5 Islands Private Speedboat with Snorkeling Lunch and Drinks

Mauritius looks best from the water. This full-day private speedboat trip combines fast rides, clear lagoons, coral reefs, shipwreck lore, old military ruins, a waterfall, and lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. I like the freedom of having a boat for only your group of up to four, and I like the mix of swimming and history rather than a day spent only on a beach.

The strongest practical advantage is the flexible feel. Gino, one of the named boat drivers, gave guests options during the day, while another booking account praised Dino for organizing a hotel pickup. The main caution is pace: eight hours is a long time in sun and spray, and the seven or eight stops leave limited time at each place.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for up to four: The $575 group price becomes much better value when four people share it, especially compared with paying per person on a large shared cruise.

• Blue Bay snorkeling: The marine park has clear water, an average depth of about 5.5 meters, more than 50 coral species, and good chances to see reef fish.

• History between swims: Pointe d’Esny’s 1902 Dalblair shipwreck, Ile du Phare’s lighthouse, and Ile de la Passe’s old defenses give the day more substance than a standard lagoon cruise.

• A full east coast circuit: You visit Blue Bay, Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile du Phare, Ile de la Passe, Ilot Flamants, Grand River South East, and Ile aux Cerfs, while passing Ilot Vacoas.

• Lunch at Ile aux Cerfs: The usual BBQ includes chicken, fish, side dishes, salads, and garlic bread. Vegetarian food can be arranged if requested ahead of time.

• Fast, scenic, and weather dependent: The speedboat makes the route exciting, but wind, sun, spray, and sea conditions can affect comfort and the amount of time you spend in the water.

Why a private speedboat changes the day

A private boat gives you something a regular group cruise cannot: space to shape the day around your own interests. If your group wants more time swimming, you can ask. If the old ruins matter more than another quick stop, you have a better chance of making that clear.

The boat carries only your group, up to four people. That makes the $575 price a group cost rather than an individual fare. At four people, it works out to $143.75 each. At two people, it is $287.50 each, so the value depends heavily on how many people share the boat.

You should also understand what kind of private tour this is. You are not getting a slow, polished yacht cruise with long restaurant stops. The appeal is the powerful engine, quick movement across the water, and access to several small islands in one day. I would choose it for energy and variety, not quiet luxury.

The tour runs about eight hours, with listed operating hours from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The stated meeting point is Tropical Waves on Debarcadere Road in Trou d’Eau Douce, and the boat returns there. Pickup is offered, and a hotel pickup was arranged for at least one booking, but confirm the pickup point clearly because the booking process can make meeting arrangements confusing.

Blue Bay Marine Park and Pointe d’Esny

The first water stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, one of the most important parts of the day for anyone who enjoys snorkeling. You ride out toward the reef, then enter the water in the middle of the marine park.

The conditions described here are appealing for a short snorkeling session. The average depth is about 5.5 meters, the water is noted for clear visibility, and the reef includes more than 50 coral species. You can expect to look for reef fish and different coral formations rather than simply swim in an empty patch of lagoon.

I like that this stop gives the day a clear purpose early on. You are not spending the morning only racing between islands. You get a proper look beneath the surface before moving on.

Still, your enjoyment will depend on the sea and your comfort in open water. The schedule allows about an hour, but that includes getting into position and getting back aboard. Bring or confirm your snorkeling equipment arrangements before departure, since the supplied details do not specify exactly what gear is included.

Next comes Pointe d’Esny and the wreck of the Dalblair, which sank on the coral reef in 1902. The stop adds a little mystery to the route, since the wreck has a controversial story connected with it.

This is not presented as a long shore excursion. Think of it as a boat-based history stop, with the shipwreck as the focus. If you enjoy old wrecks and coastal stories, it gives the fast ride a useful pause. If you want extensive interpretation or a close underwater wreck inspection, ask the crew what you will actually be able to see on the day.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the first lagoon break

At Ile aux Aigrettes, the mood shifts from shipwreck history to a simple lagoon stop. You can enjoy a cocktail, swim in clear water, and use a natural pool area where starfish are found.

