5 Islands Speedboat Cruise, Snorkeling + Lunch & Open Bar

The most appealing part of this tour is the mix of fast boat travel and varied stops. In seven hours, you move from beaches and swimming to a lighthouse, a nature reserve, a snorkeling site, and Grand River South East Waterfalls. It gives you a broad taste of Mauritius’s east coast without spending the day at one beach.

I like the included island barbecue lunch and open bar, since food and drinks can quickly add up on a full-day outing. I also like the easy pace created by a powerful speedboat, which lets you cover several sites while keeping the journey itself part of the fun.

The main consideration is that snorkeling is listed at one location, and the stop may not satisfy you if snorkeling is your chief goal. Transportation to Trou d’Eau Douce is not included, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven hours on the water: Depart Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 and return around 15:30.
• Six named stops: The route includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse, Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, a snorkeling site near Blue Bay Marine Park, Grand River South East Waterfalls, and Ilot Mergenie.
• Lunch and drinks included: The price covers an island barbecue lunch, snorkeling, open bar, and attraction tickets. Fresh grilled lobster costs extra.
• One main snorkeling stop: You should book this for the full coastal outing, not for repeated time in the water.
• Strong guide feedback: Danilo is praised for his good humor and sense of pace, while other captains are also described as friendly and family-friendly.
• Bring beach basics: Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

Why this east-coast route works so well

Mauritius is easy to picture as a place of beaches, but the east coast offers more variety than a single strip of sand. This route links several small islands and coastal sights in one outing. The speedboat matters because it turns the transfers into part of the day rather than dead time between stops.

You leave Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 and return at about 15:30. That makes this a full morning and afternoon activity, not a quick boat ride. The schedule gives you enough time for swimming, sightseeing, lunch, and snorkeling, though you should expect a fairly active day with several changes of scene.

The boat is also the attraction. You hear the engine, feel the motion of the water, and get a more adventurous ride than you would on a slow sightseeing boat. If you prefer quiet cruising, this may feel energetic. If you enjoy speed and open water, it is a good match.

The tour is operated in English and French. Your meeting details are sent through WhatsApp, so make sure the operator has a working phone number before the day begins. The activity starts and ends at the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

Ile aux Cerfs, the easygoing beach stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the most relaxed part of the itinerary. You have time for sunbathing, swimming, and general beach time, followed by lunch and an open bar. Watersports shops are also listed at the island, which may interest you if you want to look into extra activities.

This stop gives the day a useful pause after the speedboat ride. You can swim, dry off, eat, or simply sit near the water. The exact balance depends on the day’s timing, but the island is clearly intended as the main comfort stop.

Lunch is an island recipe barbecue, and it is included in the $100 price. Fresh grilled lobster is not included, but you can ask the operator to reserve it ahead of time. That request should be made by WhatsApp, rather than left until the last moment.

I see good value here for anyone who wants a simple beach lunch without arranging food separately. The open bar adds to that value, especially during a seven-hour boat outing. Still, the lobster surcharge means the advertised price is not the final food cost if you choose that extra.

Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse and the history angle

Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse is described as the main attraction of the tour. It gives the day a point of historical interest, not just a series of swimming stops. The lighthouse helps explain why this route appeals to people who want a little more than beach time.

The boat approach is part of the appeal. You see the lighthouse from the water as the speedboat moves along the east coast, and the stop adds a strong visual break from the bright beach scenes. The available details do not promise an extended guided tour inside the lighthouse, so you should think of this as a sightseeing stop rather than a formal museum visit.

That distinction matters. If you want a detailed history lesson, ask the operator what commentary is provided on the day. If you want to see one of Mauritius’s distinctive coastal landmarks while moving between islands, this stop fits the bill.

Ile aux Aigrettes and time for a swim

The route then includes Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, with swimming and an open bar listed for this part of the day. The reserve adds another change of setting and gives you a second opportunity to get in the water.

The name can create expectations of a land visit, so it is worth checking the day’s exact access details through WhatsApp before departure. The supplied tour information specifically lists swimming and an open bar here, but it does not promise a guided walk or wildlife presentation.

That makes this stop best understood as a water-based visit near the nature reserve. You can enjoy the setting, cool off, and have a drink before the route continues. Bring sunscreen and a towel, since swim time is built into more than one stop.

Snorkeling near Blue Bay Marine Park

The snorkeling stop is near Blue Bay Marine Park, an important part of the itinerary for anyone interested in Mauritius’s sea life. The tour highlights the area’s fauna and flora, so you can expect snorkeling to focus on the marine setting rather than simply a quick swim.

