5 Islands Speedboat Cruise, Snorkeling + Lunch & Open Bar

Mauritius looks best from a fast boat. This seven-hour East Coast outing mixes speedboat adventure with island stops, a lighthouse, waterfalls, swimming, snorkeling, and a barbecue lunch with drinks. I like the way it gives you several different sides of Mauritius in one day, and I especially like that the captain and guides help keep the mood lively rather than turning the trip into a silent sightseeing run.

The Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse is the most distinctive stop, while Ile aux Cerfs supplies the easy beach time most people want. The main point to consider is pace: the schedule covers many places, but snorkeling is listed as one stop, so anyone hoping for a full day in the water may want a tour focused more heavily on reef time.

Five useful things to know before you book

• The boat leaves Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m. and returns around 3:30 p.m., giving you a full seven hours on the East Coast.
• Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse is the standout sight, offering a strong historical and photographic element that separates this trip from a basic beach cruise.
• Lunch and the open bar are included, with an island-style barbecue meal. Fresh grilled lobster costs extra and must be requested in advance.
• Snorkeling takes place near Blue Bay Marine Park, but the schedule lists one snorkeling stop rather than repeated reef sessions.
• Transportation to the boat is not included, so arrange your own way to Trou d’Eau Douce or ask the operator to organize a private transfer.
• The trip suits active families and couples, but it is not suitable for wheelchair users and includes swimming, beach time, and movement around a speedboat.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m.

The activity begins and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’ East Coast. You need to contact the operator by WhatsApp for the exact boarding details, so do not treat the departure point as a simple walk-up marina meeting. If you are staying elsewhere on the island, transportation is separate from the $100 tour price.

That extra transport cost matters. A private transfer can make the morning easier, especially if you are not based near Trou d’Eau Douce, but it changes the final cost of the day. Ask about the transfer when booking rather than waiting until the morning of the cruise.

Once aboard, the speedboat is part of the attraction. You are not simply being carried from one beach to another. The engine, open water, and quick movement give the day its adventure feel. If you prefer a quiet, slow boat with lots of time to sit, this may feel energetic. If you like a little spray and speed between stops, it is a good match.

The tour runs in English and French. The captain is central to the mood of the trip. Danilo receives particularly strong praise for keeping the pace enjoyable and the atmosphere friendly, while another captain is remembered for good humor. That matters on a seven-hour boat outing, where a warm crew can make the difference between an organized day and a tiring one.

Ile aux Cerfs: beach time, swimming, and lunch

Ile aux Cerfs is the most relaxed part of the day. Here you can sunbathe, swim, and take a break from the boat. There are also watersports shops on the island, giving you the option to look around or consider an extra activity, though the tour price does not state that every watersport is included.

This stop works well because it breaks up the sightseeing. After the speedboat ride and island visits, you get room to slow down. Bring swimwear, beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen, since the day regularly shifts between boat, beach, and water.

Lunch is included here, along with an open bar. The meal is described as an island recipe barbecue, which gives the stop a local flavor rather than making it just a packed meal on a beach. Fresh grilled lobster is available only at an additional cost, so request it ahead of time if that is important to you. Do not assume lobster is part of the standard $100 package.

The open bar is another practical benefit. You do not need to buy every drink separately during the included meal and swimming portions. Still, I would bring the basics you need for the whole day, especially sunscreen and any personal drinks or snacks you require, since the exact open-bar selection is not specified.

Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse and the history of the route

The lighthouse at Ile aux Fouqets is presented as the main attraction, and it is easy to see why. A lighthouse gives the cruise a sense of place and history that a series of beach stops cannot provide. It also adds visual variety: after pale sand and open water, you get a distinct landmark tied to the island’s maritime setting.

The boat does not turn this into a long historical lecture, at least not from the information provided. Think of the lighthouse as a scenic and historic stop within an active day, not as a museum visit with extended indoor interpretation. You will likely appreciate it most if you enjoy seeing old coastal structures and learning how islands relate to shipping and navigation.

This is also one of the places where the speedboat format earns its keep. The route lets you view several small islands from the water without committing to long walks or a full land-based sightseeing program. The trade-off is that each stop has limited time compared with a dedicated lighthouse excursion.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the swimming break

The itinerary includes Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, paired with swimming and an open bar. The reserve gives the trip another change of tone. Rather than focusing only on beach leisure, the route brings in a protected natural area and a chance to see a less developed side of the coast.

The provided details do not specify a guided land visit or wildlife walk at the reserve, so you should not book this expecting a long nature presentation. The stop is clearly tied to swimming and time on the water. That makes it useful as a refreshing pause, but less suitable if your main goal is detailed reserve interpretation.

The second open-bar opportunity adds convenience. After swimming, you can return to the boat and enjoy a drink without treating every refreshment as an extra purchase. As always, drink responsibly on a boat, especially when swimming and moving between stops.

Snorkeling near Blue Bay Marine Park

The snorkeling stop is near Blue Bay Marine Park, known for marine life and underwater scenery. This is the part of the day to pack for carefully. You will need swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, but a rash guard or extra sun protection could also be useful if you have one.

Snorkeling is included in the price, which strengthens the value of the tour. You can combine reef time with beaches, waterfalls, and a lighthouse without booking several separate activities. The listing does not promise equipment details, so confirm what is supplied if you prefer to use your own mask or have specific gear needs.

