From Blue Bay: Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Excursion with BBQ

Blue Bay sets the scene. This seven-hour speedboat trip packs a lot into one day: colorful snorkeling in Blue Bay Marine Park, a ruined lighthouse, a waterfall reached by river, and beach time at Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the several short stops, which keep the day moving, and the fact that BBQ lunch, drinks, equipment, and a life jacket are included. The main tradeoff is time: with five major stops, Ile aux Cerfs itself gets about 100 minutes, which may feel short if you want a long, lazy beach visit.

The route also has a nice mix of water and history. You can spot fish, walk around Ile aux Fouquets, look for monkeys near Grand River South East, and finish with another swim near Ile aux Aigrettes. Music on the boat may be louder than some people prefer, and the sea can affect the exact plan, but the crew has shown a useful habit of adapting the route to changing weather.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Bay Marine Park: Start with about 35 minutes of snorkeling in Mauritius’s largest coral reserve.
• Ile aux Fouquets lighthouse: Walk ashore for roughly 30 minutes and see the remains of an old lighthouse.
• Grand River South East waterfall: Enter the river by boat and look out for the area’s cheeky monkeys.
• Ile aux Cerfs lunch stop: Enjoy a fish and chicken BBQ, vegetarian food by request, plus alcoholic and soft drinks.
• Ile aux Aigrettes snorkeling: End the outing with about 45 minutes for swimming and another look beneath the water.
• Easy meeting point: Find the Totof Tours stand by the beach, opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop.

Why this Blue Bay boat trip works well

I like this excursion because it gives you a broad taste of southeastern Mauritius without making you choose between reef time, scenery, and a beach lunch. A seven-hour outing from 9:30 a.m. to about 4 p.m. is long enough to feel like a full day, but the speedboat helps link places that would otherwise be awkward to visit together.

The trip is also pleasantly active. You are not simply ferried to a beach and left there. You snorkel, walk on an island, enter a river, eat on the shore, and swim again later. If you enjoy a day with changing scenery and regular stops, this rhythm should suit you.

The price is $106 per person. That is not a cheap short boat ride, but the value improves when you count what is covered: the speedboat, snorkeling mask and snorkel, life jacket, BBQ, and drinks throughout the excursion. You are also paying for a full route with several separate locations, rather than one transfer to Ile aux Cerfs.

The weaker point is the schedule. Ile aux Cerfs receives about 100 minutes, including lunch, so you will not have endless time to wander or sit under a palm tree. If your ideal day means staying on one beach for hours, a simpler Ile aux Cerfs transfer may suit you better.

Finding Totof Tours at Blue Bay Beach

The meeting point is at Totof Tours in Blue Bay, 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.

This is worth taking seriously because the departure point is not described as a large terminal. Give yourself enough time to find the parking area, locate the tuck shop, and walk down toward the beach. The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m., so arriving early is sensible.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to arrange your own way to Blue Bay Public Beach. That makes this tour easiest if you are already staying in the southeast or have your own transport plan.

The experience is offered in English and French. The crew has been praised for being helpful, taking care of people on board, and explaining parts of the route. The boat has also been described as comfortable and not overloaded, a useful detail on a full day at sea.

Blue Bay Marine Park: your first 35 minutes underwater

The first stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, where you get about 35 minutes to snorkel. This is a strong opening because you can get into the water before the heat of the day builds and start with one of the area’s main natural attractions.

The marine park is described as Mauritius’s largest coral reserve. You may see many colorful fish among the coral, and the snorkeling is one of the most praised parts of the outing. Bring swimwear and a towel, and use the provided mask and snorkel if they fit you well. If you prefer your own gear, the activity information also advises bringing snorkeling equipment.

A life jacket is included. That matters if you are not a confident swimmer, though you should still tell the crew about any concerns before entering the water. Water shoes are also recommended, especially if you dislike rocky or rough footing around marine areas.

Thirty-five minutes is enough for a good look, but not enough for a long, unhurried session. Think of this as a focused introduction rather than a full morning of snorkeling. The later stop near Ile aux Aigrettes gives you another chance to swim.

Ile aux Fouquets and its old lighthouse

From Blue Bay, the speedboat follows the coast past Point d’Esny toward Mahebourg, the former capital of Mauritius, before reaching Ile aux Fouquets. The island is known here for its old lighthouse ruin.

You get about 30 minutes on shore. That gives you time to walk around, see the remains, and take photographs, but not enough for a long exploration. The stop adds a welcome historical note to a day otherwise centered on sea and sand.

The lighthouse ruin also helps break up the water activities. After snorkeling, you can stretch your legs and see a different side of the southeast. One especially enjoyable detail from the trip feedback is the chance to see a shipwreck along the route as well, although the exact viewing conditions can depend on the sea and the boat’s course.

Do not expect a restored monument with displays or a formal museum visit. This is a short outdoor stop at an old ruin. Its appeal comes from the setting and the contrast with the bright water around it.

Grand River South East and the waterfall

The boat then heads toward Grand River South East, where it enters the river to visit the waterfall. You spend about 25 minutes here.

