Private Full Day SpeedBoat Tour – Blue Bay to Ile Aux Cerfs

A whole day of Mauritius by open water. This private speedboat trip links Blue Bay, Grand River, and Ile aux Cerfs in one lively day, with snorkeling, a shipwreck, a lighthouse island, a waterfall, and a beach BBQ. I like the mix of sea time and inland scenery, and I especially like that the boat carries soft drinks, local beer, and rum. The main consideration is the price: at $610 for up to four people, it makes the most sense for a small group sharing the cost.

You meet at the beach entrance at 9:30 am with the guide holding a La fiesta board. I like the clear start and finish at Blue Bay, with no need to arrange a complicated boat transfer. You will need to make your own way there, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and a full day in the sun can feel long if you prefer a slow, quiet beach outing.

Six details worth knowing before you book

• A full 9:30 am to 4:00 or 4:30 pm schedule: You get a proper day on the water, not a quick coastal ride.
• The 1902 d’Alblair wreck: The historic shipwreck sits on the coral barrier and gives the snorkeling stop a clear sense of place.
• Grand River by boat: The route leaves the open lagoon and heads upstream along Mauritius’ longest river toward a waterfall.
• BBQ on Ile aux Cerfs: Grilled chicken and fish are served on one of the island’s postcard beaches.
• A natural pool at Ile aux Aigrettes: The last swim takes place around starfish, with a drink included.
• Private group pricing: The $610 rate covers up to four people, so the value improves sharply when four friends or family members share it.

Why this Blue Bay boat day works so well

I see this as a sampler of Mauritius from the water. In one outing, you get reef scenery, historic remains, river views, sandy beaches, and time to swim. That variety is the strongest reason to choose it over a short boat ride that only circles the lagoon.

The private format also matters. You are not buying a seat on a large shared excursion with a fixed crowd. The boat is reserved for your group of up to four, which gives the day a more personal feel and makes the $610 cost easier to justify for a family or group of friends. For four people, the listed rate works out to $152.50 per person before any separate transport to Blue Bay.

The pace is active, but not built around nonstop sightseeing. You have a morning swim and snorkeling stop, a river cruise, a waterfall visit, a BBQ lunch, beach time, and another swim later in the day. I like that rhythm because Mauritius is best enjoyed with space between the main stops.

The tradeoff is simple: this is a water-based day, and the sun is part of the experience. Bring a hat, sunglasses, towel, and sunscreen. If you want a tour with air-conditioned transport and long indoor breaks, this is not the right fit.

Meeting the boat at Blue Bay at 9:30 am

Your day starts at the beach entrance in Blue Bay. Look for the guide with a La fiesta board, the sign that identifies the meeting point. The tour ends back at this same meeting point, so you have a straightforward beginning and end.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You should allow time to arrange your own transport to Blue Bay and arrive ready for a 9:30 am departure. Since the boat returns around 4:00 to 4:30 pm, your transport plan should also leave room for the later end of that window.

Blue Bay is a sensible starting point for this route because the tour quickly reaches the lagoon and reef areas of the southeast coast. I would arrive with swimwear already under your clothes, since the first major activity is a swim and snorkeling session. Keep your towel and sunscreen easy to reach rather than buried in a day bag.

The available guiding languages are French and English. No individual guide name is provided, so you should identify the La fiesta sign rather than wait for a specific person.

Snorkeling over coral and the d’Alblair wreck

The first water stop includes swimming and snorkeling in clear water, with coral and marine life beneath the boat. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing or renting your own mask and gear.

The d’Alblair shipwreck adds more interest than a standard reef stop. It dates from 1902 and lies on the coral barrier, giving you a historic point to look for while you are on the water. The tour description does not promise that you will enter the wreck or swim directly beside it, so think of it as a sighting from the boat and a focal point within the reef scenery.

This opening stop is a good test of the day’s style. You will want to be comfortable getting into the water and swimming in an open marine setting. If you would rather stay dry, you can still enjoy the boat ride and views, but you would miss one of the tour’s main features.

Bring your own sense of timing here. The exact length of the snorkeling stop is not stated, and the full route has many planned sights. You should expect a useful swim rather than an entire morning dedicated to underwater exploration.

The old lighthouse island and southeast coast

The route continues toward an old lighthouse island. The lighthouse gives the cruise a visual landmark and a reminder that this coast was shaped by shipping as much as by beaches and reefs.

I like this stop because it breaks up the usual pattern of swimming, eating, and swimming again. A lighthouse is easy to understand from the water: you see how it sits within the coastal route and why the island matters as a navigation point. The exact landing arrangements are not specified, so you should expect a boat-based look unless the guide directs your group otherwise.

From there, the speedboat follows the east coast. The boat is useful here because you can cover more shoreline in a day than you could on foot. You will see the coast from a low, moving viewpoint, with the lagoon and islets forming the main scenery around you.

Speedboats are not silent or gentle in the same way as a slow sailing boat. The benefit is distance and excitement. The cost is more wind, spray, and motion. If you are prone to seasickness, the tour data does not provide a specific remedy, so bring only what you already know works for you.

Grand River and the waterfall stop

One of the most distinctive parts of the route is the cruise upstream on Grand River, described as Mauritius’ longest river. This changes the feel of the day. Instead of staying among reef flats and open lagoon water, you move inland toward a waterfall.

I consider this river section one of the tour’s strongest features. The day is not just a beach transfer from Blue Bay to Ile aux Cerfs. You get a look at a different side of the island, where the boat follows a natural waterway and finishes at a scenic waterfall.

The information does not give the waterfall’s name or state how long the boat stops there. You should treat it as a scenic cruise and viewing point, with the possibility of a short pause, rather than assume a long hike or a walk behind the falls.

