5 Islands Speedboat Cruise, Snorkeling + Lunch & Open Bar

Fast boats make island hopping more fun. This seven-hour cruise from Trou d’Eau Douce packs Mauritius’s east coast into one busy day, mixing swimming, snorkeling, a lighthouse, waterfalls, lunch, and an open bar. I like the range of stops, especially the Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse and the Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling area. I also like that lunch and drinks are included, so the $100 price covers more than just a boat ride.

The main trade-off is the schedule. You visit several places in one day, but snorkeling is listed at only one main spot. If underwater time matters most to you, this may feel brief. Still, the tour has earned a 4.8 rating from six reviews, with particular praise for the captains, the good pace, and the fun atmosphere.

The Five Best Reasons to Consider This Cruise

• A speedboat gives the day real energy: You spend less time plodding between islands and more time seeing the east coast.
• Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse adds history: This small island and its old lighthouse are the main sightseeing feature.
• Blue Bay brings the underwater stop: You get time to snorkel near the Blue Bay Marine Park and look for local marine life.
• Lunch and an open bar are included: The package includes an island-style barbecue lunch, with fresh grilled lobster available at an extra cost.
• The route mixes relaxation with action: Swim at Ile aux Cerfs, visit Grand River South East Waterfalls, and pause at island and nature reserve sites.
• The crew can shape the mood: Danilo is praised by name, while other feedback highlights captains with strong humor and a family-friendly approach.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30

The day begins and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce, with boarding scheduled for 8:30 in the morning and return around 3:30 in the afternoon. That makes this a full seven-hour outing, not a short coastal ride.

You need to arrange your own way to the meeting point unless you ask the operator to organize private transportation from your hotel or accommodation. The exact embarkation details are sent by WhatsApp, so do not wait until the last minute to confirm where you need to go.

I like the early start because it gives the cruise enough time to cover several sites without making the day stretch into the evening. The schedule also makes this easier to fit into a Mauritius holiday, especially if you are staying near the east coast.

The speedboat is central to the experience. You hear the engine, feel the movement over the water, and get a much livelier ride than you would on a slow sightseeing boat. That energy is a plus for couples, friends, and families with older children who enjoy a little motion.

If you prefer quiet water and a gentle pace, the boat may feel more active than relaxing. The tour is built around movement, so bring a towel and clothes you do not mind getting wet.

Ile aux Cerfs: Your Main Beach Break

Ile aux Cerfs is the day’s broadest relaxation stop. You have time for sunbathing, swimming, and sitting on the beach, with lunch and an open bar included here.

This is where the tour shifts from sightseeing to holiday mode. You can swim, stretch out, or simply take in the island setting without needing to rush straight back onto the boat. Watersports shops are also available, although the supplied price does not state that any separate watersports are included.

Lunch is an island-style barbecue recipe. That matters because the meal is part of the package rather than an expense you need to arrange yourself. Fresh grilled lobster is not included, but you can ask in advance for it to be reserved at an additional cost.

The open bar is useful for a long day in the sun, but you should still bring water and use sunscreen. Alcohol and heat are a poor team when you forget the basics. Swimwear, beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen are specifically recommended.

I see Ile aux Cerfs as the stop that makes the cruise feel like a holiday rather than a checklist of sights. The possible drawback is that the island can take up a large part of your attention while other stops receive less time. If you want a slow beach day, you may wish for more time here. If you want history and snorkeling, you may wish for more time elsewhere.

Ile aux Fouqets and Its Lighthouse

The lighthouse at Ile aux Fouqets is described as the main attraction of the cruise, and it gives the route a clear sense of place. This is not just a stop for swimming. It connects the boat trip with Mauritius’s coastal past and gives you a striking maritime sight to photograph.

The island is small, and the focus is the lighthouse itself. You should think of this as a scenic and historical viewing stop rather than a long land excursion. The tour description does not promise an interior visit or a guided historical talk, so keep expectations focused on seeing the lighthouse from the cruise route.

This stop is a good reason to choose the tour over a simple beach transfer. The east coast is not only about sand and swimming. Old coastal structures help explain how important these waters were for navigation and trade, even if the visit itself is relatively short.

I like that the lighthouse breaks up the beach time. You get a visual landmark with a story, then return to the water and the speedboat.

Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve and Ilot Mergenie

The route also includes Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, where swimming and an open bar are listed. The supplied details do not promise a land tour of the reserve or wildlife viewing, so you should not book this expecting a long nature walk. Think of it as another island-water stop connected with the wider coastal setting.

Including the reserve gives the day some variety. After the speedboat ride and the lighthouse, you have another chance to get into the water and slow down. The open bar is available here as well, adding flexibility if you do not want to wait until lunch for a drink.

Ilot Mergenie is also included among the sites visited. No separate activity or extended stop is specified for this islet. It is best viewed as part of the island-hopping route rather than a standalone attraction with a detailed program.

That distinction matters. The tour covers several named places, but not every place receives the same kind of visit. Ile aux Cerfs offers a beach break, Ile aux Fouqets centers on the lighthouse, and Ile aux Aigrettes centers on swimming and drinks. Ilot Mergenie is part of the route, but the exact time there is not stated.

