5 Islands Speedboat w/Snorkeling Sea Turtle + Lunch & Drinks

The best part of this nine-hour speedboat trip is the range packed into one day. You move from a waterfall and wild monkeys to historic islands, clear snorkeling water, a beach BBQ, and a generous drinks service without having to arrange several separate outings.

I like the small group of up to eight and the chance to make the boat private for four or more people. I also like the practical value: lunch, snorkeling gear, snacks, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and water are included. The main drawback is the long day and the early start. Boat time can also feel lively, and sea conditions may affect snorkeling and wildlife sightings.

Key points at a glance

• Four people can turn the trip into a private boat day, a useful option for families and friends.
• Blue Bay Marine Park provides the main snorkeling stop, with tropical fish and possible sea turtle sightings.
• The route covers seven named islands and stops, including Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, and Ile aux Aigrettes.
• Lunch is served on the beach, with grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad.
• The open bar includes rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, water, and snacks, so you do not need to keep buying refreshments.
• Wildlife sightings are possible rather than guaranteed, including dolphins, sea turtles, and wild Mauritian monkeys.

Why this east-coast boat day works

Mauritius has many boat outings, but this one is designed as a full day rather than a quick trip to one island. You leave from the jetty at Trou d’Eau Douce and travel through the largest lagoon in Mauritius, with the speedboat giving you a broad view of the east coast.

I like that the trip combines active and easygoing parts. You can enjoy the engine, waves, and island stops in the morning, then spend time swimming, sunbathing, eating, and having a drink at Ile aux Cerfs later in the day.

The small-group format matters. With a maximum of eight people, the boat should feel more personal than a large sightseeing vessel. If your party has four or more people, the operator can offer the speedboat privately, which changes the day from a shared excursion into a more flexible outing for your own group.

The tradeoff is that this is not a quiet sailing cruise. A speedboat gives you more coastline in less time, but the ride can be brisk and exposed to wind and spray. Bring sunscreen, a camera, and a good tolerance for a full day on the water.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce

The meeting point is the jetty known as Debarcader Trou D’eau Douce. You can find it by entering that name in Google Maps. The trip begins and ends here, so you will need to arrange your own way to the jetty unless you pay for an additional hotel or Airbnb transfer.

The published tour information gives a nine-hour duration, but the exact starting time depends on availability. One booking account describes a meeting time of 7:55 a.m. and a departure at 8:50 a.m., so I would allow extra time for check-in and boarding rather than arriving at the last minute.

Hotel pickup and drop-off around Mauritius are available for an extra charge. That is worth considering if you are staying far from Trou d’Eau Douce, since a long cross-island drive can add cost and planning to an already lengthy day.

The tour has guides who can speak English, French, German, Italian, or Romanian. No individual guide names are provided, but the driving and boat-handling service is clearly an important part of the outing. You should expect safety instructions before the speedboat gets moving.

Ile aux Cerfs, the first island stop

The first stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you have about 45 minutes to walk around, take in the white sand, and enjoy refreshments. This early visit gives you a quick introduction to one of Mauritius’s best-known island settings before the boat continues along the coast.

I would use this first stop to get your bearings and take photographs rather than trying to do everything at once. Later in the day, you return to Ile aux Cerfs for a longer period, so there is no need to rush into swimming or watersports immediately.

The island is popular, and its fame means it can feel less secluded than the smaller stops. The tour’s timing may help you avoid the busiest periods, but you should not expect an untouched private island unless you book the boat privately and happen to arrive during a quiet interval.

Grand River South East and the waterfall

From Ile aux Cerfs, the boat heads to Grand River South East. Here, the river reaches the Indian Ocean in a scenic waterfall, giving you one of the trip’s most recognizable natural sights.

The stop adds variety because you are not only looking at beaches and open water. You get to see the river mouth, the falling water, and the coast from a boat, all in one visit.

There is also an opportunity to meet and feed wild Mauritian monkeys. This will be a memorable moment for many families, but I would follow the guide’s directions closely and avoid treating the animals like pets. Wildlife can be unpredictable, and respectful distance is the sensible approach even when feeding is offered.

Ile aux Phares and Ile de la Passe

The route then continues toward Ile aux Phares, followed by a passage near Ile de la Passe. These islands add a historical and maritime side to the day, which helps explain why the trip is more than a simple beach transfer.

You are seeing the east coast from the water, where islands, reefs, channels, and old coastal positions make more sense than they do from inland roads. The boat route lets you cover several places that would be difficult to connect independently in one day.

The stop itself may be brief compared with the time at Blue Bay or Ile aux Cerfs. Think of these islands as part of the wider coastal story and sightseeing route, not as long beach visits.

Snorkeling at Blue Bay Marine Park

Blue Bay is the main water activity on the tour. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you get time in clear water with tropical fish at Blue Bay Marine Park.

This is the part I would most want to protect from rushing. Bring your camera if it is waterproof, but keep your attention on the water around you. The appeal is the feeling of swimming through a large natural aquarium, with fish and reef life rather than a manufactured attraction.

The trip includes opportunities to see sea turtles, but no wildlife sighting is guaranteed. Dolphins are also listed among the possible sights, and one outing recorded four dolphins, while another had no dolphin sighting. That is the right expectation for any wildlife trip: the crew can look and adjust the route, but nature makes the final decision.

