5 Islands Tour: New OCÉANE Private Pontoon Boat cruise

Mauritius looks best from the water. This six-hour private cruise combines the Grand River South East Waterfall, island scenery, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks without packing a large group onto the boat. I like the relaxed pace and the freedom to shape the day around swimming, sightseeing, or simply sitting in the sun. I also like that snorkeling gear, food, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. The main consideration is the price: at $871 for a group of up to two, this is a special-occasion outing rather than a casual half-day trip.

The boat can carry up to 11 passengers, but the booking is sold as a private group experience. That gives you more say over the rhythm of the day than a standard shared cruise. One past outing included a speedboat pickup, time at a private beach, and a barbecue, while another included a patient captain named Joey. Those details suggest some flexibility, but they also show why you should confirm the final route, meal, and drink arrangements before departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Private pontoon setting: The boat can carry up to 11 people, making this useful for couples, families, or a small private group.
• Waterfall first, snorkeling later: You begin near Pointe Maurice and head toward the Grand River South East Waterfall before reaching the swimming areas.
• Lunch is served at anchor: The planned meal is a cold lunch on board, with unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included.
• The route can change: The itinerary is described as customizable, and one past day swapped some listed island stops for a private beach and barbecue.
• Snorkeling comes before alcohol: Drinks are served after snorkeling, and the operator may cancel snorkeling if alcohol is consumed beforehand.
• Bring proper sun gear: A towel, swimwear, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, flip-flops, and a change of clothes will make the day much easier.

Starting near Pointe Maurice

The meeting point is just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel, at Pointe Maurice. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way there and allow time to find the exact boarding spot.

The cruise lasts about six hours and returns to Pointe Maurice at approximately 15:30. That timing gives you a full morning and early afternoon on the lagoon, with enough daylight for the main sights, swimming, lunch, and the return cruise.

I would arrive ready for the water rather than dressed for a formal boat trip. You will want swimwear under your clothes, a towel nearby, and sunglasses that fit securely. Flip-flops are practical when moving between the boat and sandy or wet areas, while a change of clothes helps after swimming.

The pontoon is a good fit for people who dislike cramped seating. It offers a stable base for sightseeing and lunch, and the private format means you are not locked into the pace of a large public excursion. Still, the boat is not a silent yacht. Wind, spray, and sun are part of the day, so pack your belongings in something that can handle getting wet.

Grand River South East Waterfall by boat

The first major sight is the Grand River South East Waterfall. The boat heads through the river and lagoon toward the falls, giving you a different view from a land-based lookout.

This stop is mainly for photos, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing. A past outing included seeing monkeys near the waterfall, with time spent feeding them. That is a memorable detail, but you should treat it as a possibility rather than a promised part of the cruise. Wildlife is never fully scheduled, and feeding animals is best handled only as directed by the crew.

The waterfall is an excellent opening stop because it adds variety before the swimming portion begins. You start with moving water, forested surroundings, and river scenery, then shift into the open lagoon and island views. If you prefer sightseeing to spending hours in the water, this first section gives the cruise some substance beyond beach time.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleu

After the waterfall, the boat heads toward Eau Bleu for snorkeling. The water is described as clear, and the stop is intended for seeing the underwater world, swimming, and relaxing in the sun.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing a mask and fins. Even so, bring your own gear if you have equipment that fits you well. A proper fit matters more than fancy equipment, especially when you want to spend your time looking below the surface instead of adjusting a leaking mask.

The operator has a clear rule here: alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling, and management may cancel the snorkeling activity if alcohol is consumed beforehand. That is sensible from a safety point of view, but it is worth remembering if the cruise begins with drinks available on board. Save the rum, beer, or wine until you are back on the boat and finished in the water.

Snorkeling conditions can change with wind, visibility, and sea conditions. The description promises the stop, but it does not promise a particular species of fish or a specific reef. You should book this for the chance to see the lagoon underwater, not for a guaranteed marine-life encounter.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the changing route

Ile aux Aigrettes appears in the planned route as a place for a break, aperitif, swimming, snorkeling, and a pass-by. It is one of the southeastern islets included in the five-island theme, and its appeal is the chance to view another small island from the water while combining scenery with a swim.

There is an important practical wrinkle. One past outing did not visit Ile aux Aigrettes. Since the itinerary is described as customizable, the captain may adjust the route for conditions, timing, or the group’s preference. If this island matters to you, ask at the start whether it is included that day.

This is not necessarily a flaw. Flexibility can make a private cruise better than a fixed group schedule. You may get more time at a favorite swimming place or a quieter stretch of coast. But flexibility also means the advertised list of stops should not be treated as a rigid promise.

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse and lunch at anchor

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse is one of the cruise’s strongest photo stops. The old lighthouse sits on a small island surrounded by open water, giving you a clear subject for photographs and a memorable pause in the route.

The planned visit includes sightseeing, free time, lunch, and drinks. The description places lunch on board at anchor after swimming and relaxation, with a cold meal served while the boat is stopped. This is a pleasant way to eat: no rush to return to shore, no need to change into dry clothes for a restaurant, and no interruption to the water views.

The supplied details also point to a difference between the standard plan and one customized outing. That earlier day included a barbecue at a private beach instead of the expected onboard meal, while only one drink was free at the barbecue and coffee cost extra. The useful lesson is simple: ask whether your booking includes the cold onboard lunch or a barbecue, and clarify what unlimited drinks covers if the meal location changes.

