5 Islands Tour: New OCÉANE Private Pontoon Boat cruise

The best part of this six-hour cruise is the mix of waterfall, islands, snorkeling, and lunch afloat in one private outing. You leave from Pointe Maurice near Trou d’Eau Douce and spend the day on Mauritius’s southeast lagoon, where green mountains, white beaches, old lighthouse views, and clear water provide a steady change of scene.

I like the private format, since you are not tied to a large group or a rigid schedule. I also like the practical setup: snorkeling gear, lunch, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. The main caution is the price, $871 for up to two people, and the fact that the route can change. One past outing skipped Ile aux Aigrettes, and the promised drink arrangements did not fully match what was expected.

• Grand River South East Waterfall: Start with one of the coast’s most photogenic natural stops, with time for sightseeing and wildlife viewing.
• Clear-water snorkeling: Equipment is supplied, and the snorkeling stop comes before alcoholic drinks are served.
• Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse: Enjoy a scenic island stop with time for photos, lunch, drinks, and free time.
• Private boat flexibility: The pontoon can carry up to 11 passengers, and the route is described as customizable.
• A full six-hour outing: The day runs from Pointe Maurice and returns at about 15:30, without hotel transfers.

A Private Day on Mauritius’s Southeast Lagoon

This is not a quick boat ride with one swim stop. It is a full day on the water, built around the southeastern coast’s most attractive sights.

You meet at Pointe Maurice, just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel. From there, the boat heads toward Grand River South East, often called GRSE, for a look at the waterfall. The boat provides a useful way to see this coastal area, since the day unfolds from the water rather than through a series of road transfers.

The pontoon is designed for up to 11 passengers. That makes the experience suitable for a couple, a family, or a private group of friends, though the advertised price is especially important to assess if only two people are going. At $871 per group of up to two, this is a premium outing. For a larger party, the cost may feel easier to justify because the boat and private arrangement are shared across the group.

You should allow six hours for the trip. The stated return to Trou d’Eau Douce is about 15:30, although the precise route and timing may change. That flexibility is useful if you want longer at a swimming spot, but it also means you should not treat every named island as a guaranteed extended stop.

Grand River South East Waterfall Comes First

The first major sight is the Grand River South East Waterfall. You get a photo stop, sightseeing, and a chance to look for wildlife around the river and its surrounding vegetation.

The waterfall is a good opening stop because it gives the morning a clear focus before the boat moves out toward the islands. It also breaks up the cruise early, so you are not simply sitting on the pontoon for hours before doing anything.

One unusual detail from an earlier outing is the sighting of monkeys near the waterfall. The account also describes monkeys being fed, but I would not count on this as a planned part of the experience. Wildlife viewing is included in the description, yet animals are never guaranteed, and feeding wildlife is best treated with care.

Bring your camera, but protect it from spray and keep your expectations sensible. The waterfall is a scenic visit and photo stop, not a long land-based walk.

Snorkeling Before the Drinks

The boat then heads toward the clear water around Eau Bleu and the nearby southeastern islands. This is the part of the day for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing in the sun.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing a mask and fins unless you prefer your own set. The water is described as crystal clear, and the purpose of this stop is to see the undersea world rather than simply take a quick dip.

The order of activities matters. Alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling, and the management can cancel snorkeling if alcohol has been consumed beforehand. So if you want the best chance of enjoying the water, snorkel first and save the beer, wine, and aperitif for later.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or cap, and a change of clothes. Flip-flops are also recommended. There is no smoking allowed on the activity.

The main practical question is how long you will spend in the water. The outing is private and the route can be adjusted, but no fixed snorkeling duration is given. You may get time to swim at an easy pace, yet the day still has several islands and scenic passages to cover.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the Limits of a Flexible Route

Ile aux Aigrettes is included among the planned island sights, with time listed for an aperitif, swimming, and snorkeling. The boat may pass by the island rather than make a full landing, depending on the day’s conditions and the chosen route.

This is an important distinction. A private boat gives you more room to adjust the day, but flexibility can also mean that one stop gets shortened or removed. On one previous trip, Ile aux Aigrettes was not visited at all.

If this island is a personal priority, ask about it before departure. Do not assume that every named place receives a long shore visit. The supplied description calls the route indicative and customizable, so the experience is better suited to someone who values a relaxed day on the lagoon rather than a strict checklist.

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse and Lunch Aboard

Ile aux Fouquets is one of the day’s most distinctive stops. The lighthouse provides a strong photo subject and a sense of place that differs from the beach and snorkeling sections of the trip.

Here you can expect scenic views, free time, and lunch served aboard the boat. Beer, wine, and other drinks are listed as included, with unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks forming part of the package.

A cold lunch is served at anchor after swimming and relaxing in the sun. Eating on board keeps the day moving and avoids the need to find a restaurant during a boat trip. It also means the meal is part of the setting: you are eating with the water, islands, and lighthouse views around you.

There is a small but important warning about food and drinks. One earlier outing described a barbecue at a private beach rather than the cold lunch shown here. It also reported only one drink included with the meal and an extra charge for coffee. The current details state that lunch and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included, but I would still confirm exactly what food and beverages will be served on your date.

