Snorkeling in Blue Bay Marine Park, Mauritius: 8-hour south tour

The southern reef break at Gris Gris shows you waves the rest of Mauritius doesn't have.

An 8-hour private tour of southern Mauritius combining snorkeling in Blue Bay Marine Park with a glass bottom boat ride, visits to Gris Gris Cape and La Vanille wildlife reserve, and a rum distillery. Your driver speaks English or French and handles all transport from your hotel. You choose how long to spend at each stop, and entrance fees are optional, so you can skip attractions that don't interest you and linger where you do.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Blue Bay Marine Park2h · entry included
2. Gris Gris Cape30m
3. St. Aubin House & Sugar Estate2h

Explore South Mauritius and Marine Park

• Arrive at Blue Bay Beach
• Take glass bottom boat trip
• Snorkel in Blue Bay Marine Park
• Visit Gris Gris Cape cliffs
• Walk through La Vanille Réserve
• See giant tortoises and crocodiles
• Tour St. Aubin Rhumerie and plantation
• Sample award-winning rum

The experience

The day starts at Blue Bay Beach, where the water shifts through shades of blue as you move toward the marine park. A glass bottom boat takes you out first. You can watch the reef from above before gearing up to snorkel. The snorkeling equipment is provided, and the marine park holds trumpet fish, dense coral formations, and other creatures across its protected waters. How long you stay in the water is yours to decide.

After Blue Bay, the tour moves to Gris Gris Cape on the island's southern edge, where the reef breaks and the ocean hits the cliffs with open force. You'll see La Roche qui Pleure, a rock formation that resembles a face when waves strike it. The rugged scenery here is the wild part of Mauritius. Nothing like the calm lagoons elsewhere on the island. La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes comes next, spread across 3.5 hectares with 2,000 Nile crocodiles, 1,000 giant tortoises, and an insectarium holding 23,000 species. The reserve is optional, as are all the stops.

The tour ends at St. Aubin Rhumerie, where you can walk through the colonial house, see vanilla and anthurium plantations, and learn how the distillery makes its award-winning rum using traditional techniques. Samples are part of the visit. Your driver is a fully licensed guide who speaks English or French and manages all timing and transport. An air-conditioned vehicle picks you up from your hotel and returns you at the end of the day. Waiting time and parking are covered.

What’s included

• Private transfer to and from your hotel in an air-conditioned, insured vehicle.
• a fully licensed driver speaking English or French.
• a glass bottom boat ride in Blue Bay Marine Park.
• snorkeling equipment.
• waiting time and parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 41

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Bonjour Mauritius

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English or French, so the commentary is accessible if you're comfortable in either language. The flexible pace (you pick how long to spend at each stop) works well if your group moves at different speeds or has mixed interests in wildlife, scenery, and rum-making.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

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 see when I snorkel in Blue Bay Marine Park?

Blue Bay Marine Park holds colorful tropical fish including trumpet fish, diverse coral formations, and other marine creatures. The glass bottom boat ride beforehand lets you see the reef from above before you enter the water with snorkeling gear.

Can I skip attractions I'm not interested in?

Yes. Entrance fees for La Vanille reserve, Gris Gris Cape, and St. Aubin Rhumerie are not collected by the supplier, so you can choose which stops to visit and spend more time at the ones that appeal to you.

How long is the full tour?

The tour runs 8 hours total. You control how long you spend at each attraction depending on your group's pace, though the operator notes you may not have time to see all listed stops if you linger at some.

Is lunch included?

Lunch and snacks are not included in the tour. You'll have time to eat at stops, but you'll need to arrange or purchase food separately.

When is St. Aubin Rhumerie closed?

St. Aubin Rhumerie closes Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and public holidays, so plan your tour date accordingly if the distillery visit matters to you.