5 Islands Tour: New OCÉANE Private Pontoon Boat cruise

Mauritius saves its best scenes for the water. This six-hour private pontoon cruise links the Grand River South East Waterfall with quiet island stops, clear-water snorkeling, lunch, and open views of the southeast coast. I especially like the private boat, which lets your group set a calmer pace, and the mix of sightseeing and swimming rather than one long ride. The main catch is the price: $871 for up to two people is a serious splurge unless you can fill the boat with more passengers.

The route is flexible, and that matters here. One outing included extra time at Ile aux Cerfs and a private beach with a barbecue, while Ile aux Aigrettes was skipped. Also, confirm exactly what the unlimited drinks arrangement covers, since one past outing included fewer drinks with the meal than expected. Captain Joey earned especially warm praise for giving the group time at each stop.

Key things to know before you book

• Private pontoon for up to 11 people: The $871 rate is per group of up to two, but the boat can carry 11 passengers. Sharing the cost changes the value considerably.
• Grand River South East Waterfall comes first: You begin with one of Mauritius’s best-known coastal sights before reaching the swimming stops.
• Snorkeling comes before alcohol: Drinks are served after snorkeling, and the operator may cancel snorkeling if you drink beforehand.
• Lunch is served on board: You can eat at anchor while looking toward islands, water, and mountain ranges.
• The route can change: Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets, Ile aux Cerfs, and Ilôt Flamants are part of the planned route, but the exact order and stops may vary.
• Meet near Shangri-La le Touessrok: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the meeting point yourself.

A private start near Trou d’Eau Douce

The cruise begins at Pointe Maurice, just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel. You are not collected from your hotel, so allow time to arrange your own transport to the meeting point. The boat returns at about 15:30, giving you a clear half-day schedule.

The private format is the biggest practical advantage. You are not tied to the pace of a large group, and the stated capacity of 11 passengers gives you room to share the cost with friends or family. At the advertised rate, two people pay $435.50 each. With a full group, the cost per person becomes far more reasonable, though you should confirm how the booking system handles a larger party.

The pontoon is designed for a relaxed cruise rather than a fast, thrilling ride. That suits this route. You have time to watch the water, take photographs, and settle into the scenery without treating every stop like a race against the clock.

Grand River South East Waterfall from the water

The first major stop is Grand River South East Waterfall. You pause for photographs and sightseeing, with the boat providing a useful view of the falls from the lagoon.

This is a scenic opening rather than a long land visit. The appeal comes from seeing the waterfall as part of the river and coastal setting, with green mountain ranges rising behind the water. The route may also offer wildlife viewing. On one outing, monkeys were seen near the waterfall, and the group was able to feed them. That detail is worth treating carefully: wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, and feeding animals is not something you should assume will happen every time.

Your first stop also helps you settle into the day. You get photographs early, before the snorkeling, lunch, and beach time take over. Bring a camera, but protect it from spray and keep sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses close at hand.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleu

After the waterfall, the boat heads toward Eau Bleu for snorkeling. The water is described as crystal clear, and the point of this stop is to see the undersea life rather than simply jump in for a quick swim.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and fins. You are given time to swim and explore, although the actual duration depends on the day’s route and conditions. The private setup should help if your group has mixed interests. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can remain on board and enjoy the sun.

The alcohol rule is important. Alcoholic drinks are served only after snorkeling, and management can cancel the snorkeling activity if people drink beforehand. Plan your morning accordingly. Enjoy the water first, then settle into the aperitif and lunch portion of the cruise.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, high SPF sunscreen, and a change of clothes. Flip-flops are useful around the boat and beach, while a hat or cap helps during the open-water sections. Smoking is not allowed.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the limits of a flexible route

Ile aux Aigrettes appears in the planned route as a stop for swimming, snorkeling, an aperitif, and a pass by. It is one of the southeast islands that gives the cruise its name and variety.

Do not treat every listed island as a guaranteed long visit. The itinerary is explicitly adjustable, and one past route did not go to Ile aux Aigrettes. That flexibility can work in your favor if your group wants more time swimming or relaxing somewhere else, but it can disappoint if a particular island is the main reason you booked.

This is where a private boat differs from a fixed sightseeing cruise. You have more say in the pace, but you also need to ask the captain what is realistic that day. Before departure, confirm which islands are likely to receive a proper stop and which will be viewed from the boat.

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse and lunch at anchor

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse is one of the most photogenic parts of the route. The boat pauses for photographs, sightseeing, and free time, with the lighthouse set against the sea.

The planned schedule combines this stop with lunch, beer, wine, and other drinks. A meal on board keeps the day simple. You do not lose time looking for a restaurant, and you can eat while anchored among the islands rather than stopping the cruise for a formal restaurant meal.

The information supplied for the experience describes lunch as a cold meal on board. One past outing instead included a barbecue at a private beach, so the food arrangement may depend on the day or the customized route. Confirm the menu before booking if lunch is a major part of the value for you.

The same advice applies to drinks. The experience includes unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, but one past outing reported that only one drink was provided with the barbecue and that coffee cost extra. That does not match the advertised inclusion, so ask what is included, when drinks are served, and if coffee is separate.

Ilôt Flamants and the changing shoreline

Ilôt Flamants is mainly a scenic pass-by and photo stop. You may not step ashore for a long visit, but the island adds another change of scene as the boat moves through the lagoon.