That is not a reason to reject the trip. It is simply the kind of detail worth settling before you pay a premium price.

The Island Views Continue Toward Îlot Flamants

After lunch, the boat passes Îlot Flamants. This is mainly a scenic and photo stop rather than a long exploration period.

The value here is the changing view from the boat. You see low islands, open water, bright sand, and mountain ranges along the coast. Since the pontoon remains mobile, you get a broad sense of the southeast lagoon rather than spending the entire afternoon in one cove.

You may find that this part of the trip feels quieter than the waterfall and snorkeling stops. That suits you if you like time to sit, talk, take photos, and enjoy a drink without constantly getting in and out of the water.

A Scenic Passage by Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs appears later in the route, with dessert and a scenic passage listed for this part of the cruise. The island is one of the better-known names in the area, so seeing it from the water gives the afternoon a recognizable finish.

The plan does not promise a long landing here. One earlier outing allowed about an hour to walk around Ile aux Cerfs, but the current description says pass by and dessert. That difference reinforces the need to think of the route as flexible.

If you want a long beach visit, make that clear before the boat leaves. If you prefer a day split between several places, the passing view may be enough. Either way, the boat gives you a comfortable platform for seeing the coastline without turning the afternoon into a series of rushed transfers.

Trou d’Eau Douce and the Return to Pointe Maurice

The boat returns toward Trou d’Eau Douce, with a final photo opportunity, sightseeing, and scenic views along the way. The stated return is around 15:30, with arrival back at Pointe Maurice.

No hotel pickup or drop-off is included. You need to make your own way to the meeting point, just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel. This is simple if you are staying nearby, but it matters if your accommodation is elsewhere in Mauritius. Build in enough time to reach Pointe Maurice without cutting it close.

The English-speaking host is another practical point. The information does not name the guide for every departure, but one earlier trip specifically praised Captain Joey. If you want to know who will captain your boat, ask the operator when confirming your booking.

What the $871 Price Really Buys

At $871 for up to two people, this is not a budget boat excursion. The price makes more sense if you value privacy, a flexible route, lunch, drinks, and the ability to spend six hours with your own group.

For two people, you are paying for a private boat rather than two ordinary seats on a shared cruise. For a group of six to 11, the cost can be spread across more people, making the arrangement more competitive. The available capacity is up to 11 passengers, but the price information provided is specifically for a group of up to two, so confirm how larger groups are priced.

The package includes:

• Private pontoon boat trip
• Snorkeling equipment
• Lunch on board
• Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

The value is strongest if you plan to use all of those inclusions. If you do not drink alcohol, do not snorkel, or mainly want a short sightseeing cruise, the price may be harder to justify.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and reserve-now, pay-later terms give you some useful flexibility. Those policies do not change the cost, but they reduce the risk of committing while your plans are still shifting.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Trip Most

I would recommend this experience to couples celebrating something special, families wanting their own boat, and friends who prefer a private day over a shared excursion.

It also suits you if you want several types of scenery in one outing. You get a waterfall, islands, a lighthouse, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and beach views without booking separate activities.

The trip may be less suitable if you want a tightly timed sightseeing program. The route can be customized, and past details show that named stops may change. It may also be a poor fit if you need guaranteed long visits at Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Cerfs, or every other island.

Families should note that no specific child policy is provided. The pontoon can carry up to 11 passengers, but you should ask the operator about your children’s needs before booking. The same applies to mobility concerns, since no accessibility details are supplied.

My Practical Advice Before You Go

Confirm the meeting point, departure time, menu, and drink arrangements before the day. Pointe Maurice is just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel, but hotel transfers are not included.

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a cap, and flip-flops. A camera is worth carrying, especially for the waterfall and Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse.

Snorkel before drinking. This is not just good sense. The operator may cancel snorkeling if alcohol is consumed first.

Finally, ask how closely the planned route will follow your priorities. If you care most about snorkeling, the lighthouse, or Ile aux Cerfs, say so early. The boat’s flexibility is one of its strengths, but only if you use it clearly.

Should You Book the Five Islands Tour?

Book it if you want a private, easygoing day that combines the southeast coast’s main sights with swimming, lunch, and drinks. The private format, included equipment, and unhurried pace are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Think twice if you are watching your budget or need every named island guaranteed. The high price is easier to defend for a larger private group, and the changing route means you should confirm the exact plan before payment.

For a couple seeking comfort and privacy, I would book it after checking the food and drink details. For a larger group, it can be a practical way to turn one boat into the day’s main activity, with Captain Joey or another English-speaking host guiding the outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts six hours and is expected to return to Trou d’Eau Douce at approximately 15:30 before arriving back at Pointe Maurice.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How many people can the pontoon carry?

The pontoon can carry up to 11 passengers. The stated price of $871 applies to a private group of up to two people.

Is the boat private?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch on board and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the stated package. The meal is described as a cold lunch served at anchor.

When are alcoholic drinks served?

Alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling. The operator may cancel snorkeling if alcohol has been consumed beforehand.

Can the route change?

Yes. The route is indicative and can be customized. Specific stops and the amount of time at each location may therefore change.

What should I bring?

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