Free Blue Bay Travel Guide & Mobile App

Plan your Blue Bay trip with Evendo. Get free guides to top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Web access or download the mobile app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Blue Bay
Blue Bay photo 2
Blue Bay photo 3
All photos

Blue Bay, Mauritius, pairs turquoise lagoons with marine-park snorkelling, coral reefs, coastal walks and easy access to Mahébourg’s history and island culture.

A Lagoon on the Southeast Coast

Blue Bay is a small seaside settlement on the southeast coast of Mauritius, facing a broad, sheltered lagoon whose clear water reveals coral gardens and colourful reef fish. Its setting is shaped by the sea: a curve of pale sand, casuarina-fringed roads, reef-protected shallows and views towards the distant horizon. The village lies close to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and the historic town of Mahébourg, making it a practical base for exploring this less urbanised corner of the island.
Read more about Blue Bay

Marine Life and Coastal Landscapes

The Blue Bay Marine Park is the area’s defining attraction. Its protected waters support coral communities and underwater habitats that can be explored by glass-bottom boat, snorkelling excursion or guided boat trip, subject to sea conditions and local conservation rules. Nearby Pointe d’Esny is known for its long beach, lagoon views and coastal environment, although visitors should treat the surrounding dunes, vegetation and shallow marine areas with care. The southeast’s bright light and open seascapes create a different mood from the developed resorts of the northwest.

History Around Mahébourg

Blue Bay’s story is closely connected with the neighbouring districts of Mahébourg and Grand Port. French colonial settlement, plantation agriculture and the naval Battle of Grand Port in 1810 left a strong historical imprint on the region, while the National History Museum at Mahébourg provides context for Mauritius’s maritime and colonial past. Today, Blue Bay combines guesthouses, villas, small restaurants and beach activity with a quieter residential character. Its appeal lies less in a dense town centre than in the relationship between lagoon, reef, heritage and the everyday life of the southeast.

When is the best time to visit Blue Bay?

Best: July–September · 24–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January31198
February31174
March30144
April2998
May2774
June2554
July (best)2447
August (best)2446
September (best)2545
October2647
November2874
December30118

Getting to and around Blue Bay

How to get there

Blue Bay is served by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport at Plaine Magnien, a short drive away on Mauritius’s southeast coast. From the airport, visitors can continue by taxi, pre-arranged transfer or hire car; some accommodation providers can organise collection. Public buses connect the airport area and nearby towns, although routes and journey times may be less convenient with substantial luggage. Blue Bay is also reached by road from Mahébourg and other parts of the island, with the main coastal and inland routes converging through the southeast. There is no railway connection to Blue Bay, and organised island transfers may be preferable for visitors unfamiliar with local roads.

Transportation

Blue Bay is compact enough to explore on foot around the beach and nearby accommodation, but the wider southeast is spread across separate villages, bays and heritage sites. Local buses serve the surrounding area and are useful for reaching Mahébourg, though service frequency and routing can vary. Taxis and pre-arranged private transfers are practical for the airport, Pointe d’Esny and day trips. Hire cars provide the greatest flexibility, particularly for visiting coastal viewpoints and the National History Museum, but drivers should allow for left-hand traffic, changing road conditions and limited parking near popular beaches. Boat operators generally arrange departures from the lagoon or nearby points according to conditions.

Best attractions in Blue Bay

Blue Bay’s principal attraction is its protected marine park, where glass-bottom boats and guided snorkelling trips reveal coral formations and reef fish in the shallow lagoon. The beach itself offers an immediately accessible stretch of coast for swimming, sunbathing and views across the water, while Pointe d’Esny extends the coastal experience with a longer, quieter shoreline and open lagoon scenery. In nearby Mahébourg, the National History Museum occupies a colonial-era house and interprets the region’s maritime, colonial and naval past, including the Battle of Grand Port. The waterfront and old streets add a more settled, lived-in dimension to a visit centred otherwise on the sea. Excursions may also reach Île aux Aigrettes, a conservation island off the southeast coast, but this is a separate destination requiring organised access rather than an attraction within Blue Bay itself. Together, these places combine marine ecology, local history and the distinctive landscapes of Mauritius’s southeast.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Blue Bay

The Blue Bay Marine Park is the area’s defining natural landmark, protecting a lagoon whose coral habitats have become closely associated with the southeast coast. For built heritage, the most important nearby reference is the National History Museum in Mahébourg, housed in the former Château de Robillard, an eighteenth-century colonial property associated with the region’s early French administration and later history. Mahébourg’s waterfront and remnants of its older street pattern reflect the importance of Grand Port as a maritime settlement, while the Naval Monument at nearby Pointe Canon commemorates the Battle of Grand Port and the naval history of 1810. Blue Bay itself is less a town of monumental architecture than a coastal landscape identified by its beach, reef and broad lagoon. Together, these natural and historical landmarks explain how marine geography, colonial settlement and military strategy shaped the southeast of Mauritius.

