5 Islands Speedboat w/Snorkeling Sea Turtle + Lunch & Drinks

The most unusual part of this east-coast outing is how much it packs into one day. You race across Mauritius’s broad lagoon, stop at several islands, watch a waterfall pour into the sea, snorkel at Blue Bay, and may even see wild monkeys, sea turtles, or dolphins. The small boat keeps the day moving, while the nine-hour schedule gives you time to slow down on the beach.

I like the small group of up to eight and the generous food and drink setup. I also like the mix of nature and simple fun: Grand River South East brings monkeys and a waterfall, while Ile aux Cerfs brings swimming, sand, coconut water, and optional watersports. The tour is not just a boat ride with one quick photo stop.

The main drawback is the early start and long day. The stated meeting time can be around 7:55 a.m., with departure sometimes later, so you should allow extra time at the jetty. The speedboat can also feel lively on open water, and snorkeling takes place where currents may be noticeable.

Key points to know before you book

• A full east-coast circuit: Visit five named islands and several major coastal sights in one day.
• A real small-group feel: The boat carries no more than eight people, and groups of four or more may be offered a private boat.
• Blue Bay snorkeling: Swim among tropical fish in the Blue Bay Marine Park, with equipment supplied.
• A beach BBQ and open bar: Expect grilled chicken, fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, salad, snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, wine, juice, and rum.
• Wildlife is possible, not guaranteed: The day includes chances to see monkeys, sea turtles, and dolphins, but nature decides what appears.
• A fixed meeting point: The boat leaves from the jetty at Trou d’Eau Douce. Hotel and Airbnb transfers cost extra.

Speedboat energy from Trou d’Eau Douce

This is the right tour for you if a slow sightseeing cruise sounds dull. The boat heads out from Trou d’Eau Douce with the engine working hard, and the route crosses the largest lagoon in Mauritius. You get the fun of speed, open water, and changing views rather than sitting in one place for most of the day.

The tradeoff is comfort. A speedboat gives you a better sense of movement, but the ride may be bumpy when the water is unsettled. You should bring sunscreen, a camera, and clothes that can handle spray. The boat has room for only eight people, which makes the experience more personal but also means you should not expect a spacious yacht.

The guide also serves as the boat pilot, so the quality of the day depends a lot on that person’s timing and care. The available feedback points to a friendly, safety-conscious skipper who gave clear snorkeling instructions and kept an eye on swimmers when the current picked up. That matters here, since this is an active day on open water, not a passive ferry crossing.

The departure point can be slightly confusing if you rely on a general map search. Search for Debarcader Trou D’eau Douce in Google Maps and look for the jetty. If you arrange a pickup, confirm the extra charge and meeting details before the morning of the tour.

Ile aux Cerfs gives you a gentle first stop

The first scheduled stop is Ile aux Cerfs, with about 45 minutes to visit and take refreshments. This early pause helps you get your bearings before the longer run of islands and snorkeling.

Ile aux Cerfs is known here for its white sand and easy beach time. You can swim, sunbathe, drink coconut water, or simply enjoy the fact that you are on a tropical island before lunch has even begun. If you want more action, parasailing and a tube ride are available as optional watersports, though these are not listed as part of the base price.

There is a useful contrast between the first and second visits. Early in the day, Ile aux Cerfs is a short stop. Later, the boat returns for a longer stretch of beach time while lunch is prepared. If your group is private and the timing works in your favor, you may find the island especially peaceful. The schedule can also help the boat avoid the busiest periods, though you should not assume you will have the beach entirely to yourself.

Grand River South East brings the best wildlife moment

From the island, the boat heads toward Grand River South East. Here, a waterfall runs into the Indian Ocean, creating one of the more memorable settings on the route. The sight is best appreciated from the water, where you can see how the river meets the coast.

This is also the place to look for wild Mauritian monkeys. The activity includes an opportunity to approach and feed them. That makes this stop more than a scenic photo break, but you should follow the guide’s instructions closely around wildlife. The monkeys are wild, not trained performers, and their behavior can change.

The waterfall and monkeys give the morning some variety. You move from sand and swimming to river scenery and animals without leaving the boat for long. If wildlife is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations sensible. You may see the monkeys, but sightings of sea turtles and dolphins are also described as possible rather than certain.

The island chain adds history and sea views

The route continues to Ile aux Phares and then passes Ile de La Passe. These islands bring the history and exploration angle promised by the trip. The best way to experience them is from the boat, with the guide explaining what you are seeing as you pass.

You should not expect a long historical tour on land at each island. This is primarily a water-based day, and the islands work as scenic points along a larger circuit. That format suits you if you want a broad sense of the east coast without spending hours at one monument. It may disappoint you if you prefer detailed museum visits or extended time on historical sites.

The boat trip itself is part of the attraction. You see the coast from different angles, cross open lagoon water, and pass small islands that are difficult to fit into a normal road itinerary. The route feels more varied than a standard beach transfer, though the amount of commentary can depend on the guide and language you choose.

Live guiding is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian. If you want the history explained in detail, it is worth confirming your preferred language when booking.

Blue Bay Marine Park is the snorkeling centerpiece

The boat then works its way toward Blue Bay, passing Ile de La Passe on the route. At Blue Bay Marine Park, you get the main snorkeling session. Equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask or fins.

