Mauritius South Tour Including Blue Bay Glass Bottom Boat & Snorkelling

Blue Bay Marine Park is the star here. You ride out by glass bottom boat, then snorkel above coral and tropical fish in water that shifts through several shades of blue. I like that snorkelling gear and the boat ride are included, and that a private vehicle lets your group set the pace. The day also gives you two very different sides of southern Mauritius: calm reef water and the hard surf of Gris Gris.

I also like the choice built into the outing. You can spend more time at Blue Bay or skip an attraction that does not suit you. The catch is that the day tries to cover a lot, and La Vanille and St Aubin charge separate entrance fees. Depending on your pace, you may not reach every stop, so this is best viewed as a flexible southern-island tour rather than a perfectly timed checklist.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Bay is the strongest part of the day: Clear water, coral, colourful fish, a glass bottom boat, and included snorkelling equipment make this the main reason to book.
• The road portion is private for your group: An air-conditioned, insured vehicle and hotel transfers give you control over the order and length of stops.
• The glass bottom boat is not fully private: The vehicle and transfer are private, but the boat portion may be shared.
• Gris Gris shows a wilder Mauritius: Big waves crash beyond the reef, with La Roche qui Pleure close by.
• La Vanille is animal-focused: Expect crocodiles, giant tortoises, tropical plants, and a large insectarium.
• Budget for extras: Lunch, La Vanille admission, and St Aubin admission are not part of the $100.86 price.

Blue Bay Marine Park is the real prize

The day begins at Blue Bay Beach, where the colour of the water explains the name. From shore, you board a glass bottom boat and head toward Blue Bay Marine Park, one of the best-known places for snorkelling in Mauritius.

The boat ride gives you two ways to see the reef. You can look through the glass panels for coral and fish below, then put on the supplied mask and snorkel for a closer view. The water can remain clear even on a cloudy day, so the experience does not depend entirely on bright sunshine.

The fish list includes trumpet fish, along with other tropical species and coral formations. You should expect the main pleasure to come from watching a living reef in shallow, clear water rather than from a long open-sea cruise. The supplied equipment keeps you from having to rent basic gear separately, which adds useful value to the tour price.

Allow roughly two hours here. That is enough time for the boat trip and snorkelling without making the stop feel rushed. If Blue Bay is your priority, tell the driver early. The schedule is flexible, but four major stops in eight hours require choices.

One point deserves clear attention: the boat segment is the shared part of an otherwise private day. If you are booking because you want a private boat for your group, confirm the arrangement before paying. The vehicle transfer itself is private to your party.

Gris Gris Beach brings the rough edge of the south

After the reef water at Blue Bay, Gris Gris Beach changes the mood completely. Much of Mauritius is protected by coral reefs, creating calm lagoons. At Gris Gris, the reef breaks, so the coast takes the full force of the Indian Ocean.

You get about 30 minutes to look across the cliffs and watch the powerful surf. This is a scenic stop, not a swimming stop. The waves are the attraction, and the water here is far less sheltered than at Blue Bay.

A short distance away is La Roche qui Pleure, or the Weeping Rock. When waves strike the formation, the water gives it the look of a face crying. It is a small but memorable natural detail, and it helps make Gris Gris more than a quick viewpoint.

I like the contrast between these two coastal stops. Blue Bay shows the gentle, protected side of Mauritius, while Gris Gris shows what the open ocean can do. Still, half an hour is brief. If you enjoy coastal scenery and want time for photographs, ask whether the schedule can give Gris Gris a little more room.

La Vanille turns the afternoon toward animals

La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes covers 3.5 hectares of greenery, with palm trees, banana trees, and giant bamboo. The setting gives you a shaded walk after the coastal stops, though the attraction adds another admission charge to the day.

The headline animals are Nile crocodiles and giant tortoises. The park lists about 2,000 crocodiles and 1,000 giant tortoises, so this is a substantial animal collection rather than a small roadside display. You also visit an insectarium with 23,000 species in a private collection.

That mix makes La Vanille a good fit for families and anyone who enjoys wildlife exhibits. You can see large, slow-moving tortoises, crocodiles, tropical plants, and insects in one visit. It is also a useful change of pace from the water and sea views.

The attraction will not suit every reader equally. If your main goal is wild nature, La Vanille may feel more like a managed park than an outdoor encounter. One four-star assessment found it underwhelming compared with the excellent snorkelling at Blue Bay. I would put it this way: choose La Vanille for its animal collection, not because you expect an untouched setting.

Admission is not included, and the driver does not collect the fee for you. That arrangement gives you the option to skip the park and spend more time elsewhere. If you are unsure, ask your group what matters most before the day begins.

St Aubin adds rum, vanilla, and old plantation character

Rhumerie de Saint Aubin gives the tour a food and drink angle. The distillery uses traditional and artisanal methods to produce its rum, and the visit explains how the spirit is made before you sample several varieties.

The stop is not only about tasting. You can also see the colonial house, vanilla plantations, and anthurium flowers. These details give the visit a broader sense of place, connecting the drink to the crops and buildings around it.

