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

Mauritius’s southeast coast is best seen from the water, and this seven-hour boat trip packs a lot into one day: snorkeling in Blue Bay, island stops, a river waterfall, and lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. The route mixes scenery with time to swim, take photos, and sit down for a proper barbecue.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which keeps the boat more personal than a large cruise. I also like the food focus, with fish, chicken, lobster, homemade punch, and a lunch setup on a quiet beach. The main consideration is pace: this is a full day with several stops, so anyone wanting a slow beach day may find the schedule busy.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Bay snorkeling: Explore a protected marine area with supplied equipment and life jackets.
• Five-island style route: Cruise past the southeast coast and stop at Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets, and Ile aux Cerfs.
• Historic lighthouse stop: Spend about 20 minutes at Ile aux Fouquets for photos and a guided visit.
• Waterfall and wildlife: Travel up Grand River South East, where monkeys have been spotted on some outings.
• Barbecue on Ile aux Cerfs: Expect fish, chicken, lobster, seafood, homemade punch, and time to swim.
• Small-group choice: Book a shared trip for up to 10 people or ask about an exclusive option.

A full day across Mauritius’s southeast lagoon

This outing is built around variety. You are not simply ferried to Ile aux Cerfs and left there. The boat first reaches Blue Bay Marine Park, then follows the coast and island chain before heading up Grand River South East. The final stretch is lunch and free time on Ile aux Cerfs.

That variety gives the day a good rhythm. You get water time, short sightseeing stops, a river visit, a meal, and a beach break. I would choose it for a first look at this part of Mauritius, especially if you want several major sights without arranging separate excursions.

The shared boat carries no more than 10 people. That matters here. A smaller group makes it easier to hear the guide, move around during photo stops, and ask for help with snorkeling gear. You can also ask about an exclusive trip if you prefer a private boat and a more flexible setting.

The price is $111 per person. That is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs, but the cost covers much more than a simple transfer. You are paying for a guided route, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, a barbecue meal, drinks such as homemade punch, and several stops along the southeast coast. For a seven-hour outing with lunch and a small group, the value is strongest if you plan to use every part of the day.

Starting at Blue Bay Marine Park

The day begins at the meeting point near the parking area at HP49+C2C. Your guide wears a white polo shirt, which should make the meeting easier. The finish is at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point, so pay attention to the end location when arranging your transport.

The first major stop is Blue Bay Marine Park. This is the water portion of the trip, with snorkeling in a fish and coral reserve. Equipment and life jackets are included, and the team places clear emphasis on care for the sea, fish, coral, and wider natural setting.

I like this opening because it gets you into the lagoon early, before the day becomes a series of viewpoints. You can expect to see tropical fish and coral, although marine life is never guaranteed on a given swim. One outing included many fish, and other sightings reported on the trip included turtles and dolphins.

Bring a towel, water shoes, and a hat. Water shoes are especially useful around a boat and shoreline, where footing can be awkward. Cash is also listed as something to bring. The supplied information does not state whether drinks beyond those served with lunch are included, so carrying personal water is sensible.

If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the crew before entering the water. Life jackets and a safety kit are provided, but the activity still includes time in the sea. The team’s stated focus on safety and marine care is reassuring, though you should still be comfortable following instructions in a boat and snorkeling area.

Island views at Ile aux Aigrettes

The boat then moves along the southeast coast toward Ile aux Aigrettes. This stop includes time for photographs, a cocktail, and swimming.

The appeal here is simple: you get a break from the boat and a chance to enjoy the lagoon without rushing straight into the next attraction. The cocktail adds a holiday touch, while the swim gives you another chance to get into the water if you enjoyed Blue Bay.

Do not expect a long island tour at every stop. The schedule covers several places in one day, so Ile aux Aigrettes works mainly as a scenic pause. That is useful for people who want a broad taste of the coast, but less suitable if you prefer to spend an entire morning exploring one island in detail.

Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray. The route is designed for coastal views and photo stops, and the water is part of the experience from start to finish.

A short visit to Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse

Ile aux Fouquets provides one of the day’s most recognizable photo subjects. The lighthouse stop includes a guided visit lasting about 20 minutes.

That time limit is worth noting. You get enough time to take pictures and hear about the site, but this is not a long historical tour. The lighthouse is best treated as a focused stop within a wider coastal route.

The stop also breaks up the water activities. After snorkeling and swimming, a short guided visit gives the day a change of pace. I like that balance. You are not asked to spend seven hours doing only one thing.

Conditions on the day can shape how long you remain in one place. The supplied schedule gives a 20-minute guided visit, but the wider experience depends on the sea and the group. Bring a phone or camera with enough battery, since the lighthouse and islands offer some of the clearest photo opportunities on the route.

Up Grand River South East to the waterfall

The boat continues to Grand River South East, where you stop for photographs and a guided visit. The route includes a waterfall in a large river, adding a freshwater scene to a day otherwise centered on the lagoon.

This is one of the more interesting changes in scenery. You move from coral and open sea to a river environment, with the boat carrying you upriver to view the falls. Monkeys have been seen during some outings, so keep watch along the riverbanks, but do not treat a sighting as guaranteed.