Show more landmarks

Explore Blue Bay on the map

Plan your Blue Bay trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Blue Bay

Dining in Blue Bay is shaped by its lagoon setting and by the broader culinary culture of Mauritius, where Indian, Creole, Chinese, French and seafood traditions overlap. Small local eateries and hotel restaurants commonly serve grilled fish, octopus, prawns, rice, dhal, rougaille and fresh chutneys, while Mauritian street-food staples such as dholl puri, farata, samosas and fried chilli cakes provide informal alternatives. Around Mahébourg, visitors encounter a more local rhythm of cafés, bakeries and family-run food businesses, with seafood particularly connected to the coastal setting. Menus and opening patterns vary, so the most characteristic meals may be found away from formal resort dining. Tropical fruit, vanilla, locally grown vegetables and spice-led sauces reflect the island’s climate and plantation history, while French-influenced pastries and Chinese-Mauritian dishes show how migration and colonial contact continue to shape the region’s table.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Blue Bay

Blue Bay has a modest evening scene rather than a concentrated nightlife district. Evenings tend to centre on hotel bars, guesthouse terraces and relaxed restaurants overlooking or located near the lagoon, where the atmosphere is suited to drinks, conversation and seafood rather than late-night clubbing. Mahébourg provides additional local cafés and bars, though activity is generally quieter than in Mauritius’s larger resort areas. Entertainment may include occasional live music, sega performances or informal gatherings, depending on the venue and season, but schedules are not consistent enough to assume a particular event. Visitors seeking energetic nightclubs usually need to travel to other parts of the island, while those staying in Blue Bay will find the appeal in warm coastal evenings, dark horizons and an unhurried social pace. Use arranged transport after dark, especially when travelling between scattered accommodation and dining venues.

Show more bars

Best nightclubs in Blue Bay

Blue Bay has a modest evening scene rather than a concentrated nightlife district. Evenings tend to centre on hotel bars, guesthouse terraces and relaxed restaurants overlooking or located near the lagoon, where the atmosphere is suited to drinks, conversation and seafood rather than late-night clubbing. Mahébourg provides additional local cafés and bars, though activity is generally quieter than in Mauritius’s larger resort areas. Entertainment may include occasional live music, sega performances or informal gatherings, depending on the venue and season, but schedules are not consistent enough to assume a particular event. Visitors seeking energetic nightclubs usually need to travel to other parts of the island, while those staying in Blue Bay will find the appeal in warm coastal evenings, dark horizons and an unhurried social pace. Use arranged transport after dark, especially when travelling between scattered accommodation and dining venues.

Show more nightclubs

Best shops in Blue Bay

Shopping in Blue Bay is limited and local in character, with small convenience shops, beach-oriented sellers and outlets connected to accommodation rather than a large retail district. Mahébourg offers a broader everyday selection, including food shops, bakeries, small independent businesses and market trading, making it a useful place to browse Mauritian produce and practical goods. Visitors may find locally made baskets, textiles, wooden objects, jewellery, spices, tea, vanilla and packaged island specialities, though quality and authenticity vary between sellers. The Mahébourg market is more closely tied to daily life than to polished souvenir retail, and shopping there is best approached as a chance to observe local commerce as well as make purchases. Large shopping centres and international brands are found elsewhere on Mauritius, so the southeast suits travellers interested in modest local finds, edible gifts and crafts rather than extensive fashion or luxury retail.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Blue Bay, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Blue Bay essentials