The river also provides a welcome change in pace. After the open-water ride and snorkeling, the narrower route gives you time to look around without packing every minute with an activity. Keep your camera protected from spray, and do not expect every section of the route to have a formal landing or walking trail.

BBQ lunch on Ile aux Cerfs

The boat reaches Ile aux Cerfs for a BBQ featuring grilled chicken and fish. Lunch is served on the island’s beaches, where the setting does much of the work. You get a hot meal, sand underfoot, and a chance to stop moving for a while.

The menu is not presented as a long buffet, so you should not book this expecting a wide range of dishes. The stated meal centers on chicken and fish, which suits a casual beach lunch but may require extra planning if you have strict dietary needs. No alternative menu is listed.

I like the timing of this stop. A long morning on the water calls for more than a snack, and the BBQ turns Ile aux Cerfs into a real midday base rather than a quick photo stop. Soft drinks, local beer, and rum are also provided on board, giving you something cold to drink during the wider trip.

Alcohol can make a sunny boat day feel more tiring, so pace yourself. You still have swimming and cruising after lunch. The tour includes the drinks, but it does not promise a particular quantity or a separate bar service.

Swimming and beach time at Ile aux Cerfs

After lunch, you have time to relax and swim on Ile aux Cerfs. This is the most unstructured part of the day, and that is a good thing. You can cool off, sit on the beach, or simply enjoy a pause before the final cruise.

Ile aux Cerfs is the classic beach section of this itinerary. The tour description presents it as a postcard setting, so expect the appeal to come from sand, clear water, and open coastal views rather than a long list of organized activities.

The exact amount of free time is not stated. I would enjoy it without assuming you can wander indefinitely, since the boat still needs to reach Ile aux Aigrettes and return to Blue Bay by late afternoon.

You should also keep your belongings together. The supplied information does not describe lockers, changing rooms, or storage arrangements. Pack lightly and bring only what you are happy carrying between boat and beach.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the starfish pool

The final destination is Ile aux Aigrettes, where you can have a refreshing drink in a natural swimming pool surrounded by starfish. This is a quieter, more unusual finish than simply heading straight back to the starting beach.

The starfish detail gives this stop its character. You are not only looking at the sea from a boat. You get a chance to enjoy a natural pool and notice marine life at close range. Follow the guide’s instructions around the starfish and avoid handling them unless you are specifically told it is safe.

This last swim also gives the day a satisfying shape. You start with snorkeling among coral, spend the middle of the day on a beach, and finish in a natural pool. The activities are similar enough to feel connected, but different enough that the route does not become repetitive.

A drink is included at this stop, while soft drinks, local beer, and rum are available on board through the day. The tour does not specify which drink is served at Ile aux Aigrettes, so consider it a refreshing included stop rather than a promised specialty cocktail.

What the $610 price really buys you

The price is $610 per group of up to four. That is a substantial amount for a day trip, but the private boat changes the calculation. With four people, it comes to $152.50 each, and the rate includes the full-day speedboat, snorkeling equipment, BBQ lunch, soft drinks, local beer, and rum.

You are also paying for range. The route covers Blue Bay, the southeast lagoon, reef scenery, the d’Alblair wreck, the lighthouse island, the east coast, Grand River, a waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, and Ile aux Aigrettes. A cheaper short cruise may cover only one or two of those settings.

The price is harder to defend for one or two people, especially once you add your own transport to Blue Bay. For a group of four, the private arrangement becomes much more reasonable. It suits people who value having their own boat and want several different stops in one day.

The included lunch and drinks add practical value, but they should not be treated as unlimited catering. You are buying convenience and a varied route, not a luxury yacht service.

Who should choose this tour?

I would point this tour toward a small group that wants a busy, scenic day with plenty of time on the water. It is especially suitable if you want more than a beach visit and like the idea of combining snorkeling, coastal sights, a river cruise, and a BBQ.

Families with older children may appreciate the variety, provided everyone is comfortable swimming and riding in a speedboat. Friends sharing the $610 rate also get a better deal than solo bookers.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boat motion, avoid swimming, need hotel transport, or want a slow day with one fixed beach. The tour has several changes of scene, and the schedule runs from morning until late afternoon.

French and English language support makes the outing easier for many visitors, but the available information does not give details about accessibility, child pricing, or special dietary options. Ask before booking if any of those points affect your decision.

Practical packing advice for a sunny boat day

Bring the basics listed for the outing: sunglasses, a sun hat, towel, and sunscreen. I would also wear secure swimwear and carry a small bag that can handle spray, though waterproof storage is not specifically promised.

Keep your phone or camera protected. A speedboat, swimming stops, and beach transfers create plenty of chances for water to reach your belongings.

Since hotel transfers are excluded, plan your route to Blue Bay in advance. The meeting point is the beach entrance, and the return is to that same meeting point around 4:00 to 4:30 pm.

The tour can be reserved with payment later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms give you some flexibility if your Mauritius plans are still changing.

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

Book it if you can fill the boat with up to four people and want one active day that covers many of Mauritius’ southeast highlights. The strongest reasons are the Grand River cruise, the historic d’Alblair wreck, the waterfall, and the combination of BBQ beach time with two different swimming settings.

Skip it if you are looking for the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs or if you prefer a quiet, single-location beach day. For the right small group, though, the private format, included food and drinks, and wide-ranging route make the $610 price easier to accept.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the Blue Bay beach entrance. Look for the guide holding a La fiesta board.

What time does the boat leave?

The tour starts at 9:30 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Blue Bay.

What time will the tour return?

You can expect to return around 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

What food is included?

A BBQ is served on Ile aux Cerfs, featuring grilled chicken and fish.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks, local beer, and rum are included on board. A refreshing drink is also provided at the Ile aux Aigrettes stop.