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

Blue Bay Marine Park gives you two good reasons to get in the water: clear lagoon snorkeling over coral and fish, and the chance to see the reef from a glass-bottom boat between stops. The outing also includes a Creole picnic on Ile des Deux Cocos, so this is more than a quick boat ride.

I like the way the trip mixes active time with an easy beach break. I also like the crew’s personal touch. Guides such as Olivier and Jordan have helped nervous swimmers, explained local sights, and adjusted the plan when wind or currents changed. The main drawback is simple: four hours may not feel long enough if you want extended snorkeling, especially when lunch takes up a generous part of the outing.

Key points at a glance

• Two Blue Bay snorkeling sites: Expect coral, many types of fish, and the chance of seeing a turtle.
• Glass-bottom boat views: You can watch the reef even when you are not in the water.
• Creole picnic on Ile des Deux Cocos: Choose fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal, with drinks included.
• A flexible crew: Extra snorkeling time or a different stop may be possible when conditions allow.
• A useful half-day length: Four hours leaves room for other Mauritius plans.
• Bring water shoes and strong sun protection: The meeting point is on foot from the public beach parking area, and shade may be limited.

A four-hour look at Blue Bay Marine Park

This excursion starts at Blue Bay Public Beach, opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop. Look for the path to the beach and a small stand with a dark gray parasol. The umbrella may not always be open, and one past description called it light green, so ask nearby staff if you cannot spot it at once.

There is no hotel transport included. You need to make your own way to Blue Bay, which matters if you are staying elsewhere on Mauritius. In exchange, the tour keeps its price at $70 per person, a fair figure for a four-hour boat trip that includes snorkeling equipment, two water stops, lunch, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Once aboard, the glass-bottom boat carries you along the seaside from Point d’Esny toward the area of Ile aux Aigrettes. The glass panel gives you something to watch as the boat moves across the lagoon. It is not a replacement for snorkeling, but it helps you see reef life if you prefer to stay dry for part of the trip.

The boat ride also sets the tone for the outing. You are not simply dropped at a snorkel site and left to work things out. The crew provides commentary in English or French, and guides have shared information about the island, the reef, and local culture along the way.

First snorkel stop near Ile aux Aigrettes

The first water stop takes place in the lagoon in the direction of Ile aux Aigrettes. This part of Blue Bay Marine Park is prized for its coral formations and fish, with some areas shallow enough to bring you close to the marine life.

If you are new to snorkeling, this is a useful place to start. The crew can help you with the mask and snorkel, and one guide, Olivier, has been singled out for giving extra assistance in the water. The boat trip also lets you settle in before the second stop, rather than placing you immediately in unfamiliar conditions.

Conditions are not fixed. Wind and currents can affect the planned route, and one outing could not reach a shipwreck because of strong wind. The crew instead used another location around Ile aux Aigrettes and still provided good snorkeling and a drink stop. That flexibility is important in a marine park, where safety has to come before a specific photo opportunity.

The shipwreck is sometimes part of the appeal, but you should not book this excursion on the assumption that you will see it. The supplied plan promises two snorkeling spots, not a guaranteed wreck visit. The reef, fish, and water time are the reliable parts of the experience.

Creole food and island time on Ile des Deux Cocos

After the first snorkeling session, the boat heads to Ile des Deux Cocos for lunch. The island stop breaks up the water activities and gives you time to dry off, eat, and sit on the beach.

The picnic includes a choice of fish, chicken, or a vegetarian meal. Local-style food is one of the strongest parts of the outing. The dishes have included traditional Creole flavors, curry, vegetables, and fresh pineapple. The vegetarian choice is not treated as an afterthought, and it has received the same praise as the meat and fish options.

Drinks are included, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. You can expect choices such as wine, soft drinks, juice, and rum-based drinks. The Jungle Cocktail, also called jungle juice in some descriptions, is the drink most often singled out, so it is worth trying if you want a taste of the local party spirit.

Here is the tradeoff: lunch is not a quick sandwich stop. It can take a sizeable portion of the four-hour schedule. I like the pause because snorkeling can be tiring, and the food adds a real Mauritian element that a standard boat trip lacks. Still, if your first priority is maximizing time in the water, you may find the meal break too long.

Descriptions of the lunch setting vary. The stated plan places it on a public beach area on Ile des Deux Cocos, while one recent account described eating in a wooded area without tables, chairs, or a tent. Do not expect a formal restaurant or polished resort dining room. This is a casual picnic, and the setting may feel basic. For some people, that is part of the charm. For others, a proper table would make the stop more comfortable.

The second snorkel stop and the ride back

After lunch, you have time to relax on the beach before the crew collects you for the return portion of the outing. The boat then heads back toward the marine park for another chance to snorkel among the coral and fish.

The second stop may feel different from the first. Past trips have included one site focused on fish and another where you drifted over coral. In some conditions, the current has made the drift more exciting, while in others the crew has repeated a section so people could enjoy it safely and see more.

Extra water time is possible, but it is not guaranteed. One outing included three snorkeling sessions instead of two, while another repeated the second site because the current was moving quickly. These changes depend on weather, sea conditions, and the group’s pace. The advertised two stops are the sound basis for your expectations.