The river visit is another short sightseeing section rather than a long hike. That makes it accessible to people who want to see the waterfall without committing to a strenuous land excursion. At the same time, anyone hoping for a long nature walk should know that the listed activity is a boat-based guided stop.

I would keep your phone or camera close here as well. The combination of river, waterfall, and possible wildlife gives you a different set of pictures from the open-lagoon stops.

Lunch and free time on Ile aux Cerfs

The final main stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where the day slows down. You receive a barbecue on the beach, with fish, chicken, and lobster listed among the main foods. Homemade punch accompanies the meal, and the schedule includes free time, swimming, photographs, and a general beach break.

The meal is a major reason to choose this particular trip. It is not just a packed lunch eaten quickly between stops. The team prepares food in a quiet beach setting, and the menu includes seafood as well as chicken. Some outings have included a succession of meat and seafood dishes, so you may find the meal more substantial than the usual sandwich-and-fruit boat lunch.

Food quality can depend on the day’s preparation and the exact menu, but the supplied details point to a generous barbecue rather than a token meal. If you enjoy seafood, lobster gives this outing a stronger food angle than many standard island transfers.

I also like the timing of this stop. After snorkeling, coastal cruising, and the river visit, you have a chance to sit down and eat before swimming or walking around. The free time means you are not constantly being called back to the boat.

The tradeoff is that Ile aux Cerfs is the busiest-feeling part of the itinerary in terms of visitor interest, even though this particular meal is described as taking place on a quiet beach. You should choose the tour for the overall mix, not for the promise of having the whole island to yourself.

The guides and the feel of the day

The team includes French- and English-speaking guides. Names connected with the outings include Pascale, Christopher, William, Mathéo, Val, Valerie, and Steeve. The exact crew can vary, but these names give you a sense of the personal nature of the operation.

Several guides are described as both captains and hosts. That combination matters on a small boat. You need someone who can handle the route and safety side while also explaining the stops, helping with snorkeling, and keeping the meal moving.

The atmosphere appears informal and friendly, with attention to drinks, safety, and the group’s comfort. I would expect a social day rather than a silent sightseeing cruise. The small size makes it easier to speak with the crew and other people on board.

The operator also places strong emphasis on ecology and respect for the lagoon. That should influence how you behave in the water. Do not touch coral or chase marine life, and listen carefully to the crew’s instructions around snorkeling and swimming.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a high-variety day on the water. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want snorkeling, photographs, wildlife possibilities, a waterfall, and a beach meal in one booking.

It is also a good match if you care about group size. Ten people is still enough for a lively outing, but it is far more intimate than a large sightseeing boat. If you are celebrating or simply want more privacy, the exclusive option may be worth asking about.

Food-focused visitors should pay attention to this trip. The lobster, seafood, barbecue, and homemade punch give the day a stronger culinary element than a basic island cruise. The meal is also a practical advantage because you do not need to arrange lunch separately.

You may want a different outing if your top priority is a long snorkeling session, a quiet private beach for the whole day, or an extended historical tour. Here, snorkeling is one stop among several, Ile aux Fouquets includes about 20 minutes of guided time, and the day keeps moving.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the supplied details do not explain how boarding, movement on the boat, or beach access are handled. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the practical arrangements before booking rather than relying on the general accessibility label.

Booking, packing, and practical value

The activity lasts seven hours, and starting times depend on availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking.

Wear clothing that can handle spray and a swim. Pack a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and a safety kit are supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask or flotation gear.

The meeting point is next to the parking area, and the guide wears a white polo shirt. The day finishes at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point, not necessarily at the starting location, so plan your return transport with that in mind.

At $111, I see the value in the combination of a small group, a seven-hour coastal route, multiple stops, snorkeling gear, safety equipment, and a barbecue with lobster and other seafood. The price makes less sense if you plan to skip the water, avoid seafood, or want to spend most of the day sitting on one beach.

Should you book this boat trip?

Book it if you want one well-filled day covering the southeast lagoon, Blue Bay snorkeling, islands, a lighthouse, a waterfall, and Ile aux Cerfs. The strongest reasons are the small group, the friendly guide-led format, and the substantial barbecue lunch.

Think twice if you dislike a busy schedule or prefer a private, slow-paced beach day. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see several sides of Mauritius by boat, with enough food and free time to keep the day from feeling like a string of rushed photo stops.

FAQ

How much does the boat trip cost?

The listed price is $111 per person.

How long does the experience last?

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

Where does the trip start and finish?

You meet near the parking area at HP49+C2C. The trip finishes at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point.

How large is the shared group?

The shared option has a maximum of 10 participants. An exclusive option is also available.

What languages do the guides speak?

The live guides speak French and English.

What stops are included?

The route includes Blue Bay Marine Park, Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, Grand River South East, and Ile aux Cerfs.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and a safety kit are included.

What food is served at lunch?

The barbecue includes fish, chicken, and lobster, along with homemade punch and other food.

What should I bring, and can I cancel?

Bring a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.