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

The best part of this seven-hour lagoon trip is its mix of sea, islands, wildlife, and food. You snorkel in Blue Bay Marine Park, cruise past the southeast coast, stop at a lighthouse and waterfall, then eat a proper barbecue on a quiet beach at Ile aux Cerfs. I like the small maximum of 10 people and the care shown for the sea, fish, and coral. I also like that the day does not stop at one postcard beach. You keep moving, but never at a frantic pace.

The main consideration is the amount of time on the water. Wind and sea conditions can affect snorkeling and the order of stops, and seven hours is a full day in the sun. The menu includes fish, chicken, and lobster, but anyone with strict dietary needs should confirm arrangements before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat groups: Shared trips are limited to 10 people, with private or exclusive arrangements also possible.
• Blue Bay snorkeling: You use provided equipment and look for fish and coral in a protected marine area.
• Five-island scenery: The route links Blue Bay, Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets, Grand River South East, and Ile aux Cerfs.
• Lighthouse and waterfall stops: You get time for photographs, a short guided visit, and a river trip to the waterfall.
• Beach barbecue: Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs includes fish, chicken, lobster, homemade punch, and other food.
• Practical flexibility: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, or reserve now and pay later.

A full day around Mauritius’s southeast lagoon

This is not simply a transfer to Ile aux Cerfs with lunch attached. It is a broad tour of the southeast coast, with several short visits built around the boat ride.

You meet near the parking area at HP49+C2C. Look for a guide in a white polo shirt. The tour finishes at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point, so pay attention to the transport plan if you are arranging your own way to and from the boat.

The shared boat carries no more than 10 people. That limit matters. You can ask questions, move around for photographs, and get help with snorkeling gear without the crowding common on large party boats. If you want the boat to yourself, an exclusive option is available, though the supplied details do not give a separate private-trip price.

The crew speaks French and English. Names connected with this experience include Pascale, Christopher, William, Mathéo, Val, Valerie, and Steeve. The exact guide team can vary, but the repeated praise for the crew’s friendliness and attention to safety tells you what kind of service to expect.

Blue Bay Marine Park and the first swim

The first major stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, where you snorkel among fish and coral. This is the most important underwater part of the day, so bring your towel, water shoes, and a willingness to get in the water.

Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included. A safety kit is also provided, and the crew’s stated focus is care for the sea, fish, and coral. That makes this a good choice if you want a boat outing that treats the marine setting as more than a backdrop for photographs.

The water may not look the same every day. Visibility depends on conditions, and the experience is not a scuba excursion or a technical reef trip. Think of it as an accessible chance to see marine life in a protected area. The available accounts describe plenty of fish, and some outings also included sightings of turtles and dolphins. Those animals are never guaranteed, so enjoy them as a bonus rather than a promise.

If you are not a strong swimmer, the life jacket is useful, but you should still tell the crew before entering the water. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the practical ease of boarding and getting into the sea can depend on the boat and the individual passenger’s needs.

Ile aux Aigrettes, photographs, and a drink

The route continues to Ile aux Aigrettes for a photo stop, cocktail, and swimming. This gives you a change from the reef, with time to enjoy the scenery without needing to follow a long land tour.

The stop is short enough to keep the day moving. That is a strength if you like variety, but it also means you should not expect a lengthy visit at each island. Keep your phone or camera ready, and use a waterproof pouch if you plan to take it near the water.

The drink is part of the easygoing feel of the day. Later, homemade punch is served with lunch, so you may prefer to pace yourself in the heat. Carry water as well as cash, especially if you want to buy anything extra during the day. Water is not listed among the included drinks.

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, a simple historic marker

Ile aux Fouquets brings one of the clearest visual stops. You pause for photographs, visit the lighthouse, and receive a guided tour lasting about 20 minutes.

The lighthouse gives the boat trip a point of focus beyond swimming and eating. You can photograph the structure against the open water and learn a little about the site from your guide. Do not expect a long museum visit or an extended historical program. The appeal is the setting, the short explanation, and the chance to step away from the boat.

This is also one of the places where footwear matters. Water shoes are on the suggested packing list and are useful for wet landings, uneven surfaces, or rocky areas. A hat is equally worthwhile because much of the day takes place in open sun.

Grand River South East and the waterfall

Next, the boat heads into Grand River South East. The stop includes photographs and a guided visit to a waterfall, with the river providing a calmer change of pace after the reef and island stops.

The trip along the river is one of the more distinctive parts of the route. You are not only looking outward across the ocean. You also move inland through a large river, with the chance to see the waterfall and, on some outings, monkeys along the way.

Keep your expectations sensible. The supplied details do not promise a long walk or a major hike, so this is best understood as a boat-based river visit with a scenic stop. It suits you if you want several types of scenery in one day without committing to a demanding land excursion.

Ile aux Cerfs and the barbecue on the beach

The final main stop is Ile aux Cerfs. Here you get a break, photographs, a visit, free time, swimming, and lunch. The meal is prepared as a barbecue on the beach, with fish, chicken, and lobster listed among the main foods.