This final snorkel can also be the best part for confident swimmers because you already know the equipment and the rhythm of the trip. Several outings have produced clear views of fish and coral, and turtles have appeared. A turtle sighting is never promised, but Blue Bay offers the right kind of habitat for a lucky encounter.

Getting back onto the boat may be the least graceful part. One person found the ladder and stern platform difficult to use. If you have limited strength, poor balance, or trouble climbing from the water, ask the crew for help before entering. The guides have a reputation for assisting people, but the boat’s boarding setup may not suit everyone equally.

What makes the snorkeling worthwhile

Blue Bay Marine Park is the main reason to choose this activity. You get both the wide view from the glass-bottom boat and the close view from the water. That combination works well for couples or families where not everyone wants to snorkel for the full outing.

The marine life can be varied. Expect coral formations and many fish, with the possibility of a turtle. The shallow site is useful for children and first-time snorkelers because you can get closer to the bottom without needing to swim deep.

This is not a technical snorkeling trip. The focus is relaxed access rather than long-distance swimming or specialist reef instruction. You wear the supplied mask and snorkel, move with the group, and follow the crew’s advice about the current.

Bring your own high-SPF sunscreen. You should also pack swimwear and water shoes, both specifically recommended for this activity. Water shoes are especially useful around rocky or uneven entry points and make the beach stop more comfortable.

The boat offers some shelter, but do not count on constant shade. A hat, cover-up, and drinking water are sensible additions, even though drinks are supplied during the excursion. The reef is best enjoyed when you are comfortable, not squinting into the sun and thinking about your shoulders.

Crew service and the feel of the trip

The crew is one of the best reasons to choose this particular outing. Olivier has been praised for helping people in the water and explaining the area. Jordan has handled difficult wind conditions and changed the route when needed. Vanessa has welcomed people at the start and helped create a friendly mood.

The guides combine practical help with light narration. You might hear about local culture, the island, coral, fish, or the story of a shipwreck. This makes the boat time useful rather than simply a transfer between stops.

The atmosphere is calm and social. The boat ride is described as safe and steady, and the crew does not treat the outing like a race. Birthday celebrations have even appeared at the end of some trips, though you should not book expecting a special event.

The group size is not stated, so I would not assume a small private outing. One past trip had only four people, but that may not be typical. If you prefer a quiet, personal trip, ask about the group size before booking.

Is $70 good value?

At $70 per person, this is a solid package if you plan to use the included food and drinks. You are paying for a four-hour glass-bottom boat excursion, snorkeling gear, two sites, a Creole picnic, and drinks. Booking separate boat transport, equipment rental, and lunch could easily remove the price advantage.

The value is strongest if you want variety. A basic snorkel trip may give you more water time, but this one adds a beach stop and a proper Mauritian meal. The glass-bottom boat is also useful for anyone in your group who prefers to observe the reef from above.

The value is weaker if you want four straight hours of snorkeling. Lunch and boat transfers take up part of the schedule, and the island stop may feel unnecessary if your main goal is coral photography or repeated water sessions.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start gives you useful flexibility. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps when your Mauritius plans are still shifting. Check the available start times because the exact departure time is not fixed in the basic activity details.

Who should book this Blue Bay outing?

I would choose this for first-time snorkelers, families with older children, couples, and anyone who wants an easy introduction to Blue Bay Marine Park. The guides can help with equipment, the boat provides a dry viewing option, and the lunch gives the trip a clear pause.

It also suits people who want a taste of Mauritius rather than only a water sport. The Creole food, rum drinks, local stories, and island setting add cultural flavor without turning the outing into a formal heritage tour.

Strong swimmers who want maximum reef time should compare it with a longer snorkeling trip. The two planned stops are worthwhile, but lunch and transport reduce the total time in the water. People with mobility concerns should also ask about the boat ladder and stern platform before committing.

Should you book it?

Book this Blue Bay snorkeling trip if you want a well-rounded half-day with reef time, a glass-bottom boat, Creole food, and drinks included. The crew’s helpful approach and willingness to adjust the route are real advantages, especially for beginners or families.

Skip it if you would rather spend every minute snorkeling or if a casual picnic without proper tables sounds uncomfortable. For most people, though, $70 buys a pleasant mix of sea, food, and local character, with enough structure to make the day easy and enough flexibility to keep it from feeling mechanical.

FAQ

Where does the Blue Bay snorkeling trip start?

It starts at Blue Bay Public Beach. The meeting point is opposite the main parking area and Blue Bay Tuck Shop, along the path to the beach, near a small stand with a dark gray parasol.

Is transportation to the meeting point included?

No. You need to arrange your own transportation to Blue Bay Public Beach.

How long does the activity last?

The excursion lasts four hours.

How many snorkeling spots are included?

Two different snorkeling spots in Blue Bay Marine Park are included. Extra snorkeling time may be possible, but it is not guaranteed.

What food choices are available at lunch?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Options mentioned include wine, soft drinks, juice, and the Jungle Cocktail.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and water shoes. High-SPF sunscreen is also a practical choice because sun protection is important during the boat and beach portions.

What languages do the guides speak?

The live guides speak English and French.