Mauritius: 5 East Coast Islands Tour with Snorkeling & Lunch

Mauritius looks best from the water. This seven-hour speedboat trip links the east coast’s islands, the Grand River South East waterfall, swimming stops, and a beach BBQ into one lively day. I especially like the fast, varied route and the chance to pair sea time with a little colonial history.

I also like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and optional hotel transport are bundled into the $85 price. Guides such as Ronny, Thomas, Derek, and others have earned praise for friendly commentary and a good sense of fun. The main caution is the rough speedboat ride, plus uneven snorkeling equipment and a lunch setting that may need better care.

The trip begins around 9 AM from the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant in Trou d’Eau Douce and returns around 4 PM. It is not a quiet sailing cruise. You will get wind, spray, engine noise, quick turns, and a proper boat adventure. That is exactly why many people like it, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Key points at a glance

• Seven hours on a speedboat: You cover a lot of the east coast in one day, with several stops rather than one long beach visit.
• Grand River South East waterfall: The longest river in Mauritius reaches the sea here, creating one of the day’s best photo stops.
• Ile aux Phares and Ile de la Passe: These islands connect the scenery to the 1810 naval battle between France and Britain.
• Snorkeling and swimming: Eau Bleu, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ile aux Cerfs provide time in clear water, though equipment availability can vary.
• Beach BBQ on Ile aux Margenie: Lunch includes drinks and vegetarian or non-vegetarian food, with halal choices available.
• Optional hotel pickup: Transport covers many districts only when you select the transfer option, so check this carefully when booking.

Why the east coast works so well by boat

The east coast is made for a boat day. Its islands sit close enough together for a speedboat to string them into one route, yet each stop gives you a different reason to leave the boat.

You get open-water views, sheltered swimming areas, a waterfall, old military landmarks, and broad sandy beaches. On land, seeing all of this in one day would mean more driving and less time in the water. By boat, the movement between stops becomes part of the experience.

The $85 cost is fair if you use the full package. It includes the boat, the waterfall visit, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and transport if you select that option. A smaller group can make the price feel especially good. One couple found themselves in a group of only four, while another group had seven people. The boat can hold up to 10, but a full boat would feel less personal and leave less room to move.

This is a better match for active sightseers than for anyone seeking a slow, silent cruise. The boat ride is exciting, but it can also be bumpy. If you prefer a gentle trip, a catamaran would likely suit you better.

Starting at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the first major stop, with roughly 45 minutes for sightseeing and an arts and crafts market. It is also used later for swimming, snorkeling, drinks, and beach time, so you see it in more than one mood during the day.

At the first visit, you can walk around, take photos, and browse local crafts. Do not expect a long cultural tour here. The value is in getting your bearings, seeing the beach setting, and beginning the day on one of Mauritius’s best-known offshore islands.

Later, Ile aux Cerfs becomes more useful as a water stop. You may swim or snorkel for around 35 minutes, then return for lunch and time to relax. The schedule gives you variety, but it also means each stop is fairly short. If you prefer to spend half a day on one beach, this tour may feel rushed.

Bring your own sunscreen and keep your camera protected from spray. You will want photos, but a speedboat is not the place for an unprotected phone or camera.

The Grand River South East waterfall

The boat then heads toward Grand River South East, where Mauritius’s longest river meets the sea. The waterfall visit lasts about 30 minutes and includes a scenic cruise, views along the way, and time for photos.

This is a strong part of the route because it changes the scenery completely. Instead of open ocean and sand, you move into a river setting with falling water and steep natural surroundings. The boat ride itself helps you see the meeting point between inland water and the coast.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a photo stop, not a long walk or a full waterfall hike. You will likely spend most of the time viewing the falls from the boat. Even so, it breaks up the beach stops and gives the day a useful change of pace.

The boat driver may also point out places of interest during this section. Good guides make a difference here. Thomas was praised for keeping up friendly commentary at the stops, while Ronny was remembered for his enthusiasm on the water. The exact guide depends on the day, but the experience benefits from a skipper who explains what you are seeing instead of simply driving from point to point.