Plan on roughly two hours if you include the factory, tasting, house, and plantations. The entrance fee is extra, so check the cost before deciding. If you are interested in rum production or want a slower cultural stop after La Vanille, the fee may feel worthwhile. If you do not drink or prefer scenery and wildlife, this is an easy place to skip.

Timing matters here. St Aubin Rhumerie is closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and public holidays. A flexible itinerary only helps if the attraction is open, so check your travel date and ask the provider how the stop fits into the route.

Lunch is not included. The supplied information does not specify a fixed restaurant, and one negative account raised concerns about being directed to a costly lunch with poor value. I would ask the driver about lunch options and prices before stopping. You should not assume the meal is included simply because the day includes several paid attractions.

A private car makes the long day easier

The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. and lasts about eight hours. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned, insured taxi, minibus, or coach, depending on the size of your group. The maximum group size is 15 people.

That transport setup is important in Mauritius. The southern route includes several attractions with different characters, and a private vehicle means you do not have to follow a rigid group schedule on the road. You can ask to spend longer at Blue Bay, shorten a stop, or leave out an attraction that does not interest you.

The driver is fully licensed and qualified, and parking and waiting time are covered. Still, do not assume that the driver is a specialist guide at every stop. One account praised the freedom to choose destinations but felt the explanations were limited. If you want detailed commentary on history, plants, or wildlife, ask how much guiding is included when you book.

The private format works best when your group agrees on priorities. A couple focused on snorkelling may want to trim La Vanille. A family with children may prefer more time with the tortoises and crocodiles. A group interested in Mauritian rum may give St Aubin a larger share of the day.

What the $100.86 price really covers

At $100.86 per person, the cost is reasonable if you use the private transfer and make good use of the boat and snorkelling equipment. A private vehicle for the day can be valuable, especially for a group that wants control over the route rather than a fixed coach schedule.

The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and return for your group
• Air-conditioned insured transport
• A licensed, qualified driver
• Parking and waiting time
• Glass bottom boat ride
• Snorkelling equipment

It does not include:

• Lunch or snacks
• La Vanille Nature Park admission
• St Aubin Rhumerie admission

The value drops if you pay for the tour but skip the boat, since Blue Bay is the clearest highlight. It can also drop if you add both attraction fees and an expensive lunch without checking prices first.

For the best return, decide before departure which two stops matter most. I would make Blue Bay one of them. Your second choice could be Gris Gris for scenery, La Vanille for animals, or St Aubin for rum and plantation culture.

Who will enjoy this southern Mauritius day

This tour suits you if you want several experiences in one outing and do not want to arrange separate taxis. It is especially good for:

• Couples who want a private road tour with a memorable snorkelling stop
• Families interested in crocodiles and giant tortoises
• First-time visitors who want to sample the south
• Small groups that prefer control over the pace
• People who want both reef water and rough ocean scenery

It is less suitable if you want a full day at the beach, a specialist wildlife tour, or a fully private boat. It may also frustrate you if you dislike paying separate entry fees or prefer a tightly scheduled day where every stop is guaranteed.

Most people can take part, but the experience depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For a full refund in other circumstances, cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Smart ways to plan the day

Start by treating Blue Bay as the fixed priority. The water and marine life are the part of the day most difficult to replace, while Gris Gris, La Vanille, and St Aubin can be shortened or skipped.

Ask three questions before setting off:

• Is the glass bottom boat shared with other people?
• What are the current entrance fees at La Vanille and St Aubin?
• Where will lunch be, and what choices are available?

Bring a swimsuit and use the supplied snorkelling equipment, but remember that the tour does not include lunch or snacks. Keep your schedule open. You can choose how long to spend at each attraction, yet the eight-hour limit means a slow morning at Blue Bay may leave less time elsewhere.

If your group has different interests, agree on the plan in advance. That prevents a rum enthusiast, wildlife fan, and keen snorkeller from competing for the same two hours.

Should you book the Blue Bay and South Mauritius tour?

Book it if Blue Bay snorkelling is your main goal and you want a private vehicle to connect it with southern sights. The clear water, coral, tropical fish, and included equipment give the day its strongest value. Gris Gris adds a striking coastal contrast, while La Vanille and St Aubin let you tailor the rest to your interests.

Skip it if you want a fully private boat, a specialist guide with detailed commentary, or a day built around only one attraction. Also check the extra admission costs and lunch plan first. With those limits understood, this is a useful, flexible introduction to southern Mauritius, with Blue Bay earning most of the attention.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Private transfer to and from your hotel is included for your group.

Is the glass bottom boat ride included?

Yes. The glass bottom boat ride is included in the tour price.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment is provided for use at Blue Bay Marine Park.

Is the entire tour private?

The road tour and vehicle transfer are private for your group, but the glass bottom boat portion may be shared.

Are attraction entrance fees included?

No. Entrance fees for La Vanille Nature Park and St Aubin Rhumerie are not included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and snacks are not included.

Can I choose how long to spend at each stop?

Yes. You can choose the amount of time spent at each attraction, although you may not reach every stop during the eight-hour day.

Is St Aubin Rhumerie open every day?

No. St Aubin Rhumerie is closed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and public holidays.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.

How far in advance can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.