Equipment is not specified in the information provided, so ask what is supplied when confirming your booking. Snorkeling is included in the price, but the route lists one snorkeling location. One person specifically wished for another snorkeling stop, which is useful guidance if you are choosing this tour mainly for time in the water.

I would book this outing for the combination of snorkeling, islands, and sightseeing. I would choose a dedicated snorkeling trip instead if coral and repeated water sessions are your top priority. Weather and sea conditions can affect how enjoyable the stop feels, and one poor-weather day still produced a very good overall experience, according to the feedback from the day.

Grand River South East Waterfalls by boat

Grand River South East Waterfalls gives the itinerary a final change of pace. Instead of another beach or island, you get a natural coastal attraction reached as part of the boat route. The falls add shape to the day and help prevent the experience from becoming a string of similar swimming stops.

The information does not state how long the boat stays at the waterfalls or whether you go ashore. Plan on a sightseeing visit from the water unless the operator tells you otherwise. This is a good place to keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and keep your phone secure during the faster sections of the ride.

Ilot Mergenie is also included among the sites visited. No separate activity is specified there, so treat it as part of the scenic island route rather than expecting a scheduled walk or long beach stop.

What the guide can add to the day

The captain has a large effect on a speedboat outing. You are moving between several stops, so a good sense of timing and a relaxed attitude make a real difference. Danilo is singled out for being great fun and keeping a pleasant pace, while another captain is praised for good humor and creating a strong family atmosphere.

That feedback points to the tour’s strongest human quality: it is not presented as a stiff, scripted excursion. You should expect a social day shaped by the captain’s style, the sea conditions, and the group’s energy. The route has enough variety that a cheerful skipper can turn the transfers into part of the entertainment.

There is no group size provided, so do not assume a private boat. If privacy matters to you, ask about a private transportation or boat option before booking. The listed price is $100 per person, and private arrangements may change the cost.

Is $100 a good value?

At $100 per person, this is not just a boat transfer. The price includes the speedboat outing, tickets to the listed attractions, snorkeling, an island barbecue lunch, and an open bar. When you add those elements together, the cost is reasonable for a seven-hour day.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the full package. You get beaches, a lighthouse, a nature reserve, snorkeling, waterfalls, and a second island reference at Ilot Mergenie. You also avoid arranging lunch and drinks separately.

The value is weaker if you want only one activity. Someone focused almost entirely on snorkeling may find the single listed snorkeling stop limiting. Someone who wants a long, quiet afternoon on Ile aux Cerfs may also find the multi-stop schedule too busy.

Transportation is not included. You must reach Trou d’Eau Douce, unless you arrange private transport from your hotel or accommodation through the operator. Ask about that before booking, since the tour begins early at 8:30 and the meeting details are sent by WhatsApp.

What to bring and how to prepare

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Beachwear

Wear or carry clothing that works for both a wet boat day and lunch on an island. Sunscreen is especially important because you will spend much of the day exposed to sun and reflected light from the water.

Use a waterproof pouch for your phone and money. This is sensible advice for any speedboat outing, though the operator does not specify storage arrangements. If you want fresh grilled lobster, request it in advance by WhatsApp. The lobster is excluded from the tour price.

The activity is available in English and French. The operator offers reserve-and-pay-later booking, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Wheelchair users cannot take this tour, so mobility needs should be considered before booking.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book it if you want a busy, good-value day on the east coast rather than a single beach visit. It suits couples, families, and active groups who like speedboat travel, swimming, a little history, and a meal with drinks included.

I would also choose it for a first look at this part of Mauritius. The route covers enough ground to show you several types of scenery in one day, and the captains appear to be a major strength. Danilo’s friendly pace and the good-humored approach noted in the feedback are exactly what you want on a long boat outing.

Think twice if repeated snorkeling is your main goal, if you need wheelchair access, or if you want hotel pickup included in the base price. For everyone else, the combination of a lighthouse, waterfalls, islands, swimming, lunch, and an open bar makes the $100 fare a fair deal.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce. Meeting details are sent through WhatsApp.

What time does the boat leave?

Embarkation is at 8:30, and the planned return time is 15:30. The total duration is seven hours.

What islands and attractions are included?

The route includes Ile aux Cerfs Island, Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse, Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, a snorkeling spot near Blue Bay Marine Park, Grand River South East Waterfalls, and Ilot Mergenie.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An island recipe barbecue lunch is included in the price. Fresh grilled lobster is not included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. An open bar is included during the tour.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling is included, with the main snorkeling stop located near Blue Bay Marine Park.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Transportation is not included in the listed price. You can ask the operator to arrange private transportation from your hotel or accommodation to the boat and back.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.