5 Islands Private Speedboat w/ Snorkeling + Lunch & Drinks

The best part of this Mauritius day is the private speedboat. You move quickly between islands instead of waiting for a large boat, with time for a waterfall, monkeys, snorkeling, turtles, dolphins, and a long beach stop at Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the mix of active stops and easy beach time, plus the chance to arrange hotel pickup across Mauritius.

I also like the Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling and the beach BBQ with drinks included. The main caution is that the advertised nine hours needs confirming before you set out. Some guests returned much earlier than planned, and the language support and drinks service have not always matched expectations.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to four: The $498 group price works out well for four people, but less so for a couple.
• Five-island route: Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ilot Margenie form the core of the day.
• Best wildlife chances: Look for sea turtles and dolphins near Blue Bay, and wild monkeys near Grand River South East.
• Long Ile aux Cerfs stop: You get about two hours for swimming, sunbathing, coconut water, and optional paid watersports.
• Open bar and BBQ: Rum, wine, beer, juices, soft drinks, water, snacks, and grilled food are included, but service may be concentrated at the final island.
• Early departure is wise: An early start can mean calmer water and fewer boats at the popular stops.

A fast start from Trou d’Eau Douce

The trip begins and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast. From there, your skipper points the boat toward the islands, and the engine gives the day a brisk, adventurous feel from the start.

This is not a slow sightseeing cruise. A speedboat lets you cover more water and reach several stops in one day, though the ride can feel lively when the sea is choppy. You’ll want sunscreen, a camera, and clothes that can handle spray.

The group is private, with space for up to four people. That matters because you can spend more time together and avoid sharing every stop with a large organized group. The value is strongest when four people split the $498 price. At maximum occupancy, that is about $124.50 per person for a nine-hour private outing with lunch, drinks, equipment, and several major sights.

The tour can include hotel or Airbnb pickup and return throughout Mauritius for an extra charge. If you are staying near Trou d’Eau Douce, transport may be included at no cost, as happened for one family staying close to the departure point. Confirm the pickup price and meeting time before paying.

Ile aux Cerfs gives you beach time first

The first island stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you get about 45 minutes for a short visit and refreshments. Later, you return for roughly two hours, so this island has two different roles in the day.

The early stop helps you get your bearings and enjoy the coast before the longer activity sequence begins. The second visit is the one that matters most. You can swim, sunbathe, drink coconut water, and take a break from the boat.

Ile aux Cerfs is also where the beach BBQ is prepared. The meal includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. Vegetarian requests have been accommodated, which is useful for families with different diets, though you should state your needs clearly when booking.

Optional parasailing and a tube ride are available at an extra cost. These are not included in the $498 price, so ask for the current rates if you want to add them. A sega show or live music may provide entertainment during lunch, but the beach can become noisy and social when several groups arrive at once.

I would treat Ile aux Cerfs as a flexible stop rather than a quiet castaway island. You can move away from the main lunch area if you want a calmer patch of sand, but you should not expect total solitude.

Grand River South East and the monkey stop

The boat then heads to Grand River South East, where a waterfall flows toward the Indian Ocean. The setting is one of the more memorable parts of the route because you see fresh water meeting the coast from the boat.

You also have the chance to feed wild Mauritian monkeys. This is an unusual encounter, but it deserves some care. Food offered to wild animals can change their behavior, and one account specifically objected to the use of chips. If this part concerns you, ask the skipper how the feeding is handled and avoid treating it as a joke or a photo prop.

The stop is brief compared with Ile aux Cerfs, so you are mainly there for the waterfall view and monkey sighting. The boat gives you a useful angle without turning the visit into a long walk or inland excursion.

Three islands, a lagoon cruise, and changing scenery

After Grand River South East, the route continues toward Ile aux Phares. You then pass Ile de la Passe while heading for Blue Bay, and later pass Ile aux Aigrettes before returning toward Ile aux Cerfs by way of Ilot Margenie.

These island passages are part of the appeal. You get a broad east-coast boat ride rather than one isolated beach visit, and each island becomes a marker in the route. The day also includes a lagoon cruise, with the speedboat doing the work between the stops.

The program describes Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ilot Margenie as part of the five-island discovery. Do not assume that every island includes a long shore visit. Much of the pleasure comes from seeing them from the water and learning how they fit into the coastal route.

The guide languages listed are English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian. Still, language delivery is an important point to check. A German-language booking did not always result in a German-speaking guide, and some visitors received little explanation unless they asked questions. If detailed commentary matters to you, confirm the language and the guide’s role before the boat leaves.

One guide named in a positive account was Anil, praised for being engaged and friendly. You cannot guarantee that he will operate every departure, but asking who your skipper will be may help set expectations.

Blue Bay Marine Park is the day’s highlight

Blue Bay Marine Park is where the tour changes from island sightseeing to water activity. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you get time to see tropical fish in the protected marine area.

