Blue Bay Marine Park is a marine reserve in the south-east of Mauritius. The 353 hectare area was declared a national park in October 1997. In June 2000 it was granted Marine Park status under the Mauritian Fisheries and Marine Resources Act.
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Blue Bay Beach
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Blue Bay Beach
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$$
So here's the deal. Coral is in very bad shape (but trying to rebound). You need to take a boat out a few hundred metres to get to the main snorkelling spot out in the bay. There is no snorkelling from the beach, although if you walk just beyond the north/east end of the beach park to the small rockier beaches in front of the hotels on that end it is possible to see some fish getting directly into the water from there. Current is very strong so it's hard going. Wear flippers there.
In the beach park you will find 3 or 4 tables trying to sell you the 1-hour boat trip to the snorkelling spot (there's really just the one spot) in a "glass bottomed" boat. We were offered prices ranging 1500 Rps to 2500 Rps for 2 ppl just by asking at different tables. But one way or the other, it's questionable whether it's worth it. They all go to the same spot and hover over one particular (dead) coral formation to let you see through the glass bottom, before letting you into the water just next to that. The coral is mostly dead and the quantity and variety of fish is ok, but not spectacular. Will seem good if this is your first time snorkelling, but experienced snorkellers who have been various places in the world would rank the snorkelling here perhaps 4 or 5/10. The boat drivers through bread into the water around the boat which does create a swarm of colourful fishes around you, which (it has to be admitted) makes for an interesting experience when you are in the water, but is ethically questionable and proves that if that didn't happen there'd be even fewer fish.
Sadly, most resources say that BB is the best snorkelling on Mauritius, and if that is so it places Mauritius well below the other places in the world we...
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Blue Bay Marine Park, located on the southeast coast, is a renowned snorkeling and diving spot with crystal-clear turquoise waters** and a vibrant underwater ecosystem. Declared a national park in 1997, it spans 353 hectares, protecting diverse marine life and coral gardens.
Excellent Snorkeling: The shallow lagoon (1-5 meters deep) is perfect for all levels, revealing colorful corals (over 50 species) and numerous fish species. Expect to see parrotfish, butterflyfish, and possibly sea turtles. Boat tours often access prime snorkeling spots.
Glass-Bottom Boat Tours:A popular way to view the underwater wonders without getting wet, ideal for families.
Scuba Diving: Offers a more immersive experience with various dive sites for different skill levels, showcasing diverse marine life and coral formations. Ancient Coral:Home to some of the oldest and largest brain corals in Mauritius, some estimated to be over 1000 years old.
Biodiversity:The park also supports mangroves, seagrasses, and algae, contributing to a rich marine habitat. Accessibility: Easily reached by car or bus from Mahebourg and the airport. Boat tours depart from Blue Bay beach.
In short, Blue Bay Marine Park is a must-visit for marine enthusiasts in Mauritius, offering exceptional snorkeling and diving in a protected and beautiful...
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I'm in two minds about giving 4 stars for this review. The boat crowd we contracted with - Diamond cruise didn't arrive. We had been in contact up untill the night before and when we arrived the staff at the table didn't know we were coming. In the end we agreed with Ben the boat skipper to pay Rs3000 for 5 people for 2 hours of snorkeling. We enjoyed Ben - but it's irritating that his contracted company still got rhe lions share of rhe money. His direct whatapp number is : +230 5776 3532
The marine reserve itself- we had a great time. But loads of dead and bleached corals. And the skippers feed the fish...so lots of little stripped tropical fish around the boats. It's not really a good ecological practise. But I suppose it delights the crowds. We saw some nice fish and some brilliant Trumpet fish. But compared to Thailand, Tioman Islands, Bali, Komodo and others in SE Asia this area of Mauritius is extremely disappointing.
Having said that. We still had a great time and there were less experienced folk on the boat for whom the snorkeling was amazing. We received our full 2...
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