Mauritius Boat Tours
Aerial view of Le Morne Brabant mountain above a turquoise lagoon in Mauritius.
Aerial view of Le Morne Brabant mountain above a turquoise lagoon in Mauritius.

Indian Ocean · Republic of Mauritius

Mauritius Boat Tours to the Lagoons and Islets

Compare the options, see what is included and book the right Boat Tours in Mauritius for your trip.

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Trips leave from Grand Baie in the north, Trou d'Eau Douce and Pointe Jérôme in the east, Blue Bay in the southeast and Black River in the west: catamarans, speedboats, glass-bottom boats, sunset cruises and fishing charters.

Good to know

  • Main hub: Grand Baie, north coast
  • Full-day catamarans: 6–8 h
  • Dolphin trips: licensed operators only
  • Hotel pickup on many tours

Boat trip types in Mauritius

Catamaran cruises

€€€€

Families and groups

  • 6–8 h
  • Shared or private, 18–37
  • Grand Baie, Trou d'Eau Douce, Pointe Jérôme

Stable, spacious boats with restrooms and a BBQ on board. Full-day trips to the northern islets or Île aux Cerfs usually include BBQ lunch, drinks and snorkelling stops; activities on Île aux Cerfs cost extra.

Good for kidsCalm-water pick

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Speedboat tours

€€€€

Small groups wanting speed

  • 4.5–7 h
  • Shared or private, up to 9–12
  • Grand Baie, Trou d'Eau Douce, Mahébourg

Fast transfers that cover more distance in less time, with island hops such as Flat Island, Gabriel Island and Coin de Mire in the north, or the southeast '5 islands' route.

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Glass-bottom boats

€€€€

Families with young children

  • 30 min–1 h
  • Blue Bay public beach, Trou aux Biches

Small boats with transparent floors, so you see the reef and fish below your feet without getting wet. At Blue Bay the trip runs over the Marine Park coral reef; snorkelling combinations last up to half a day.

Good for kidsCalm-water pick

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Sunset and dinner cruises

€€€€

Couples and groups of friends

  • 2 h; dinner cruises about 4 h
  • Grand Baie

Mostly catamarans along the north coast past Cap Malheureux and Fort Malarctic towards Gunner's Quoin. Drinks and snacks on short cruises, dinner on longer ones; party cruises with a DJ also run.

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Dolphin and whale watching

€€€€

Wildlife lovers

  • 2 h; full day with lunch
  • Shared, e.g. 10–15
  • Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Black River

Speedboats or catamarans off the west coast, often combined with snorkelling, lunch, Crystal Rock and Île aux Bénitiers. Snorkel gear is provided; some operators only observe dolphins and do not offer swimming.

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Big game fishing charters

€€€€

Anglers and adventure seekers

  • 5–9 h
  • Private, about 6–8 anglers
  • Black River, Le Morne

Open-sea fishing a few miles offshore for blue and black marlin, yellowfin and dogtooth tuna, wahoo and dorado. Boats are chartered as a whole; lunch is not always included.

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Side by side

Compare at a glance

DurationGroupDeparts fromPrice levelGood for kidsCalm-water pick
Catamaran cruises6–8 hShared or private, 18–37Grand Baie, Trou d'Eau Douce, Pointe Jérôme€€€€✓✓
Speedboat tours4.5–7 hShared or private, up to 9–12Grand Baie, Trou d'Eau Douce, Mahébourg€€€€––
Glass-bottom boats30 min–1 h—Blue Bay public beach, Trou aux Biches€€€€✓✓
Sunset and dinner cruises2 h; dinner cruises about 4 h—Grand Baie€€€€––
Dolphin and whale watching2 h; full day with lunchShared, e.g. 10–15Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Black River€€€€––
Big game fishing charters5–9 hPrivate, about 6–8 anglersBlack River, Le Morne€€€€––

Before you book

Which trip to pick

Young children

Take a glass-bottom boat at Blue Bay or a lagoon catamaran on the east coast. Both are calm, short or easy-paced, and nobody has to swim to see the reef.

Prone to seasickness

Pick a catamaran in the sheltered east or west lagoon, a glass-bottom boat in Blue Bay, or the submarine at Trou aux Biches. Book a morning departure and avoid the northern crossing to Flat Island in the windy May–October season.

Only an hour or two

A glass-bottom boat takes 30 minutes to an hour, a sunset cruise from Grand Baie about 2 hours, and a basic west-coast dolphin tour around 2 hours.

Several islands in one day

Choose a speedboat: it covers the northern islets or the southeast islands faster than a catamaran, with smaller groups and more stops.

Couples

Book a sunset or dinner cruise from Grand Baie, or a private speedboat or catamaran charter if you want the boat to yourselves.

