5 island tour all inclusive with Ile aux cerfs and snorkeling

Blue water, small boat, big day. This six-hour outing packs a lot into one morning and afternoon, from the GRSE waterfall and Lighthouse Island to snorkeling near Blue Bay and lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. I like the direct route between several different sights, and I like that the price includes the boat, snorkeling, grilled lunch, and drinks.

The main thing to consider is the boat itself. This is a speedboat trip, not a slow, relaxing catamaran cruise, and there may be little shade, especially for young children. If you want a quiet day under sail, this may not suit you. If you want to cover more water and see several places in one outing, it offers strong value.

Key points at a glance

• A fast route from Trou d’Eau Douce: The boat heads first to the GRSE waterfall, then continues to Lighthouse Island, Blue Bay, and Ile aux Cerfs.
• A proper mix of activities: You get waterfall views, a lighthouse visit, snorkeling, an island stop, lunch, and drinks in one outing.
• Snorkeling near Blue Bay: The water is praised for its clear views and abundant fish, with a glass-bottom boat used in the snorkeling area.
• Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs: The meal is grilled and may include lobster, with drinks served on the beach.
• Small boat rather than catamaran: This keeps the trip moving, but offers less room, shade, and onboard relaxation.
• Good value at $103 per person: The price is reasonable if you plan to use all the included stops and meal.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m.

The day begins at Chez TinoB59 in Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m. The activity returns to this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate end-of-day pickup.

I would pay close attention to the exact meeting instructions. One person had trouble because nobody was waiting at the stated meeting place, and a taxi driver called the operator and arranged a drop-off at the jetty instead. That does not mean every departure has this problem, but it is a useful warning. Keep the booking contact details handy, and if you are being dropped off by taxi, confirm whether you should go to Chez TinoB59 or directly to the jetty.

Trou d’Eau Douce is a practical starting point for the east coast. The early departure also matters because this itinerary covers a wide stretch of water. You are not simply visiting one nearby beach and returning. The boat has several stops to reach, including Blue Bay in the south.

The activity is described as private, with only your group taking part, while the boat is also capped at 14 people. That means you should expect a relatively limited-size outing rather than a large party boat, but it is sensible to confirm the exact arrangement when booking if your group is small.

The GRSE waterfall is your first coastal stop

The first cruise heads toward the GRSE waterfall. This gives you an early change of scene: you leave the village and open sea behind, then move toward one of the area’s well-known water features.

The stop is primarily about views and the boat ride. The available details do not promise a long walk, a swim, or a formal guided visit, so I would think of this as a scenic first stop rather than a major hiking section. That is useful for anyone who wants a varied day without a demanding physical schedule.

The boat format helps here. A speedboat can move between different points without spending the whole morning making a slow circuit. The tradeoff is comfort. You will feel the motion more than you would on a broad catamaran, particularly when the water is choppy.

This first section also sets the rhythm for the trip. You board, cruise, stop for a sight, then continue. It is efficient and active, but not designed for long stretches of lounging.

Lighthouse Island offers the most unusual stop

After the waterfall, the boat continues to Lighthouse Island. The special feature here is that you can go inside the lighthouse, not simply photograph it from the water.

That makes this stop more memorable than a quick coastal pass. You get a physical place to explore and a break from sitting in the boat. The lighthouse also adds some character to an itinerary otherwise built around water, beaches, and snorkeling.

The supplied details do not give the lighthouse’s age, height, or interior layout, so I would not arrive expecting a long museum visit. Treat it as a short island stop with access inside the lighthouse. Its appeal is the setting and the chance to see a working-looking coastal landmark from within.

The island visit also helps balance the speedboat style. You are not confined to the boat for the whole six hours. Still, the schedule is fairly full, so this is not the kind of outing where you can linger at every stop for as long as you like.

Blue Bay is the highlight for fish and clear water

The boat then heads south toward Blue Bay for snorkeling. This is likely the main reason to choose this outing if you care more about marine life than beach time.

The water is described as exceptionally clear, with plenty of fish visible. A glass-bottom boat is used in the snorkeling area, and you can snorkel from it. That arrangement is useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can focus on the water, while anyone less confident can still look below the surface from the boat.

Some people also had dolphin and turtle sightings. These are possible encounters, not a promised part of the schedule, so you should book this for the snorkeling stop itself rather than for guaranteed wildlife. The fish and clear water are the more reliable reasons to look forward to Blue Bay.

Bring your own water bottle if you can. Drinks are included, and water is provided, but one person specifically advised carrying extra water. You are out in the sun, moving between several stops, and snorkeling can leave you thirstier than expected.

This is also a place where the boat choice matters. The speedboat gets you there efficiently, but it is not a floating lounge. If you want a large deck, shaded seating, music, and a slow cruise between swims, a catamaran would be a better match. The Blue Bay stop itself can still be excellent, but the ride between activities is functional rather than luxurious.