Currency and Payment
Mauritius uses the Mauritian rupee, abbreviated MUR. Cards are commonly accepted by hotels, larger restaurants, car-hire companies and established excursion providers, while smaller cafés, market traders, local buses and some independent businesses may prefer cash. ATMs are available in larger settlements, including Mahébourg, but visitors should not rely on finding one immediately beside the beach. Visa and Mastercard are widely useful, and contactless payment may be available in some businesses, although acceptance is not universal. Keep modest rupee notes for small purchases and check any card-conversion choices carefully, as paying in the local currency is often the clearer option.
Safety
Blue Bay is generally a relaxed coastal area, but ordinary precautions remain sensible. Keep phones, wallets and travel documents secure, particularly on busy beaches, in parked vehicles and during boat excursions. Swim and snorkel within your ability, observe local advice about currents and weather, and avoid walking on coral or entering the water when conditions are rough. Sun exposure can be intense, so use shade, drink water and protect exposed skin. At night, use well-lit roads or arranged transport rather than isolated beachfront paths. If driving, remember that Mauritius drives on the left and take extra care on unfamiliar roads, especially after dark.
Emergency Situations
For urgent assistance in Mauritius, call 112 from a mobile phone or 999 for police assistance; fire and medical emergency services can also be reached through the national emergency system. Ask accommodation staff or a local operator to help if language, location or mobile coverage becomes a problem. For a medical issue that is not immediately life-threatening, contact a local clinic, pharmacy or the nearest hospital in the Mahébourg or wider southeast area, and check travel insurance requirements before treatment. Boat and marine-park activities should be booked through properly organised providers, with attention to safety instructions, weather conditions and the location of the nearest shore.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress respectfully when visiting religious buildings or local communities, and remove shoes where customary or requested. Ask before photographing people, boats, ceremonies or private property. In the marine park, do not touch coral, feed fish, collect shells or leave rubbish in the water; follow the boat crew’s instructions and keep clear of shallow reef areas. Beachwear is appropriate on the sand but not in shops or ordinary restaurants. Tipping is not compulsory, though modest gratuities are appreciated for attentive service. Avoid assuming that every excursion or beach area has the same facilities, and respect signs, conservation boundaries and the rights of local residents.
Local Tips
Mahébourg is the practical cultural and commercial reference point for Blue Bay, with museums, local services and a historic waterfront. Early mornings often provide calmer light and more comfortable temperatures for coastal walks or lagoon activities, while visibility depends on wind, rainfall and sea conditions rather than the time of day alone. Ask locally about the best place for a particular boat departure instead of assuming every operator uses the same jetty. Pointe d’Esny is best approached with care because its coastal environment is more than a recreational beach. A small amount of French or Mauritian Creole vocabulary is welcomed, although English is widely used in tourism.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloBonjour[Bon-zhoor]
GoodbyeAurevoir[Ohr-vwah]
YesWi[Wee]
NoNon[Non]
Please/You're welcomeSi ou plait/De ri1[See oo play/Day ree]
Thank youMerci[Mehr-see]
Excuse me/SorryPardon[Par-dohn]
How are you?Kouma ou ete?[Koo-ma oo ay-tay]
Fine. And you?Bien. E ou?[Byen. Ay oo?]
Do you speak English?Eski ou parrle anglais?[Ess-kee oo par-lay ahn-glay]
I don't understandMo pa comprend[Moh pah com-prahn]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseMo ena zet menu, si ou plait[Moh ay-nah zayt meh-nyoo, see oo play]
I don't eat meatMo pa mange la viand[Moh pah mahnj la vee-ahn]
Cheers!Sante![San-tay]
I would like to pay, pleaseMo ena peye, si ou plait[Moh ay-nah pay-yay, see oo play]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Aide![Eed]
Go away!Al ler![Al lay]
Call the Police!Apel la police![Ah-pel lah po-lees]
Call a doctor!Apel en medsen![Ah-pel ahn med-suhn]
I'm lostMo perdi[Moh pair-dee]
I'm illMo malad[Moh mah-lahd]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Mo ena acheter...[Moh ay-nah ah-shey-tay...]
I'm just lookingMo pe guette selman[Moh pay get sel-mahn]
How much is it?Kombien sa coute?[Kom-byen sah koot]
That's too expensiveSa trop cher[Sah troh shay]
Can you lower the price?Eski ou kapav baisse pri?[Ess-kee oo kah-pahv bay-say pree]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Ki ler li ete?[Kee layr lee ay-tay]
It's one o'clockLi ena enn ler[Lee ay-nah enn layr]
Half past (10)Mwa ler dis[Mwah layr dees]
MorningMatin[Mah-tahn]
AfternoonApre-midi[Ah-pray-mee-dee]
EveningSoir[Swahr]
YesterdayYer[Yehr]
TodayZordi[Zor-dee]
TomorrowDemain[Day-mahn]
11[1]
22[2]
33[3]
44[4]
55[5]
66[6]
77[7]
88[8]
99[9]
1010[10]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Ki kote li situe...?[Kee koh-tay lee see-too-ay]
What's the address?Ki lor la adres?[Kee lor lah ah-dres]
Can you show me (on the map)?Eski ou kapav montre mwa (sur lap)[Ess-kee oo kah-pahv mohn-tray mwah (soor lap)]
When's the next (bus)?Ki letan prochen (bis)?[Kee lay-tahn proh-shen (bees)]
A ticket (to ....)Yn billet (vers ....)[Ehn bee-yay (vair ....)]

