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

Small boats make big days better. This seven-hour Mauritius trip links Blue Bay snorkeling, island stops, a waterfall, and lunch on Ile aux Cerfs without putting you on a crowded vessel. I like the limited group size of 10 and the generous mix of swimming, photographs, wildlife, and food. I also like that the crew presents the lagoon as a natural place to respect, not just a backdrop for a boat ride. The main thing to consider is the pace: with several stops packed into one day, you will not have long, quiet stretches at every location.

The human side is a strong part of the experience. Guides and captains named in guest feedback include Pascale, Christopher, William, Mathéo, Val, Valérie, and Steeve. Lunch receives especially warm praise, with fish, chicken, seafood, and lobster served on the beach, along with homemade punch. Bring a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash, then meet beside the parking area and look for the guide in a white polo shirt.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling: Start among fish and coral in a protected marine area, with snorkeling gear and life jackets supplied.
• Five-island route: Travel along Mauritius’s southeast coast and stop at Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets, Grand River South East, and Ile aux Cerfs, with the wider route including the lighthouse island.
• A small boat group: Shared trips are limited to 10 people, or you can ask about an exclusive boat for a more private day.
• Beach barbecue on Ile aux Cerfs: Lunch includes fish, chicken, lobster, seafood, homemade punch, and a relaxed beach setting.
• Nature-focused guiding: The company places clear emphasis on the sea, coral, fish, and ecology, rather than treating the lagoon as a simple transport route.
• A full seven hours: The schedule gives you a broad taste of the southeast, but each stop is part of a moving day rather than a long stay.

Why this southeast Mauritius boat trip works

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs. It is also more than a simple ferry crossing. You are paying for a full seven-hour program, a small group, a guide, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, several coastal stops, and a cooked lunch with seafood and lobster.

That package gives the price a fair value, especially if you want more than beach time. A separate boat ride, snorkeling outing, waterfall visit, and lunch can add up quickly. Here, they are arranged as one day, and the crew handles the route and the meal.

I would not choose this trip if your only goal is to spend as many hours as possible on Ile aux Cerfs. The schedule includes several photo stops and guided visits, so the day is designed for variety. I would choose it if you want to see several parts of the southeast and prefer a small boat to a large group cruise.

The strongest praise is reserved for three things: the crew, the lunch, and the range of stops. One French guest described seeing turtles, dolphins, and a monkey during a particularly beautiful day. Another recalled plenty of fish during the Blue Bay snorkeling stop and monkeys near the river. Those sightings are never guaranteed, but they show why this route can feel more varied than a straightforward island transfer.

Starting near Blue Bay Marine Park

The meeting point is listed as HP49+C2C, beside the parking area. Your guide wears a white polo shirt, which is useful when several boat operators are working near the coast. Since the information gives no exact start time, you should check availability when booking and allow enough time to find the parking area.

Blue Bay Marine Park is the natural opening act. The boat takes you to a fish and coral reserve, where you can use the provided snorkeling equipment and life jacket. This is not just a quick swim beside the boat. The marine park gives the day a clear purpose from the start: you are seeing the southeast lagoon as a living place.

The operator stresses respect for fish, coral, and the sea. That matters here. You should avoid touching coral, keep your movements calm, and follow the guide’s instructions in the water. The supplied safety kit and life jackets are reassuring, but you still need to be comfortable around open water.

The snorkeling is one of the most praised parts of the day. It is also one of the stops most affected by conditions. Water visibility and marine life can change, so keep expectations sensible. You may see plenty of fish, and some guests have also seen turtles, but no wildlife sighting can be promised.

Ile aux Aigrettes, swimming, and a cocktail break

The route then moves toward Ile aux Aigrettes for photographs, a cocktail, and swimming. This stop adds a lighter, more social pause after snorkeling. You can dry off, take pictures, and enjoy a drink before the boat continues along the coast.

The supplied schedule calls this a photo stop rather than a long island visit. That distinction is useful. You should expect a short scenic break, not an extended walk or a full cultural tour. If you enjoy collecting photographs of the islands and coast, this stop gives you another angle. If you prefer long swims, the time may feel brief.

The range of activities is one of the route’s strengths. You are not asked to spend the whole day doing one thing. The boat moves from snorkeling to swimming, photographs, sightseeing, and lunch. That variety suits couples, families, and small groups with different interests.

The lighthouse at Ile aux Fouquets

Ile aux Fouquets is the most distinctive photo stop on the route. The island’s lighthouse gives the day a strong visual marker, and the visit includes around 20 minutes of guided touring. You will have time for photographs and a short look around before moving on.

The stop is modest in length, but that is part of the balance. A lighthouse visit can become repetitive if it takes up half the day, especially when the main draw is the view. Here, the guide adds context while keeping the boat moving toward the next stop.

I would keep your camera ready as you approach. The description specifically highlights the views from the lighthouse island, and the stop is built around photographs. You should not expect a long museum-style visit or a large indoor attraction. This is a coastal viewpoint with a short guided element.

Grand River South East and the waterfall

The boat continues to Grand River South East, where the program includes a photo stop and guided viewing of a waterfall. The river gives you a change of scenery from the open lagoon. It also makes the route feel like a tour of the southeast coast rather than a single island excursion.

Some guests have also seen monkeys near the river. Again, that is a fortunate possibility, not a promise. Keep your eyes open, but do not let the hope of wildlife distract you from the main feature, the river and waterfall.

