Mauritius Snorkeling Tour: 5 Islands with BBQ Lunch

You get 20 to 30 minutes in the water at Blue Bay Marine Park, where sea turtles drift past the reef.

A full-day speedboat tour from Mauritius exploring five islands, with snorkeling gear provided and 20–30 minutes in the Blue Bay Marine Park to spot fish and sea turtles. BBQ lunch and drinks are served at Ile Aux Cerfs. The boat passes the GRSE waterfall where you can see monkeys, visits the 1864 lighthouse at Ile aux Phares, and swings past Ile aux Aigrettes for a swim in turquoise water. Groups stay under 13 travelers, and a live guide speaks English and French. Hotel transfers can be arranged on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore 5 islands with BBQ lunch

• Speedboat passes GRSE waterfall
• Spot and feed monkeys
• Visit Ile aux Cerfs island
• Explore shops and take pictures
• Snorkel at Blue Bay Marine Park
• Visit Ile aux phares lighthouse and ruins
• Pass by Ile aux Aigrettes and swim
• View Ile de la Passe from distance
• Approach Ilot Flamants sandbank island
• Enjoy BBQ lunch at Ile aux Cerfs

The experience

The day starts with the speedboat running through the GRSE waterfall, one of Mauritius's most dramatic water features, where the skipper will point out monkeys and let you feed them if they appear. From there you head to Ile Aux Cerfs, Deer Island, a 0.87 square-kilometer tourist spot with its own golf course. You get 20 minutes to walk around, take pictures and browse small shops before returning for lunch. The boat then cuts across the Blue Bay Marine Park, where you'll have 20 to 30 minutes to snorkel in clear water. Snorkeling gear is provided, though you can bring your own equipment if you prefer.

The second half of the day is a mix of history and swimming. Ile aux Phares, also called Île aux Fouquets, is a historical landmark with ruins and a lighthouse built in 1864 that you'll visit on foot. Next comes Ile aux Aigrettes, a natural reserve you can't land on, but the boat stops close enough for you to swim in the turquoise lagoon while the crew serves aperitifs. The route also passes Ile de la Passe, a rocky islet from the colonial period visible from a distance, and depending on the tide, swings by Ilot Flamants: a sandbank island with white sand in the southeast lagoon near Mahebourg. The full day runs 7 to 8 hours.

BBQ lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and snacks are all included. The boat accommodates up to 13 travelers, keeping the group small enough that you're not jostling for space at the snorkel site or on the islands. A live guide who speaks English and French narrates the stops and handles the boat. If you need a ride from your hotel to the pickup point, that can be arranged separately on request.

What’s included

• Snorkeling gear.
• BBQ lunch at Ile Aux Cerfs.
• bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
• snacks and aperitifs.
• entrance fees.
• a live guide in English or French.
• visits to five islands including the GRSE waterfall, Ile aux Phares lighthouse, and Blue Bay Marine Park.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (4 to 8 years): free · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Papa's Dream

Is this one for you?The boat holds up to 13 people, so you're not competing for space at the snorkel site or crowded on the islands: a real advantage if you want to move at your own pace and actually see what's underwater. If you need a ride from your hotel, arrange transport separately. Otherwise, you'll meet the boat at the pickup point and spend the full 7 to 8 hours on the water and islands.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years): free; Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What will I actually see when I snorkel at Blue Bay Marine Park?

Blue Bay Marine Park is home to a variety of fish species, and sea turtles occasionally drift through the area. You'll have 20 to 30 minutes in the water with provided snorkeling gear to explore the reef.

How much time do I spend on each island?

Ile Aux Cerfs gets about 20 minutes on the first pass, then you return for a 40-minute lunch break on the same island. Ile aux Phares is a walking visit to the lighthouse and ruins. Ile aux Aigrettes is a swim stop only. You can't land because it's a protected reserve. Ilot Flamants is a pass-by depending on tide conditions.

Is hotel pickup included in the price?

Hotel transfers are not included in the standard package, but reliable transportation from your hotel to the pickup point can be arranged on request for an additional cost.

What's included in the lunch?

BBQ lunch is served at Ile Aux Cerfs along with bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and snacks throughout the day. The crew also serves aperitifs during the swim stop at Ile aux Aigrettes.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

Snorkeling equipment is provided for everyone who wants to snorkel. You're welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer to use equipment you're familiar with.

How many people will be on the boat?

The speedboat accommodates up to 13 travelers, so groups stay small and the experience stays intimate.