Coin de Mire 2-Hour Private Snorkeling Trip

Coin de Mire gives you a quick, private look at Mauritius from the water, with a speedboat ride from Grand Baie and time to snorkel over a shallow reef north of the island. The main draw is the colorful fish and marine life, especially damselfish moving around the reef.

I like the private format, which lets your group of up to eight avoid being packed onto a large excursion boat. I also like the early morning option. One group reported reaching the site about an hour before other motorboats, making the water feel far more peaceful.

The main caution is equipment quality and consistency. A past booking found the snorkeling gear old and poorly sized, while another reported that the promised snacks and drinks were not provided. Confirm these points before you go, especially if you are bringing children.

Key points to know before you book

• Coin de Mire is a shallow reef: Expect fish such as damselfish and some living marine life, but do not book this as a guaranteed coral garden.
• The boat is private for up to eight people: The $412 group price works best when shared by a full party.
• The early start can pay off: The 9am session may reach the site before much of the motorboat traffic.
• You choose between 9am and noon: Morning is likely the better pick if quiet water matters to you.
• Snacks and soft drinks are listed as included: Champagne and other special drinks cost extra, and you should confirm the refreshments before departure.
• Bring your own basics: Pack sunscreen, towels, and an underwater camera.

Leaving Grand Baie for Coin de Mire

Your meeting point is Grand Baie public beach, with departures listed at 9am and noon. Since the activity lasts two hours, the morning session should return around 11am, while the afternoon trip should finish around 2pm, allowing some room in your day for lunch or another outing.

You board a private speedboat and head toward Coin de Mire, an island off the northern coast of Mauritius. The ride itself is part of the appeal. You are not simply being driven to a swimming platform, you are crossing open Indian Ocean water in a small boat with your own group.

The exact sailing time is not provided, so I would not build a tight connection with another tour afterward. Meet at the public beach with your swimwear already on, sunscreen applied, and your towel ready. A beach departure can be simple, but you should still allow time to locate the crew and get organized before boarding.

The crew speaks English and French. An audio guide is also listed in both languages, although the heart of this outing is the water rather than a long narrated sightseeing program. Expect practical instructions, equipment handout, and guidance about the snorkeling stop.

Why the 9am departure makes sense

Both time slots are useful, but I would choose 9am unless your schedule makes noon much easier. One French booking described an 8am departure and praised the calm conditions at Coin de Mire, noting that the boat arrived roughly an hour before other motorboats.

The advertised morning departure is 9am, so you should not assume the exact 8am arrangement from that particular outing. Still, the lesson is clear: earlier usually means fewer boats and a quieter swim. That matters at a compact snorkeling site, where engine noise and swimmers can quickly change the feel of the water.

The noon option may suit you if you prefer a slower start or want to combine the trip with a morning activity. It may also work better for families who do not want to rush to the beach early. The tradeoff is that you may encounter more activity around the reef, and the midday sun can feel stronger.

No sea conditions are guaranteed in the information provided. If water clarity and comfort are especially important to you, ask the operator about conditions before setting out. The trip is only two hours, so a weather-related change can have a noticeable effect on the whole experience.

Snorkeling over Coin de Mire’s shallow reef

Coin de Mire is described as one of Mauritius’s best snorkeling locations, with a shallow coral reef that supports fish such as damselfish. Shallow water is useful for beginners and families because you can often stay closer to the surface without needing advanced swimming skills.

You should set your expectations carefully. This is a fish-focused snorkeling stop, not a promise of untouched coral. One past assessment found plenty of fish but very little living coral, and described the reef as less special than expected. That does not make the site worthless, but it does mean the experience depends on what you want to see.

If you enjoy spotting small reef fish and watching marine life move through clear, relatively shallow water, you may have a good time. If your priority is a large, healthy coral garden with extensive formations, this outing may disappoint. Mauritius has beautiful marine areas, but no short boat trip can guarantee perfect coral conditions.

Damselfish are a realistic example of what you may see. These small reef fish are active and easy to notice, especially when they contrast with the seabed. The supplied information does not promise turtles, rays, dolphins, or other larger animals, so I would not book this tour expecting a particular species.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment, and you can swim and snorkel at the site during the boat outing. Take a moment to check your mask fit before entering the water. A poor seal can turn a pleasant session into a constant battle with leaks.

Equipment matters more than the brochure suggests

The snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing a mask, snorkel, and related gear. That is convenient, particularly if you are moving between hotels or prefer to travel light.

Still, equipment quality is the clearest practical weakness in the available feedback. One family found the gear old, in poor condition, and limited in size options. They also had trouble obtaining suitable flotation vests for children. The crew had one standard sailing vest and one orange flotation vest intended for a small child.

If you are traveling with children, ask in advance about child-sized life jackets and flotation equipment. Do not assume that a private boat automatically carries a full range of sizes. Children should be comfortable and properly equipped before entering the water.

