Blue Bay: Half-Day Snorkeling Trip with Creole Picnic Lunch

Blue Bay Marine Park is at its best from the water, where a glass-bottom boat lets you spot coral and fish before you even put on a mask. This four-hour trip adds two snorkeling areas, a beach picnic on Ile des Deux Cocos, and a gentle ride along the coast from Point d’Esny.

I like the mix of active and easygoing time: you get clear water, coral, fish, and perhaps a turtle, then a Creole meal with drinks and time to sit on the beach. I also like the crew’s flexibility, with guides such as Olivier and Jordan helping beginners and sometimes adding a third snorkeling stop.

The main trade-off is time. Lunch and beach rest take a good part of the half-day, so this is not four straight hours in the water. One past participant also found the boat ladder and rear platform awkward, and conditions can change the exact route.

Key points to know before you book

• Two planned snorkeling spots: Expect one stop in the lagoon near Ile aux Aigrettes and another marine park location, with coral and reef fish.
• Glass-bottom viewing included: You can watch the seabed from the boat, useful for children or anyone who prefers not to snorkel every minute.
• Creole picnic on Ile des Deux Cocos: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• A flexible crew: The route may include a bonus snorkel, a shipwreck, or an alternate stop when wind or currents make another site unsuitable.
• Four hours is a sensible length: You get sea time and lunch without giving up an entire day in Mauritius.
• Bring water shoes and strong sunscreen: The meeting point is simple but easy to miss, and the sun reflects strongly off the lagoon.

Why Blue Bay Marine Park is worth your morning

Blue Bay is one of Mauritius’s best places for a short snorkeling outing because the marine park gives you several ways to enjoy the water. You can look through the boat’s glass panels, swim with a mask and snorkel, or simply sit back while the crew explains the coast and reef.

The trip begins at Blue Bay Public Beach, opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop. Look for a path leading to the beach and a small stand with a dark grey parasol. The meeting marker has not always matched its description, so ask locally if you cannot spot it right away.

From there, the boat moves along the seaside from Point d’Esny toward Ile aux Aigrettes. This first ride gives you a sense of the lagoon before the swimming begins. The water may look calm and clear, but wind and current still affect where the boat can stop. That is normal for a marine outing, not a flaw in the plan.

The crew speaks English and French. Named guides include Olivier and Jordan, and a crew member called Vanessa has also been praised for a warm welcome at the start. The strongest part of the guiding is practical help in the water, along with explanations about the reef, local culture, and nearby islands.

First snorkeling stop near Ile aux Aigrettes

Your first proper water stop is in the lagoon in the direction of Ile aux Aigrettes. You can start by looking through the glass bottom, then put on the supplied mask and snorkel when you are ready.

This is a good setup for a mixed group. Confident swimmers can head straight into the water, while first-time snorkelers can watch the fish from the boat or enter slowly with help from the crew. One first-time snorkeler found the experience comfortable enough to want to repeat it, and the activity has also been described as suitable for children.

The exact sights vary. You might see schools of reef fish, coral formations, and a turtle. One route has included a shipwreck, while another shallow area brought swimmers close to the fish. These details depend on the day, the sea, and the captain’s choice of site.

The boat’s glass panels are more than a small extra. They give you a second look at the marine park and help you understand where you are swimming. If someone in your party does not want to snorkel, they still have a reason to come along.

Ile des Deux Cocos and the Creole picnic

After the first snorkeling session, the boat heads to Ile des Deux Cocos for lunch. This is the quieter middle section of the outing, and it changes the pace from swimming and boat travel to food and rest.

The meal is a traditional Creole picnic with a choice of fish, chicken, or a vegetarian dish. The food has been singled out as one of the strongest parts of the trip, with curry and other local flavors mentioned as especially enjoyable. Pineapple may also be served afterward.

Drinks are included, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The Jungle Cocktail, also called jungle juice by some, is the drink to look for if you want the signature option. Wine, soft drinks, juice, rum, and rum punch have all been available on different outings.

Do not expect a formal restaurant meal. The setup is a picnic, and the available seating can be basic. One person found the lunch stop unusual because there were no tables, chairs, or tent, and the meal was eaten in a wooded area. Others appreciated the relaxed beach setting and considered the local food excellent.

That difference tells you who will like this stop. If you want a polished resort lunch, you may find it rough around the edges. If you want a casual island meal with local flavors, a drink, and time by the beach, it fits the spirit of the trip.

The lunch can also feel long if your main goal is snorkeling. One participant would have preferred more time in the water. On the other hand, this pause gives you a chance to dry off, eat, and enjoy the island without hurrying from one activity to the next.

