5 Islands Speedboat Cruise incl. Snorkeling in Blue Bay + Lunch at Ile aux Cerfs

The east coast is best seen from the water. This seven-hour speedboat trip links Ile aux Cerfs, historic islets, Grand River South East, and Blue Bay Marine Park in one busy day, with snorkeling gear, lunch, drinks, snacks, and a small group of up to 18 people included.

I like the easy mix of island scenery and swimming time, and I also like that the skipper adds stories about Mauritius rather than simply driving from stop to stop. The main concern is pacing: some stops are brief, while the lunch break can feel long, and the music on board may be louder than you prefer.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Bay snorkeling is the main event: Expect up to two hours at Blue Bay Marine Park or near Ilot Mangenie, depending on weather and coral breeding conditions.
• You visit more than beaches: The route includes a lighthouse island, a nature reserve, Grand River South East Waterfalls, and sites linked to the Battle of Grand Port.
• Lunch and drinks are included: You receive lunch, bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic drinks, so the $110.79 price covers much more than the boat ride.
• The group is capped at 18 people: That is small enough for a more personal boat outing, though the atmosphere can still be lively.
• Skipper personality matters: Andy is praised for his energy and friendliness, and the crew checks that everyone is comfortable.
• Bring patience with the schedule: Island visits may feel short, while the meal stop can stretch longer than expected.

What the $110.79 price really buys you

At $110.79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Mauritius by boat. It is also not just a transfer to a beach. The price bundles a speedboat, several coastal stops, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, and entry-related fees.

That bundle can offer solid value if you want a full day without arranging each part yourself. Renting equipment separately, finding a boat, buying lunch, and organizing visits to the east and southeast coast would take time and could quickly narrow the price gap.

I would judge the value by your priorities. If you want a quiet half-day at one beach, this trip is too packed. If you want to collect several sights in one outing and enjoy the ride between them, the cost makes more sense.

Private transportation is not included. You need to reach the Blue Alizé Catamaran meeting point at Trou d’Eau Douce, and parking is available at the meeting point. The tour begins at 8:30 am and returns there at the end.

Starting at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the first major stop, with about 45 minutes on the island and time for refreshments. This gives you a quick introduction to one of Mauritius’s best-known coastal attractions before the boat moves on.

The short visit is useful for seeing the island without giving up the rest of the route. You can get your bearings, enjoy the shoreline, and take in the setting before returning to the speedboat.

Still, 45 minutes is not a long beach stop. I would not book this tour expecting a full morning at Ile aux Cerfs. The island is being used as one chapter in a larger day, not as the whole story.

The speedboat ride itself is part of the appeal. You get a closer view of the coast and smaller islets than you would from a larger catamaran. The tradeoff is that a speedboat feels more exposed to wind, spray, and engine noise. Music is played on board, and one account found it too loud, so this is better for an upbeat outing than for silent sightseeing.

Grand River South East and its waterfall

The route continues toward Grand River South East, where a waterfall flows toward the Indian Ocean. This is one of the day’s more memorable natural sights because the water meets the sea at the mouth of the river.

The viewing time is brief in the schedule, so treat it as a scenic stop rather than a long visit ashore. You are mainly there to see the falls from the water, take photographs, and hear the skipper explain the area.

The river and coast also provide a change of pace from the open sea. After the first island stop, the boat moves through a setting shaped by water, rock, and river currents. It is a good example of why the trip works best as a collection of experiences rather than a single beach excursion.

Ile aux Fouquets and the old lighthouse

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile Phare or Lighthouse Island, adds a strong historical note to the day. Dutch settlers discovered the islet in 1598, and a lighthouse built in 1864 operated until the early twentieth century.

The island sits in the Bay of Mahébourg and had a strategic role during naval fighting at Grand Port. Nearby Ile de la Passe was also connected with the Battle of Grand Port in August 1810, a hard-fought clash between French and British frigates.

You will not get a full museum visit here. The value is in seeing the small island and its remains while the guide explains why this apparently isolated place mattered. The commentary gives the speedboat route a sense of place, especially if you enjoy learning how Mauritius fits into wider Indian Ocean history.

Do keep expectations sensible. The stop is mainly visual and interpretive, not a long walk through a preserved historic site. The boat schedule moves on after the view.

Blue Bay Marine Park for snorkeling

Blue Bay Marine Park is the centerpiece of the outing. The park was declared a national park in 1997 and became a Ramsar wetland site in 2008. Its shallow, calm water and coral garden make it well suited to a group snorkeling session.

The planned water time is about two hours, although the exact location may change. You could snorkel at Blue Bay Marine Park or near Ilot Mangenie, depending on weather and the coral breeding season.

That flexibility matters. Sea conditions and conservation needs can affect where the boat stops, so the advertised location is not an absolute guarantee. The important point is that the crew aims to provide a sheltered snorkeling area with coral and marine life.

Equipment is included, which removes one common nuisance. You do not need to arrange a mask and snorkel separately, and all fees are covered in the price. The calm and shallow water should suit many people, and the tour information says most people can participate.

