5 island tour all inclusive with Ile aux cerfs and snorkeling

The best part of this Mauritius outing is the variety packed into roughly six hours: a waterfall, a lighthouse you can enter, fish-filled water near Blue Bay, and lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. I like the small group, capped at 14 people, and the fact that snorkeling, the boat ride, and lunch are covered in the price.

I also like that the route gives you more than a beach stop. You get open-water views and several distinct places in one morning and afternoon. The main drawback is the boat itself: this is a speedboat, not a catamaran, so you should choose it for efficient island hopping rather than a slow, relaxing cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• GRSE Waterfall comes first, giving you a scenic opening stop before the longer cruise.
• Lighthouse Island includes an interior visit, not just a view from the water.
• Snorkeling takes place near Blue Bay, an area known on this trip for clear water and plenty of fish.
• Lunch is served on Ile aux Cerfs, with a grilled meal and beach setting.
• The group is limited to 14 people, although the activity is also described as private for your own party.
• The 8:30 am start matters, since the route covers several widely spaced stops in about six hours.

A fast start from Trou d’Eau Douce

You meet at Chez Tino in Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 am. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple if you are staying nearby or arranging your own transport.

The departure point is in a useful part of the east coast. Trou d’Eau Douce is closely tied to boat trips toward Ile aux Cerfs, so this outing begins in the right place rather than wasting the morning on a long road transfer.

One practical detail deserves attention. The instructions identify the village meeting point, but one booking had confusion at the start, with the party eventually being taken to the jetty. I would save the provider’s contact details and confirm the exact boarding point before setting out. If you arrive by taxi, ask the driver to wait until you know where the boat leaves.

The early start is sensible. You have several stops to fit in, and an 8:30 departure gives you time on the water before the day gets too hot. The activity lasts about six hours, so it is not a dawn-to-dusk outing, despite the amount of ground covered.

GRSE Waterfall by boat

The first cruise heads toward the GRSE waterfall. The boat approach gives you a different view than a road trip would, with the water route forming part of the attraction.

This is a short sightseeing stop rather than a long walk or hike. You should expect a look at the falls from the boat and time for photographs, not a full nature excursion. That makes it a good opening stop for a mixed group, since it does not demand much physical effort.

The waterfall is also a useful contrast to the later beach and snorkeling stops. Instead of spending the whole day on pale sand and open sea, you get a quick change of scenery before continuing toward the lighthouse.

Because this is a speedboat trip, the ride between stops is part of the plan. You move from place to place with little idle time. That is a plus if you want to see several corners of the coast, but it is less appealing if your ideal boat day involves stretching out on deck with a book.

Inside Lighthouse Island

After GRSE Waterfall, the boat continues to Lighthouse Island. The key feature here is access to the inside of the lighthouse, not simply a pass-by view.

That small detail gives the stop more substance. Many island cruises pause near coastal landmarks and keep everyone aboard. Here, you get the chance to step into the lighthouse and see it at close range. It is one of the more distinctive parts of the route and helps separate this outing from a standard beach transfer.

You should still keep expectations practical. The stop is part of a packed itinerary, so you will not have unlimited time to explore. The lighthouse visit works best as a focused stop: go inside, take in the setting, and return to the boat when asked.

I particularly like this part for visitors who want a little local character mixed into a sea day. The beaches may draw most of the attention in Mauritius, but a lighthouse stop gives the trip a stronger sense of place.

Snorkeling near Blue Bay

The boat then heads south toward Blue Bay for snorkeling. This is one of the main reasons to choose the trip, especially if you want something active rather than a sightseeing cruise with only photo stops.

The water here is described as clear and full of fish. You may be taken out in a glass-bottom boat as part of the snorkeling setup, which lets you see below the surface even before getting into the water. That is useful for people who want a look at the marine life but are not confident swimmers.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and protection from the sun. The tour includes snorkeling, but personal gear and comfort items are not specified in the supplied details, so you should check what is provided before departure rather than assume every item is included.

The stop is also where the practical limits of the boat matter most. A speedboat gets you to Blue Bay efficiently, but it offers less shade and lounging space than a catamaran. One French-language account specifically notes that the boat has limited shade for young children. If you are traveling with small children, bring suitable sun protection and think carefully about how they handle heat and open water.

There have also been sightings of dolphins and turtles on this route. Treat those as a pleasant possibility, not a promised part of the itinerary. The guaranteed value is the snorkeling stop itself.

Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs

After snorkeling, you cruise to Ile aux Cerfs for lunch. This is the longest-feeling pleasure stop of the day, since the island combines a beach setting with a meal and time to relax.

Lunch is included, and the meal is described as grilled food. Lobster was also served on at least one outing, along with drinks, but I would not assume a particular menu item is guaranteed unless the provider confirms it. The safest expectation is an included grilled lunch in a beach setting.

Ile aux Cerfs is a popular island, so do not book this trip expecting solitude. Its appeal is easy to understand: pale sand, warm water, and a convenient place to pause after snorkeling. The tradeoff is that it can feel more developed and busy than a remote island stop.

