5 islands tour: New Private OCÉANE Speedboat

The best part of this Mauritius boat trip is the freedom to move fast, stop where you like, and leave the crowded catamaran scene behind. You skim across clear water to the GRSE waterfall, small southeast islands, and Ile aux Cerfs, with time for snorkeling and a BBQ lunch on a quiet private beach.

I like the new boat, the small private setting, and the chance to shape the day with your skipper. Brian and Angelo have both been praised for adjusting the route and pace, and one family even spotted dolphins and stayed with them as long as they wished. The main drawback is the price: $842 for up to two people is a serious splurge, and the fast ride may not suit anyone with back trouble, limited mobility, or a pregnancy.

Key points to know before booking

• A private speedboat replaces the usual packed catamaran: You get a faster, more active ride and room to set the pace.
• The GRSE waterfall comes first: Watch for cheeky monkeys near the river and tropical forest.
• The route covers several southeast islands: You pass Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, and Îlot Flamants.
• Snorkeling comes before alcohol: Drinks are served afterward, and the captain can cancel snorkeling if alcohol is consumed first.
• Lunch is served at La Flibuste: Expect BBQ food in a quieter corner of a private beach on Ile aux Cerfs.
• The boat carries up to eight people: The advertised price covers a group of two, so ask about the rate for a larger private party.

Why this private speedboat feels different

Mauritius has plenty of boat excursions, but this one is aimed at people who want movement and privacy rather than a floating party. The OCÉANE speedboat gets you across the lagoon quickly, with spray, wind, and open water replacing the slow, social feel of a catamaran.

That speed matters because the route covers a lot in 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. You are not stuck in one bay all day. You visit a waterfall, several islands, a lighthouse, a snorkeling area, and a beach lunch stop before returning to the jetty.

You also have a private group rather than a mixed boatload of strangers. The speedboat can carry up to eight passengers, though the listed price is for up to two people. For a couple, it is an expensive but intimate day. For a family or group of friends, the cost may make more sense if the operator offers a suitable larger-group rate.

The skipper has a big effect on the day. Brian and Angelo are both named as particularly attentive captains. The useful detail here is not simply that they are friendly. They are willing to adjust stops, wait longer in places your group enjoys, and help you avoid the busiest areas. That flexibility is the strongest reason to choose a private trip.

Leaving Pointe Maurice for the GRSE waterfall

The meeting point is Pointe Maurice Jetty at Trou d’Eau Douce. From there, the boat heads toward Grand River South East, usually called GRSE. The ride itself is part of the attraction. You feel the boat pick up speed, and the open water gives you a much stronger sense of motion than a standard cruise.

At GRSE, you get a photo stop and time to see the waterfall and nearby forest. Monkeys are part of the scene, so keep your camera ready, but do not expect a long land walk. This is mainly a sightseeing stop from the water, with around 30 minutes listed for the visit.

The waterfall is a good opening stop because it gives the day some variety. You begin with river scenery and wildlife before moving into the open lagoon. It also breaks up the speedboat ride early, which is useful if you need a few minutes to settle into the motion.

Bring sunglasses and secure loose items. The supplied information does not promise dry seating or storage details, so protect phones and cameras from spray. A hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and a change of clothes are sensible additions.

Island views around Ile aux Aigrettes

After GRSE, the boat continues toward the southeast coast and Ile aux Aigrettes. The schedule allows about 20 minutes for sightseeing and passing by the island. This is not presented as a long shore visit, so think of it as a scenic part of the route rather than a full island tour.

The water and mountains create much of the appeal here. You move through a lagoon framed by high ground, with the boat giving you changing views as it crosses between islands. The private format means you can ask your skipper to slow down for photographs or spend a little longer looking at a scene if conditions and timing allow.

Next comes Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, one of the more distinctive stops. You get a photo opportunity and a visit, with a short chance to go ashore and look around. The lighthouse gives the trip a clear focal point, and it is more rewarding than simply passing a small island at speed.

Îlot Flamants follows as another photo and sightseeing stop. You may pass by rather than spend a long period ashore. These stops are best understood as a series of short, changing views rather than formal guided tours. If your priority is historical interpretation or a detailed island walk, this is not that kind of excursion. If you prefer a moving day with several visual highlights, the format works well.

Snorkeling before the drinks come out

Snorkeling takes place near Ile aux Aigrettes or another suitable area along the southeast route. The boat provides the session, and you get time to look for marine life in clear lagoon water.

The order of the day is important. Alcoholic drinks are served only after snorkeling, and the management can cancel the snorkeling activity if anyone drinks beforehand. Treat that rule seriously. Save the cold drinks for afterward, when you can relax on the boat and enjoy the scenery without affecting the water activity.

You should bring your own swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Flip-flops help on the beach, while a change of clothes makes the ride back more comfortable. A camera is also worth carrying, provided you can keep it dry.

Snorkeling conditions can change with weather and sea conditions, and the supplied information does not promise a specific species or reef. The value here is the chance to stop in a quieter-looking part of the lagoon with your own group rather than follow a large boat schedule. Some people have described the water as a clear coral pool, but you should treat that as a possible condition, not a guarantee.

If snorkeling is the main reason you are booking, ask about the planned location and equipment before departure. The activity includes a snorkeling session, but the exact gear arrangements are not specified.

