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

The East Coast rewards a day on the water. This nine-hour speedboat trip combines island hopping, snorkeling in Blue Bay, a waterfall stop, and a beach BBQ for $125 per person. I especially like the small groups of up to eight and the chance for four or more people to book the boat privately. I also like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and snacks are included rather than added one by one.

The main drawback is the early start and long day. You may also spend less time than expected at each island because the route covers a lot of ground. The sea can be lively, and dolphins or sea turtles are possible sightings, not guaranteed appointments.

The best parts of this East Coast boat day

• A true small-group speedboat: The boat carries no more than eight people, and groups of four or more can request a private outing.
• Five-island route with real variety: You visit or pass Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Phares, Ile de La Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Îlot Margenie.
• Blue Bay snorkeling: The marine park offers clear water and tropical fish, with equipment supplied.
• Beach lunch and open bar: Grilled chicken, fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, salad, snacks, and drinks are included.
• Grand River South East stop: You get a waterfall view where the river reaches the Indian Ocean, plus the chance to see wild Mauritian monkeys.
• Possible wildlife encounters: Dolphins and sea turtles may appear, but nature keeps its own schedule.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce before the speedboat run

The tour begins and ends at the jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce. To find it, search for Debarcader Trou D’eau Douche on Google Maps. The meeting point is a jetty, so give yourself time to locate the waterfront rather than assuming you can pull up at a hotel-style entrance.

The published day lasts nine hours, with availability depending on the chosen departure time. One practical detail matters here: a French couple reported arriving at 7:55 a.m. and leaving at 8:50 a.m. That gap may reflect check-in, boat preparation, or group organization, so you should not plan a tight connection afterward.

Hotel and Airbnb pickup is available throughout Mauritius for an additional charge. If you need it, arrange it in advance. One passenger who requested a transfer received helpful follow-up questions from the operator the day before, which is a good sign for anyone staying far from Trou d’Eau Douce.

The boat holds a maximum of eight people. That is a useful limit in Mauritius, where many water outings can feel crowded. If you are a family or group of at least four, ask about making the boat private. That option can change the tone of the day, since the guide can adjust the pace and stop arrangements more easily.

Ile aux Cerfs and the first taste of island time

The first planned stop is Ile aux Cerfs, with about 45 minutes for a visit and refreshments. This gives you an early chance to step ashore, look around, and settle into the pace of the outing.

Ile aux Cerfs is also used later for the main beach portion of the day. After the marine park and other islands, you return for white sand, swimming, sunbathing, coconut water, and optional water activities such as parasailing and a tube ride.

The split visit is sensible. A short morning stop lets you see the island before the route moves on, while the longer return visit gives you time to relax. Still, 45 minutes is not enough for a full island exploration. If you want a slow beach morning, this itinerary may feel busy.

The open bar is listed as available throughout the outing, though the detailed schedule says it opens later, after the Ile aux Aigrettes stop. Expect rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, water, and snacks. Drink carefully on a fast boat in the sun, especially if you plan to swim or snorkel.

Grand River South East and the waterfall view

From Ile aux Cerfs, the boat heads toward Grand River South East. Here, the river runs toward the Indian Ocean and forms a waterfall, making this one of the more scenic stops on the route.

The outing also offers a chance to meet and feed wild Mauritian monkeys. That can be a memorable part of the day, especially for families, but you should follow the guide’s instructions closely. Wild animals are not a petting-zoo attraction, and feeding them can bring the animals close to the group.

This stop adds something that a simple beach cruise lacks. You are not only looking at islands from offshore. You are also seeing a river mouth, moving water, and local wildlife in a setting that feels less polished than a resort beach.

Do not expect a long nature walk here. The trip is built around a boat route, so the waterfall stop is primarily for viewing and a brief encounter with the surroundings. The value comes from the change of scene, not from a lengthy visit.

Ile aux Phares and Ile de La Passe by boat

Next comes Ile aux Phares, followed by a passage near Ile de La Passe. These islands bring a historical note to the route, although the supplied schedule gives no detailed historical commentary or specific monuments to visit.

That is worth keeping in mind if history is your main reason for booking. The tour promises history, adventure, and exploration, but the day is mostly an outdoor sea experience. You will see the islands from the water and may stop at selected points, but you should not expect a museum-style guided tour.

The speedboat is part of the appeal. You hear the engine, feel the boat rise over the waves, and cover more of the East Coast than you could by moving slowly between shore stops. It also means the ride can be bumpy. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the boat feels most stable and tell the skipper if you need a slower pace.

One German passenger specifically praised the skipper’s professional handling at speed and said the safety instructions before snorkeling were clear. That matters because a fast boat is exciting only when the person driving it knows how to manage the conditions.

Blue Bay Marine Park for clear-water snorkeling

Blue Bay is the central water activity of the day. You receive snorkeling equipment and get time in clear water among tropical fish at the Blue Bay Marine Park.

The clearest advantage is convenience. You do not need to rent a mask and snorkel separately or organize a second marine excursion. The guide provides instruction, watches the group, and can help shorten the swim for anyone who wants to return to the boat.