That is not a flaw for everyone. If you want a comfortable lunch with scenery and a chance to sit down, Ile aux Cerfs does the job well. If you are already staying on Mauritius’s east coast and have access to beautiful beaches, the island may not be the main reason to book. In that case, focus on the lighthouse, Blue Bay snorkeling, and the time spent on the water.

The beach lunch also gives the schedule a welcome change of pace. The day begins with movement and sightseeing, shifts into swimming, then slows down for food. That rhythm is one of the outing’s strengths.

Speedboat or catamaran: choose the right style

The most important booking decision is not the waterfall or the beach. It is the boat.

This is a speedboat that carries you from stop to stop. It is not a catamaran cruise with a broad deck, a slow sailing feel, and plenty of room to lounge. If you want to cover several locations in a limited time, the speedboat makes sense. You spend less time drifting between stops and more time reaching them.

If you want a calm, social day on the water, the speedboat may disappoint. One account compared it unfavorably with a catamaran outing, describing this boat as transportation from one point to another rather than the main attraction. That is a fair way to frame the choice.

I would select this tour for an active itinerary. You get the most from it if you enjoy changing locations, swimming, taking photographs, and seeing several sights in one outing. I would choose a different boat style for a slow lunch cruise or a day built around sunbathing onboard.

The limited shade is worth repeating. The boat may suit adults well, but families with young children should plan carefully. The French-language feedback specifically points to a lack of real shade, so hats, cover-ups, and sun cream are important.

What the $103 price includes

At $103 per person, the value depends on how you would otherwise arrange the day. The price covers the boat outing, snorkeling stop, and lunch, while also combining several coastal sights. Booking these pieces separately could take more planning and may not be cheaper.

The strongest value comes from the variety. In one outing, you see GRSE Waterfall, visit Lighthouse Island, stop near Blue Bay, and reach Ile aux Cerfs for lunch. You are not paying only for a beach transfer.

The small group adds value too. A cap of 14 people should make the day feel more personal than a large excursion boat, and it gives the skipper a better chance to keep the group moving. The activity is also described as private for your own party, so clarify the exact group arrangement if that distinction matters to you.

The price is less attractive if you plan to spend most of the day sitting on the beach. Ile aux Cerfs is only one part of the route, and the boat is designed to keep moving. You are paying for a compact sightseeing and snorkeling circuit, not simply for access to sand and sea.

Drinks may be available during the outing, and water is provided according to the information from the trip, but I would still carry a bottle. The advice to bring extra water is sensible, particularly with sun exposure and limited shade.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time in Mauritius and want a quick look at several coastal highlights. It suits couples, friends, and active families who prefer a full schedule to a quiet boat day.

It is also a good fit if snorkeling is high on your list. Blue Bay is the practical centerpiece for anyone hoping to see fish in clear water, while the glass-bottom boat option may help people who want to observe marine life without staying in the water the whole time.

The outing is less suitable if you dislike speedboats, need lots of shade, or want a long, unhurried lunch. It may also feel too brief for you if the beach is your main goal. One person felt the day ended earlier than expected for a full-day outing, so keep in mind that the advertised duration is about six hours, not an all-day excursion lasting into the evening.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. Still, the boat and snorkeling portions mean you should consider your own comfort with open water. The supplied information does not provide detailed accessibility notes, so ask Tino Boats directly if you need specific assistance.

A few ways to make the day better

Arrive early at Chez Tino and keep the provider’s phone number easy to reach. The start-point confusion reported on one occasion is avoidable if you confirm whether you should meet in the village or go directly to the jetty.

Wear swim-friendly clothing from the start. You will be moving between boat, island, and water, and there is little reason to dress formally for lunch.

Pack a towel, sun cream, a hat, and extra drinking water. The boat has limited shade, especially important for children, and the warm conditions can catch you out between snorkeling and lunch.

Bring a dry bag or another way to protect your phone. The tour includes a speedboat, waterfall views, snorkeling, and island stops, so your belongings may be exposed to spray or wet hands.

Keep your schedule flexible after the excursion. The trip generally lasts about six hours, but water conditions and the pace of the group can affect the timing. Do not book an important afternoon connection too tightly.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs and snorkeling trip?

Book this outing if you want a busy, varied half-day on the water and value having lunch, snorkeling, and several sights combined for $103. The lighthouse visit and Blue Bay stop give it more range than a simple Ile aux Cerfs transfer.

Skip it if you are specifically looking for a catamaran cruise, generous shade, or a long beach day. The speedboat is the deciding factor. Choose this trip for movement and variety, not for lounging.

For most visitors with only one chance to explore this part of Mauritius, the route offers a useful mix: GRSE Waterfall, Lighthouse Island, fish-filled water near Blue Bay, and a grilled lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. Just confirm the jetty meeting point, carry sun protection, and set your expectations around a six-hour speedboat outing rather than a leisurely full-day cruise.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Chez Tino in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. The activity starts at 8:30 am and ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

What is included in the price?

The outing includes the boat cruise, snorkeling, and lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. The meal is described as grilled food.

Is this a catamaran cruise?

No. This experience uses a speedboat. It is designed to move between several stops rather than provide a slow, relaxed catamaran ride.

How large is the group?

The group is capped at 14 people. The activity is also described as private, with only your own party participating, so confirm the exact arrangement when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.