5 Islands Private Speedboat w/ Snorkeling + Lunch & Drinks

The fun begins with a powerful private speedboat, not a slow group cruise. You’ll race along Mauritius’ east coast to five island stops, a waterfall, and Blue Bay Marine Park, with snorkeling, a beach BBQ, and the chance to spot dolphins and sea turtles. I like the freedom of a private boat and the early departure option, which helps you reach the popular sites before they fill with boats.

I also like the broad mix of experiences: wildlife, water, history, and beach time in one day. The main caution is that the advertised nine-hour schedule has not always run as planned, and the food and drinks may be more limited before the final island stop than the all-inclusive wording suggests.

Key points at a glance

• Private speedboat from Trou d’Eau Douce: Your own boat and private group make the day more flexible than a standard shared cruise.
• Five named islands: The route includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ilot Margenie.
• Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling: Equipment is included, with a chance to see tropical fish, sea turtles, and dolphins.
• Waterfall and wild monkeys: The Grand River South East stop combines a scenic cascade with an unusual chance to feed monkeys.
• Beach BBQ and drinks: Lunch includes grilled chicken, fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad, with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
• Early departure is wise: A morning start can mean calmer, less crowded stops, though you should confirm the actual return time.

A fast start along Mauritius’ east coast

The boat leaves from Trou d’Eau Douce, a natural starting point for Mauritius’ eastern islands. This part of the coast is known for its warm lagoons, offshore islets, pale beaches, and fast-changing sea views. From the boat, you get a much better sense of how scattered these islands are than you would from a single beach visit.

This is a private group experience for up to four people at $498. If four people share the boat, the cost works out to $124.50 each. That is a reasonable price for a full day that includes the boat, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, and drinks. For only one or two people, the price feels much harder to justify unless privacy matters greatly to you.

Hotel and Airbnb pickup can be added throughout Mauritius. The transfer is optional, and pickup near Trou d’Eau Douce may be free, but the supplied details do not give a fixed price for every area. Ask about the transfer cost before booking if you are staying far from the launch point.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal. You’ll hear the engine, feel the speed, and move between stops quickly. That makes it possible to cover a lot of coast in one day, but it also means the ride may feel lively rather than gentle. If you prefer quiet sailing, this is not that kind of outing.

Ile aux Cerfs gives you two different visits

The first stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you have about 45 minutes for a short visit and refreshments. Later, the route returns to the island for roughly two hours of beach time, lunch, and optional activities. That repeat visit is useful because you see the island first as a brief orientation stop, then later with time to swim, sunbathe, and eat.

Ile aux Cerfs is the tour’s classic beach pause. Expect white sand, swimming time, coconut water, and the option to add activities such as parasailing or a tube ride. Those water sports are not included, so budget separately if you want more than a swim.

The beach can become lively, especially around lunch. The atmosphere may include music, a sega show, and people in a party mood. I like having entertainment available, but it can work against the quiet island setting. You can usually move away from the busiest area, and the two-hour stop gives you some choice about how social or peaceful your break will be.

The lunch is prepared on the beach. The stated menu includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. One family received adjustments for vegetarian children, so it is worth raising dietary needs before or at the start of the day. The food is a real part of the value here, but it is served in a popular beach setting rather than a private picnic corner.

Grand River South East and the monkey stop

The boat then heads toward Grand River South East, where a waterfall runs into the Indian Ocean. The view is best appreciated from the water, as the cascade meets the broad river mouth and open sea. This is one of the day’s more scenic pauses, and it breaks up the faster island-hopping rhythm.

The stop is paired with the chance to feed wild Mauritian monkeys. That can be memorable, especially for children, but I have one clear concern: chips are used as monkey food. Feeding wild animals with processed snacks is not ideal, and you should think about that before taking part. You can enjoy watching the monkeys without feeding them.

The guide’s role matters here. The experience promises live guiding in English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian, but language service has not always matched the booking request. Two German-speaking customers booked a German guide but received an English-only guide, with little explanation during the route. If detailed commentary is important to you, confirm your guide’s language directly before departure.

One guide named Anil received especially warm praise for being engaged and friendly. That suggests the quality of the day can depend heavily on the skipper and guide assigned to your boat. A good skipper can turn the fast transfers into an informative outing, while a quiet one may leave you guessing about the next stop.

The five-island route, with a little history

After the waterfall, the boat passes Ile aux Phares, then continues near Ile de la Passe on the way toward Blue Bay. These islands add interest beyond beaches. Their names are tied to Mauritius’ maritime past, and seeing them from the water helps you understand the narrow channels and strategic position of the east coast.

The day also includes Ile aux Aigrettes, where you stop for refreshments after the Blue Bay Marine Park visit. Ilot Margenie appears on the return route toward Ile aux Cerfs. In practical terms, the route covers five named islands, though not every island is a long shore visit. Some are viewed from the boat or passed closely while you continue toward the next activity.

That distinction matters. If you expect five separate island walks, you may be disappointed. This is best understood as a fast-moving lagoon cruise with several island views, two substantial Ile aux Cerfs breaks, and selected stops for wildlife and snorkeling.

The private boat helps here. You are not tied to a large shared group, and the separate entrance or skip-the-line arrangement can reduce waiting at busy points. Still, private does not mean every stop will feel private. Ile aux Cerfs is a popular public destination, and the lunch area may have many other people.