History of Blue Bay

Early Settlement and the Southeast Coast

Mauritius had no permanent human population before the arrival of European navigators, although Arab and Portuguese sailors knew the island before Dutch settlement began in the seventeenth century. The Dutch occupied Mauritius from 1638 and abandoned it in 1710, leaving the island’s forests and coastal resources altered but without creating the enduring urban structure later associated with the southeast. French control began in 1715, when the island was renamed Île de France. During the eighteenth century, French administration developed plantations, maritime facilities and settlements around the Grand Port region, establishing the colonial framework from which Mahébourg and the surrounding coastal villages emerged.

French Mahébourg and Grand Port

The southeast became an important centre of French colonial activity because Grand Port offered a naturally sheltered anchorage. Mahébourg developed on the eastern side of the bay and took its name from Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais, the governor who strengthened French administration in the Indian Ocean. Plantations, sugar production and maritime trade shaped the wider district, while roads and coastal routes connected settlements around the bay. Blue Bay remained a smaller coastal locality rather than a major colonial town, but its position belongs to the same landscape of lagoons, plantations and seaborne commerce that made Grand Port strategically significant.

The Battle of Grand Port, 1810

On 23 August 1810, the Battle of Grand Port took place in the waters off the southeast coast during the struggle between France and Britain for control of Île de France. French naval forces defeated a British squadron, making the engagement one of the best-known maritime episodes in the island’s history. British forces captured the island later that year after the campaign that culminated at Cap Malheureux, and Île de France became Mauritius under British rule. The battle is commemorated in local museums and historical interpretation around Mahébourg, providing an important context for the shores and waterways near Blue Bay.

Plantation Society and Modern Mauritius

Under British rule, sugar became increasingly central to Mauritius’s economy and landscape, with plantations influencing land ownership, labour and settlement patterns across the southeast. Indian migration during the nineteenth century transformed the island’s population and culture, adding languages, religions and customs to an already diverse society. After independence in 1968, tourism and service industries grew alongside sugar, and coastal settlements such as Blue Bay acquired guesthouses, villas and marine excursions. The area’s contemporary identity therefore reflects several layers of change: colonial port history, plantation agriculture, post-independence development and the continuing importance of the lagoon.

Protection of the Blue Bay Lagoon

The ecological value of the lagoon led to the establishment of the Blue Bay Marine Park as a protected marine area in the late twentieth century. Its purpose is to conserve coral reefs, seagrass habitats and associated marine life while permitting carefully managed recreation and education. Protection has become increasingly important as reefs face pressure from climate change, pollution, anchoring and coastal development. For visitors, the marine park is not simply a scenic backdrop but a living environment governed by conservation principles, making responsible boating, snorkelling and waste management part of the area’s modern history.

Travel experiences inspired by this city

Explore more travel diaries

Blue Bay in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Cities near Blue Bay

The closest cities to Blue Bay, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

Mauritius
More of the region

Explore more of Mauritius

Discover Mauritius, the tropical paradise of the Indian Ocean, where pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and vibrant culture come together for an unforgettable escape.

Explore Mauritius
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Blue Bay, Mauritius

Download Evendo, the 100% free travel guide app to Blue Bay, Mauritius. Discover top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and more with local tips and easy booking options.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.
  • Rich content including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details.
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences.
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Explore Blue Bay, Mauritius like never before with Evendo. This free travel guide app offers comprehensive details on attractions, restaurants, hotels, and more, along with easy booking features.

  • History of Blue Bay and travel essentials.
  • Local advice to maximize your visit.
  • User-friendly navigation through the app and city.
  • 'Near me' feature to find nearby attractions.
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience.
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases.

Welcome to Blue Bay, Mauritius, a paradise known for its crystal-clear waters, stunning coral reefs, and vibrant local culture. With Evendo, your journey through this beautiful destination becomes effortless and enriching. From the iconic Blue Bay Marine Park, where you can snorkel through colorful coral gardens, to the historic Pointe d'Esny, our app guides you through the must-see landmarks.

Evendo not only highlights top attractions but also introduces you to hidden gems like the tranquil Île des Deux Cocos and the bustling Mahebourg Market. Enjoy delectable meals at renowned restaurants such as Le Bougainville and Chez Maryse, all handpicked with local insights. Navigate easily with our app's maps and 'Near me' feature, ensuring you never miss a beat.

Planning your trip is seamless with Evendo. Book hotels, tours, and experiences directly through the app, eliminating the hassle of multiple searches. Our rich set of information, including images, descriptions, and contact details, ensures you are always well-prepared. Make the most of your visit with curated local tips and travel essentials, all at your fingertips.

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.