Blue Bay holidays

Uncovering the marine life and lounging on the white sand are what Blue Bay holidays are all about.

A small sandy spot

Blue Bay is just a dot on the south-east coast of Mauritius. It’s a 10-minute drive from Mahebourg – a small village that gives you a taste of real Mauritian life – but the beach itself is an enclosed bay with a few resorts scattered beside it. It’s in the more undeveloped south of the island, but thanks to Blue Bay Marine Park, it’s become one of the most popular tourist spots in Mauritius.

Popular beach

Blue Bay Beach is one of the best sandy stretches on the island. It has fluffy-white sand sweeping round translucent blue water, with casuarina trees shading the edge. This spot is very popular with tourists, thanks to the Blue Bay Marine Park but also a favourite watering hole for the locals, too. Pointe d’Esny is a few minutes’ drive away and is one of the most secluded beaches in Mauritius, so it may be a better option if you’re looking for a quieter place to relax.

Under the sea

Blue Bay Marine Park is one of the biggest tourist hotspots in Mauritius and it’s no wonder why – the sea floor is lined with fuchsia mushroom corals, creating the largest underwater garden on the island, with weird and wonderful corals surrounding schools of surgeonfish and parrotfish. The clear waters and colourful marine life make this a fantastic spot for snorkelling and scuba diving. Or, if you want to stay dry, you can take a glass-bottom boat out there.

Get a taste of Mauritius

If you want to step out of the touristy bits and see what Mauritius is really like, then drive 10 minutes to Mahebourg. It’s a picturesque village where you’ll see fishermen heading out in small wooden boats, colourful local markets and a museum housed in a vintage old-world museum – there’s even a rare skeleton of a dodo in there.