From Blue Bay: Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Excursion with BBQ

The real appeal here is the variety: in one long morning and afternoon, you snorkel over coral, walk around an old lighthouse ruin, watch monkeys near a waterfall, and eat a beach BBQ on Ile aux Cerfs. I like the small-boat feel and the fact that snorkeling gear, lunch, and drinks are already covered. The stop at Ile aux Fouquets also gives the day more character than a simple beach cruise.

I especially like the second swim near Ile aux Aigrettes, since you get another chance to enjoy the water before returning to Blue Bay. The main drawback is time: Ile aux Cerfs gets about 100 minutes, so you may wish for a longer beach stay, especially if the sea conditions force changes to the plan.

Key points at a glance

• Two snorkeling stops: Start in the Blue Bay Marine Park for about 35 minutes, then swim again near Ile aux Aigrettes for about 45 minutes.
• A historic lighthouse ruin: Walk around Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile aux Phare, and see the old lighthouse remains.
• A waterfall with cheeky monkeys: Enter Grand River South East for a 25-minute stop and keep an eye on the trees.
• Lunch on the Ile aux Cerfs side of the lagoon: The BBQ includes fish, chicken, drinks, and a vegetarian option if requested ahead of time.
• A full seven-hour outing: Departure is at 9:30 and return is planned for about 16:00.
• Good value at $106: The fee covers the speedboat, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, food, and drinks, but not hotel transfers.

Why this speedboat day works well

Mauritius has no shortage of boat trips, but this one packs several different scenes into a single outing. You are not simply taken to Ile aux Cerfs, left on the sand, and brought back. The route links Blue Bay, small offshore islands, a river mouth, a waterfall, and two swimming areas.

That variety matters because the southeast coast changes quickly. Blue Bay gives you coral and clear water. Ile aux Fouquets gives you a short walk and an old structure to look at. Grand River South East brings a narrow river setting and monkeys. Ile aux Cerfs supplies the beach break and lunch.

The speedboat is also a practical choice. It lets the group cover more water than a slow boat and creates a lively ride between stops. The downside is that the open boat can feel less calm in rough weather. The crew may adjust the order or length of stops when conditions change, so treat the schedule as a guide rather than a promise carved in stone.

The trip has a rating of 4.8 from 118 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the snorkeling, the helpful crew, the food, and the comfortable boat. One useful detail from the feedback is that the guides adapted the route during unsettled weather rather than forcing the original plan. That is exactly what you want on a sea day.

Starting at Blue Bay Public Beach

The meeting point is at Totof Tours Mauritius, opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop. Look for the path leading to the beach and a small stand with a dark grey parasol.

The boat leaves at 9:30, so plan enough time to find the stand and get ready without rushing. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to Blue Bay Public Beach.

Bring swimwear, a towel, water shoes, and snorkeling gear if you prefer your own mask and snorkel. Equipment is supplied, along with a life jacket, but personal gear can be useful if you are particular about fit.

The tour is offered in English and French. Since you spend much of the day on the water, wear something that dries reasonably fast and keep your belongings secure. The supplied information does not specify storage arrangements, so avoid bringing anything you do not want exposed to spray.

Snorkeling in the Blue Bay Marine Park

The first water stop lasts about 35 minutes in the Blue Bay Marine Park. It is described as the largest coral reserve in Mauritius, making this an important part of the trip rather than a quick swim added to the schedule.

This is where you get your first look at the marine life. The clearest feedback about the day is the snorkeling: people saw many colorful fish, and one outing also included a view of a shipwreck and dolphins. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but those details show what can be possible when the water and conditions cooperate.

Thirty-five minutes is enough for a focused swim, though it will feel short if you want to explore at a slow pace. I would use this first stop to settle your mask, test the fit of the equipment, and make the most of the time instead of lingering at the boat.

The marine park is also a good reason to bring water shoes. They can make getting in and out more comfortable, though you should follow the crew’s instructions around coral and shallow areas. Coral is delicate, and touching it can cause damage as well as cuts.

Point d’Esny, Mahebourg, and the old lighthouse

After the first swim, the boat follows the coast past Point d’Esny toward Mahebourg, the former capital of Mauritius. This section gives you a change of pace after the snorkeling and lets you see the southeast shoreline from the water.

The next stop is Ile aux Fouquets, also referred to as Ile aux Phare. You have about 30 minutes to walk around the island and see the remains of its old lighthouse. It is not a long historical visit with a formal museum or extended talk. Think of it as a short island stop with a distinctive ruin and open views.

That brief visit adds some texture to the day. A trip made entirely of beaches and swimming can blur together. The lighthouse gives you a place to stretch your legs and a clear subject for photographs.

Do not expect a long exploration period. With only half an hour, you will want to stay aware of the meeting time. Comfortable footwear helps here, particularly if you prefer not to walk in wet swimwear.

Grand River South East and its monkeys

The speedboat then heads toward Grand River South East, where it enters the river to see the waterfall. The stop lasts about 25 minutes.

The setting is one of the more memorable changes in scenery. You leave the open sea and move into a river environment, with the waterfall framed by surrounding greenery. The trip information also warns you about cheeky monkeys. Keep food and loose items under control, and do not treat the animals as tame.

The waterfall visit is mainly a scenic stop from the boat. The details provided do not indicate a hike to the base or a swim beneath the falls, so plan on viewing it from the water rather than expecting a long walk inland.

This is another stop where weather and water conditions can affect the exact route. The crew has adjusted the program during poor weather, which is sensible. A flexible schedule may mean one stop is shorter, but it is safer and usually more enjoyable than forcing a fixed route in bad conditions.

