Trou d’Eau Douce: 5 Islands Tour with Snorkeling and BBQ

Mauritius packs a lot of sea time into this five-hour speedboat tour. You move between the lighthouse island, Île de la Passe, Île aux Aigrettes, Île aux Cerfs, and Margénie Island, with snorkeling, dolphin watching, a waterfall stop, and lunch by the water. I like the mix of active and easygoing stops, especially the clear-water snorkeling and the generous island BBQ with rum, beer, wine, and juice. The main drawback is that the schedule is busy, and English explanations may be brief or hard to hear over the boat and music.

I especially like two things here. First, the boat lets you cover several coastal sights in half a day instead of spending your time getting between them by road. Second, the atmosphere seems to be a real part of the outing: guides such as Danilo and Ayen bring music, jokes, and a social mood, while the crew has been careful not to chase dolphins when they appear. If you prefer quiet nature watching and long stays at one beach, this may feel too fast.

Key points to know before you book

• Five island sights in one compact trip: You see Phare Island, Île de la Passe, Île aux Aigrettes, Île aux Cerfs, and Margénie Island.
• Snorkeling comes early: The main swim and snorkel stop near Île aux Aigrettes lasts about an hour, so bring your swimsuit from the start.
• Margénie Island is the lunch stop: The BBQ includes chicken, fish, sausages, garlic bread, salad, and pineapple or banana flambé.
• The mood is lively: Music, rum, beer, wine, soft drinks, and fruit juice make this feel like a social boat day rather than a quiet cruise.
• Dolphin watching is respectful: Dolphins may appear, but the boat does not chase them or allow people to enter the water to pursue them.
• A private or small-group option is available: This can make the speedboat ride more comfortable, though the price is still worth comparing with the group format.

Starting at Cabane du Pêcheur

The meeting point is Cabane du Pêcheur, and you arrange your own transport there. That matters because the advertised price of $106 per person does not include getting to the boarding point. Check your route and arrival time before booking, especially if you are staying away from Trou d’Eau Douce.

Once aboard, the first speedboat ride takes about 20 minutes. A speedboat is the right tool for this route. It gives you open views across the Indian Ocean and makes it possible to link several islands, beaches, and coastal stops in one morning or afternoon.

You should expect movement, wind, spray, and sun. Wear swimwear under your clothes, keep your hat secure, and use sunscreen before boarding. A towel and camera belong in your day bag, though anything loose should be protected from water.

Île aux Cerfs, the first proper stop

Île aux Cerfs gives you about an hour for free time, sightseeing, shopping, and a self-guided look around. This is the most flexible part of the trip. You can walk, take in the views, browse, or simply enjoy a break from the boat.

The tradeoff is time. An hour is enough to get a taste of the island, not enough for a slow beach day. If your ideal Mauritius outing is one long stay beside the water, you may find this stop short. If you want variety, the limited time keeps the day moving.

This stop also helps break up the boat ride before the quieter sightseeing sections. Bring only what you need, since the day includes several transitions between boat, shore, snorkeling water, and lunch.

Village views, wildlife, and the waterfall

The next part includes a traditional village visit with guided sightseeing, scenic views along the way, and wildlife viewing. The supplied schedule allows about 35 minutes here. It is a useful change of pace after Île aux Cerfs, giving you a glimpse of local life rather than only beaches and offshore scenery.

The wording of the stop is broad, so do not expect a long cultural tour or a detailed museum visit. Think of it as a short guided look during the route. The English commentary may be limited. One review specifically found the English explanations sparse and difficult to understand, even though the day itself ran smoothly.

The tour also includes a visit to the Grse waterfall. The schedule allows another 35 minutes for guided sightseeing, dolphin watching, coastal views, and wildlife viewing around this part of the route. The waterfall adds a freshwater feature to a day otherwise shaped by the sea.

The order of these sights can vary with conditions and the guide’s plan. You should treat them as short scenic stops rather than long walks or formal tours. Comfortable footwear is useful if you leave the boat, but the essential items remain sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel.

Passing Île de la Passe and the lighthouse island

Phare Island, also called the lighthouse island, is one of the route’s most appealing visual stops. The boat pauses around the island for sightseeing, and you get views of the lighthouse and the surrounding water. The schedule also allows a brief pass by Île de la Passe, with about 10 minutes for views from the boat.

These are not long landing visits. That is important when setting expectations. You see the islands as part of a moving coastal route, rather than spending an afternoon walking ashore on each one.

The Île de la Passe section has a strong sense of place because it is linked with Mauritius’s maritime setting. From the boat, you can appreciate the contrast between open water, small islands, and old coastal markers. Keep your camera ready, since this part moves quickly.

Snorkeling near Île aux Aigrettes

The main water activity takes place next to Île aux Aigrettes, with about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and free time. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and fins.

The clear water is the reason to book this trip for many people. You can expect a chance to see fish and other marine life, though the sea is never a guaranteed aquarium. Conditions affect visibility, and the guide decides where to stop based on the day.

I like that snorkeling comes early enough to leave time for the rest of the route, but there is a practical point to remember: put your swimwear on before you leave Cabane du Pêcheur. You do not want to be searching through a dry bag after the boat has already reached the snorkeling area.

This stop suits confident swimmers and anyone who enjoys a short, active break. The tour is wheelchair accessible, but a water activity from a speedboat can still require extra planning. If mobility support is important to you, confirm the exact arrangements before booking.