Do not underestimate the current. One passenger noted that the flow was stronger than expected, and the guide kept a close eye on everyone. That is useful advice for confident swimmers as well as beginners. Follow the briefing, stay near the group, and do not swim farther simply because the water looks calm from the boat.

The phrase aquarium giant fits the visual appeal, but conditions can change. Water clarity, wind, current, and marine life sightings are never fully controlled. The trip includes the snorkeling session, not a guarantee of a particular fish, turtle, or dolphin encounter.

Sea turtles and dolphins are listed as possible wildlife sightings. Another passenger saw four dolphins after the skipper made a real effort to look for them. A different group saw turtles but no dolphins. Treat both as fortunate extras rather than promised stops.

Ile aux Aigrettes, Îlot Margenie, and the return run

After Blue Bay, the route passes by Ile aux Aigrettes for refreshments. The stop helps break up the day after snorkeling and gives you time to dry off before the final island portion.

The boat then returns toward Ile aux Cerfs, passing Îlot Margenie. These passages are part of the pleasure of the trip. You get changing views of the lagoon, small islands, open water, and the East Coast shoreline without having to pack and unpack between stops.

The route is described as cruising through Mauritius’ largest lagoon. That broad stretch of water is a major reason to choose a speedboat rather than a land-based sightseeing day. You spend much of the day outside, with the boat itself serving as transport and viewing platform.

The trade-off is pace. Five islands, a waterfall, a marine park, a meal, and beach time make for a full schedule. You get variety, but not unlimited time at every location. I would choose this outing for a strong overview of the East Coast rather than for a quiet, single-island escape.

Beach BBQ, coconut water, and an open bar

The main meal is prepared on Ile aux Cerfs. The BBQ includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. Snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are also included, with rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water available.

That menu gives the $125 price more weight. A comparable day can become expensive once you add a boat, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and transport between several sites. Here, the major components are bundled into one fare, although hotel pickup costs extra and optional water sports are not specifically listed as included.

The meal is served on the beach, with the bar operating nearby. Live music or a sega show may provide entertainment, giving the lunch stop a distinctly Mauritian touch rather than turning it into a quick packed meal.

Food quality appears to be a strong point. One French passenger described the lunch as very good and generous. Another called it tasty. The exact serving setup can vary, but you should arrive hungry enough to make use of the meal after swimming and snorkeling.

If you want parasailing or a tube ride, ask about the price before committing. Those activities are offered during free time but are not part of the listed inclusions. The same applies to any other motorized water sport.

What $125 buys you, and where the value ends

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Mauritius by water. It is also not simply a boat transfer. The price covers a full nine-hour day with a skipper, island visits, the waterfall stop, snorkeling equipment, beach lunch, snacks, and an open bar.

I see the strongest value in the small group. A boat limited to eight people gives you more personal space and a better chance to receive direct help during snorkeling. For four or more people, the private option may be especially appealing, since the cost buys control over your group’s day rather than just a seat on a shared boat.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike speedboats, or prefer long stretches of quiet beach time. You are paying for a packed route and included refreshments, not only for time on the sand.

Transfers can also change the total. Pickup and drop-off around Mauritius are available at an additional cost, so compare the final amount with the cost and effort of reaching Trou d’Eau Douce yourself.

The overall score is 4.4 from 156 ratings, which fits the experience as described: highly praised for its guide, food, small group, safety, and variety, with timing and sea conditions as the main variables.

Who should book this Mauritius speedboat tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several East Coast highlights in one day and enjoy an active schedule. Families, couples, small groups of friends, and first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the lagoon are the best match.

It also suits people who like having the practical details handled. Snorkeling gear, lunch, drinks, and the route are arranged for you. The boat crew takes care of navigation and gives guidance in English, French, German, Italian, or Romanian.

You should think twice if you want a slow sailing trip, a serious history tour, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The sea decides how comfortable the ride feels and whether dolphins or turtles appear. The snorkeling current may also challenge weaker swimmers.

Bring sunscreen and a camera. Wear clothing suited to sun, spray, swimming, and a long day outdoors. Because the tour starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce, confirm your transport plan before booking, especially if you are staying on the opposite side of Mauritius.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start and finish?

The tour starts and finishes at the jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce. Search for Debarcader Trou D’eau Douche on Google Maps to locate the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The speedboat outing lasts nine hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What food is included?

The beach BBQ includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. Snacks are also included.

Which drinks are included?

The open bar includes rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the tour includes snorkeling in the Blue Bay Marine Park.

Can I book a private boat?

Yes. Groups of four people or more can request a private speedboat experience.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a full East Coast sampler with speed, snorkeling, wildlife possibilities, a waterfall, and a proper beach meal. The small group, private option for four or more, and attentive safety guidance make it more appealing than a crowded boat outing.

Skip it if your ideal Mauritius day means staying in one quiet bay or spending hours on one beach. For everyone else, $125 is a fair package price for nine hours of transport, food, drinks, and sea time, as long as you accept a busy schedule and leave room for nature to change the plan.