Blue bay: boat trip for ile au cerf (5 islands, barbecue)

The lagoon is the star of this day. This seven-hour boat trip links Blue Bay Marine Park, several southeastern islands, a lighthouse, a river waterfall, and Ile aux Cerfs in one well-paced outing. I like the small maximum group of 10 and the care given to the sea, fish, coral, and local nature. I also like that lunch is more than a sandwich stop: the crew prepares fish, chicken, and lobster on a quiet beach, with homemade punch alongside it.

The main thing to consider is the amount of time spent on the water. If you want a slow beach day with little structure, this trip may feel busy. You will move from one stop to the next, and the schedule depends on sea conditions. Still, at $111 per person, the mix of boating, snorkeling, sightseeing, drinks, lunch, and guiding gives you a lot for one day.

Key points before you book

• Small boat groups: Shared trips are limited to 10 people, which makes the day more personal than a large excursion boat.
• Blue Bay snorkeling: The first water stop is in a fish and coral reserve, with snorkeling gear and life jackets supplied.
• Five-island sightseeing: The route includes Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, Ile aux Cerfs, and views of other islands along the southeastern coast.
• A full beach lunch: Fish, chicken, and lobster are cooked for you on Ile aux Cerfs, with homemade punch and other drinks.
• Nature-focused crew: The operator places clear emphasis on respecting the lagoon, coral, fish, and surrounding environment.
• Flexible booking: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund and reserve now while paying later.

What the seven-hour day is really like

This is not simply a ride to Ile aux Cerfs. The route works as a full southeastern Mauritius circuit, with time for swimming, photos, snorkeling, a short guided visit, river scenery, and lunch.

You meet near the parking area at the starting point, listed as HP49+C2C. Look for a guide wearing a white polo shirt. The trip finishes at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point, so pay attention to the exact meeting and ending arrangements when planning your day.

The boat can be booked as a shared trip or for exclusive use. On a shared trip, the limit is 10 people. That number matters. You get enough company for a social day, but the group should still be small enough for the guide to help with snorkeling, answer questions, and keep an eye on everyone.

French and English are offered. The boat has life jackets, a safety kit, and snorkeling equipment. You should still bring your own towel, hat, water shoes, and cash. Water shoes are especially useful around boat landings, beaches, and shallow coral areas.

Blue Bay Marine Park: the strongest water stop

The first main stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, where you snorkel in a protected fish and coral area. This is one of the most valuable parts of the day because it gives you time to see the lagoon rather than only admire it from the boat.

The operator’s focus on nature is important here. Coral and fish need care, and a good guide should help you enjoy the water without treating the reef like a playground. The included equipment also means you do not need to arrange a separate snorkeling rental.

Allow yourself time to get comfortable in the water. If you are a keen snorkeler, this may be the stop you remember most. If you are new to snorkeling, the life jacket and small group can make the activity feel less intimidating.

Conditions in the sea can change, so the visibility and ease of swimming are not guaranteed. That is a normal limitation of any marine trip. The schedule also includes many later stops, so this is not a dedicated snorkeling tour with hours in the water.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the first island views

The route then reaches Ile aux Aigrettes for a photo stop, cocktail, and swimming. This is a lighter part of the day, giving you a chance to enjoy the setting without a long formal visit.

The island stop helps break up the boat ride. You can take photos, cool off in the water, and enjoy a drink before the route continues. It is also a good point to judge the pace of the trip. You get several short experiences rather than one long stop.

Do not expect every island visit to be a full tour with extensive time ashore. The program is designed to show you a range of places along the coast. If you prefer lingering in one location, the brief stops may feel too quick.

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse and the southeastern coast

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse is one of the more distinctive stops. The plan allows a photo stop, a visit, and a guided tour of about 20 minutes.

That short guided visit gives the day a bit more substance than a series of scenic boat passes. The lighthouse also provides one of the best photo settings on the route, with open views across the water and a striking old structure as the subject.

The southeastern coast is one of the main reasons to choose this trip instead of a simple transfer to Ile aux Cerfs. You see the islands from the boat and get a sense of how the coast is arranged. The appeal is visual rather than museum-like, so bring your camera and keep your expectations focused on scenery, short walks, and explanation from the guide.

The crew members praised most warmly by name include William, Mathéo, Val, Steve, and Pascale. The feedback also points to a friendly, attentive style, with the crew keeping people supplied with drinks and helping them feel safe on the water.

Grand River South East and the waterfall stop

The boat travels to Grand River South East, where you stop for photos and a guided look at the river. The route includes a waterfall in the large river, adding a change of scenery after the open lagoon and islands.

This is a useful contrast. You are not looking at only sand, sea, and coral all day. The river section gives you a more enclosed setting and another chance for photos. Several guests also had the good fortune to see monkeys in this area, though wildlife sightings cannot be promised.

The river portion is guided, but the available schedule does not give a fixed length for this stop. It is best to treat it as a scenic visit rather than a long hike or nature walk. You remain on a boat-centered itinerary.