Ile aux Cerfs and lunch at La Flibuste

The day’s most relaxing section comes at La Flibuste, a quiet corner of a private beach on or near Ile aux Cerfs. This is where lunch is served, and the meal is a BBQ rather than a packed snack eaten on the boat.

The setting is a major part of the value. You can sit by the beach, swim in clear blue water, and sunbathe before getting back aboard. A private or quieter beach area gives the meal a calmer feel than the main public areas associated with popular Ile aux Cerfs excursions.

The food is repeatedly singled out as a strong part of the day. You can expect a tasty BBQ lunch, but the available details do not specify the menu, dietary choices, or whether vegetarian options are available. If you have dietary needs, contact the operator in advance rather than assume the BBQ will cover them.

This stop also shows why the private format costs more. You are paying not just for transport between islands, but for a more personal pace, a beach lunch away from the main crowds, and time to use the beach as you wish. If your ideal Mauritius day is a long stretch of quiet swimming and sunbathing, this will be more appealing than a boat trip built around music and group entertainment.

On the other hand, you should not book it solely for a luxury beach resort experience. The day remains an active boat excursion. You will move between several sites, and the lunch stop is one part of a full itinerary, not an overnight stay or a full-day beach reservation.

The return ride and timing

After lunch and beach time, the boat cruises back toward Trou d’Eau Douce and the departure area. The route description gives an arrival of about 3:30 PM, while the meeting and return details both refer to Pointe Maurice Jetty. Because those descriptions are not perfectly consistent, confirm the exact return point and timing when you book.

The total duration is 390 minutes. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to arrange your own transport to Pointe Maurice Jetty and allow enough time to find the meeting point.

The return is not just a transfer. You still get scenic views from the water, and the ride gives you one last chance to enjoy the speedboat. If you are tired after swimming and lunch, the wind can feel refreshing. If you are sensitive to sun or motion, keep drinking water and use sunscreen throughout the day.

Smoking is not allowed on the boat. English and French are available, and the trip is private rather than a shared group departure.

Is $842 good value for two?

At $842 for a group of up to two, this is one of the more expensive ways to see Mauritius from the water. You need to compare it with what matters to you, not just with the price of a basic cruise.

The strongest value points are:

• A private boat rather than a shared excursion
• A newer speedboat in good condition
• A fast route covering several southeast sights
• Flexible timing with the skipper
• A snorkeling stop
• BBQ lunch on a quieter private beach
• Alcoholic drinks after snorkeling
• The possibility of spending time with dolphins if you encounter them

Dolphin sightings are not promised, but one group had that lucky encounter and was able to remain nearby for as long as they wanted. That kind of flexibility is hard to get on a tightly timed shared cruise.

For two people, the cost is easiest to justify if you care about privacy, speed, and control over the day. It is less convincing if you mainly want a short boat ride, a standard lunch, or a quick swim. A larger group may find the per-person cost easier to accept, but you should request the correct rate because the stated price applies to two people even though the boat holds up to eight.

The boat is not suitable for pregnant people, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments. The speed and movement are central to the experience, so this is not the right choice if you need a smooth, gentle ride.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this trip to couples who want a private splurge, families with older children, and small groups who prefer active sightseeing to a fixed cruise program. Children aged 10 and 15 have enjoyed the boat, but the operator does not provide a formal minimum age in the supplied information.

It also suits people who want to avoid crowds. A private skipper can adjust the timing and choose quieter snorkeling or beach moments when possible. That does not mean you will have every site entirely to yourself, but you have more control than on a large shared boat.

The trip is less suitable for anyone seeking a slow sail, a formal history tour, or a guaranteed dolphin encounter. It is also a poor match for passengers who dislike spray, speed, or a full day in the sun.

What to bring and what to confirm

Pack lightly, but bring the items that protect you from sun and water:

• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Change of clothes
• Flip-flops
• High-SPF sunscreen
• Hat or cap
• Camera

Ask about food requirements, snorkeling equipment, the precise meeting and return point, and the price for more than two people. Caps and T-shirts may be available to buy on board, but they are not included. Wi-Fi is not included either, so do not plan on reliable internet during the trip.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies make it easier to hold a date while you sort out your Mauritius plans.

Should you book the OCÉANE speedboat?

Book it if you want a private, fast-moving day with several stops, a good beach lunch, and a skipper who can respond to your interests. The combination of GRSE waterfall, southeast islands, snorkeling, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, and Ile aux Cerfs gives you much more variety than a simple beach transfer.

I would especially consider it for a special couple’s day or a small family group. Brian and Angelo have shown the kind of personal service that can turn a fixed route into a more flexible outing, and the possibility of seeing dolphins is a welcome bonus.

Skip it if $842 for two feels uncomfortable, if you need a gentle boat ride, or if you mainly want a long, quiet beach day. For everyone else, this is a strong choice for seeing Mauritius by water without being tied to a large catamaran crowd.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The stated meeting point is Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. The available starting times depend on the date.

How many people can the private speedboat carry?

The speedboat can carry up to eight passengers. The listed price of $842 applies to a private group of up to two people, so ask the operator about pricing for a larger group.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included and is served at La Flibuste in a quiet corner of a private beach around Ile aux Cerfs.

When are alcoholic drinks served?

Alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling. If alcohol is consumed beforehand, management reserves the right to cancel the snorkeling activity.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to Pointe Maurice Jetty.