Blue Bay Eco Tour and Coral Snorkeling: Mauritius

Snorkel a working coral farm and a monitored marine transect in the same afternoon

A half-day eco tour in Mauritius's Blue Bay pairs snorkeling at a coral restoration site near l'Île aux Aigrettes with a second dive on a marine transect back in the bay, led by a private guide who explains the NGO conservation work protecting the area. The tour starts and ends at Chantauvent, a family-run guest house, and includes bottled water; lunch is available à la carte on return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Blue Bay eco tour and snorkeling

• Meet guide at Chantauvent guest house
• Learn about Eco-Sud conservation project
• Sail to coral farm near l'Île aux Aigrettes
• Snorkel and observe marine life
• Return sailing and snorkel in Blue Bay
• Enjoy à la carte lunch at Chantauvent

The Experience

You meet your private marine guide at Chantauvent, a quiet guest house on the bay's edge, and begin with an introduction to the ecosystem and the Eco-Sud project's restoration efforts. This setup means no crowded jetty, no group briefing in a tourist office—the guide walks you through the bay's history and wildlife on site, in the place itself, before you step into the boat. The guide speaks English or French.

The boat carries you to the coral farm near l'Île aux Aigrettes, where you slip into clear water to snorkel among the corals being actively restored and protected. While sailing, you might spot endemic wildlife—Giant Tortoises, Pink Pigeons, or the Mauritius Kestrel—and the guide continues sharing stories about the local ecology and the conservation work shaping what you see. On the return to Blue Bay, you enter the water a second time to snorkel a marine transect, a monitored underwater line that records the bay's changes over time. Your guide leads you through this living record and explains the subtle shifts in the ecosystem.

Back at Chantauvent, you can order lunch from an à la carte menu of locally sourced, sustainable dishes. Bottled water is included throughout the tour.

What’s included

• Private marine guide in English or French.
• two snorkeling sessions—one at the coral restoration site near l'Île aux Aigrettes and one on the marine transect in Blue Bay.
• boat transport from Chantauvent.
• bottled water.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by The spot Mauritius

Is this one for you?Start at Chantauvent, a family-run guest house on the bay itself, so you skip the crowded jetties and the drive from a resort—the guide meets you there and the boat leaves from a quiet corner. This works well if you're staying elsewhere on the island or arrived without a car, since public transport reaches the area and you're not dependent on a shuttle schedule.

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Top questions

What's the coral farm near l'Île aux Aigrettes, and what will I see snorkeling there?

The coral farm is an active restoration site where the Eco-Sud NGO grows and protects corals to rebuild the marine ecosystem. When you snorkel there, you'll see the restored corals and the marine life thriving in the protected area—the guide will point out what the conservation work has made possible.

What is the marine transect you snorkel on the way back to Blue Bay?

A marine transect is a monitored underwater line that tracks changes in the bay's ecosystem over time. Your guide will walk you through it and explain how the data collected there shows the impact of conservation efforts on the water and wildlife.

Does the tour include lunch, or do I pay separately for it?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. When you return to Chantauvent, you can order from an à la carte menu of locally sourced dishes; you pay for what you order.

Can I bring young children on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 1. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride.

How do I get to Chantauvent if I don't have a car?

Public transportation options are available near Chantauvent. The tour starts and ends at the guest house, so you'll need to arrange your own transport to and from the meeting point.

How long is the whole tour, and what's included?

The tour runs for three hours and includes the private guide, two snorkeling sessions, the boat ride to the coral farm and back, and bottled water throughout.