Blue Bay Marine Park
Parc Marin de Blue Bay
A marine protected area on the southeast coast, where more than 50 kinds of coral and tropical fish are just tens of meters offshore. It is the top choice for glass-bottom boat trips and snorkeling, and its proximity to the airport makes it ideal for arrival or departure days.
Blue Bay Marine Park is located near Mahébourg on the southeast tip of Mauritius, only 15 minutes' drive from the airport. It was designated a marine protected area in 1997 and listed as a Ramsar wetland in 2008. Within its 353-hectare lagoon are more than 50 species of coral (some brain corals have been growing for over a thousand years and are more than 5 meters in diameter), 72 species of fish, and sea turtles. The public beach is free to enter, with fine sand, shallow water, and a gentle slope, making it a favorite weekend beach for local families. You can snorkel straight from the shore, but the best coral is in the core of the protected area, 100 to 300 meters offshore. You can take a glass-bottom boat (about 30 to 45 minutes, MUR 400-600 per person, where the boatman will stop so you can snorkel) or join a snorkeling tour (equipment included, about MUR 1,000-1,500). Fishing, touching the coral, and stepping on the reef are prohibited inside the protected area, and boats are speed-limited. You can also combine a visit with the lagoon at nearby Pointe d'Esny and Ile aux Aigrettes, a native-habitat bird island managed by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (guided tours about MUR 800, where you can see pink pigeons and giant tortoises). Mahébourg is a historic town. Its market is held on Mondays, and the Naval Museum covers the colonial history of the Dutch, French, and English. Blue Bay has no large resorts, with guesthouses and small hotels as the main accommodation. It is ideal for the night of arrival or the night before you leave the island. Watch for occasional strong currents in the lagoon, and do not swim far from the boat while snorkeling. Choose reef-friendly sunscreen.
Opening hours
Open all day (glass-bottom boat approx. 09:00–16:00)
Nearby sights
- Île aux Aigrettes
- La Vanille Nature Park
- Gris Gris
- Île aux Cerfs
- Rochester Falls
- Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao)
- Trou aux Cerfs
- Black River Gorges National Park