5 island tour all inclusive with Ile aux cerfs and snorkeling

Mauritius looks best from the water. This six-hour boat trip links several of the island’s most appealing stops, from the GRSE waterfall and Lighthouse Island to the fish-filled waters near Blue Bay and the beaches of Ile aux Cerfs. I like the efficient route, and I like that the price includes the boat ride, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. The main thing to consider is the boat itself: this is a speedboat-style outing, not a slow, relaxing catamaran cruise.

The tour costs about $103 per person and starts at 8:30 a.m. from Chez TinoB59 in Trou d’Eau Douce. It is designed for a small group of up to 14 people, although the booking information describes it as a private activity for your own group. That smaller format can make the day feel more personal, but you should still expect a fairly active schedule rather than hours of quiet beach time.

The route covers a lot in one morning and afternoon, but it does not linger long at every stop. I would choose it for variety, snorkeling, and the chance to see several coastal sights in one outing. I would not choose it if your ideal day means slowly sailing, staying in one cove, or spending most of the day on Ile aux Cerfs.

The key points at a glance

• Start at 8:30 a.m. in Trou d’Eau Douce: The village serves as your launch point for the day’s boat route.
• See the GRSE waterfall from the water: This is an easy first stop and a good way to begin the cruise.
• Enter the Lighthouse Island tower: You are able to visit inside the lighthouse, not just view it from offshore.
• Snorkel near Blue Bay: The stop includes clear water, abundant fish, and a glass-bottom boat element.
• Eat lunch on Ile aux Cerfs: A grilled meal is included, with drinks provided as part of the outing.
• Expect a speedboat, not a catamaran: The ride is built for getting between stops, so comfort and shade may be limited.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m.

Your morning begins at Chez TinoB59 in Trou d’Eau Douce. The stated meeting time is 8:30 a.m., and the activity returns to the same meeting point at the end. Public transportation is nearby, which helps if you are staying in or around the village.

The meeting arrangement deserves a little care. One booking got off to a poor start when no one was waiting at the stated point, and a taxi driver called the operator before taking the customer to the jetty. That does not mean this will happen to you, but I would save the provider’s contact details, arrive early, and confirm the exact departure location before setting out. A quick phone call can prevent a long morning of standing beside the wrong dock.

From there, you board the boat and begin an island-hopping route. The schedule is about six hours, so you are getting a packed half-day rather than a full sunrise-to-sunset excursion. That timing works well if you want other plans later, but one person felt the trip ended earlier than expected for a day out.

Cruising to the GRSE waterfall

The first named stop is the GRSE waterfall. You cruise toward the falls, taking in the coastal views before the day’s main swimming stop. The waterfall adds variety to the itinerary and breaks up the boat ride with a land and water sight that is different from the beaches later in the day.

The appeal here is simple: you get to see one of the area’s natural landmarks without spending a large part of the day on a separate inland excursion. It is an efficient use of time, especially if you are based on Mauritius’s east coast and want to combine several sights.

Keep your expectations in check. The waterfall is one stop in a fast-moving route, not the main event. The information provided does not give a fixed amount of time there, so the stop may feel brief if you prefer slow photography or quiet walks. Bring a camera that can handle spray and keep your belongings secure while moving around the boat.

Going inside the Lighthouse Island tower

After the waterfall, the boat heads to Lighthouse Island. The useful detail here is that you can visit the inside of the lighthouse, rather than simply admire the structure from the sea. That gives this stop a bit more character than a standard photo pause.

The island also offers a change of pace. You have been sitting on the boat, then watching the waterfall, and now you can stretch your legs and explore a landmark on foot. For me, this is one of the most distinctive parts of the route because it adds a place-based experience to what could otherwise be mostly a beach and snorkeling day.

The stop may not suit everyone equally. The tour information does not specify how much time you spend inside or whether access involves stairs, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask Tino Boats before booking. The general note says most people can participate, but it does not promise that every part of the lighthouse is suitable for all abilities.

Snorkeling near Blue Bay and the glass-bottom boat

The boat then heads south toward Blue Bay for snorkeling. This is the part that gives the excursion its strongest natural appeal. The water is described as clear and full of fish, and one account notes that the group used a glass-bottom boat in the area before snorkeling.

That combination is especially useful if not everyone in your group wants to swim. You can see below the surface from the glass-bottom boat, while stronger swimmers can get into the water. The fish sightings are a major reason to pick this outing over a simple beach transfer.

You should treat the snorkeling as weather-dependent. The experience requires good conditions, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation. Even on a suitable day, visibility and water conditions can change, so the Blue Bay stop is a chance to see marine life, not a guarantee of a specific animal encounter.

A report also mentioned dolphin and turtle sightings. Those are exciting possibilities, but they should remain a bonus rather than the reason you book. The reliable promise is the snorkeling stop near Blue Bay, not a particular wildlife encounter.

Pack what you need for time in the sun. The information says drinks are included, and water is provided, but carrying extra water is still a sensible move. A few details matter here: bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, and a towel, and consider a hat that will stay secure on a moving boat.

Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs

After snorkeling, the boat continues to Ile aux Cerfs for lunch. This is the most familiar postcard-style part of the day: pale sand, bright water, and a meal served by the beach. If you are already staying on Mauritius’s east coast, you may have access to excellent beaches nearby, so Ile aux Cerfs is not necessarily the strongest reason to book.

The real value is the combination. You are not paying separately for a boat transfer, a snorkeling outing, and lunch. The trip links those pieces into one route, which can save both planning time and extra fees. I also like that lunch is not treated as an afterthought. The meal is described as grilled food, and one account specifically enjoyed lobster along with drinks. Since menus can vary, I would view lobster as a possible feature rather than a guaranteed part of every booking.

Ile aux Cerfs can also be the busiest-feeling stop. The tour’s smaller format helps, but the island itself is a well-known destination. If you want a deserted beach, this is probably the wrong place to build your hopes. If you want a convenient lunch stop with attractive water after a morning of sightseeing, it fits well.

One practical point comes from the experience of families with young children: there may not be much shade on the boat. That makes the trip less comfortable for small children who need regular breaks from the sun. The beach lunch stop may offer a more forgiving setting, but the boat rides between locations remain exposed.

What the speedboat format means

This outing is built around movement. The boat carries you from Trou d’Eau Douce to the waterfall, then Lighthouse Island, Blue Bay, and Ile aux Cerfs. That lets you see more of the coast in limited time, but it also means the ride is part of the activity rather than a quiet transfer.

A speedboat is a good match for you if you want to cover ground and enjoy changing scenery. It is less suitable if you picture yourself reclining with a drink while a crew slowly sails around the lagoon. One direct comparison from the feedback made clear that this is not the catamaran experience offered by the same general area. A catamaran gives you more of a floating lounge; this boat is mainly a practical way to reach several stops.

The captain and crew can shape the mood. Joey was singled out for being fun, kind, and helpful, and another account praised the captain’s friendly manner. That personal touch matters on a small boat, where the crew is close by for most of the day. Still, the exact guide or captain may not be Joey every time, so do not book on the assumption that one named person will operate your departure.

Is $103 a fair price?

At about $103 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time on the water in Mauritius. Its value comes from what is bundled together: the cruise, the waterfall stop, Lighthouse Island, snorkeling near Blue Bay, the glass-bottom boat element, and lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. Drinks are also included according to the tour details and experience notes.

If you tried to organize each part separately, you would need to coordinate boats, timing, meals, and transport between locations. The all-inclusive structure removes that work. I consider the price reasonable for someone who wants a single, varied outing and does not want to spend a holiday morning comparing separate operators.

The value drops if you mainly want a beautiful beach. The east coast already has some of Mauritius’s best beaches, and the outing spends much of its time moving between stops. You are paying for access to several experiences, not simply for a chair on Ile aux Cerfs.

The 94 percent recommendation rate and 4.7 rating from 64 ratings suggest a strong overall record, but the mixed details are worth taking seriously. Most praise centers on the scenery, fish, grilled lunch, friendly crew, and range of stops. The main cautions are the early meeting confusion, limited shade for children, and the fact that the speedboat may not provide the relaxed feel some people expect.

Who should book this Mauritius boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Want to see several east and south coast sights in one outing
• Enjoy snorkeling and marine life
• Prefer a smaller group to a large boat crowd
• Like an active schedule with frequent changes of scene
• Want lunch and drinks included in the price
• Are staying near Trou d’Eau Douce or can reach the meeting point easily

I would hesitate if you:

• Want a slow catamaran cruise
• Need guaranteed shade on the boat
• Prefer spending most of the day at one beach
• Are booking mainly for dolphins or turtles
• Dislike a tightly packed itinerary
• Have mobility concerns about entering the lighthouse and moving between boat and shore

The experience is described as suitable for most people, and only your own group participates, with a maximum group size of 14. Because the wording also describes a small-group format, I would confirm the exact boat arrangement if group privacy is important to you.

Booking details and cancellation advice

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. from Chez TinoB59 in Trou d’Eau Douce and ends back at the meeting point. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the experience is offered with a mobile ticket.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Since the trip depends on good weather, a cancellation by the operator should result in another date or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the 5 island tour start?

It starts at Chez TinoB59 in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the excursion last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

Does the tour include snorkeling?

Yes. Snorkeling takes place in the waters south of Blue Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs is included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

The tour details and experience information indicate that drinks are included. Water is also provided, though carrying extra water is sensible.

Can you visit inside the lighthouse?

Yes. The route includes a stop at Lighthouse Island where you can visit inside the lighthouse.

Is the tour a catamaran cruise?

No. The experience is described as a speedboat outing rather than a catamaran cruise.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if variety matters more to you than lingering. In six hours, you can see the GRSE waterfall, enter a lighthouse, snorkel near Blue Bay, and eat on Ile aux Cerfs without arranging each part yourself. The friendly crew, small-group setup, fish-filled water, and included meal make it a strong value for an active day.

Skip it if you want a peaceful sailing day or a long stretch of empty beach. Confirm the jetty details before departure, bring sun protection and extra water, and remember that dolphins, turtles, and lobster may be pleasant extras rather than guarantees. For the right kind of day, this is a practical way to pack several of Mauritius’s best coastal experiences into one boat trip.