Ile aux Cerfs brings the beach lunch

After snorkeling, you cruise to Ile aux Cerfs for lunch. This is the longest beach-focused part of the outing and the place where the all-inclusive price earns much of its value.

Lunch is served on the beach and centers on grilled food. A lobster meal was provided during one outing, and drinks were available along with the food. The exact menu should not be treated as guaranteed unless the operator confirms it, but the general setup is clear: you receive a cooked lunch by the water rather than needing to find and pay for a restaurant yourself.

I like this arrangement because it keeps the day simple. You do not lose time searching for lunch, checking menus, or handling another bill. You can sit by the beach, eat, and enjoy the island setting before returning to Trou d’Eau Douce.

I would keep your expectations measured about Ile aux Cerfs. If you are staying on Mauritius’s east coast, you may already be near beautiful beaches. One useful way to judge this stop is not as the sole reason to book, but as a pleasant setting for lunch after the waterfall, lighthouse, and snorkeling. The boat ride and variety are the real attraction.

The beach can also be busy, depending on the day. This outing is not selling solitude. It is selling convenience and a broad sample of the east and south coast by boat.

What the $103 price really includes

At $103 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend six hours on the water. But the price includes several elements that can add up separately: the boat cruise, the waterfall and lighthouse visits, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks.

The lobster and grilled meal make the value look especially good if that menu is available on your date. You also avoid arranging separate transport between distant coastal sights. The itinerary does the connecting for you, which is important in Mauritius, where the stops are spread across different parts of the island.

I would consider the price good for an active sightseeing day and less attractive for someone who mainly wants a beach afternoon. If your priorities are a quiet boat, shade, and generous time to relax, you may pay for activities you do not really want.

The trip is also limited to about six hours. One person felt it ended earlier than expected for a full day out. That criticism is fair if you imagine a morning-to-evening excursion. In practice, the stated duration is closer to a packed half-day, with an early start and several stops.

Speedboat energy versus catamaran comfort

This is the most important choice to make before booking. The boat is a speedboat that carries you from one stop to the next. It is not a catamaran designed for leisurely sailing.

That difference affects the whole mood. You will spend less time drifting and more time getting from GRSE to Lighthouse Island, then south to Blue Bay and onward to Ile aux Cerfs. For an active schedule, this is useful. For a relaxed cruise, it may feel rushed or plain.

A speedboat can also mean more spray and a bumpier ride. The supplied information does not describe seating, shade, or onboard facilities in detail, so you should not assume the comfort level of a large boat. A French-language review specifically pointed out that the boat did not offer much shade for young children.

I would pack sun protection, a hat that will not blow away, and extra drinking water. Keep valuables protected from spray. These are sensible precautions for any small boat trip, especially one covering a lot of open water.

The benefit is closeness. A smaller boat can make the outing feel more personal, and the group size is limited to 14. The captain is described as friendly, and Joey was singled out as fun and kind. The guiding style may vary by departure, but the people running the boat appear to be an important part of the day’s atmosphere.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a compact introduction to several Mauritius highlights. It suits people who prefer doing a lot in one day, enjoy being on the water, and want snorkeling included without arranging a second excursion.

It is also a good fit for couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a small boat and a sunny schedule. Most people can participate, and no special high level of fitness is stated as necessary.

I would be more cautious for families with very young children. The lack of shade is a real consideration, and the boat ride may be less comfortable than a larger vessel. Ask about shade and seating before paying if this is important to you.

You should also skip it if your main goal is a slow sailing day. A catamaran trip may offer a better atmosphere, even if it covers fewer stops. The strongest reason to choose this outing is variety, not onboard luxury.

Practical booking and cancellation advice

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is near public transportation. The start time is 8:30 a.m., and the tour returns to the original meeting point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Mauritius time.

Good weather is required. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. I would avoid placing this outing on the final day of a short Mauritius visit, since rough weather could force a change.

Should you book the 5-island tour?

Book it if you want a busy, well-priced boat day with several different stops included. The combination of GRSE waterfall, lighthouse access, Blue Bay snorkeling, and a grilled lunch on Ile aux Cerfs gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer.

Do not book it expecting a catamaran party, a quiet sailing afternoon, or guaranteed dolphins and turtles. The speedboat is practical and quick, but it can be sunny, bumpy, and less comfortable for small children.

For most active visitors, $103 is fair because lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and the boat are bundled together. I would confirm the meeting point, carry extra water, and ask about shade if traveling with young children. With those expectations in place, this is a strong choice for seeing a lot of Mauritius by sea in roughly six hours.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Chez TinoB59 in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $103 per person.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs is included, along with drinks. Grilled food is served, and lobster has been provided on some outings.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling near Blue Bay is included, with a glass-bottom boat used in the snorkeling area.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins to receive a full refund.