Private Full Day SpeedBoat Tour – Blue Bay to Ile Aux Cerfs

The best part of this private speedboat day is its range. In one outing, you see coral reef, the 1902 d’Alblair shipwreck, an old lighthouse, the Grand River waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, and Ile aux Aigrettes. It is a busy day on the water, but the route gives you a broad taste of Mauritius’ southeast coast.

I like the private boat format, which gives your group up to four people a more personal day than a large cruise. I also like the easy mix of swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, a beach BBQ, and drinks. The drawback is the price: at $610 per group, it makes the most sense when four people share the cost, and hotel transfers are not included.

Key points to know before you book

• A full southeast-coast route: The boat links Blue Bay, the Grand River, Ile aux Cerfs, and Ile aux Aigrettes in one long day.
• The 1902 d’Alblair wreck: You’ll see the historic shipwreck on the coral barrier, a memorable stop for anyone interested in Mauritius’ maritime past.
• A proper lunch stop: The BBQ on Ile aux Cerfs includes grilled chicken and fish, served on one of the island’s beaches.
• Private group pricing: The $610 rate covers up to four people, so the cost per person drops sharply with a full group.
• Swimming is built into the day: You get time at Blue Bay’s waters, Ile aux Cerfs, and a natural pool near Ile aux Aigrettes.
• Simple meeting arrangements: Look for the guide holding a La Fiesta board at the beach entrance. You must arrange your own way to Blue Bay.

Why this boat trip covers so much of Mauritius

Many boat outings around Mauritius focus on one bay or one island. This one tries to show you the full southeast corner in a single day. You begin at Blue Bay, move along the coast, turn inland on the Grand River, stop for lunch at Ile aux Cerfs, and finish near Ile aux Aigrettes.

That variety is the main reason to choose it. You are not spending the whole day parked at one beach. Instead, the scenery keeps changing, from open lagoon water and coral formations to riverbanks, a waterfall, sandy beaches, and a shallow natural pool.

The tradeoff is pace. A route this full leaves less room for lingering at any one stop. If you want a quiet day with only a few hours on the water, this trip may feel overpacked. If you want to see several major sights without arranging separate outings, the long route works well.

The tour starts at 9:30 AM and normally returns to Blue Bay between 4:00 and 4:30 PM. That gives you roughly six and a half to seven hours, including time for swimming, lunch, river cruising, and transfers between stops.

Starting at Blue Bay with a swim and snorkel

Your day begins at the beach entrance in Blue Bay. Find the guide carrying a La Fiesta board, then get settled on the speedboat. Since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, you need to reach this meeting point on your own.

The first water stop is set aside for swimming and snorkeling. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing or renting a mask and fins separately. You can expect clear water, coral, and marine life, although the exact visibility and conditions can vary on the day.

I would bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat. The supplied equipment covers snorkeling, but not the basic comfort items you need for a long day in sun and spray. A phone pouch or other waterproof protection is also sensible, though it is not listed as part of the tour equipment.

This opening stop helps you settle into the day before the sightseeing begins. It also gives you a chance to swim while you still have plenty of time, rather than leaving all water time until the end.

Seeing the d’Alblair wreck and old lighthouse island

The speedboat then heads toward two of the trip’s most distinctive sights. The d’Alblair shipwreck dates from 1902 and lies on the coral barrier. Even if you are not a serious history fan, a wreck in open reef water gives this part of the ride a sense of place that a generic coastal cruise cannot match.

The boat also stops at an old lighthouse island. The information provided does not give the lighthouse a longer name or describe a landing, so you should think of this as a sightseeing stop from the boat unless the guide tells you otherwise.

These two sights are valuable because they break up the swim-and-beach pattern. You get a look at Mauritius as a working and maritime island, not only as a resort destination. Keep your camera ready, but remember that the boat may be moving and conditions on the water can make photography tricky.

Cruising the east coast and Grand River

The coastal section takes you along Mauritius’ east side before the boat turns upstream on the Grand River, described as the island’s longest river. This change from open lagoon to river gives the day a welcome shift in mood.

On the coast, you can watch the shore pass from the water and get views that are difficult to find from the road. Upstream, the speedboat brings you toward a waterfall, which becomes the scenic endpoint of the river section.

The Grand River stop is one of the strongest parts of the route because it adds more than another beach view. You see how waterways shape the island and get a slower, more enclosed ride for part of the day. The information does not specify how long the boat remains at the waterfall or whether swimming is offered there, so treat it mainly as a scenic stop.

The boat itself matters here. A speedboat can cover the distance between the coast, river, and islands in a practical way, allowing you to fit several areas into one outing. The downside is that speed can mean wind, spray, and a less relaxed ride. If you are sensitive to motion, bring only what you need and keep personal items secure.

Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs

The central lunch stop is Ile aux Cerfs Island, one of Mauritius’ best-known beach settings. Here you get time on the sand, a BBQ, and another chance to swim.

Lunch includes grilled chicken and fish. Soft drinks, local beer, and rum are also provided on board, so you have a mix of nonalcoholic and alcoholic options throughout the day. The listing does not specify side dishes, serving style, or choices for special diets, so ask La Fiesta ahead of time if you have food restrictions.

The BBQ makes the price easier to understand. You are not paying only for boat transport and a few photo stops. The day includes a prepared meal, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and access to a private group arrangement. Still, $610 is a substantial total. Shared among four people, it works out to $152.50 each. For two people, it becomes $305 each, and for one or two guests, the value is much harder to justify.

I like the balance here: you get a planned lunch, but also free time. You can eat, swim, and rest rather than rushing straight back onto the boat. Do not expect the beach stop to feel secluded simply because the tour is private. The boat is private for your group, but the island itself is not described as private.

Relaxing at Ile aux Aigrettes

The final destination is Ile aux Aigrettes, where you can enjoy a drink in a natural swimming pool surrounded by starfish. This gives the last section of the day a gentler feel after the longer coastal and river route.

The starfish detail is a useful reminder to treat the pool as a place to observe, not handle. The tour description does not state any rules for touching marine life, so the safest approach is to keep your hands off the starfish and enjoy the view in the water.

This stop also gives you a final swim before returning to Blue Bay. Since the day begins with snorkeling and ends with a natural pool, you get water time at both ends of the schedule, with Ile aux Cerfs providing the longest land-based break in between.

You may find the afternoon timing ideal, especially if you want a full day without returning after dark. The expected arrival back at Blue Bay is between 4:00 and 4:30 PM, though boat conditions and the day’s pace can affect the exact time.

What the private format is really worth

The tour costs $610 for a group of up to four. That is not a low-cost excursion, but private pricing can make sense when you fill the boat.

For four people, the price is $152.50 per person. At that rate, you receive a full-day boat trip, snorkeling gear, a BBQ lunch, soft drinks, local beer, rum, several major sights, and swim stops. For three people, the share is about $203.33 each. For two, it is $305 each.

That calculation should guide your decision. I would consider this a stronger value for a family or group of friends than for a couple. The private setup also means you are not simply buying a seat on a fixed group cruise. You are paying for a more personal outing with a route that covers a lot of ground.

The experience still has limits. Hotel transport is extra because it is not included. You also need to organize your arrival at Blue Bay and find the La Fiesta sign at the beach entrance. The tour is offered in English and French, which helps if you want to ask questions during the day.

The booking terms add some flexibility. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those policies are useful if your Mauritius plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to arrange transport to the start.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this boat trip if you want a single, active day that combines sightseeing and beach time. It suits people who would rather see several parts of the southeast than spend the whole day at one resort beach.

It is also a good match for groups of four. Friends or families can split the private rate and share the boat, lunch, drinks, and swim stops. The included snorkeling gear makes the planning simple.

You may want a different kind of outing if you prefer a slow, quiet cruise, a detailed guided history tour, or a flexible schedule with long stops. The supplied details do not list an individual guide by name, and the route contains many scheduled elements. You should expect a full itinerary, not an unplanned day on the water.

The swimming and snorkeling also make basic preparation important. Bring a towel, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses, and wear clothing you are comfortable getting wet. Since beer and rum are included, pace yourself carefully, especially in the sun and while swimming.

Is the Blue Bay to Ile aux Cerfs tour worth booking?

Book it if you have three or four people, want a private boat, and value variety over a slow pace. The strongest features are the unusual combination of the d’Alblair shipwreck, lighthouse island, Grand River waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs BBQ, and Ile aux Aigrettes pool.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple and the $610 total feels high. Hotel transfers are not included, and the long route may feel busy if your idea of a perfect island day is simply swimming and resting.

For the right group, this is a practical way to cover a large slice of Mauritius’ southeast water route in one day. The excellent 5 out of 5 rating from the three available reviews supports the trip’s appeal, with the clearest praise focused on the Grand River and Ile aux Cerfs. I would make those two stops the deciding factor: if they interest you, this is a strong private-day option.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:30 AM from Blue Bay.

What time does the boat return?

The expected return to Blue Bay is between 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet the guide at the beach entrance in Blue Bay. Look for a guide holding a La Fiesta board.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transport to and from the meeting point.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $610 for a private group of up to four people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ on Ile aux Cerfs includes grilled chicken and fish.

What drinks are included?

Soft drinks, local beer, and rum are included on board.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, and sunscreen.