These short passages are part of the pleasure of a private cruise. You are not spending the whole day at one crowded beach. Instead, the boat links small islands, shallow water, open sea, and mountain views. Still, if you prefer long walks and substantial time on land, this tour may feel boat-heavy.

The route is best understood as a moving day of scenery, with selected opportunities to swim and relax. The islands are viewed in combination, not as separate full excursions.

Ile aux Cerfs and time to wander

Ile aux Cerfs is visited as part of the return route, with dessert and scenic views on the way. Depending on the exact plan, you may pass by or receive free time to explore.

One past outing allowed about an hour on Ile aux Cerfs, which made a big difference. The group could leave the boat, walk around, and enjoy the setting without being rushed back after a few minutes. If your group wants that kind of stop, request it when arranging the cruise.

Ile aux Cerfs is also where the tour’s private character can pay off. A fixed group outing may keep you moving according to a strict timetable. Here, the route can be adjusted, though the captain still has to get you back to Pointe Maurice on schedule.

Keep expectations sensible. The supplied details do not promise a particular amount of beach time, and the itinerary says the route is indicative. Ask about the planned duration before you leave the dock.

A possible private beach and barbecue

The standard description focuses on lunch on board, but a past outing included a stop at a private beach with a barbecue. The group had time to relax there and finish the afternoon in a quiet setting.

That sounds like an excellent variation, especially after snorkeling and island sightseeing. A beach stop gives you a chance to dry off, stretch your legs, and enjoy a slower meal. It also shows why the flexible route can be useful for a private group.

At the same time, you should not book solely on the promise of a private beach or barbecue. They are not listed as fixed inclusions in the main details. Ask the operator if this option is available on your date, and clarify the meal and drink package before you pay.

What the six-hour rhythm feels like

The day follows a pleasant pattern:

• Waterfall and sightseeing early in the cruise
• Snorkeling and swimming before alcohol is served
• Lunch and an aperitif at anchor
• Lighthouse and island scenery
• Possible time at Ile aux Cerfs or another beach
• Return to Pointe Maurice at about 15:30

I like this order because the active part comes before the meal. You can snorkel while you are fresh, then spend the second half of the day eating, taking photographs, and watching the coast.

The schedule may change, and that is not necessarily a problem. A private boat can linger at a good swimming spot or skip an island if conditions or timing call for it. The tradeoff is that you need to communicate clearly with the captain.

Captain Joey received especially strong praise for allowing the group to take its time. That quality matters more than a long list of stops. A rushed boat tour can turn beautiful places into quick snapshots. A captain who watches the clock without hurrying you makes the day feel generous.

Is $871 good value?

At first glance, $871 for two people is expensive for a six-hour cruise. The price becomes easier to justify if you value privacy, a flexible route, lunch, snorkeling gear, and drinks in one package. You are paying for the boat and crew, not just seats on a standard excursion.

For two people, it is a luxury purchase. For a larger private group, the calculation changes. The pontoon carries up to 11 passengers, so a group of friends or family can divide the cost. Confirm the maximum party arrangement and final price before booking, since the advertised rate is stated for up to two people.

The value also depends on how the day is operated. If you receive generous time at the waterfall, snorkeling area, lighthouse, Ile aux Cerfs, and lunch stop, the private format can feel worthwhile. If several planned islands become quick pass-bys, the cost will feel harder to defend.

The inclusion of unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks adds value, but only if the actual service matches the promise. Ask about coffee, barbecue drinks, and the timing of alcohol before you depart. Clear answers will prevent an awkward surprise at lunch.

Who should book this pontoon cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly for couples, families, and small groups who want a private day on the southeast lagoon. It suits you if you like combining scenery, snorkeling, swimming, photographs, and a relaxed meal without changing boats or restaurants.

It is also a good choice for people who dislike strict group schedules. The route can be customized, and the strongest praise focuses on having enough time at the stops. That makes the tour more appealing than a standard island transfer.

You may want another option if you are watching your budget, want a long guided visit on land, or care most about seeing every named island. The route is flexible, not fixed, and some stops may be viewed only from the water.

You should also be comfortable meeting at Pointe Maurice. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the tour is conducted in English.

Should you book the 5 Islands Tour?

Book it if you can share the cost, want a private boat, and value an unhurried day more than a rigid checklist of islands. The waterfall, Eau Bleu snorkeling, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, and Ile aux Cerfs create a strong mix of scenery and water time.

Before paying, confirm the exact route, lunch style, drink policy, and expected time at each island. If those details match your priorities, this is a polished way to see Mauritius’s southeast coast without crowding your day with unnecessary stops.

FAQ

How long does the 5 Islands Tour last?

The cruise lasts six hours and is expected to return to Pointe Maurice at approximately 15:30.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is at Pointe Maurice, just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The experience is a private pontoon boat trip for your group.

How many people can the pontoon carry?

The pontoon can carry up to 11 passengers.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

When are alcoholic drinks served?

Alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling. Management may cancel snorkeling if alcoholic drinks are consumed beforehand.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on board is included. The standard description refers to a cold lunch, but a past route included a barbecue at a private beach, so confirm the arrangement for your date.

Which islands are included in the route?

The planned route includes Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, Ilôt Flamants, and Ile aux Cerfs, along with the Grand River South East Waterfall. The itinerary can be customized.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen with high SPF, a hat or cap, a camera, flip-flops, and a change of clothes. Smoking is not allowed.