You may also want to bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have reliable equipment. That is not required, but it removes one uncertainty. The same applies to an underwater camera. The tour specifically advises bringing one, and your own device is likely easier than trying to arrange a rental at short notice.

Sunscreen and a towel are essential. Apply sunscreen before boarding and reapply as appropriate, since time on a boat and in the water can expose you to more sun than expected. The instructions specifically call out sunscreen, towels, and an underwater camera, so treat those as part of your standard packing list.

What is included on the boat

The current details list snacks, soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment. Special drinks, including champagne, are not included. The drink selection is specifically described as soft drinks only, so do not expect beer, wine, or champagne as part of the standard package.

There is one important wrinkle. A December 2022 booking reported that the advertised snacks and drinks were not supplied. That complaint may reflect an older arrangement or an operational mistake, but it is worth taking seriously. Before leaving Grand Baie, confirm exactly what refreshments are loaded on the boat.

I would bring a small backup bottle of water and a light snack, particularly for children. You should not need to plan a full picnic for a two-hour trip, but a little personal backup is sensible when the included refreshments have not been consistent.

The private setting is more valuable than the snack package. You can share the boat with your own family or friends, decide how much time to spend in the water within the trip’s schedule, and avoid being assigned to a large group. The $412 price is charged per group of up to eight, not per person.

Is $412 good value for a private group?

At full capacity, $412 works out to $51.50 per person. For eight people, that is a reasonable way to buy a private boat, snorkeling equipment, and a two-hour outing. The value drops if only two or three people are sharing the cost, since the full group price remains the same.

A family or group of friends can make the price work well. You are paying for privacy and a direct trip to Coin de Mire rather than joining an open group excursion. If you have a full party, the cost may compare favorably with booking several individual places elsewhere, though no competing prices are provided here.

For a couple, the same price is harder to justify unless privacy is a top priority. A shared boat could offer a lower per-person cost, although it would not give you the same control over who is aboard. I would compare the total price of a group tour before booking if you are not filling most of the eight seats.

The experience also offers good time value. Two hours is short enough to fit into a busy Mauritius itinerary, but long enough for a boat ride and a proper swim. It is not a full-day cruise, so you are not giving up an entire afternoon for a single snorkeling stop.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it most for:

• Families or friends who can fill several of the eight places
• Beginners who prefer a shallow reef and a short session
• People who value a private speedboat over a larger shared excursion
• Early risers who want a quieter visit to Coin de Mire
• Snorkelers mainly interested in fish rather than guaranteed coral formations

I would be more cautious if you need top-quality rental equipment, have young children who require specific flotation sizes, or are looking for a major coral experience. The trip may still work, but you should confirm those details first.

This is also a sensible introduction to sea activities for someone who does not want to commit to a long cruise. Two hours gives you a taste of northern Mauritius’s marine life without the fatigue that can come with a full-day trip.

Practical planning for your two hours

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes and keep your belongings to a minimum. The information provided does not specify storage arrangements, so avoid bringing anything you would worry about getting wet or losing.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, and an underwater camera. I would also pack drinking water and a small personal snack, even though snacks and soft drinks are listed as included. If you need prescription goggles, a particular mask size, or child flotation gear, ask before the day of departure.

The private group format does not mean the tour is fully customized. The advertised duration remains two hours, and the main destination is Coin de Mire. You should expect a focused boat and snorkeling outing rather than a multi-stop coastal cruise.

English and French support are available. If someone in your group is not comfortable in either language, confirm how the safety briefing will be handled before booking. The operator is Le Transporteur, and the crew on one praised outing consisted of two people who were described as punctual, friendly, and clear with instructions.

Booking decision: a good private shortcut to the reef

Book this trip if you can fill much of the boat, prefer a private outing, and mainly want a short swim among northern Mauritius’s reef fish. Choose the 9am departure for the best chance of a calmer site, and confirm the departure time, refreshments, and child-sized flotation gear before you pay.

Skip it, or compare other options, if your ideal snorkeling day means extensive living coral and high-quality rental equipment. Coin de Mire can provide a pleasant fish-watching stop, but the marine setting may feel ordinary if you arrive expecting a flawless coral reef.

The strongest case for booking is the combination of privacy, a short schedule, and early access to the site. The weakest point is the uncertainty around equipment and promised refreshments. If those issues are settled in advance, this can be a practical half-day addition to a Mauritius holiday.

FAQ

Where does the Coin de Mire snorkeling trip depart from?

The trip departs from Grand Baie public beach in Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts two hours.

What departure times are available?

The listed departure times are 9am for the morning session and noon for the afternoon session.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The experience is for a private group of up to eight people.

What is the price?

The price is $412 per group of up to eight people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are snacks and drinks included?

The current details list snacks and soft drinks as included. Special drinks such as champagne are not included. Because one past booking reported missing refreshments, confirm this with the operator before departure.

What languages are available?

The live guide and audio guide are available in English and French.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, a towel, and an underwater camera. You may also wish to bring personal drinking water and a small snack.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, according to the booking terms.