BBQ and beach time at Ile aux Cerfs

The main break comes at Ile aux Cerfs, where you get about 100 minutes for lunch and beach time. The meal includes fish and chicken cooked as a BBQ, with alcoholic and soft drinks included during lunch and the rest of the excursion.

You should request a vegetarian meal when booking. Do not wait until you are sitting down to eat, since the instructions specifically ask for dietary preferences in advance.

Lunch is served on a beach near the entrance to the lagoon from Ile aux Cerfs. This is a relaxed setup rather than a formal restaurant meal. You can eat, swim, and take a break from the boat before the return route.

The food receives strong praise, and that matters on a seven-hour outing. A simple beach BBQ can be exactly right after snorkeling and a boat ride. Just keep your expectations sensible: this is included excursion food, not a restaurant tasting menu.

The biggest compromise is the length of the stop. One hundred minutes gives you time to eat and enjoy the shore, but Ile aux Cerfs is often the part people most want to linger over. If your priority is a long, unhurried beach day, a dedicated island stay may suit you better. If you want several sights in one trip, the shorter stop is a fair trade.

The second swim near Ile aux Aigrettes

Before returning to Blue Bay, the boat stops near Ile aux Aigrettes for about 45 minutes of break time and snorkeling. This is a useful feature because it gives you a second proper swim rather than ending the water activities after lunch.

You may find the later stop more relaxing. By then, you know how the boat operates and can focus on the water without feeling you need to make an immediate first impression. It also gives you a chance to swim if the first stop was shortened by conditions.

The schedule does not promise a particular fish species or exact snorkeling site here. Conditions can change during the day, so think of this as another chance to get in the water, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

After the stop, the boat returns to the Blue Bay Public Beach, with arrival expected around 16:00. Seven hours is a substantial day, but the plan includes enough movement and breaks to keep it from being one long stretch at sea.

What the $106 price really covers

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach in Mauritius. It is also more than a basic boat transfer. The price includes:

• Speedboat transport for the full route
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jacket
• BBQ lunch
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Stops at the marine park, lighthouse island, waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, and Ile aux Aigrettes

That makes the price easier to justify if you want a packed day and would otherwise pay separately for food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and boat trips. The included meal and beverages are especially useful because you do not need to arrange lunch on Ile aux Cerfs.

The value is weaker if you mainly want several quiet hours on one beach. In that case, part of your fare pays for stops you may only briefly appreciate. You are paying for the route and the range of experiences, not just for time on Ile aux Cerfs.

The booking terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans depend on weather, though they do not remove the need to get yourself to Blue Bay.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a busy but well-rounded water day. It suits people who enjoy switching between snorkeling, short walks, wildlife viewing, scenic boat rides, and beach time.

It is also a good fit for families and mixed groups with different interests, provided everyone is comfortable with a seven-hour boat outing. One person can enjoy the reef, another can look for the lighthouse, and another can focus on the BBQ and beach break.

You should think twice if you dislike open-boat rides, want a quiet schedule, or need a long uninterrupted stay on Ile aux Cerfs. The speedboat, music, and changing conditions may not suit you. One piece of feedback specifically found the music a little too loud, though the passenger did not ask the crew to lower it. If music bothers you, ask politely early in the trip.

The crew’s helpful approach is another plus. The available feedback describes guides who explained the stops, looked after passengers, and changed the program sensibly in difficult weather. Specific guide names are not provided, so do not expect to book a named skipper.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive with your swimwear on or easy to reach. You will start with snorkeling, and changing space on a speedboat may be limited.

Bring a towel and water shoes. The tour provides a mask, snorkel, and life jacket, but you may still want your own snorkeling equipment for comfort.

Tell Totof Tours about a vegetarian meal when you reserve. Fish and chicken are the standard BBQ choices, and the vegetarian option needs advance notice.

Keep your phone and camera protected from spray. The tour includes several good photo settings, from the lighthouse ruin to the waterfall and beach, but the boat is on the water for most of the day.

Listen to the crew around the monkeys. They are described as cheeky for a reason, and food should not be left within reach.

Finally, leave room in your expectations for weather changes. The route can be adapted, and that may mean a different order or a shorter stop. A flexible crew is a benefit, not a flaw, on a sea excursion.

Should you book this speedboat excursion?

Book it if you want to see several southeast Mauritius highlights in one day and value included food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. The combination of Blue Bay coral, the lighthouse ruin, Grand River South East waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, and a second swim gives you much more than a simple beach transfer.

Skip it if your perfect day means staying on one beach for hours or avoiding speedboats and organized schedules. For everyone else, the $106 price is reasonable because it covers a full seven-hour route with lunch and drinks, while the strong points are the snorkeling, helpful crew, comfortable boat, and varied stops.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

It starts at Totof Tours Mauritius at Blue Bay Public Beach. The meeting point is opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop, along the beach path near a small stand with a dark grey parasol.

What time does the tour begin and end?

The speedboat leaves at 9:30 and returns to Blue Bay at about 16:00. The total duration is seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the Blue Bay meeting point yourself.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, along with a life jacket.

How long is the first snorkeling stop?

The stop in the Blue Bay Marine Park lasts about 35 minutes.

Can I snorkel again later in the day?

Yes. There is another break and snorkeling stop near Ile aux Aigrettes for about 45 minutes.

What food is included?

The BBQ includes fish and chicken. A vegetarian meal is available if you request it when making your reservation.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic and soft drinks are included during the meal and throughout the excursion.

Which languages are offered?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, water shoes, and snorkeling gear if you prefer to use your own.