Blue Bay Marine Park

Top choice in Mauritius


In an effort to protect the area's rich underwater forest of rare corals from encroaching development, the government has given Blue Bay 'marine park' status. Besides a mandate barring high-speed watercraft, though, it seems that conservation plans are a bit laissez-faire. Local environmentalists fear that irreversible coral bleaching is inevitable, which is a shame as this is the best snorkelling spot on the island.

There are no 'official' tours of the marine park like those on Île aux Aigrettes, but the protected patches of coral can be easily explored on a snorkelling outing or during an excursion aboard a glass-bottomed boat (figure on around Rs 250 per person for one hour).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mauritius attractions

1. Île des Deux Cocos

0.56 MILES

Île des Deux Cocos sits at the edge of the azure lagoon and was once used by flamboyant British governor Sir Hesketh Bell to entertain guests. Today the…

2. Blue Bay Beach

0.67 MILES

With good views and a fine arc of sand protected from winds and waves, this is a good beach for families, although it can get overwhelmed on weekends.

3. National History Museum

1.85 MILES

This terrific museum is one of Mauritius' best. It contains fascinating early maps of the island and Indian Ocean region, paintings from colonial times,…

4. Notre Dame des Anges

2.17 MILES

The butter-coloured tower of Notre Dame des Anges dominates the Mahébourg skyline. The original church was built in 1849, but it has been restored several…

5. Mosque

2.25 MILES

Mahébourg's main mosque is an important local landmark.

6. Île aux Aigrettes

2.34 MILES

This popular ecotourism destination is a 26-hectare nature reserve on an island roughly 800m off the coast. It preserves very rare remnants of the coastal…

7. Monday Market

2.48 MILES

Don't miss the central foire de Mahébourg, near the waterfront. The initial focus was silks and other textiles, but these days you'll find a busy produce…

8. Rault Biscuit Factory

2.72 MILES

In 1870 the Rault family started producing manioc biscuits at its little biscuit factory on the northern outskirts of Mahébourg, and the factory has…