Blue Bay Marine Park is the day’s main water stop

Blue Bay Marine Park is where the tour shifts from sightseeing to snorkeling. Equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The marine park is known for clear lagoon water and tropical fish, and the stop gives you time to look below the surface rather than simply pass through by boat.

The advertised program includes the chance to see sea turtles and dolphins. These are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed. A turtle may appear close to the boat or during the snorkeling session, while dolphins may be seen from the speedboat as you move through the area.

This is one reason I would bring a camera, as requested, but protect it from spray. Sunscreen is essential, too. The boat, beach, and water stops expose you to sun for much of the day, and the bright surface can make the heat feel stronger than expected.

Snorkeling conditions can change with weather and sea movement. The early start is a smart choice because the water and popular sites may be less busy before later boats arrive. One couple found the early timing especially worthwhile, noting that later visits can bring more boats and a rougher, less calm feel around the stops.

If snorkeling is your top reason for booking, ask how long you will have in the water and confirm the order of the stops. The supplied schedule places Blue Bay after the waterfall and island passages, but the actual timing can change with conditions.

Lunch, the open bar, and the fine print

The tour advertises unlimited snacks plus alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. The listed bar includes rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water. At Ile aux Cerfs, a barman prepares rum cocktails, and the beach lunch comes with the drinks service.

The practical detail is that the refreshments may not be spread evenly across the day. Some food and drinks are available in a small cooler early on, but the fuller selection appears to come at the final island stop. One person described the early provision as only a couple of bags of chips and two drinks before the main service.

I would not book this expecting a drink in hand at every stop. Bring your own water if you prefer steady access, even though water is included. Also clarify what unlimited means for your departure, especially because the advertised open bar seems most active during the Ile aux Cerfs lunch period.

The lunch menu is generous for a beach meal. Grilled chicken and fish provide the main options, while rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad give you simple choices. Vegetarian adjustments have been made for children, but you should still state any dietary needs ahead of time rather than relying on the standard menu.

Live music or a sega show may accompany lunch. Sega is a Mauritian musical tradition, and this can add local flavor to what might otherwise be a standard beach stop. The tradeoff is that the music and social mood can make the lunch area feel more like a beach party than a quiet island meal.

How the nine-hour schedule affects value

The advertised duration is nine hours, with the journey starting and ending at Trou d’Eau Douce. That is a long day, but the route covers many locations and includes a two-hour Ile aux Cerfs stay. You should expect a full day in the sun, with repeated transfers between boat and shore.

The schedule deserves special attention. Some bookings have ended around 2 p.m., after about five hours, despite the nine-hour description and an expected 5 p.m. return. That is a major issue if you are paying for a full day or arranging transport around the stated finish time.

I would confirm three points in writing before you go:

• The planned departure and return time
• The exact guide language
• When lunch, snacks, and open-bar drinks will be served

Those questions are not fussing over small details. They address the main differences between a good-value private day and a disappointing short outing.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms make planning easier, but they do not solve a same-day schedule problem. Keep the operator’s contact information handy and confirm the timetable shortly before departure.

Who will enjoy this private boat day?

I would recommend the tour most strongly to a group of four friends or family members who want variety and privacy. You get speed, beach time, snorkeling, wildlife, and lunch without having to spend the day on a large shared catamaran. Families can benefit from the flexible private setting, especially if children want a mix of swimming and sightseeing.

It also suits people who want to see several east-coast highlights in one day rather than spend all their time at one beach. The route moves quickly, so you can sample many places even if you have limited time in Mauritius.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, carefully narrated cultural tour. The guide may speak little English, even when a specific language is requested, and not every stop includes detailed explanation. I would also hesitate if your main goal is a long snorkeling session, since the itinerary has many stops and the exact time in the water is not specified.

The tour is less attractive for a solo visitor or couple paying the full $498. The private format is strongest when four people share the cost. For a full group, the included lunch, boat, equipment, and drinks make the price easier to defend, provided the full schedule is delivered.

My booking advice

I like this experience for its range. The waterfall, monkeys, offshore islands, Blue Bay snorkeling, and Ile aux Cerfs beach time give you a lively picture of Mauritius’ east coast. The early start, private boat, and a strong guide such as Anil can make the day especially enjoyable.

I would book it with clear expectations, not blind faith in the all-inclusive wording. Confirm the guide language, exact hours, and drink service before paying. If the operator confirms the full nine-hour program and you are traveling as four people, this is a good-value way to combine several major east-coast sights. If you are a couple seeking a calm, polished, fully narrated day, a simpler private cruise may suit you better.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce on Mauritius’ east coast.

How long is the experience?

The advertised duration is nine hours. You should confirm the planned return time because some departures have ended much earlier than expected.

How many people can join the private group?

The price covers a private group of up to four people.

What islands are included?

The route includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ilot Margenie.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel and Airbnb pickup and drop-off are optional throughout Mauritius. The transfer is not included in the base activity price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What food is served for lunch?

The beach BBQ includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. Individual requests may be accommodated, so mention dietary needs in advance.

What drinks are included?

The advertised open bar includes rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water, along with unlimited snacks. In practice, the fuller drink service may be concentrated around the final Ile aux Cerfs stop, so confirm the serving schedule.

Which languages are available?

Live guiding is offered in English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian. You should confirm the requested language before departure, as it may not always be available on the boat.