The main limitation is time. The schedule names one snorkeling location, and a recent rating specifically wished for another attractive snorkeling spot. If underwater viewing is your top priority, this may leave you wanting more. If you see snorkeling as one pleasant part of a broader day, the arrangement makes sense.

Weather also matters. One highly positive account notes that the day remained enjoyable despite poor weather. That suggests the crew can keep the outing pleasant when conditions are not perfect, but no boat trip can guarantee clear water, strong visibility, or calm seas. Expect the experience to change with wind and weather.

Grand River South East Waterfalls from the water

The Grand River South East Waterfalls add a strong contrast to the marine stops. Instead of another island beach, you get a freshwater feature at the end of the Grand River South East. Reaching the falls by boat keeps the day varied and lets you see how Mauritius’ rivers meet the coast.

You should keep your expectations measured. This is a stop within a multi-site speedboat cruise, not a long hiking visit to a waterfall. The attraction is the boat approach and the chance to include a river setting in a single coastal route.

For me, this is one of the tour’s practical strengths. Many island excursions repeat the same pattern of sand, swim, and drink. Adding a river waterfall gives you another memory and another set of photographs. It also helps justify the seven-hour schedule, since the day is not built around one beach alone.

Ilot Mergenie and the six-stop question

The tour is promoted as a five-island cruise, but the listed route also includes Ilot Mergenie. Along with Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouqets, Ile aux Aigrettes, the Blue Bay snorkeling area, and Grand River South East Waterfalls, that can feel like a long sequence of separate points.

This is not necessarily a problem. It means the day has plenty of variety. But you should understand that a list of many locations does not mean you get a long visit at each one. The boat is designed for exploration and movement, with selected stops for swimming, lunch, snorkeling, and sightseeing.

If you like seeing a lot in one outing, the format is efficient. If you prefer to settle into one island for hours, Ile aux Cerfs alone may suit you better. The tour makes the most sense for someone who wants a broad taste of the East Coast rather than a slow beach day.

What the $100 price really covers

At $100 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the included elements. The package covers tickets to the listed attractions, snorkeling, open bar, and the island barbecue lunch. Those inclusions remove several common add-on costs from a full-day excursion.

The value is strongest for people who want a complete day rather than a boat transfer. You are paying for the boat experience, several coastal sights, swimming opportunities, food, drinks, and guided organization. A simple beach trip may cost less, but it will not offer the same mix.

There are two costs to keep in mind. Transportation is excluded, and fresh grilled lobster is extra. If you need a hotel transfer and want lobster, the final bill will rise above the advertised price. Ask for both before confirming so you can compare the complete cost with other Mauritius boat trips.

The reserve-and-pay-later option also helps if your plans are still changing. You can hold a place without paying immediately, according to the booking terms provided. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, which gives you some protection if your schedule or weather plans change.

Who will enjoy this speedboat cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several experiences packed into one day. It is a good fit for:

• Families looking for swimming, food, and an active outing
• Couples who want island scenery with a little speed
• First-time visitors who want a broad look at the East Coast
• People who enjoy a friendly captain and a social boat atmosphere
• Anyone who values included lunch, drinks, and snorkeling

It is less suitable if you need wheelchair access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It may also disappoint you if you want a long guided visit at the nature reserve or several extended snorkeling sessions.

The mood appears to be one of the tour’s strongest points. Danilo is praised for good pacing and fun, while another captain is described as full of good humor. Families are also singled out as a good match. Those details suggest that the crew does more than steer the boat, they help carry the day.

Practical packing and planning advice

Bring swimwear, beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You will use all four. Keep your belongings compact and easy to secure, since the day includes a speedboat, beaches, swimming, and several changes of setting.

Contact the operator through WhatsApp before the trip for boarding information. This is especially important because the exact meeting details are sent directly rather than presented as a simple fixed pickup arrangement.

Ask about private hotel transportation if you are not staying near Trou d’Eau Douce. Also request lobster in advance if you want it. Waiting until you arrive may not be enough, since the meal is planned and the lobster is not part of the standard package.

Give yourself enough time to reach the departure point for the 8:30 a.m. start. The return is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., so avoid booking another fixed activity too close to that time. Boats and weather do not always respect a tight onward schedule.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book it if you want variety, speed, swimming, and a social day on the water. The lighthouse, waterfall, reserve, beach, snorkeling area, and included barbecue make this more than a standard beach transfer. At $100, the package offers solid value when you take advantage of lunch, drinks, attractions, and snorkeling.

Think twice if your perfect day means one quiet beach, long reef sessions, or detailed nature guiding. The itinerary covers a lot, and one snorkeling stop may feel brief. For most active visitors, though, the mix is the point: you get a fast ride, several island views, a historic lighthouse, food, and time to swim without arranging each piece separately.

FAQ

Where does the five-island speedboat cruise start?

The activity starts at Trou d’Eau Douce on Mauritius’ East Coast.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled embarkation time is 8:30 a.m.

What time does the tour return?

The scheduled return time is 3:30 p.m., for a total duration of about seven hours.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Transportation is not included in the tour price, but you can ask the operator to organize private transportation from your hotel or accommodation to the boat and back.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An island recipe barbecue lunch is included in the price.

Is lobster included?

No. Fresh grilled lobster costs extra and should be reserved in advance through WhatsApp.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling near the Blue Bay Marine Park area is included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.