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

The best part of this Mauritius outing is its variety. In one fast-moving day, you can see a historic lighthouse, a waterfall reaching the Indian Ocean, several small islands, and the coral gardens of Blue Bay Marine Park. The speedboat makes the route feel lively, not like a long series of beach transfers.

I like the small group of no more than 18 people, which gives the skipper room to keep the day friendly and flexible. I also like the practical value: lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, and snorkeling equipment are all included.

The main drawback is pace. Several stops are brief, and snorkeling time can feel short. Music may be loud, and the schedule can change with weather or coral breeding conditions. If you want a slow beach day, this is not it.

Key points to know before booking

• Five island and coastal stops: You see Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets, Ile aux Aigrettes, Blue Bay Marine Park, and Grand River South East.
• Snorkeling is included: Equipment is supplied, with the session held at Blue Bay or near Ilot Mangenie depending on conditions.
• Andy has earned praise for his energy: The skipper’s humor and friendly manner can make a big difference on a seven-hour boat day.
• Lunch and drinks are part of the price: Snacks, bottled water, alcohol, lunch, and an open bar stop are included.
• The day moves quickly: Some stops last only 15 to 45 minutes, so expect sightseeing rather than long island visits.
• Transport to the meeting point is not included: You need to arrange your own way to Blue Alizé Catamaran at Trou d’Eau Douce.

A fast start from Trou d’Eau Douce

The tour begins at 8:30 am at Blue Alizé Catamaran, Ile aux Cerfs, in Trou d’Eau Douce. The excursion lasts about seven hours and returns to the same meeting point. Parking is available there, which is useful if you have a rental car, but private transportation to the meeting point is not included.

You will be on a speedboat rather than a large catamaran. That matters. The boat can cover more coast in less time, and the ride itself becomes part of the fun. You should still expect wind, spray, engine noise, and a fair amount of sun. Bring sun protection and wear clothing that can handle a little water.

The group limit is 18 people. That is small enough to avoid the packed feeling of a large cruise, though it is not a private charter. The atmosphere depends partly on the skipper. Andy is specifically praised for his energy and friendly approach, and the crew generally keeps checking that everyone is comfortable.

The day is commonly booked around 18 days ahead. That is a useful clue for planning, especially if your Mauritius visit falls during a busy season. The tour requires good weather, so keep some flexibility in your holiday schedule if possible.

Ile aux Cerfs gives you an easy first stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the opening island visit, with about 45 minutes there for refreshments. It is one of the best-known stops on Mauritius, so this is a good chance to get your bearings and see one of the east coast’s most popular island settings without committing a full day to it.

The short timing is both a strength and a weakness. You get a taste of the island before moving on, which keeps the full route possible. But 45 minutes is not enough for a relaxed exploration of every beach, path, or viewpoint. Think of it as a scenic stop, not a complete Ile aux Cerfs visit.

The supplied schedule also describes lunch as part of the day, with food included in the price. One account of the experience found the lunch especially memorable, while another found a long stop for lunch on an island less interesting than expected. The practical lesson is simple: the meal is covered, but the exact setting and timing may not match your ideal beach lunch.

You may also find that the boat spends time around Grand River South East after this opening stop. The route description repeats the waterfall in more than one place, so do not treat the order as a minute-by-minute guarantee. Weather, sea conditions, and the skipper’s judgment can affect the sequence.

Ile aux Fouquets brings Mauritius history into the route

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile Phare or Lighthouse Island, adds a welcome change from beaches and snorkeling. A lighthouse built in 1864 gives the island its best-known feature. It was still in use until the early 20th century.

The island also sits within the wider story of Grand Port. Dutch settlers discovered it in 1598, and the area later played a strategic role during naval battles. Ile de la Passe, another rocky islet in Grand Port, was the scene of the Battle of Grand Port in August 1810, when French and British frigates fought a hard naval action.

You will not get a full museum visit here. The stop is about seeing the island and hearing the guide explain its place in Mauritius history. That works well on a moving boat, where the surrounding water and old lighthouse help make the story concrete.

The stop is listed at about 45 minutes, though some of the feedback describes sightseeing stops as brief. If historic sites are your main reason for visiting Mauritius, you may want a separate land-based excursion. On this tour, the lighthouse is one part of a much wider day.

Blue Bay Marine Park is the main water activity

The snorkeling session lasts up to two hours in the planned schedule, making Blue Bay Marine Park the central activity. The park lies on the southeast coast and was declared a national park in 1997. In 2008, it was designated a wetland site under the Ramsar Convention.

The water near the coast is described as calm and shallow, with coral gardens and many varieties of coral. That makes the area a sensible place for a mixed group, including people who want to swim and watch fish without heading into deep water. You do not need to hire equipment separately because masks and snorkeling gear are included.

The actual location can change. Depending on weather and the coral breeding season, the boat may use Blue Bay Marine Park or an area near Ilot Mangenie. That flexibility protects the day from poor conditions, but it also means you should not assume you will see one exact reef or beach.

This is where expectations matter most. The schedule allows two hours, but a separate account described the snorkeling as much too short, while another found the swimming and snorkeling enjoyable. The difference may come from sea conditions, group timing, and how much of the stop is spent getting people into the water.