Ile aux Cerfs: lunch on a quiet beach

The final major stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where the day slows down for lunch and free time. This is the longest and most comfortable part of the outing, with time for swimming, photos, visiting the beach, and relaxing after the morning’s stops.

Lunch is a major reason the $111 price can make sense. The barbecue includes fish, chicken, and lobster, and the meal is served with homemade punch and good food. Feedback about the lunch is unusually consistent: it is described as generous, flavorful, and better than expected, with seafood arriving alongside other grilled food.

One particularly useful detail is that the meal is not presented as a rushed box lunch. The crew prepares food on the beach, and one account describes different meats and seafood arriving at the table at regular intervals. That style makes lunch feel like part of the day’s hospitality rather than a necessary interruption.

Drinks and a friendly host are also part of the appeal. Pascale is singled out for her kindness, while other crew members are praised for making sure people remain comfortable and supplied. The homemade punch adds a festive touch, but you should still bring water and cash as advised.

The beach stop also gives you breathing room. After snorkeling, island visits, the lighthouse, and the river, you can choose how active you want to be. Swim, take pictures, eat, or simply sit by the water.

The tradeoff is that Ile aux Cerfs is a popular destination, and this trip does not promise a completely private island. The quiet beach mentioned in the program is a feature of the chosen lunch setting, not a guarantee that the whole island will be empty.

The boat size and guiding style

A limit of 10 people is one of the clearest advantages here. You avoid the anonymous feel of a large boat, and the crew has a better chance of helping with equipment and explaining what you are seeing.

The trip offers live guiding in French and English. That is useful during the lighthouse and river stops, and it also makes the day easier for mixed-language groups. The crew’s attitude toward the lagoon is part of the product, not just a slogan. The operator stresses respect for nature, fish, coral, and the sea.

Exclusive booking is available if you want the boat for your own group. The supplied information does not give a private-trip price, so you would need to check that separately. The shared version is the better value if you are comfortable meeting other people.

Wheelchair accessibility is listed, but the available details do not explain how boarding, transfers, or beach access are handled. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the practical arrangements before booking rather than relying on the general accessibility label.

Is $111 good value?

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get to Ile aux Cerfs. It is also not just a boat transfer.

Your price covers a seven-hour day, a small shared group, a guide, safety equipment, snorkeling equipment, several scenic stops, a river and waterfall visit, drinks, and a substantial beach barbecue with lobster. Buying those pieces separately could quickly become complicated, and you would lose the convenience of having one crew manage the day.

The value is strongest if you want variety. You get snorkeling, island photography, a lighthouse, river scenery, swimming, lunch, and free time. The value is weaker if your priority is simply spending the entire day at one beach or snorkeling for as long as possible.

The high satisfaction attached to the food and crew matters here. A good meal in a scenic setting can make a long boat day feel generous rather than hurried. The crew also appears to be a central part of the experience, with names such as William, Mathéo, Val, Steve, and Pascale connected with warm, helpful service.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this for someone visiting Mauritius who wants to see several southeastern highlights in one day without joining a large group. It suits couples, families, and small groups of friends who like a day with movement and several different activities.

It is also a good match for people who care about the sea and want snorkeling equipment, safety gear, and guides who take the lagoon seriously. The barbecue makes it especially appealing if food is an important part of your day out.

You may want another option if you dislike boats, need long uninterrupted beach time, or want a specialist snorkeling trip. The seven-hour schedule is varied, but it is not lazy. You will be boarding, cruising, stopping, swimming, and moving on.

The cancellation terms add some useful flexibility. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date and departure time before making other plans.

What to bring for a smoother day

Pack lightly, but bring the items that make a boat and beach day easier:

• Hat
• Towel
• Water shoes
• Cash

You should also wear practical swimwear and protect your belongings from spray, though the supplied information does not specify dry-bag storage. Keep your camera ready for Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, the island stops, the river, and Ile aux Cerfs.

Do not skip the water shoes. They are specifically recommended and are useful when walking near rocky or shallow areas. A towel is needed after snorkeling and swimming, while cash is sensible for any personal spending not included in the trip.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a full southeastern Mauritius day with a small group, strong crew service, snorkeling, island scenery, a river waterfall, and a proper seafood barbecue. The combination is the main attraction, and the lunch and friendly guides appear to be the parts most likely to make the day memorable.

Think twice if you want a quiet, unstructured beach day or a trip built almost entirely around snorkeling. For everyone else, $111 is a fair price for seven hours of activities, food, equipment, and guiding, especially when the group is limited to 10 people.

FAQ

How long does the Blue Bay to Ile aux Cerfs boat trip last?

The trip lasts seven hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in French and English.

How many people can join the shared trip?

The shared group is limited to a maximum of 10 participants.

What is included in the trip?

The trip includes experienced guides, life jackets, a safety kit, snorkeling equipment, the guided visits, and the planned activities. Lunch includes a barbecue with fish, chicken, and lobster, along with homemade punch and drinks.

Where does the trip start and finish?

The meeting point is near the parking area at HP49+C2C, where the guide wears a white polo shirt. The trip finishes at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point.

Can I cancel or pay later?

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