This is a good place to slow down. After the boat’s engine and spray, a calm swim gives you time to enjoy the setting without a strict activity list. The starfish are an appealing detail, but look without handling them. The description does not promise a guided nature walk or a land tour of the reserve, so treat this as a water and refreshment stop.

The phrase Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve may suggest a formal reserve visit, but the supplied plan specifically describes a cocktail and swim. Confirm the exact access included if seeing the reserve itself matters to you. This is one of several places where the name of an island can imply more than the actual stop provides.

Ile du Phare and Ile de la Passe: history with salt spray

Ile du Phare, also called Ile aux Fouquets or Phare Island, is a small rocky island in Grand Port Bay. Its old lighthouse was built in 1864 to guide ships toward Mahebourg. You have time to walk around the island and see the lighthouse ruin.

The lighthouse is more than a photo stop. It connects the island to Mauritius’s maritime past, when ships needed physical markers to enter port safely. The island also played a part in the Battle of Grand Port between French and British forces.

Expect rough, open surroundings rather than a manicured historic site. The plan says you can visit the ruin or walk around, but it does not mention restored interiors, museum displays, or extensive facilities. Wear shoes suitable for uneven ground and keep your expectations focused on atmosphere and views.

Ile de la Passe provides another history lesson, this time through old defensive ruins. The small islet helped protect Mauritius during the colonial period, and French and British defenses were built there. The remaining structures date back roughly two and a half centuries.

You can walk among the ruins and look back toward the mainland and turquoise sea. The Battle of Vieux Grand Port is especially notable, since it is commemorated by an inscription on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

For me, these two islands are what give the trip its character. You are not just collecting pretty beaches. You are seeing places that explain why this sheltered coast mattered to colonial powers and naval commanders.

The tradeoff is time. The day includes many stops, and the listed schedule gives roughly an hour to each major location. That sounds generous until you account for boat transfers, swimming, walking, photos, and lunch. If history is your priority, ask the crew how much shore time is realistic.

Ilot Flamants and the run toward Ile aux Cerfs

While cruising, the boat passes Ilot Vacoas. There is no listed shore visit, so consider it a passing view rather than a separate stop.

Ilot Flamants is a small white-sand island in the lagoon. You spend about 30 minutes there, with time for a short snorkeling session in turquoise water before continuing toward Ile aux Cerfs.

This is the kind of stop that looks excellent in a full-day plan but feels brief in practice. Thirty minutes can be enough for a swim and a quick look around. It is not enough for a slow beach afternoon, long snorkeling exploration, and a relaxed picnic.

The speedboat makes this short visit possible. A slower boat might turn the same route into a much longer affair, but the fast ride is part of the attraction here. You get movement, changing views, and several different settings in one day.

Bring sun protection that will stay with you on a moving boat. The tour is designed around open water, and you will be exposed to sun, wind, and spray for much of the day.

Grand River South East Waterfalls by boat

The Grand River South East Waterfalls are viewed from the water as the speedboat moves into the waterfall canal. This is a short stop of about 30 minutes, and it offers a different scene from the offshore islands.

Here, the river meets the sea, with vegetation along the banks and the waterfall ahead. Monkeys are accustomed to human presence in the area, and you might see them moving through the trees. Fruit bats may also be perched high above the river.

The wording matters: this is a boat approach and viewing experience, not a long land walk to the falls. You should not expect to get out and explore a trail unless the crew specifically confirms that arrangement.

This stop also breaks up the saltwater routine. After snorkeling and beaches, a river channel with trees, monkeys, bats, and falling water gives your eyes something new to follow. Keep your camera ready, but do not count on wildlife appearing on schedule.

Ile aux Cerfs and the BBQ lunch

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop and the place where the day becomes most relaxed. You approach by speedboat and see white sand, palm trees, and a bright lagoon. Free time allows you to swim, snorkel, walk, sit on the beach, or choose a water sports activity.

The tour is not specific about which water sports are included, so treat those as optional activities rather than part of the $575 package unless confirmed. You also need to watch the clock. With several earlier stops, your beach time may feel shorter than you expect.