The included drinks are listed as unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Beer, wine, and an aperitif are specifically associated with parts of the route. Since the operator delays alcohol until after snorkeling, you can expect the drinking portion to fit better into the second half of the cruise.

Îlot Flamants and Ile aux Cerfs

Îlot Flamants is mainly a photo stop and pass-by. It may not involve a long shore visit, but the cruise is built around viewing several islands from the water, so even a short pass adds another change of scenery.

Ile aux Cerfs is better suited to a scenic pass-by and dessert stop. The island is associated with white sand, turquoise water, and views of the coast. The route description does not promise a long landing here, so you should not book this cruise expecting a full beach day on Ile aux Cerfs.

One past outing allowed about an hour to explore Ile aux Cerfs independently. That is another sign that the captain may adjust the schedule for the private group. If walking on the island is important to you, ask how much time is planned before you set off.

The value of these stops is less about collecting five formal island visits and more about seeing the southeastern coast in changing forms. You get small islets, open lagoon, white sand, mountain views, lighthouse scenery, and sheltered swimming areas in one outing.

The return through Trou d’Eau Douce

The cruise returns toward Trou d’Eau Douce before reaching Pointe Maurice. This final stretch is a chance to sit back with an aperitif, enjoy the sea views, and take photos without another scheduled activity demanding your attention.

The southeastern coast is particularly rewarding from a boat because the scenery keeps shifting. Green mountain ranges appear behind the water, and the lagoon moves between shallow turquoise areas, open stretches, and pale beaches. You will want a camera, but keep it protected from spray and use sunscreen even when the boat is moving.

The return is also where the private format has its greatest practical benefit. If everyone in your group is tired after snorkeling, you can settle into a slower ride. If you want more photos or another swim, you can ask what is possible within the remaining time.

What the $871 price really buys

At $871 for a private group of up to two, the price is high when compared with a basic shared boat ride. It makes more sense when you value privacy, a flexible route, onboard food, snorkeling gear, and drinks in one package.

The price can also be viewed as a group rate rather than a simple per-person fare. The boat can carry up to 11 passengers, so the cost per person changes sharply if you are traveling with family or friends and the operator allows the full capacity under the same private booking terms. Confirm the exact party limit and price before paying, since the published rate specifically says up to two.

You are paying for more than transport between islands. The package includes a private pontoon boat, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You also avoid the fixed pace of a large shared cruise.

The weak point is uncertainty around the final meal and route. A past experience included a private beach barbecue and extra charges for coffee, despite the planned description of lunch on board and unlimited drinks. I would treat the included package as the baseline, then ask the operator to confirm any customized plan in writing.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this cruise to couples celebrating a special occasion, families who want their own boat, and small groups that care more about comfort and control than the lowest fare.

It suits you if you want several kinds of scenery in one day: a waterfall, river views, islands, a lighthouse, snorkeling, beaches, and mountain-backed lagoon views. It also works well if you like a social day with lunch and drinks built into the schedule.

You may want another option if your main goal is a long snorkeling session, a full day on one beach, or a low-cost boat trip. The six-hour schedule covers a lot of ground, so the time at each island may be limited. The private format helps, but it does not turn the outing into a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

This is also not a good fit if you plan to smoke on board. Smoking is not allowed. Alcohol must wait until after snorkeling, and the crew can cancel the snorkeling activity if people drink beforehand.

Practical tips for a smoother day

• Bring swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or cap.
• Pack a camera, but protect it from water and spray.
• Arrive at the meeting point just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel with enough time to locate the boat.
• Ask whether the planned route includes Ile aux Aigrettes and how long you will have at Ile aux Cerfs.
• Confirm whether lunch will be cold food on board or a customized barbecue on shore.
• Ask what drinks are included if the meal plan changes.
• Do not drink alcohol before snorkeling.
• Remember that hotel transfers are not included.
• If you want a particular captain, ask in advance whether Joey is operating your departure. He received especially warm praise for keeping the day relaxed and giving the group time at each stop.

Cancellation is flexible, with a full refund available if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your coastal plans are still shifting.

Should you book the OCÉANE private pontoon cruise?

Book it if you want a private, food-and-drinks day that mixes the best-known sights of Mauritius’s southeastern lagoon with time to swim and relax. The waterfall, lighthouse, snorkeling stop, and island scenery give the cruise a good range, while the private format lets you avoid feeling rushed.

I would pause before booking if $871 feels hard to justify for two people, or if you need every advertised island stop to happen exactly as written. The route can change, and past arrangements differed on Ile aux Aigrettes, the private beach, barbecue, and drink extras.

For a couple or small group willing to pay for comfort and flexibility, this is a strong choice. Confirm the route and meal details first, then bring your swimwear, your sun protection, and a willingness to let the captain shape the day around the water.

FAQ

Where does the 5 Islands Tour begin?

The meeting point is just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel at Pointe Maurice.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts six hours and returns to Pointe Maurice at approximately 15:30.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The booking is for a private group, and the pontoon boat can carry up to 11 passengers.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter speaks English, and English is the listed tour language.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

When is snorkeling scheduled?

Snorkeling is planned at Eau Bleu after the Grand River South East Waterfall stop.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included, with alcohol served after snorkeling.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on board is included in the standard arrangements. Because the route can be customized, confirm details if a barbecue or private beach meal is proposed.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat or cap, flip-flops, and a camera. Smoking is not allowed.