhere specifically known for underwater life, not just a random place to float.
The snorkeling session is about 35 minutes, which is long enough to get oriented and see a range of fish without turning the morning into a marathon. In the water, you’ll have mask and snorkel equipment provided, plus a life jacket. That combo matters because it reduces friction: you can focus on swimming calmly and spotting fish instead of wrestling gear.
What I like about starting here: the tour places the best-known water moment early. If weather conditions turn a bit choppy later, you’ve already banked your main snorkeling time. Based on reported experience, the crew also adapts to changing conditions, so you’re not locked into a rigid script if the sea isn’t ideal.
Tip: wear your water shoes if you have them. That’s not a luxury in coastal areas—it helps you move comfortably during boarding and beach time.
Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse ruin: island wandering without the long grind
After the first water stop, the speedboat runs along the coast in the direction of Mahebourg, then continues to Ile aux Fouquets for a 30-minute visit. This is your chance to get off the boat, stretch your legs, and see a different side of the day.
The main pull here is the ancient lighthouse ruin. Even if you don’t spend the whole time photographing stones, ruins like this add texture to Mauritius beyond the usual beach-and-sand view. There’s also time to walk around the island at a relaxed pace, so this stop feels more like a short reset than a formal excursion.
The trade-off is time. You’re not going to do a deep exploration in 30 minutes. Think of it as a quick taste—enough to say you stepped onto Ile aux Fouquets and saw the lighthouse remains, but not enough for full hiking or major sightseeing.
If you enjoy compact stops that break up the day, you’ll probably like this one. If you strongly prefer one long island to several quick ones, you might wish the schedule allowed more.
Grand River South East waterfall and monkeys: nature with personality
Next comes the Grand River South East area, including a waterfall visit with a reported nickname-worthy highlight: cheeky monkeys. The stop is short—about 25 minutes—so you’re not here for a long trek or a lingering nature program.
Still, this is one of the most memorable parts of the day because it’s a change of pace. You go from open water to a lush, active moment where animals can be unexpectedly close. That’s also why the timing works: you experience the highlight and move on before the stop becomes tiring.
Here’s what to consider: the monkeys are cheeky, which usually means they’re curious. Keep an eye on personal items and avoid sudden hand gestures around them. You’ll get the best experience by staying calm and letting the moment happen on its own.
If you want a single stop that feels like more than postcard scenery, this is the one. It adds a dose of surprise to a day otherwise built around beaches and snorkeling.
Ile aux Cerfs beach time and BBQ: the heart of the tour
At Ile aux Cerfs, lunch is the main event, built around a BBQ plus time on the beach at the entrance to the lagoon. Your lunch window is about 100 minutes, which is generous compared with how short other land stops are.
The BBQ is described as fish and chicken, and drinks are inclusive. If you want a vegetarian meal, you need to tell the operator with your reservation—so plan ahead rather than hoping it will be sorted on the day.
This is also where the day can either feel perfect or slightly rushed, depending on your travel style. Some people love a compact beach break between snorkeling moments. If you’re hoping for hours of lounging, know that the schedule doesn’t treat this as a slow beach day. In practical terms, you’ll get food, swimming time, and a real beach interlude, but not the kind of long stay that comes with staying on the island overnight.
One more small detail that matters: the tour includes drinks throughout the excursion, not just at lunch. That makes the mid-day break feel more complete and helps you keep your energy steady for the final swim stop.
Ile aux Aigrettes return stop: one last swim before heading back
On the way back, you get another break with a chance for swimming and snorkeling near Ile aux Aigrettes. This session is about 45 minutes, giving you a solid final look at the water life before the day closes.
This is a smart design choice. Instead of ending the day immediately after lunch, it keeps the tour feeling active and gives you one last chance to enjoy the lagoon environment. It also spreads the snorkeling time across the day, so you’re not only underwater once.
If you’re using the tour for value—getting your water time without organizing separate trips—this final stop helps justify the full-day format. You’re squeezing in multiple aquatic moments, not just one.
Price and logistics: what you’re really paying for at $106
At $106 per person for a 7-hour speedboat excursion, the value comes from what’s included, not just the transportation.
You get:
- the speedboat tour
- BBQ lunch (fish and chicken) plus drinks
- snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel)
- life jacket
- a live guide in English and French
What’s not included is hotel pickup and drop-off, which means you’ll handle getting to the start point yourself. If you’re staying nearby, this is easy. If you’re far out, you’ll want to factor in transport so you arrive on time without stress.
The meeting point is also specific: opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop, with a small stand near the path to the beach (you’ll spot it with a dark grey parasol). Arriving a bit early is worth it because speedboat days run on schedule.
If you’re already comfortable traveling on your own in Mauritius, this setup is clean. You’ll spend less time coordinating and more time on the water and at the stops.
Guides, comfort, and how weather can change the day
Speedboat tours live and die by how they handle conditions. In reported experiences, the crew and skippers focused on taking care of guests, using a comfortable boat setup and keeping things organized even when conditions weren’t perfect.
One practical lesson: the plan can be adjusted to weather. That’s a good thing. You want a crew that can adapt rather than pushing every stop no matter what the sea is doing.
A small comfort note from experience: music on the boat can be present. If that would bother you, it’s reasonable to ask for it to be toned down—especially when you’re trying to relax or enjoy the ride.
The overall takeaway: this doesn’t feel like a chaotic cattle-car day. It’s run like a day trip with a plan, and the crew seems used to keeping it smooth even when conditions aren’t ideal.
What to bring so the day feels easy
You’ll enjoy the tour more if you show up ready to hop between boat and water.
Bring:
- swimwear
- towel
- water shoes
- snorkeling gear (even though mask and snorkel are provided, having your own can help comfort)
If you’re sensitive to sun, pack sunscreen and something lightweight for between stops. The tour runs for 7 hours, with multiple water windows and beach time—so shade doesn’t stay with you the whole day.
Should you book the Blue Bay Ile aux Cerfs BBQ speedboat?
Book it if you want a single-day way to hit Mauritius highlights in the southeast: Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling, a waterfall stop with monkeys, and a real Ile aux Cerfs beach + BBQ lunch. The included snorkeling gear and drinks make it feel like a complete day, not a bare-bones boat ride.
Consider another option if you need a long, slow beach stay at Ile aux Cerfs or if you dislike the idea of several short stops. The schedule is efficient, which is great—but it does mean you won’t linger.
If you’re realistic about timing and show up prepared with water shoes and a towel, this is the kind of day trip that often feels like the best use of limited time.
FAQ
What time does the speedboat excursion start?
It starts at 09:30am from Blue Bay Public Beach in the southeast of Mauritius.
How long is the tour?
The duration is about 7 hours.
Where do I meet the tour?
Meet opposite the main Parking & Blue Bay Tuck Shop, then follow the path to the beach where there’s a small stand with a dark grey parasol.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
What snorkeling is included?
You’ll snorkel in Blue Bay Marine Park (around 35 minutes) and later get another chance near Ile aux Aigrettes (around 45 minutes).
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. The tour includes snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel) and a life jacket.
What’s included with lunch?
Lunch is a BBQ with fish and chicken, and drinks are included. If you want vegetarian, you need to request it during your reservation.
What islands and sights does the tour visit?
You’ll visit Ile aux Fouquets (lighthouse ruin), Ile aux Cerfs (beach time and lunch), and enjoy the Grand River South East waterfall area. There’s also snorkeling time near Ile aux Aigrettes.
What languages are the guides?
The live tour guide is available in English and French.