Lunch is served around noon and usually includes chicken BBQ, fish BBQ, salads, side dishes, and garlic bread. A vegetarian meal can be arranged if you tell the operator in advance. That last point is important. Do not wait until you arrive if you need a meat-free meal.

I like the choice of lunch here because it keeps the day outdoors and informal. You do not lose a large block of time searching for a restaurant, and the BBQ suits a day built around the sea.

Drinks are part of the tour title, and a cocktail is specifically mentioned at Ile aux Aigrettes. The exact drink selection is not provided, so confirm what is included if beverages are an important part of your decision.

What the crew and pickup arrangements add

The strongest praise is directed at the boat drivers and the way the day is handled. Gino is described as a good driver who offered choices during the day, while Dino is praised for making a hotel pickup work and helping keep the outing organized.

Those details matter on a private trip. You are paying for a route with many moving parts, and a good driver can make the day feel relaxed rather than rushed. The chance to discuss options is especially useful if conditions or your group’s energy change.

The names supplied for the crew differ, so confirm who will be driving your boat. Also confirm the hotel pickup time and meeting location in writing. The official meeting point is in Trou d’Eau Douce, while pickup is offered separately.

The activity is private, and only your group participates. Service animals are allowed, most people can take part, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation is provided at booking.

Who gets the best value from this trip

I would recommend this trip most strongly to a small group of friends or family members who want a busy day on the water. Four people sharing the $575 cost get the clearest value.

You should be comfortable with a fast boat, repeated boarding and disembarking, swimming, sun, and a full schedule. The trip suits people who want variety more than long, quiet time on one beach.

It is also a good fit if you like your scenery with a story. The Dalblair wreck, lighthouse, colonial defenses, and Battle of Vieux Grand Port give the east coast a sense of place.

You may want another kind of outing if you dislike speed, need a slow pace, or want a detailed guided visit at every historic site. The tour touches many locations, but it cannot provide an in-depth visit at all of them in eight hours.

The schedule is also less ideal for anyone who wants to spend most of the day snorkeling. Blue Bay and Ilot Flamants provide water time, but the day is equally about beaches, ruins, a waterfall, and the boat ride itself.

Booking advice and cancellation flexibility

The trip is often reserved about 26 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the final moment if your dates are fixed. The operating period shown runs from June 3, 2024 through June 18, 2026, Monday through Sunday, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

Before paying, I would confirm four things: hotel pickup, the assigned driver, snorkeling equipment, and the exact drinks and water sports included. These questions are especially useful because the day covers so much ground and because the meeting point details can be confusing.

Should you book the 5 Islands speedboat?

Book it if you want a private, high-energy east coast day with snorkeling, historic ruins, a waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, and a BBQ lunch. Four people sharing the boat receive the best value, and the private format gives you more say in how the day feels.

Think twice if you want long, unhurried stays at each island or a formal history tour with extensive commentary. The real strength is the combination: fast boat rides, clear water, small islands, old defenses, wildlife possibilities, and a beach lunch in one long outing.

For an active group that values variety, this is an appealing way to see the coast. Confirm the practical details before departure, pack for sun and spray, and let the crew know ahead of time about vegetarian food or pickup needs.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The tour costs $575 per group for up to four people.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, with operating hours listed from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Tropical Waves on Debarcadere Road in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. A hotel pickup was arranged for one booking, but you should confirm your pickup location and time clearly before the day of the tour.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates. The boat accommodates up to four people under the listed group price.

Where does snorkeling take place?

Snorkeling is offered at Blue Bay Marine Park and at Ilot Flamants. Blue Bay has an average depth of about 5.5 meters, clear water, reef fish, and more than 50 coral species.

What food is served for lunch?

The usual BBQ lunch includes chicken, fish, side dishes, salads, and garlic bread. Vegetarian food can be arranged if requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

A cocktail is specifically mentioned at Ile aux Aigrettes. The full drinks selection is not specified, so confirm the details before booking.

Which historic sites are visited?

The route includes the Dalblair shipwreck at Pointe d’Esny, the lighthouse ruins on Ile du Phare, and old French and British defensive ruins on Ile de la Passe.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.