A German-language account of the outing specifically notes that the current at the snorkeling site can be stronger than expected. You should listen carefully to the briefing, stay within the guide’s view, and return to the boat when instructed. The crew may move closer to people who want to get back aboard, but you should still judge your own comfort in the water.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the open bar

After Blue Bay Marine Park, the boat passes by Ile aux Aigrettes for refreshments. This is also when the all-inclusive open bar is described as fully open for the rest of the day.

The drinks include Mauritian rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, water, and rum cocktails prepared by the barman. Snacks are included as well. I like this setup because a full day in the sun can become surprisingly expensive when drinks are purchased one by one.

Use some restraint with alcohol, especially after snorkeling and before more time in the sun. Water is included, so keep drinking it even if you choose a beer, wine, or rum cocktail. The boat ride and warm weather can catch up with you quickly.

The return route past Ilot Margenie

The speedboat then heads back toward Ile aux Cerfs, passing Ilot Margenie along the way. This section is less about a single major attraction and more about enjoying the lagoon and the changing view from the water.

A speedboat makes the route feel active. You hear the engine, feel the boat rise over the waves, and cover a lot of coastline in a day. If you prefer a silent cruise, this may not be your ideal format, but if you enjoy motion and open water, it is one of the trip’s pleasures.

The boat carries a small group, and that makes it easier to keep an eye on everyone during stops. It also gives you a better chance of asking the guide questions than you might have on a large vessel.

Beach lunch at Ile aux Cerfs

The longer Ile aux Cerfs stop is the relaxed centerpiece of the afternoon. You can swim, sunbathe, drink coconut water, or simply sit on the beach while lunch is prepared.

The BBQ meal includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. That is a substantial spread for a beach lunch, and the combination gives you choices rather than forcing everyone into one dish.

Live music or a sega show may provide entertainment in the background. Sega is a traditional Mauritian music and dance style, so this part can add local character to what might otherwise be a standard beach barbecue.

You may also have time for parasailing or a tube ride. These are mentioned as activities available during the Ile aux Cerfs stop, but they are not listed among the included features. Ask about the price and arrangements before committing, and do not assume they are covered by the $125 tour cost.

What the $125 price really covers

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Mauritius’s east coast. It is also more than a simple boat transfer because the price includes a full nine-hour program, island visits, waterfall viewing, snorkeling equipment, BBQ lunch, snacks, and unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling. You are also paying for the convenience of one route that links several islands and Blue Bay Marine Park.

The private option can be especially good value for a family or group of four or more. Splitting a private boat among four people may cost more than joining the shared departure, but you gain control over who is onboard and may have more flexibility at stops.

The extra transfer cost is the main item to add to your budget. Pickup and drop-off from hotels and Airbnbs around Mauritius are not included. If you are already near Trou d’Eau Douce, the base price is easier to judge.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want one active day that covers many east-coast sights. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who like snorkeling, beaches, speedboats, wildlife, and a social lunch with drinks.

It is also a strong choice for a party of four or more that wants a private boat. The private setup can reduce the feeling of being rushed and makes the day more personal, especially if your group has different preferences about swimming, photographs, or time on the beach.

You may want a different outing if you dislike fast boats, long days in strong sun, or shared open-bar settings. The tour includes a lot of movement, and the route cannot guarantee dolphins, turtles, or perfect snorkeling conditions.

I would also think carefully about mobility and comfort in the water. The available information does not give specific accessibility details, so ask the operator before booking if boarding, swimming, or moving between the boat and beach could be difficult.

Booking details worth knowing

The tour is available with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you useful flexibility if your Mauritius plans are still moving around.

The boat has a separate entrance arrangement, and the group is limited to eight participants. Bring sunscreen and a camera, and consider adding a dry bag for phones and spare clothes even though one is not specifically listed as required.

The trip is rated 4.4 out of 5 from 156 ratings, with especially strong praise for the small group, the skipper’s professional handling, the food, and the relaxed feel of the speedboat day. Those strengths match the design of the tour: it is trying to give you a packed route without putting you on a large boat.

Should you book the five-island speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a full east-coast day with snorkeling, wildlife chances, beach food, and drinks built into one price. The small group is the key advantage, and the private option for four or more can make the $125 cost easier to justify.

Skip it if your priority is a short, quiet cruise or guaranteed encounters with dolphins and turtles. For everyone else, this is a useful way to cover Mauritius’s east-coast islands in one ambitious day, with enough time for both sightseeing and a proper beach break.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour begin and end?

The tour begins and ends at the jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce. Search for Debarcader Trou D’eau Douce on Google Maps to find the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel and Airbnb pickup and drop-off around Mauritius are available for an additional charge. They are not included in the listed $125 price.

What food and drinks are included?

The BBQ lunch includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. Included drinks are rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, water, and rum cocktails, along with unlimited snacks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Can I see dolphins and sea turtles?

The tour includes opportunities to view dolphins and sea turtles, but sightings are not guaranteed. Wildlife conditions determine what you see on the day.

Can the boat be private?

Yes. If your group has four or more people, the operator can offer the speedboat privately for your party.