The river section changes the mood. Instead of open sea and beach, you pass through a narrower waterway surrounded by tropical scenery. The waterfall is the main reason for the stop, but keep an eye out for monkeys. They are known for being cheeky, so keep food and loose items secure rather than assuming they will politely admire the view from a distance.

This is one of the shorter stops, and the boat may not linger if conditions are difficult. Still, it is a worthwhile part of the route because it gives you a freshwater setting without requiring a separate inland excursion.

The route may change slightly with weather. A recent outing managed to keep the day enjoyable by adjusting the program around unsettled conditions. That flexibility is a plus, though it also means you should not treat every stop as guaranteed to unfold in exactly the same order.

Ile aux Cerfs: BBQ lunch and beach time

The main stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where lunch and beach time take about 100 minutes. The boat reaches the beach near the entrance to the lagoon, and you can eat, relax, and enjoy the shore.

Lunch includes a BBQ with fish and chicken. Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking. Drinks include alcoholic options and soft drinks, and drinks are included during the meal and the excursion.

I like this arrangement because you do not have to spend part of the day searching for a restaurant or carrying a separate lunch plan. A beach BBQ also fits the setting better than a formal meal would. You can take a break from the boat, eat outdoors, and return to the water when you are ready.

Still, keep an eye on the clock. The 100-minute stop includes lunch, so your actual free beach time will be less than that. Some people may wish for a longer stay on Ile aux Cerfs, particularly if this is the beach they most want to experience.

The island can be the emotional high point of the day, but it is not the entire purpose of the trip. The price makes more sense if you value the complete circuit: reef, lighthouse, river, waterfall, BBQ, and a final swim.

The return stop at Ile aux Aigrettes

On the way back, the boat pauses near Ile aux Aigrettes for about 45 minutes. This is another chance to swim and snorkel in the surrounding water.

The second water stop is useful for two reasons. First, you get more time in the sea if the first session feels too short. Second, conditions can differ between locations, so you may find the later stop calmer or simply more enjoyable for a relaxed swim.

It also gives the day a gentle finish. After the lunch stop and river visit, you can cool off before returning to Blue Bay Public Beach. The boat reaches the starting point at around 4 p.m.

As with the first snorkeling session, bring swimwear, a towel, and water shoes. The company provides a mask, snorkel, and life jacket, but your own equipment can be helpful if you have particular preferences about fit.

Boat comfort, guides, and changing weather

The crew is an important part of a speedboat day. The guides have been praised for looking after people and explaining what you are seeing. That is especially useful at the lighthouse and waterfall, where a few clear comments can turn a quick stop into a more meaningful one.

The boat itself has been described as comfortable and not overcrowded. That makes a difference during a seven-hour outing. You will spend a lot of time moving between stops, and a packed boat can make even a beautiful route tiring.

Weather remains a real factor in the southeast. The sea can be choppy, and the exact plan may change if conditions shift. The crew has adjusted the program to make the best of difficult weather, which is encouraging, but you should still expect some flexibility rather than a perfectly fixed schedule.

Music is played on the boat and may be too loud for some people. If you prefer a quieter ride, ask the crew to lower it. You should not feel awkward about making that request, especially on a full-day excursion.

There have also been sightings of dolphins during the route. Treat this as a lucky possibility, not a promised part of the trip. Wildlife appears on its own schedule.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want one active day covering several southeastern highlights. It is a good match for couples, families with older children, and anyone who would rather see multiple places than spend the whole day at one resort beach.

It also suits you if snorkeling is a priority. You get two planned water sessions, and the first is in Blue Bay Marine Park. The provided equipment makes the activity easier, though you should bring your own if you need a specific fit.

The tour may be less suitable if you dislike speedboats, loud music, changing weather, or a busy schedule. It is also not ideal if you want a long, quiet afternoon on Ile aux Cerfs. The island stop is generous enough for lunch and a taste of the beach, but not for an entire day of unhurried relaxation.

Vegetarians should request their meal when booking. Everyone should bring swimwear, a towel, and water shoes. Since transport from hotels is not included, you also need to plan your route to Blue Bay Public Beach.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start time when booking, since the regular program begins at 9:30 a.m.

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

I would book it if you want a well-filled boat day and value included food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and several different stops. The strongest parts are the colorful snorkeling, the helpful crew, the comfortable boat, and the way the route mixes natural sights with the old lighthouse and a BBQ on the beach.

I would hesitate only if Ile aux Cerfs is your sole goal. In that case, 100 minutes may feel rushed, and a beach-focused outing could give you more time there. For everyone else, the $106 price is reasonable for a seven-hour excursion with two snorkeling sessions, the waterfall, Ile aux Fouquets, lunch, drinks, and the return boat ride.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat excursion begin?

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

What time does the excursion start and finish?

The excursion starts at about 9:30 a.m. and returns to Blue Bay Public Beach at around 4 p.m., for a total duration of about seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to and from Blue Bay Public Beach.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, along with a life jacket. You can also bring your own snorkeling gear if you prefer.

What food is served at lunch?

The BBQ includes fish and chicken. Vegetarian food is available if you request it when making your reservation.

Are drinks included?

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

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and French.