Margénie Island BBQ and drinks

Margénie Island is where the day settles into lunch. You get about an hour and a half for the BBQ, drinks, dessert, and free time. The menu includes chicken, fish, sausages, garlic bread, mixed salad, and pineapple or banana flambé.

Vegetarian food is available on request, and you should state dietary restrictions when booking. That is more useful than hoping the crew can change the meal at the last minute. The menu has several meat and fish items, so advance notice matters for a vegetarian meal.

Drinks include rum, beer, Coke, wine, and fruit juice. The information also says you may bring your own drinks, with no restriction on doing so. Even with drinks supplied, bring water if you have a preferred brand or want to manage your alcohol intake in the sun.

Lunch is a major part of the value here. You are not paying only for a boat ride and a quick swim. The price also covers a substantial cooked meal, dessert, and drinks in an island setting. The social side is strong, with music and a party-like mood on some departures. One guest summed up the day with a single word, rum, which tells you something about the drink-focused atmosphere.

That atmosphere will suit you if you like music and easy conversation. It may not suit you if you want a silent picnic or a carefully paced food experience. The guide’s personality shapes the mood. Danilo has been described as joyful and funny, while Ayen has been praised for keeping the boat entertaining. You may not get either guide on your departure, but the tour clearly leans toward a friendly, upbeat style.

Dolphin watching without a chase

Dolphin watching is included, but it is best understood as a chance encounter rather than a guaranteed performance. Dolphins can appear during the boat route, and the crew does not chase them or let people enter the water to pursue them.

That approach is one of the strongest details of the outing. Wildlife viewing is more responsible when the animals set the terms. You may see dolphins from the boat, or you may spend the time enjoying the islands and sea views instead.

Keep your camera ready, but do not let the possibility of dolphins become the only reason you book. The snorkeling, islands, waterfall, and BBQ provide the main structure of the day even if no dolphins appear.

How the $106 price holds up

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see one beach or hire a short boat ride. It is easier to justify when you count what is included: a five-hour speedboat tour, snorkeling equipment, island sightseeing, dolphin watching, the Grse waterfall, free time at Île aux Cerfs, lunch, and a range of drinks.

You also avoid having to arrange separate boat trips for the islands and separate food after returning to shore. For someone with limited time in Mauritius, that bundled format has real value.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet swim and a long lunch. You are paying for movement and variety, not for staying in one place. The private or small-group option may improve the feel of the ride, but check the exact price and group size before assuming it is included in the standard rate.

A strong rating of 4.9 from 28 reviews supports the idea that the tour delivers a fun day, especially for people who value organization, music, snorkeling, and scenery. Still, the smaller number of reviews means I would focus on the practical pattern: the boat day is praised for smooth operation, good energy, strong snorkeling spots, and a relaxed approach to dolphins. English explanations are the clearest weakness.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would choose this for you if you want to see several eastern Mauritius sights in one outing and do not mind a brisk schedule. It is particularly well suited to couples, friends, families with older children, and anyone who likes a social boat ride with food and drinks built in.

You should also consider it if you enjoy snorkeling but do not want to arrange equipment or find a separate lunch stop. The included gear and early snorkeling session keep the planning simple.

I would think twice if you want extensive cultural interpretation, a long stay on Île aux Cerfs, or quiet wildlife photography. The guided explanations may be short, and several island stops are viewed from the boat or kept brief.

The tour is available in English and French. You can choose a private or small-group format, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Pets are not allowed, and it is not suitable for people over 95.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, and sunscreen. I would also use a water-resistant bag for valuables and keep spare clothes protected from spray, though those specific items are not listed as required.

Tell the operator about vegetarian needs or other dietary restrictions when booking. You can bring your own drinks, but the tour already supplies rum, beer, Coke, wine, and fruit juice.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. Transport to Cabane du Pêcheur is not included, and personal expenses are extra.

Should you book the five-island tour?

Book it if you want a lively, efficient day on the water with snorkeling, island scenery, a waterfall, dolphin watching, and a full BBQ lunch. The best reasons are the number of sights covered, the included food and drinks, and the good chance of a fun guide-led atmosphere.

Skip it if you want a slow beach day, detailed English commentary, or one long snorkeling session. For most people comparing boat trips in eastern Mauritius, the $106 price is fair because it combines transport by speedboat, activities, lunch, and drinks in one half-day. Just arrive ready for sun, spray, music, and a schedule that keeps moving.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Cabane du Pêcheur in Mauritius. Transport to the boarding point is not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts five hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Phare Island, also called the lighthouse island, Île de la Passe, Île aux Aigrettes, Île aux Cerfs, and Margénie Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the snorkeling stop is near Île aux Aigrettes.

What food is served at lunch?

The BBQ includes chicken, fish, sausages, garlic bread, mixed salad, and pineapple or banana flambé.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available on request. State dietary restrictions when booking.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks include rum, beer, Coke, wine, and fruit juice. You may also bring your own drinks.

Is dolphin watching guaranteed?

No. Dolphin watching is included as part of the route, but sightings depend on conditions and wildlife activity. The boat does not chase dolphins or allow people to enter the water to pursue them.

Are private or small-group trips available?

Yes. Private or small-group options are available.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Confirm the specific arrangements when booking if you need mobility assistance during the speedboat, shore, or snorkeling portions.