The waterfall stop is another example of the trip’s value. At a lower price, you might get snorkeling and a beach. This tour adds a river route and a natural sight inland. The tradeoff is time. The boat cannot linger at every place if it is also reaching Ile aux Cerfs for lunch and swimming.

Ile aux Cerfs and the beach barbecue

The day ends at Ile aux Cerfs, where the schedule allows time for photographs, a visit, lunch, free time, swimming, and the barbecue. This is the longest and most relaxed section of the route, although the exact amount of free time is not specified.

Lunch is the star here. The menu is described as fish, chicken, and lobster, with seafood included in the wider meal description. Homemade punch accompanies the food. Several accounts describe a meal that arrives in stages, with different meats and seafood appearing at the table about every 10 minutes. That sounds more like a proper shared feast than a wrapped sandwich or basic picnic.

The praise is unusually consistent. Lunch is described as flavorful, high quality, and better than expected. One guest specifically called the lobster lunch a highlight, while another praised the host’s friendly service. The meal appears to be part of the hospitality, not an afterthought squeezed between boat stops.

You should still read the menu wording carefully when booking, since the supplied information does not state exact portions or whether every item is served to every person. If you have dietary needs, ask in advance. The tour includes fish, chicken, lobster, seafood, and homemade punch, but no special dietary arrangements are listed.

The beach setting gives you time to reset after the morning’s activity. You can swim, take photographs, or simply sit with the food and drink. Ile aux Cerfs is a popular destination, so the word quiet should be treated as a goal of the chosen beach setting, not a guarantee that the entire island will be empty.

Small groups, captains, and the feel of the day

The shared boat holds a maximum of 10 people. That limit is important. On a small vessel, you can usually hear the guide more easily, move between stops with less fuss, and get more direct attention than on a large excursion boat.

The company also offers the possibility of a private or exclusive trip. The information does not give a separate price or exact private boat capacity, so you will need to ask for those details. The private option could make sense for a family, a couple marking a special occasion, or anyone who wants control over the pace.

The crew receives the strongest personal praise. William and Mathéo are noted as excellent captains and guides. Val and William are described as especially good during the snorkeling and river portions, while Valérie and Steeve are praised for a warm welcome and helpful service. Pascale is singled out for her kindness and hosting.

That matters because a boat day depends on more than scenery. You want clear safety guidance, help with equipment, drinks kept available, and someone who notices when the group needs a pause. The feedback points to a crew that takes those duties seriously.

The language options are French and English. If you speak either language, the guided parts should be straightforward. The tour is also listed as wheelchair accessible, though the supplied details do not explain the boat layout or how water activities are handled for wheelchair users. If access needs are important, confirm the practical arrangements before paying.

What to pack for a seven-hour boat day

The suggested packing list is short and sensible:

• Hat
• Towel
• Water shoes
• Cash

I would treat water shoes as especially useful. You will be around a boat, coral, beaches, and swimming areas, and regular flip-flops are easy to lose or awkward in the water. A hat helps during the open-water sections, while a towel is needed after snorkeling and swimming.

Cash is worth carrying because it is specifically requested. The information does not state what purchases require it, so keep a small amount available rather than assuming every expense is covered.

Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and a safety kit are included. You do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear. The tour description also refers to drinks and homemade punch, but you should still bring any water or personal snacks you need, since the exact drink service is not listed.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full southeast Mauritius day with several kinds of scenery. It works well for people who enjoy snorkeling but do not want snorkeling to be the entire program. It also suits anyone who values a small group, friendly guiding, and a substantial lunch.

Families may like the mix of swimming, island views, river scenery, and food, though you should judge the seven-hour length and boat conditions for younger children. Couples and small groups can ask about the exclusive option if a private day matters more than the shared price.

Food lovers have a clear reason to consider it. The barbecue, lobster, seafood, and homemade punch receive more praise than any other single part of the experience. If lunch is a major part of your holiday enjoyment, this is one of the better reasons to choose this outing.

I would be more cautious if you dislike moving between stops or want a long, silent beach stay. The route is active and varied. You should also remember that weather, sea conditions, and wildlife can affect snorkeling and sightings.

Booking is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Those terms reduce the risk of committing too early, especially when your plans depend on weather.

Should you book the Blue Bay to Ile aux Cerfs boat trip?

Book it if you want value through variety: marine park snorkeling, island photographs, a lighthouse, a river waterfall, and a lobster barbecue in about seven hours. The small group and consistently praised crew make the $111 price easier to justify.

Skip it if your ideal day means staying in one place, avoiding a set schedule, or spending nearly all your time on Ile aux Cerfs. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced way to see the southeast, with the lunch and personal service likely to be the lasting memories.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts seven hours. You should check the available starting times when booking.

Where does the tour start?

The listed starting location is HP49+C2C. You should meet beside the parking area and look for a guide wearing a white polo shirt.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a life jacket are included, and the snorkeling takes place at Blue Bay Marine Park.

How many people can join the shared boat?

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

Is a private trip available?

Yes. The experience offers the possibility of joining a shared trip or booking an exclusive trip. The supplied information does not give the private-trip price.

What food is served at lunch?

The beach barbecue includes fish, chicken, and lobster, with seafood also included in the meal description. Homemade punch is served with the food.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide is available in French and English.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, towel, water shoes, and cash. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and a safety kit are provided.