The Exotic East: Ile aux Aigrettes & Blue Bay marine park & Lunch

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Mahebourg

   Begin your 8 hours Exotic East tour with a hotel pick-up at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. You will meet and be greeted by our certified guide and after boarding to your comfortable vehicle, then set off for your first stop which is the Blue Bay Marine Park.

   15 minutes here

2. Blue Bay Marine Park

   The Blue Bay marine park is one of the best places to see the beautiful marine life and to go for snorkeling in Mauritius. At the Marine Park, you can decide to see the underwater world onboard the boat through its glass bottom or to jump into the water for some snorkeling. The Snorkeling at the park is highly recommended as the colorful fauna & flora found at the park are absolutely stunning. At an average depth of 5.5 meters, with crystal clear water offering great visibility, the snorkeling conditions are ideal. You will have a great view of the reef, fish, and of large selection of corals The Blue Bay Marine Park is home to mangroves, algae, seagrasses, corals, and other marine organisms. There is also a wide variety of fish species that include Damselfish, Surgeonfish, Butterflyfish, juvenile Sailfin tangs, as well as tiny Pipefish and Trumpetfish. Note: all activities are supervised to ensure the protection of the flora and fauna. With respect to marine life & its ecosystem!

   60 minutes here · Admission included

3. Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve

   Afterward, continue to Ile aux Aigrettes, a tiny coral island just off the coast of the town of Mahebourg. The island has been declared a nature conservation site & is being preserved by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. The boat trip to Ile aux Aigrette departs from Pointe Jerome. You will discover Ile aux Aigrettes & enjoy original Mauritian nature with an expert guide alongside leading the way. You will discover plants & animals, unique to Mauritius & found nowhere else in the world. Some of them have come close to extinction like the pink pigeon, a bird that was in danger of extinction for many years. You will also visit the indigenous plant nursery. When visiting Ile aux Aigrettes you will get to see breath-taking scenery of the South East of Mauritius and will be given a glimpse of the history of Mauritius. You will also get to see beautiful trees with strange names like Ox wood, Pipe wood, Rat wood, and Bottle palm. There is also the chance to see a rare orchid in full bloom.

   120 minutes here · Admission included

4. Mahebourg Museum

   Then, you'll head to a local restaurant to savor a 3-course lunch comprising Fresh Salads, Rice, Soups, chicken, fish & vegetables Then, head to Mahebourg to visit the National History Museum of Mauritius, which will take you into a historical journey of the island dating back to the 18th century. The Naval Museum of Mauritius contains the reminiscences of the French colonial empire. The interesting aspects of the Naval Museum lie not solely in its collection of exhibits, but also in its history as a building. It is worthwhile to see both the exterior of the building & the different exhibitions. In addition, you will also get to see exquisite artifacts of many other ships' wrecks. Some bones of an extinct species of Giant Tortoises & of the Dodo are displayed at the museum. These bones bear testimony to their existence until some few hundred years back.

   120 minutes here · Admission included

5. Mahebourg Waterfront

   After some time, visit Mahebourg waterfront to know about the Culture and History of Mauritius which is very interesting. Located in the traditional Mauritian Village, the new Mahebourg Waterfront is ideal for a relaxing walk as well as a journey back in time taking part in the local Mauritian history! You will get the chance to see and learn more about the epic battle that was fought in this region. There is also the memorial known as Bataille de le Passe that pays homage to the fighters who lost their lives in the battle. You will get to see the panoramic view where the battle took place.

   40 minutes here

6. Then head to the mahebourg local market, is a spectacular sight for those who wish to experience the lively local culture. You will find amazing products here at a great bargain.The Mahebourg market was initially focusing on silks and textiles, but today you are sure to find a large variety of World of Seashells on offer. The market offers typical market products such as vegetables, fruits for the surrounding locals but also a wide variety of local handicrafts and souvenirs of the paradise island. One thing we surely advise you not to miss is the food. At the Mahebourg Market, you will have a large selection of food such as Briyani, Dholl Puri (lentils pancakes), Chinese Noodles or the very famous Gato Pima (fritter made with split pea). They make up for a delicious street food tasting, don’t worry we won’t tattle to your diet!

   45 minutes here

7. On the way, we will go to to visit the Frederick Hendrick Museum. The Frederik Henrik Museum is a historical site which at present bears the remnants of the first human settlement in Mauritius. Located at Old Grand Port, this place is considered a historical site bearing witness to the Dutch and French colonial settlements in Mauritius, on the coast of south east Mauritius. The very first inhabitants of Mauritius, the Dutch, settled here to colonize the island. The museum is surrounded by a luxuriant tropical garden, includes a visitors’ centre with an exhibition of artifacts found during archaeological excavations in the area since 1997 and the remains of some ruins. They consist of building materials: stones, bricks, nails; military objects like musket balls, cannon balls, flint stones and many other interesting utilities.

   40 minutes here · Admission included

8. Pointe Canon is an interesting place to go to have a nice overview of the different sites surrounding Mahebourg. You will see the imposing Lion Mountain that overlooks the sugar cane fields, Mouchoir Rouge islet, facing the waterfront, and Ile aux Aigrettes further north, a small protected island located in the lagoon and which is also a nature reserve. Pointe Canon is the place where the inhabitants of the region meet during events such as regattas and the commemoration of the abolition of slavery celebrations in February. You will see the panoramic view of the South East and the ocean.

   20 minutes here · Admission included

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

hi, no, de, sv, ru, fi, pt, en, hr, it, fr, hu, es, cs, ar, uk, ja, sk, zh-CN, pl, ro, da, ur, tr, nl

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Freshverde Holidays

Know before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Vegetarian meals available – please request when booking
• Children 3 years & under are free; notify if a infant seat is needed
• Inform us of any food allergies or illnesses
• Wear non-slip shoes and comfortable clothes
• Bring towels and spare clothes for snorkeling at Blue-Bay Marine park

Photos