  1. 1Mauritius Catamaran Cruise Prices ComparedA Mauritius catamaran cruise price comparison covering operator tiers, inclusions, boat condition and value ratings to help you pick the right tour.
  2. 2Mauritius Boat Tour Worth It? Honest Cost & Value BreakdownIs a Mauritius boat tour worth booking? Compare costs, crowds, snorkelling time, food quality and seasickness risk to decide with confidence.
  3. 3Île aux Cerfs vs Île aux Bénitiers: Which Island Trip WinsCompare Île aux Cerfs and Île aux Bénitiers: beach quality, crowds, snorkelling, food, and boat tour costs. Choose the perfect Mauritius island trip.
  4. 4Private vs Group Boat Tours in Mauritius: Which to BookMauritius private vs group boat tour compared: cost per person, flexibility, crowds and snorkeling quality — find the right fit before you book.
  5. 5Mauritius Catamaran Cruise Lunch Included: Compare OptionsCompare catamaran cruises with lunch in Mauritius. See menus, alcohol policies, dietary options & pricing across operators to find your ideal all-inclusive tour.
  6. 6Mauritius Catamaran vs Glass-Bottom Boat: Which to ChooseMauritius catamaran vs glass bottom boat: compare comfort, marine life viewing, cost, and suitability for non-swimmers before you book.

Where boats leave from

  • Grand BaieCatamarans, speedboats, sunset cruises

    Main hub on the north coast for catamarans and speedboats to Flat Island, Gabriel Island and Coin de Mire, plus sunset cruises; some boats meet at Sunset Boulevard. Many tours include hotel pickup.

  • Trou d'Eau Douce and Pointe JérômeÎle aux Cerfs catamarans, speedboats

    East coast starting points for Île aux Cerfs, with a stop at the Grand River South East waterfall. Shared speedboats leave from Trou d'Eau Douce; Pointe Jérôme serves catamarans in the southeast.

  • Blue BayGlass-bottom boats, snorkelling

    Southeast beach next to Blue Bay Marine Park; glass-bottom boats set off from the public beach. Mahébourg nearby is a base for southeast island speedboat trips.

  • Black River, Tamarin and Flic en FlacDolphin trips, fishing charters

    West coast towns where most dolphin trips start, plus the route to Crystal Rock and Île aux Bénitiers. Fishing charters also leave from Black River and Le Morne.

When to go

  • January to April

    Hot, humid summer with warm water and the calmest seas overall. It is also cyclone season, so a trip can be cancelled at short notice. Blue marlin and yellowfin tuna draw anglers.

  • May to October

    Cooler, drier and breezier. Trade winds make the east and north choppier while the west coast often stays calm. Humpback whales appear from July, peaking August to October.

  • November and December

    Seas settle as summer starts, whales are still around in November and warmer water brings marlin back. Book ahead around the European winter holidays, when Île aux Cerfs boats fill quickly.

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Ways to do it

Weather

Weather in Mauritius

Weather by month →

Mauritius weather by month

Mauritius weather by month
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSeptOctNovDec
High / Low (°C)
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Rain (mm)
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48

Average daily high and low (°C) and monthly rainfall (mm) · Forecast: MET Norway (yr.no) · Climate averages: NASA POWER

Before you book

Are boat trips suitable for young children?

Glass-bottom boats and lagoon catamarans suit young children best. Dolphin trips set their own limits, often 18 months or 3 years and up. The submarine operator accepts children from 9 months, but third-party sites say 2+ or 3+, so check when booking.

Do I need to swim to join a snorkelling trip?

You need to be able to swim to snorkel. Life jackets are provided, and you can stay on the boat if you prefer not to go in. Glass-bottom boats and the submarine let you see the reef without swimming.

Can I swim with dolphins or whales?

Swimming, diving or snorkelling with whales is prohibited. Dolphin swimming is limited to set early-morning hours and only with licensed operators; some, such as Blue Safari, only observe. Boats must approach from the side at no-wake speed, and touching, feeding or chasing is not allowed.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Trips depend on the weather. Some operators reschedule or refund when authorities issue a high-waves warning, and routes can change, for example turning at Gunner's Quoin instead of reaching Flat Island.

What should I bring?

Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen (reef-safe on dolphin trips), sunglasses, hat, a change of clothes and flip-flops. Bring beach shoes for Gabriel Island, where sharp rocks and coral line the shore.

Private or shared trip?

Shared catamarans and speedboats cost less and include lunch and drinks on full-day trips. Private speedboats are often sold per group of up to 4, and private catamarans are the most expensive option, giving you your own route and pace.

Still deciding?

Compare the options side by side and check live availability for your date.

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