Food is a major reason this outing feels like good value. You are not handed a basic snack and sent back to the boat. The meal is described as a generous spread, with seafood and meat arriving over time, plus other food and homemade punch. One account specifically describes different meats and seafood reaching the table every 10 minutes, while another highlights the lobster served on a secluded island setting.

The menu can be appealing to mixed groups. Someone who does not want seafood can choose chicken, while fish and lobster give the meal a clear Mauritian coastal character. Still, do not assume every side dish or dietary substitution is available. If you have allergies or follow a restricted diet, ask before booking.

The beach portion gives you room to slow down. After snorkeling, cruising, photographs, and the river visit, you can swim, eat, and enjoy the setting without another immediate departure. The quiet beach is a useful contrast to more heavily organized resort excursions.

What the $111 price includes

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time on the water in Mauritius. It is also not priced like a simple short boat ride. You are paying for roughly seven hours, a small shared group, several coastal and island stops, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, a safety kit, guiding in French or English, and a cooked lunch with fish, chicken, and lobster.

The value depends on how much of the day you would otherwise arrange separately. A boat to Blue Bay, another trip to see the lighthouse and river, and a separate lunch on Ile aux Cerfs could quickly become complicated. Here, one crew handles the route, water equipment, safety, guiding, and meal.

I think the strongest value comes from the small group size and the food. A maximum of 10 people keeps the trip more personal than a large catamaran outing. The barbecue also turns the lunch stop into part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want two hours of snorkeling or a short ride to Ile aux Cerfs. You would spend much of the day cruising between stops, so book it for variety, not for one single activity.

The guides and the tone of the day

The crew’s role is larger than simply driving the boat. They provide the snorkeling equipment, explain the stops, guide the lighthouse and river visits, and keep an eye on comfort and safety.

Pascale is associated with the welcoming side of the experience, while William and Mathéo are named as captains and guides on one outing. Val, Valerie, Steeve, and Christopher are also connected with different days. You may not meet every person listed, but the range of names suggests a small local operation rather than a single fixed guide attached to every departure.

The tone is friendly and informal. Homemade punch, a barbecue on the sand, and time to swim make this feel more like a hosted day on the lagoon than a formal sightseeing lecture. At the same time, the tour includes life jackets, a safety kit, and clear attention to the marine setting.

I would choose this for someone who values human contact and a relaxed meal. If you prefer a silent boat ride with little interaction, the cheerful hosting may feel more than you need.

What to pack for seven hours outside

Bring a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash. These are not filler suggestions.

A hat helps during the boat ride and beach lunch. A towel is needed after snorkeling and swimming. Water shoes are useful for wet landings and moving around island stops. Cash gives you a way to handle personal purchases, though the supplied details do not specify what may be available to buy.

Wear swimwear under light clothing and protect your phone from spray. The tour description does not list sunscreen as a required item, but you will spend much of the day outdoors, so I would pack it.

Keep your bag small and practical. You need room for dry clothing, but not a full beach suitcase. If you are sensitive to motion, remember that seven hours on a boat is a long stretch, even with frequent stops.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This outing fits couples, families, and small groups who want a full southeast-coast day without organizing separate activities. It works especially well for you if you like switching between swimming, photographs, wildlife watching, a short cultural stop, and a generous lunch.

It is also a good match for anyone who wants a more personal boat experience. The 10-person limit is a real advantage for families with questions or small groups that want to stay together.

The day may be less suitable if you dislike boats, avoid direct sun, or want a quiet beach day with no schedule. The route has several stops, and each one takes a portion of the seven-hour program. You will not have unlimited time at Ile aux Cerfs.

The tour is wheelchair accessible according to the activity information. Because this is a boat and water-based day, I would still confirm the boarding arrangements and the type of access available for your needs before paying.

Booking flexibility and timing

The activity lasts seven hours, with starting times shown according to availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, which is useful when weather or holiday plans are uncertain.

You can also reserve now and pay later. That keeps your schedule open, but you should still check the exact departure time and meeting instructions before the day. Meet next to the parking area and look for the white polo shirt worn by the guide.

The trip is offered as a shared experience or as an exclusive outing. Shared departures are limited to 10 people. The exclusive option may suit a family or private group, but ask for the exact price and boat arrangements because those details are not supplied here.

Should you book the Blue Bay and Ile aux Cerfs trip?

I would book this if you want one well-filled day that combines Blue Bay snorkeling, island scenery, a lighthouse, a river waterfall, and a seafood barbecue. The lobster lunch and small group give the $111 price a solid case, especially when you value a hosted meal and included equipment.

I would choose something else if your main goal is a short snorkel session, a long uninterrupted beach stay, or a low-cost boat transfer. This is a full program, and its strength is the range of stops.

Pack lightly, bring water shoes and a hat, and be ready for sun, swimming, and a long day afloat. For most people who want to see several sides of Mauritius’s southeast coast in one outing, this is a practical and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The activity lasts seven hours. Starting times depend on availability when you book.

Where does the experience start?

You meet near the parking area at HP49+C2C. The guide wears a white polo shirt.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What food is served at lunch?

The beach barbecue on Ile aux Cerfs includes fish, chicken, and lobster, along with other food and homemade punch.

Can I cancel the booking?

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