The water is also the best place on this route to look for sea turtles. Dolphins may appear during the boat ride or near the marine park, but neither animal sighting can be promised. Keep your camera ready, but do not judge the day only by wildlife luck.

The snorkeling is particularly worthwhile because it adds something you cannot get from a beach stop alone. You are not just looking at the islands. You are seeing the reef environment and the fish beneath the surface.

Bring sunscreen and a camera, as requested for the outing, and remember that snorkeling can be tiring after a fast boat ride. If you want the clearest conditions and fewer boats, the early departure is the better choice. An early start was especially appreciated because later hours can bring more boats and rougher activity around the popular spots.

Food, drinks, and the all-inclusive promise

The package includes a beach BBQ and an open bar with rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water. Snacks are also advertised as unlimited. On paper, this makes the price easier to justify, especially for a private group spending a full day on the water.

In practice, you should clarify when food and drinks will be available. Some departures had plenty of food and drink mainly at the final island, while the earlier part of the day offered only a small amount of snacks and drinks. That differs from the impression of an open bar running throughout the whole outing.

The BBQ menu is substantial: grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. The meal is prepared on the beach, which makes it feel like part of the island stop rather than a packed lunch handed over on the boat.

The bar may serve Mauritian beer, wine, rum cocktails, juices, soft drinks, and water. Drink responsibly in the sun, particularly if you still plan to snorkel or take part in watersports. Ask the crew when the bar opens, what snacks are supplied, and if vegetarian food can be set aside.

How long is the day in real use?

The stated duration is nine hours, with the day beginning and ending at Trou d’Eau Douce. That gives you enough time for the full island route, snorkeling, lunch, and the two Ile aux Cerfs visits.

The schedule has not always run to the full advertised length. One group was back around 2 p.m. after about five hours, despite expecting to return at 5 p.m. That is not a minor difference. It affects the value of the private booking, especially if you arranged your entire day around the boat.

Before departure, confirm four things with the operator:

• The exact departure and return times
• The planned time at Blue Bay Marine Park
• When the open bar and full snack service begin
• Whether hotel pickup changes the timetable

An early start can be a real advantage, but an early finish is not the same thing. Get the schedule in writing if possible, and speak up promptly if the boat is heading back much earlier than agreed.

Is $498 good value for a private boat?

The group price is $498 for up to four people. For four, the cost is reasonable for a private speedboat, snorkeling gear, beach lunch, drinks, island route, waterfall visit, and possible wildlife sightings. For two, the per-person price is much higher, so a shared boat may offer better value if privacy is not important.

The private format is most useful for families and small groups that want to control the pace. You can ask questions, request time for a swim, and avoid being tied to strangers. The value also improves if you use the hotel transfer option and would otherwise need to arrange transport to Trou d’Eau Douce.

The price is less attractive if the boat returns after only five hours, if the language you booked is unavailable, or if the all-inclusive drinks are limited until the final island. These are not reasons to reject the tour outright, but they are reasons to confirm the service details first.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Mauritius plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check the actual operating schedule.

Who will enjoy this speedboat day?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full east-coast day with several different scenes: open water, islands, a waterfall, monkeys, snorkeling, a beach lunch, and optional watersports. It suits active families, couples who want privacy, and small groups happy to pay more for their own boat.

It is also a good match if you want both adventure and downtime. The speedboat gives you the excitement, while the two-hour Ile aux Cerfs stop gives you room to slow down.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, carefully narrated cultural tour. The program is built around movement and sightseeing, and guide commentary can be limited. I would also hesitate if you need guaranteed German, Italian, Romanian, or French service unless the language is confirmed directly.

Finally, this is not the best choice if you dislike crowded beach stops, loud lunch areas, or uncertain wildlife sightings. The monkeys, dolphins, and turtles are appealing extras, not guaranteed performances.

My verdict on the five-island route

Book this tour if you have a group of four, want a private boat, and value variety more than a perfectly controlled schedule. The strongest parts are the Blue Bay snorkeling, the chance to see turtles and dolphins, the waterfall, and the generous beach stop at Ile aux Cerfs.

Before booking, confirm the guide language, exact return time, start of the open bar, snack arrangements, and any added transfer or watersport costs. With those details settled, this can be a lively and good-value way to see Mauritius from the water. If those points remain vague, the price becomes harder to defend.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is nine hours. Confirm the exact return time before departure because some departures have ended earlier than planned.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private group experience, with the price covering up to four people.

Is hotel pickup available?

Optional pickup and drop-off are available for hotels and Airbnbs throughout Mauritius. The transfer is not included in the base price unless specifically arranged.

What food is included?

The beach BBQ includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. Vegetarian requests have been accommodated, but you should state them when booking.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water. Snacks are also included, though you should confirm when full drink and snack service begins.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the snorkeling stop takes place in Blue Bay Marine Park.

Which languages are available?

The listed guide languages are English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian. Confirm your preferred language in advance, as it may not always be available on the boat.