Ile aux Phares and the 1810 naval battle

Ile aux Phares, also called Ile Fouquets, is home to a lighthouse more than 200 years old. It is now a historical monument, and the boat pauses for about 25 minutes for a visit and photos.

The lighthouse gives this island more weight than a standard scenic stop. You are not just looking at another patch of sand. You are seeing a reminder of the old shipping routes and the period when European powers fought for control of Mauritius.

Nearby Ile de la Passe adds the key historical story. In 1810, Ile aux Phares and Ile de la Passe were connected to the naval battle of Grand Port, fought between French and British forces. The French victory is notable because it was the only victory of Napoleon’s navy and is listed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

You will not get a full museum visit or a long lecture, but the guide’s explanation can turn these small islands into meaningful landmarks. I would pay attention during this part, even if you booked the tour mainly for swimming. It is one of the few east coast boat excursions that gives the scenery a clear historical thread.

Access and timing can vary. The exact amount of time at each island depends on conditions and local access, so do not treat the schedule as a guarantee that you will step ashore everywhere.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleu

The route continues to Eau Bleu for snorkeling. This is one of the most anticipated parts of the day, and the water conditions can make it a real highlight.

Several people enjoyed the snorkeling more than expected, with one swimmer comparing it very favorably with snorkeling in Thailand. Others saw dolphins and turtles during the wider boat trip, although neither animal is guaranteed. Some saw turtles but no dolphins, while others saw neither dolphin nor whale.

That is important: wildlife sightings are luck, not a promised feature. The boat may look for animals, but you should book this for the islands, water, and scenery rather than for a dolphin encounter.

Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it. The tour asks you to bring equipment, and reports about what is supplied are mixed. Some people received an eye mask or snorkeling head, but at least one person had no breathing tube and could not enjoy the water fully. Do not assume that a complete, well-fitting set will be available for every passenger.

The stop is best for confident swimmers who are comfortable entering the sea from a boat. The water may look calm and clear, but conditions can change. Follow the guide’s instructions and keep your gear secure between stops.

A swim at Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes provides another water break, with about 45 minutes for an aperitif and swimming. The schedule makes this a relaxed pause after the history stops and the snorkeling session.

The island is useful because it gives you time to cool off without having to hurry straight into lunch. You can swim, enjoy a drink, and take in the surrounding water. If you have spent the morning taking photos and listening to commentary, this is where you can simply slow down.

The term aperitif means you may receive a pre-lunch drink or small refreshment, but the full meal comes later. Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. There may not be much time to change at each stop, so simple beach clothing is the practical choice.

BBQ lunch on Ile aux Margenie

Lunch is served on Ile aux Margenie, with BBQ food and a selection of drinks, including beer and wine. The meal is part of the package, not an extra charge, and it helps make the $85 price easier to justify.

The food has generally been a strong part of the day. Several people found the lunch delicious, plentiful, and well suited to a beach setting. The meal includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, and the food is halal.

There is one important qualification for vegetarians. One vegetarian couple received a very basic salad and toasted white bread, which they felt may have been prepared on the same grill as the meat and fish. If you are vegetarian, especially if cross-contact matters to you, ask the operator for clear details before departure and consider bringing backup food.

The meal may be served by staff rather than arranged as a self-service spread. Some people will appreciate the order and speed, while others may prefer to choose their own portions. The lunch island itself has received mixed impressions. Some found the beach BBQ pleasant, while one account described the lunch area as needing cleaning and maintenance.

So, think of lunch as a practical beach meal with drinks, not a polished restaurant experience. The setting, sea air, and convenience are part of its appeal. The island facilities may not match the beauty of the water around it.

The final Ile aux Cerfs beach stop

After lunch, you can relax, sunbathe, drink, or swim in the clear water around Ile aux Cerfs. This final beach period gives you the freedom the earlier stops do not always allow.

You can choose your own pace here. If the speedboat and snorkeling have used your energy, sit on the beach and enjoy the view. If you still want more water time, swim again. This flexibility is helpful because the morning schedule is fairly active.