I would still treat the snorkeling time as shared group time, not a private reef session. Some outings may offer less water time than expected if the schedule shifts, and one account described the snorkeling stop as too short. Ask the skipper early about the day’s timing if snorkeling is your top priority.

The marine park is also where you need to respect the setting. Do not touch coral or marine animals, and follow the crew’s instructions about where you may swim. The park’s value comes from its living coral garden, not from treating it like an ordinary swimming pool.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the food break

After Blue Bay, the boat passes Ile aux Aigrettes, an islet off Mauritius’s southeast coast. It serves as a nature reserve and scientific research station, and it is also visited by both local residents and people from abroad.

The scheduled stop is about 20 minutes and includes refreshments. An open bar is available as part of the all-inclusive service, alongside lunch, snacks, bottled water, and alcoholic drinks.

The meal is one of the strongest practical features of this tour. You can spend the day outdoors without having to search for a restaurant between boat stops. The food has also received especially warm praise, with one person calling it the best lunch of the day.

The schedule around lunch deserves a warning. The published route describes short stops and refreshments, but one outing included a much longer pause of roughly two and a half hours at an island with little to see. That may be a different operating pattern or a day affected by conditions, but it shows why you should ask how the meal will be handled before setting out.

If you prefer a relaxed picnic-style outing, a long lunch break may be welcome. If you want constant sightseeing, it may feel like dead time. The answer depends on whether you value extra social time, drinks, and an unhurried meal more than another active stop.

What the crew adds to the day

A speedboat trip can be technically well organized and still feel flat if the skipper treats it like a taxi ride. Here, the human side appears to be a major part of the appeal.

Andy is singled out for his energy, warmth, and friendly attitude. The crew is also described as checking in with the group to make sure people are happy. That matters on a small boat, where the skipper shapes the mood from the first minute.

The guides explain the islands and local sites, including the lighthouse and naval history. If you enjoy context, you will get more from the route than a series of quick photographs.

Language arrangements may need attention. One booking expected a French-speaking guide but was placed with the English group. If language is important to you, confirm it before the day and again at the meeting point. The tour information does not guarantee that every departure will have a separate guide in each language.

The group limit of 18 people is helpful. It keeps the boat more personal than a large cruise vessel and gives you a better chance of hearing the guide. It does not mean the boat will be calm or quiet. Music, conversation, and a lively skipper are part of the package.

Extra wildlife sightings and ethical concerns

Some departures include surprises not central to the planned route. Monkeys have been seen jumping onto the boat, and dolphins have also been spotted. These moments can add real excitement to the day.

Dolphins are wildlife, not part of a show. One account felt uncomfortable when the boat followed them too closely, describing the experience as more like hunting than observing. If dolphins appear, I would ask the skipper to keep a respectful distance and avoid treating the sighting as a chase.

That is a useful point for anyone choosing a marine tour. A good day should include the thrill of seeing animals without putting pressure on them. The route itself provides plenty to enjoy even if no wildlife appears.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

The tour lasts about seven hours, beginning at 8:30 am and ending back at the meeting point. Since the route includes several crossings, water time, meals, and sightseeing, the day can feel full even though some individual stops are short.

The schedule adds variety, but it also requires flexibility. Weather can change the snorkeling site, and the tour requires good weather to operate. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

I would bring sun protection, a swimsuit, a towel, and a way to protect your phone from spray. These are practical suggestions for a boat and snorkeling day, not extra services promised by the operator. The included bottled water helps, but you should still be ready for several hours outside.

The boat is not the right setting for anyone seeking a slow, silent cruise. You may encounter engine noise, music, spray, and quick transitions. If you like motion, social energy, and a changing view, those same features will make the day more fun.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not accepted for a refund, except when the provider cancels because of poor weather.

Who should book this speedboat outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several parts of Mauritius in one day and prefer an active group outing to a private, quiet boat charter. It suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, island scenery, food, and a bit of history in the same package.

It is also a good choice if you want the practical work handled for you. The boat, equipment, meal, snacks, drinks, and fees are bundled, and parking is available at the meeting point.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a long, uninterrupted beach visit or serious reef snorkeling. Ile aux Cerfs may feel rushed, and the snorkeling time can vary. The lunch break may also be longer than you expect.

My booking verdict

Book this tour if variety is your priority. For $110.79, you get a lively speedboat ride, several island views, Blue Bay snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a small capped group. The most praised features are the friendly skipper, the social mood, the memorable lunch, and the number of sights packed into one day.

Skip it if you want quiet water time, a precise language guarantee, or long visits at each island. Before paying, confirm the guide language and ask how much time will be reserved for snorkeling and lunch. With those points clear, this is a strong way to sample Mauritius’s east and southeast coast without assembling the day yourself.

FAQ

How long does the 5-island speedboat cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours. It starts at 8:30 am and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The meeting point is Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. The tour returns to the same meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to hire it separately.

Where does the snorkeling take place?

The snorkeling session takes place at Blue Bay Marine Park or near Ilot Mangenie. The location depends on weather conditions and the coral breeding season.

How long is the snorkeling session?

The planned snorkeling stop is approximately two hours.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 18 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.