Glass Bottom Boat Tours to Blue Bay Marine Park

Blue Bay Marine Park has some of the healthiest coral in Mauritius, and on these glass bottom boat tours in Mauritius, you see it without getting wet. The boat moves slowly over the shallow reef while you look down through a glass panel in the hull at the coral, the fish, and a giant brain coral that is centuries old. It is an easy, low-cost trip that works for toddlers, grandparents, and non-swimmers on the same boat.

Highlights

• Coral and fish through the glass floor, no swimming needed
• Protected marine park with healthy coral
• A giant brain coral several hundred years old
• Two or three stops over different parts of the reef
• Optional snorkel at a stop for those who want it
• Calm, sheltered water, the gentlest boat trip in Mauritius
• Longer option with lunch on Île des Deux Cocos

Full description

Meet the boat at Blue Bay public beach. After boarding, the skipper takes you slowly across the lagoon into Blue Bay Marine Park.

The boat stops over two or three coral gardens. Looking down through the glass panel, you see brain coral, staghorn coral and large table corals, with parrotfish, sergeant majors, damselfish and wrasse all around them. One of the stops is a giant brain coral about the size of a small car.

At one stop, the skipper usually lets anyone who wants to slip in with a mask and snorkel. After about an hour, you are back at the beach.

On the longer 3.5-hour option, the boat also lands on Île des Deux Cocos, a small private island inside the park, for lunch and time on the beach.

To get into the water over the same coral, try the underwater sea walk or ride a Seabob underwater scooter.

What’s included

• Glass bottom boat tours over Blue Bay Marine Park
• Skipper
• Two or three coral stops
• Life jackets
• Île des Deux Cocos option: island landing and lunch

Not included

• Hotel transfers (available as a supplement)
• Snorkelling equipment (bring your own or ask when booking)
• Towels

Meeting point and times

• Meeting point: Blue Bay public beach
• Best departure: between 09:00 and 11:00, when the sun lights the reef
• Arrive: 15 minutes before departure

Food and drinks

The 1-hour trip has no food. The Île des Deux Cocos option includes lunch on the island. We confirm the menu when you book.

Prices

What to bring

• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Camera
• Swimsuit and mask, if you want to snorkel at a stop
• A light jacket from June to September

Important information

• Morning trips give the best view. By mid-afternoon the sun is lower, and the colours fade.
• Blue Bay faces the south-east trade winds. On windy days from June to September, the surface can get choppy, which makes the view through the glass less clear.
• It is a protected marine park. Don’t stand on the coral, don’t touch anything, and don’t feed the fish.
• Suitable for all ages, including babies and people who can’t swim.
• The trip depends on the weather. If we cancel, you can rebook or get a full refund.

Hotel transfers

We can drive you from your hotel to Blue Bay and back. Our local drivers speak English and French and have cars for 4, 6 or 12 people. Blue Bay is about 10 minutes from the airport, so it also works on your first or last day.

Did you know?

Blue Bay was declared a marine park in 1997 and was later listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Its lagoon is home to dozens of types of coral and more than 70 species of fish.

Make it special (optional extras)

• Private boat for your family or group
• Snorkel stop with equipment provided
• Combine with Île aux Aigrettes on the same morning
• Lunch in Mahébourg after the trip

Why book with Fabular Holidays

• Local team based in Mauritius
• Direct price, no booking-platform commission
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
• Help on WhatsApp before and during your holiday

You may also like

• seabob-mauritius – Ride an underwater scooter over the same kind of reef
• Mauritius Submarine Tour: Dive 35m Deep Under the Sea – Go deeper, 35 m down in a real submarine
• Underwater Sea Walk Mauritius: A Magical Journey on the Ocean Floor – Walk on the sea floor with a helmet
• Browse all our water activities

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a glass bottom boat trip in Blue Bay?

From €18 per person for 1 hour. The 3.5-hour trip with Île des Deux Cocos and lunch costs around €49.

Do I need to swim?

No. You see the coral through the glass floor and stay dry.

What will I see?

Live coral, including brain and staghorn coral, and reef fish such as parrotfish, sergeant majors, damselfish and wrasse.

What is the best time of day?

Between 09:00 and 11:00, when the sun is high enough to light up the reef.

Is it good for children?

Yes. It is short, stable and calm, and nobody has to get wet.

Can I snorkel too?

Yes. Most boats stop so that guests who want to can snorkel for a while.

What is Île des Deux Cocos?

A small private island inside Blue Bay Marine Park. The longer trip lands there for lunch and beach time.

Where do I meet the boat?

Private Catamaran Charter to Gabriel Island