The water is described as clear, with tropical fish visible below the surface. This is the part of the day where the tour shifts from sightseeing to participation. You leave the boat, swim in the marine park, and get a closer look at the underwater life that makes Mauritius such a strong choice for a sea holiday.

The guide’s role matters here. Instructions are given before you enter the water, and the current can be strong enough to notice. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the guide before the session begins. The boat crew can monitor the group and help shorten the swim back to the boat when needed, but you should still treat this as an active water activity.

Bring sunscreen, but use it thoughtfully before snorkeling. A camera is also worth packing if it is waterproof or securely protected. The supplied information promises snorkeling and tropical fish, not a guaranteed encounter with turtles. Sea turtles may appear during the day, but they are wild animals.

Ile aux Aigrettes and Ilot Margenie keep the route moving

After Blue Bay, the boat passes by Ile aux Aigrettes for refreshments. This stop is less about a long beach visit and more about giving you a pause during a busy day. You can have a drink, enjoy the views, and let the morning’s swimming settle before the route turns back toward Ile aux Cerfs.

On the return leg, the boat passes Ilot Margenie. These short island passages help make the day feel like a proper circuit rather than a trip to one destination and back. You see more of the east-coast lagoon and get another chance to photograph the islands from the water.

The schedule is ambitious. You are moving through several places, and some stops are brief. I would choose this tour for variety, not for long, unhurried time at every island. If your ideal day means staying on one beach with a book, a simpler Ile aux Cerfs excursion may suit you better.

Beach lunch at Ile aux Cerfs

The longer beach stop comes when the boat returns to Ile aux Cerfs. While you relax, the BBQ lunch is prepared on the beach. The menu includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad.

That menu is useful for a mixed group because it includes familiar choices alongside seafood. The meal is described as generous and tasty, but you should not expect a restaurant setting or an extensive choice of special diets. If you have a serious food allergy or strict dietary requirement, ask the operator before booking.

Drinks are a major part of the package. The open bar includes Mauritian beer, wine, rum cocktails, juice, soft drinks, and water, with snacks also included. A barman prepares drinks during the beach stop, and live music or a sega show may provide entertainment in the background.

This is where the price begins to make more sense. You are not paying only for fuel and a boat seat. The package also covers equipment, food, snacks, and a broad drink selection. You still need to budget for optional watersports and any transfer from your hotel or Airbnb, but the included lunch and drinks reduce the need for extra spending during the day.

Remember to pace yourself with alcohol. The tour involves sun, heat, swimming, and a fast boat ride. Water is included, and you should make it your main drink until the active parts of the day are over.

Is $125 a fair price?

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit Ile aux Cerfs. The value comes from the amount of ground covered and the number of inclusions. You get a nine-hour outing, a small group capped at eight, island stops, a waterfall, snorkeling equipment, a beach BBQ, snacks, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

The private option makes the price more interesting for families or groups of four and above. A private speedboat can let you adjust the pace and enjoy more direct attention from the guide. It may also make the day feel calmer, since you are not negotiating every stop with a larger crowd.

For a solo visitor or couple, the shared boat is the more likely choice. You still get the small-group format, but you have less control over the schedule. Hotel pickup is not included, so add that cost if you are staying away from Trou d’Eau Douce.

The tour has a 4.4 rating from 156 ratings, which suggests a strong overall experience with some normal variation. The most consistent strengths are the friendly boat crew, small group, good food, careful snorkeling guidance, and the sheer variety of the route. The clearest practical caution is the early start and the possibility of a delayed departure at the jetty.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want one busy day that covers many of Mauritius’s east-coast highlights. It suits couples, families, small groups of friends, and people who would rather explore by sea than spend the day in a vehicle.

It is especially good for you if you value a small boat, enjoy snorkeling, and like the idea of mixing beach time with wildlife and island scenery. The optional private arrangement is worth asking about if your party has four or more people.

I would hesitate if you dislike speedboats, get uncomfortable in rough water, or want long visits at each stop. The itinerary has a lot in it, and the boat ride is a central part of the experience. You should also think twice if you want dolphin or turtle sightings guaranteed. No responsible operator can promise that.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some flexibility, but you should still check the starting time and transfer cost before finalizing the booking.

Should you book the 5 Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if you want an active, well-filled day with snorkeling, wildlife, island stops, and lunch included. The small group and possible private setup are real advantages, and the open bar and beach BBQ make the $125 price easier to justify.

Skip it if you want a quiet beach day or a detailed historical tour. For everyone else, this is a strong all-round choice for seeing the east coast from the water, with enough downtime at Ile aux Cerfs to keep the schedule from feeling like one long boat ride.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at the jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce. Search for Debarcader Trou D’eau Douce in Google Maps to find the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off from hotels and Airbnbs around Mauritius are available for an additional cost.

How many people can join the boat?

The shared group is limited to eight participants. If your group has four people or more, the operator may offer a private speedboat.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. Included drinks cover rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, water, and snacks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the tour includes snorkeling at Blue Bay Marine Park.

Can I see dolphins and sea turtles?

The tour includes opportunities to view dolphins and sea turtles, but sightings are not guaranteed. Wild monkeys are also part of the Grand River South East visit.