Snorkeling Near Blue Bay Marine Park

The snorkeling stop is near Blue Bay Marine Park, one of the strongest parts of the itinerary for anyone interested in Mauritius’s sea life. The activity description points to the area’s fauna and flora, so you get a chance to look below the surface rather than only admire the coast from the boat.

Snorkeling equipment and the snorkeling activity are included in the price. That is helpful if you are packing light or do not want to rent gear separately.

The main limitation is simple: snorkeling is listed as one stop. One person specifically wished there had been another snorkeling session at a better spot. I would take that seriously if snorkeling is your top reason for booking. The cruise gives you an underwater experience, but it is not presented as a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

For casual snorkelers, one stop may be just right. You get a taste of the marine environment without spending the full day in the water. For strong swimmers and underwater enthusiasts, the lack of a second snorkeling location may be the clearest weakness in the plan.

Grand River South East Waterfalls by Boat

Grand River South East Waterfalls adds a very different scene to the day. After islands, beaches, and open sea, the boat heads toward the river and its falls.

The change in setting is valuable because it keeps the itinerary from becoming repetitive. You are not simply moving from one beach to another. The waterfalls give you a freshwater and river setting within the same coastal adventure.

The available information does not state how long the boat stays at the falls or whether swimming is offered there. You should treat it as a sightseeing stop unless the crew tells you otherwise. The route is designed to show you several places, not to provide a long visit at every one.

This is also one of the reasons the speedboat matters. The boat is not only transport between islands. It lets you connect the coast, river, reserve, lighthouse, and beaches in a single outing.

What the Crew Adds to the Day

The strongest praise goes to the people running the boat. Danilo is named as a particularly good skipper, with a reputation for keeping the pace enjoyable and the mood relaxed. Other feedback highlights a captain full of good humor and a guide who made the day work well for a whole family.

That is important on a seven-hour boat tour. A route with several stops can feel rushed or awkward if the timing is poor. The available feedback points to a well-managed day, even when the weather was not ideal.

You should still remember that the exact guide may vary. Danilo’s name is associated with particularly strong praise, but the operator is Island Cove Mauritius, and the listed languages are French and English.

The tour does not state a group size, so you should not assume a private boat or a small party. If you want private transportation to and from your accommodation, that can be requested through WhatsApp. The boat experience itself is presented as a shared tour unless a private arrangement is confirmed separately.

Is the $100 Price Good Value?

At $100 per person, this cruise is not merely a transfer to Ile aux Cerfs. The price includes tickets to the listed attractions, snorkeling, the open bar, and an island-style barbecue lunch.

That bundle gives the cost reasonable value if you plan to use most of the inclusions. You are paying for a full day on the water, several locations, a speedboat, a meal, drinks, and snorkeling. You also avoid arranging separate transport between islands and the river falls.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want one beach and a quiet boat ride. In that case, the multiple-stop format may feel like more than you need. It also does not include transportation to the meeting point, and fresh grilled lobster costs extra.

I would compare the price against your priorities. For a first visit to Mauritius, the range of experiences makes sense. You can see an important lighthouse, visit Ile aux Cerfs, snorkel near Blue Bay, and reach Grand River South East Waterfalls in one day. For a repeat visit focused on one activity, a more specialized trip might suit you better.

Who Should Book This East Coast Tour?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want variety and enjoy being on the water. It works especially well for:

• Families looking for swimming, lunch, and a lively boat ride
• Couples who want beaches, scenery, and a full day together
• First-time visitors who want several east coast highlights in one outing
• Casual snorkelers who are happy with one main snorkeling stop
• Anyone who likes a social atmosphere and does not need a private tour

You may want to choose another option if you use a wheelchair, since this activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also think twice if you want a slow, quiet day, extensive snorkeling, or a long historical tour.

Book fresh lobster ahead of time if you want it. The operator asks you to arrange that through WhatsApp, and advance notice is more sensible than hoping it will be available on the day.

Pack light, but pack the basics: swimwear, beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Confirm the meeting point by WhatsApp and ask about private hotel transportation if you need it.

My Verdict: A Lively Day With One Clear Limitation

I would book this tour if I wanted a broad taste of Mauritius’s east coast in one day. The speedboat adds fun, the lighthouse gives the route character, Ile aux Cerfs provides proper beach time, and the included lunch, snorkeling, and open bar make the price easier to justify.

The one clear limitation is the snorkeling schedule. You get one main snorkeling stop, not a full day built around reefs and marine life. Even so, the friendly crew, strong pace, and mix of island, river, and historical sights make this a well-rounded choice for an active holiday day.

FAQ

Where does the 5 Islands Speedboat Cruise start and finish?

The activity starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce. Embarkation is scheduled for 8:30, with return around 3:30.

How long does the cruise last?

The total duration is seven hours.

What does the $100 price include?

The price includes tickets to the listed attractions, snorkeling, an open bar, and an island-style barbecue lunch.

Is fresh grilled lobster included?

No. Fresh grilled lobster is excluded from the price, but you can ask the operator to reserve it in advance through WhatsApp.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Transportation is not included. Private transportation from your hotel or accommodation to the boat and back can be requested.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English and French.