Blue Bay Marine Park
A protected marine park in fifty shades of blue, rated the island's best snorkeling spot for its corals and multicoloured fish. The public beach, lined with casuarinas, gets lively at weekends.
Tip: Glass-bottom boat to the coral garden (~Rs 500/pers): negotiate on the beach. Come early on a weekday.
A protected marine park, not just a beach
Blue Bay is both a casuarina-shaded public beach and the gateway to a 353-hectare marine park on the south-east coast, close to Mahébourg. Declared a national park in 1997 and a marine park in 2000, it has been a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance since January 2008.
The lagoon is known for its coral garden, including a huge brain coral, seagrass beds and a rich variety of fish. A 2012 government survey counted more than 100 coral species and 233 fish species, and green turtles visit too.
Park rules
The park is governed by the 2001 Marine Protected Areas Regulations and patrolled daily. You may not take or damage coral, shells or any marine life, feed the fish or leave litter, and fishing is tightly restricted. Swimming is only allowed inside the zone marked by yellow buoys, which boats are not allowed to enter.
Boats need a permit, must tie up to the white mooring buoys rather than anchor, and keep to low speeds in the traffic lanes. Use a licensed operator and give turtles plenty of space.
Glass-bottom boats and snorkelling: what it costs
The beach and swimming are free. Glass-bottom boats leave from the beach for the coral garden, usually with a snorkelling stop and masks provided. In 2026, quoted prices run from about Rs 700 to Rs 1,000 per adult for 45 minutes to an hour, more for longer trips (checked October 2026). Prices are negotiable, so agree on the duration and time in the water before you set off.
You can also just wade in from the beach: within a few metres you will see wrasse, clownfish and angelfish.
Getting there and when to go
Blue Bay is about 15 minutes by car from the airport and Mahébourg, roughly an hour from Port Louis and 1h15 to 1h30 from Grand Baie or Flic en Flac. There is parking, public toilets and snack vendors, and local buses run from Mahébourg.
Go early on a weekday morning, when the water is calmest, visibility is best and the beach is nearly empty. On Sundays it fills with Mauritian families, music and picnics. Water shoes and reef-friendly sunscreen are a good idea.
Combine it with
Neighbouring Pointe d'Esny beach, Mahébourg's waterfront and market, and a guided tour of Ile aux Aigrettes, whose boats leave from Pointe Jérôme a few minutes away.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blue Bay free to visit?
Yes, the public beach and swimming in the marked zone are free. Only glass-bottom boat trips and dives cost money.
How much is a glass-bottom boat at Blue Bay?
Expect roughly Rs 700 to Rs 1,000 per adult for 45 minutes to an hour including a snorkelling stop, based on 2026 prices. Haggle directly on the beach.
Can you snorkel from the beach at Blue Bay?
Yes, there are fish just a few metres out, but stay inside the swimming zone marked by yellow buoys. To reach the coral garden itself you need a licensed boat.
Can I collect shells at Blue Bay?
No. It is a protected marine park: taking coral, shells or any marine life is prohibited, and so is feeding the fish.