The beach can also feel busy or less pristine than the surrounding sea. Ile aux Cerfs is a popular stop, and this is not a remote-island solitude trip. Still, the combination of open sand, clear water, lunch, and a drink makes it a satisfying finish.

The boat returns to Trou d’Eau Douce around 4 PM. If you have selected hotel transport, drop-off is available in districts including Moka, Rivière Noire, Grand Port, Rivière du Rempart, Port Louis, Flacq, Pamplemousses, Savanne, and at Green Island Beach Restaurant. Pickup times vary by accommodation location, so send the hotel address through WhatsApp as requested by the operator.

What the boat ride is really like

Speed is not just a label here. The boat moves quickly, and the ride can be bumpy, especially when crossing open water. Some people describe that as the most exciting part of the day. Others found the motion more intense than expected.

I would choose this trip if you like a little spray, noise, and motion. You will probably enjoy the quick transfers between islands and the feeling of covering a large section of coast in one day.

If you have back problems, dislike rough water, or simply want a quiet day at sea, think twice. Pregnant women and children under four are not accepted, and the operator requires good weather. In poor conditions, the trip may be moved to another date or refunded.

Group size also affects the mood. A boat with four or seven people can feel friendly and personal. A full 10-person boat could feel tighter, particularly when carrying towels, snorkeling gear, and beach items.

Guides, transport, and timing

The skipper is central to the experience. Ronny was praised for his enthusiasm, Thomas for friendly commentary, and Derek for making people feel comfortable while explaining the places along the route. These personal touches matter because several stops are brief. A good guide gives each one purpose.

Optional pickup is useful if you are staying far from Trou d’Eau Douce. Select the transport option when booking, because accommodation pickup and drop-off are not automatic with every choice. One otherwise happy visitor reported poor driving and texting from the pickup driver, so pay attention to road safety and speak up if needed.

Plan to arrive on time at the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant. A clear briefing before departure helps, especially when the day includes swimming, snorkeling, and several boat transfers. Bring comfortable shoes for the islands, along with sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera.

Who should book this day on the water?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see many east coast highlights without arranging separate boats and meals. It suits couples, active families with older children, and small groups who enjoy a full schedule and do not mind getting wet.

It is also a good choice if you want more than a beach day. The waterfall and the French-British naval history give the route extra interest, while the BBQ keeps the day simple.

I would be cautious if you are vegetarian and expect a substantial meal, unless you confirm the menu first. I would also choose another type of cruise if you dislike fast boats, rough water, or short stops. And if your dream is to see dolphins, remember that sightings are possible but never certain.

At 4.1 out of 5 from 267 ratings, the overall picture is positive but not flawless. The best parts are the lively boat ride, varied route, friendly skippers, clear water, and included lunch. The weak points are inconsistent snorkeling gear, possible crowding, variable access to the islands, and lunch facilities that may need more upkeep.

Should you book the Mauritius five-island tour?

Book it if you want a busy, good-value day that combines speedboat thrills, swimming, history, and lunch. The route covers a lot, and the guides can make the short stops feel worthwhile.

Skip it if you want a slow cruise, guaranteed wildlife, or a carefully presented vegetarian meal. For most active visitors staying near the east coast, this is a solid way to see several islands in one day. Just bring your own mask and snorkel if possible, protect your valuables from spray, and treat the schedule as flexible rather than fixed.

FAQ

How long does the five-island tour last?

The tour lasts seven hours. It generally begins at 9 AM and returns to the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce around 4 PM.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet the guide on the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included only when you select the transport option. You need to send your accommodation address through WhatsApp so the operator can provide your pickup time.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a BBQ lunch on Ile aux Margenie, along with drinks. Beer and wine are listed among the available drinks.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available, and the food is halal. If you have strict dietary needs, confirm the preparation details before the trip.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

You are advised to bring snorkeling gear. Some equipment may be available, but the amount and type can vary, so bringing your own complete set is the safer choice.

Can children or pregnant women join?

Children under four and pregnant women are not suitable for this activity. The tour also depends on good weather.