If snorkeling is your number-one priority, ask the crew at the start how much water time is expected that day. You can also relax on the boat instead of swimming. The tour is designed to work for both choices.

Ile aux Aigrettes is a short refreshment pause

After the Blue Bay portion, the boat passes Ile aux Aigrettes for refreshments. This small islet off the southeast coast functions as a nature reserve and scientific research station. It is also visited by both local residents and international visitors.

The listed stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for a drink and a look from the boat, but not enough for a proper nature-reserve visit. Do not book this excursion expecting a guided walk on Ile aux Aigrettes.

The open bar is available at this stage of the trip. Alcoholic beverages are included, along with snacks and bottled water. That helps keep the day simple, especially in the heat, though you should pace yourself if you plan to swim later or feel the motion of the speedboat.

I like this short pause because it breaks up the active parts of the route. Still, if you prefer long, quiet visits, the stop may feel more like a service break than a major attraction.

Grand River South East supplies the waterfall views

Grand River South East is known for a waterfall that flows toward the Indian Ocean. The view gives you a change of scale after the small islands and shallow snorkeling water. You get to see how the river meets the coast, with the boat offering a natural viewing position.

The waterfall stop is listed at about 15 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a quick look, but not a long scenic pause. The route also connects this area with the history of Grand Port and nearby Ile de la Passe, where the 1810 naval battle took place.

Because the stop is short, listen closely when the guide explains what you are seeing. The context adds value here. Without it, the waterfall is a pleasant view. With the history of the surrounding waters, it becomes part of a larger picture of Mauritius as a place shaped by rivers, sea routes, and competing colonial powers.

What lunch, drinks, and equipment add to the price

The price is $110.79 per person. At first glance, that is more than a simple boat transfer or beach trip. The value improves when you count what is included: lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, all fees and taxes, and snorkeling equipment.

You are also paying for a full seven-hour route with several stops and a small group. That makes the tour a better fit for someone who wants to pack many east and southeast coast sights into one day. You avoid arranging separate boat trips, finding snorkeling gear, and locating lunch between stops.

The value is less clear if you only want a long snorkeling session. A dedicated marine excursion may give you more time in the water, while a beach day may give you more freedom. This tour charges for variety, guiding, meals, and transport on the water, not for uninterrupted time in one place.

Lunch quality can be a highlight, but the setting may be basic or change with the schedule. The description includes an open bar and refreshments, yet you should not assume a restaurant-style meal or a long table service experience. This is an outdoor boat day, and the meal is part of that rhythm.

The skipper shapes the mood

A good skipper matters on a speedboat. You are spending most of the day in a small shared space, so a friendly guide can turn transfers into part of the experience. Andy is singled out for his energy and sympathy, and the tour includes explanations about the islands and their past.

The atmosphere can also be lively. Music on the boat has been described as too loud by one person, while others enjoyed the upbeat mood. If you prefer quiet nature watching, tell the crew politely. If you like a social day with music and conversation, the boat may suit you well.

A language issue is worth noting. One booking was made for a French-speaking guide but was assigned to the English group. If language is important to you, confirm your preference before the trip and again at the meeting point. The available information does not guarantee that every language request can be met.

You may also see dolphins on the route, though this should not be treated as a promised feature. One experience included following dolphins, which felt uncomfortable because it seemed like the boat was pursuing them. If wildlife appears, it is reasonable to ask the skipper to keep a respectful distance.

Who should book this speedboat day

I would recommend this tour to you if you want an active, social day and prefer seeing several places rather than spending seven hours on one beach. It suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the east and southeast coast.

It is also a good match if you like variety in your excursions. You can look at a lighthouse, hear about naval history, see a waterfall, take refreshments near a nature reserve, swim, snorkel, and eat lunch without arranging separate bookings.

Families and mixed-age groups may find the format useful because snorkeling is optional. One person can swim while another stays on the boat. Most people can participate, although the operator does not provide a detailed accessibility statement, so anyone with mobility or medical concerns should ask before booking.

I would hesitate to recommend it if your priority is silence, long beach time, or serious snorkeling. The music may be loud, the boat is active, and the schedule has several short stops. You should also be comfortable with a full day outdoors in changing weather.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book it if you want the most variety for one day and like the idea of a lively speedboat with lunch and drinks included. The combination of Blue Bay snorkeling, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, Ile aux Cerfs, the waterfall, and island views gives you a useful overview of this side of Mauritius.

Do not book it expecting five long island visits or a dedicated snorkeling expedition. The schedule is brisk, and the best parts depend on weather, sea conditions, and how the skipper manages the group.

At $110.79, I see fair value for a seven-hour outing with food, drinks, equipment, a capped group, and several attractions. For the right kind of day, this is an efficient and enjoyable way to see much of Mauritius from the water.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:30 am.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Blue Alizé Catamaran, Ile aux Cerfs, Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to a maximum of 18 people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Are snorkeling equipment and fees included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, all fees, and taxes are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, snacks, alcoholic beverages, and an open bar stop are included.

Where does snorkeling take place?

Snorkeling takes place at Blue Bay Marine Park or near Ilot Mangenie, depending on weather conditions and the coral breeding season.

Is transportation to the meeting point included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point.