The second snorkeling session and possible bonus stop

After lunch, the crew returns you to the marine park for another snorkeling opportunity. The second area may offer a different view of the reef, such as coral formations, shallow water, or a stronger current that lets you drift over the seabed.

The contrast between the two stops is part of the appeal. One may be better for fish, while another gives you a closer look at coral. A captain may also know where turtles or particular fish tend to appear, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

The route can change for sensible reasons. Strong wind and current once prevented a planned shipwreck visit, so the guide substituted Ile aux Aigrettes and a drink. That kind of adjustment is better than forcing a difficult or unsafe stop.

You may also receive a third snorkeling session. Several outings have included an extra swim, sometimes because the group wanted more time and sometimes because conditions made the crew repeat a favorite area. Treat it as a welcome possibility, not a promised part of the four-hour schedule.

A few practical points matter here. Bring swimwear and water shoes, and use high-SPF sunscreen. The boat ladder and rear platform have been described as less than ideal for getting in and out, so take your time and accept help if needed.

What the crew adds to the experience

The crew is a major reason this trip works well for beginners and families. The guides are not simply steering the boat and handing out equipment. They may explain the reef, answer questions about Mauritius, point out places where fish hide, and help you in the water.

Olivier has been praised for explaining local sights and assisting swimmers at both snorkeling points. Jordan has been noted for changing the route when conditions required it. The captain has also been described as lighthearted and able to explain the island and reef without turning the outing into a lecture.

That balance matters. You get useful information, but the day remains relaxed. The ride is generally calm, and the crew’s friendly approach helps nervous snorkelers settle in.

The experience can also feel personal when the group is small. One outing had only four people, which allowed the crew to adjust the snorkeling and celebrate a wedding anniversary and a newly married couple. Group size is not stated as fixed, so you should not book expecting a private trip, but the crew appears ready to respond to the people aboard.

Is $70 good value?

At $70 per person, this is a fair price if you want more than a simple boat ride. The fee covers a four-hour glass-bottom boat outing, snorkeling equipment, two planned snorkeling locations, lunch, and drinks. It also includes the service of a crew that may provide local information and help in the water.

Compare it with the cost of arranging each part yourself. You would need a boat, mask and snorkel rental, access to good reef locations, a meal, and drinks. The value is strongest for families, first-time snorkelers, and anyone who wants the day organized from one meeting point.

The value is weaker if you are an experienced snorkeler who wants maximum time in the water. Lunch and beach time form an important part of the itinerary, and the two planned stops may not provide enough swimming for a serious reef enthusiast.

There is no transportation to the meeting point, so you must arrange your own way to Blue Bay Public Beach. That is worth checking before you book, especially if you are staying away from the southeast coast.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Who will enjoy this Blue Bay trip most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a gentle introduction to snorkeling, a taste of local food, and a half-day rather than a full-day commitment. Families may appreciate the glass-bottom boat and the crew’s help, while couples can use the island stop for a slower lunch and beach break.

It also suits mixed groups. A strong swimmer can explore the reef, a cautious beginner can stay near the boat, and someone who does not want to snorkel can still watch through the glass bottom and enjoy the ride.

You may want another option if you dislike basic picnic arrangements, need fully accessible boat boarding, or would rather spend all four hours snorkeling. The sea also sets limits. Wind and currents can change the route, visibility, and amount of time at a particular site.

Should you book it?

Book this Blue Bay snorkeling trip if you want a well-rounded morning with reef time, local food, and drinks in one package. The crew’s willingness to help beginners, adjust the route, and sometimes add a third swim gives the outing useful flexibility.

Skip it if your only priority is long, uninterrupted time underwater. For everyone else, $70 is a reasonable price for two marine park stops, a glass-bottom boat, snorkeling gear, a Creole picnic on Ile des Deux Cocos, and a relaxed look at one of Mauritius’s most appealing coastal areas.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling trip start?

It starts at Blue Bay Public Beach in Mauritius, opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop. Follow the beach path to the small stand with a dark grey parasol.

How long does the activity last?

The excursion lasts four hours.

How many snorkeling spots are included?

Two different snorkeling spots are included. An extra snorkeling session may sometimes be added, but it is not listed as guaranteed.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

What can I eat at the picnic?

You can choose a traditional Creole meal with fish, chicken, or a vegetarian option.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. The Jungle Cocktail is the signature drink mentioned for the outing.

Is the boat a glass-bottom boat?

Yes. The half-day excursion uses a glass-bottom boat, allowing you to view the marine life and coral from the boat.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.

Do I need to arrange transportation?

Yes. Transportation to the meeting point is not included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and water shoes. High-SPF sunscreen is also a sensible choice because you spend time on the boat and beach.