5 Islands Speedboat Cruise incl. Snorkeling in Blue Bay + Lunch at Ile aux Cerfs

The best part of this Mauritius boat day is the variety. In about seven hours, you can see five islands and islets, stop at a waterfall, snorkel in Blue Bay, and eat lunch without arranging several separate outings. It is a lively way to cover the east and southeast coast.

I like the small maximum group of 18, which should feel more personal than a packed catamaran. I also like that snorkeling equipment, lunch, bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic drinks are included. The main caution is the timing: some stops are short, and the lunch arrangements need confirming because the published details describe refreshments and an open bar at different points.

Key points to know before booking

• Five coastal stops in one day: You visit Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets, Ile aux Aigrettes, Blue Bay Marine Park, and the Grand River South East area.
• Two hours reserved for snorkeling: Blue Bay offers shallow water, coral gardens, and calm conditions, though the exact site can change with weather and coral breeding.
• A speedboat, not a slow sightseeing cruise: Expect a quicker, more energetic ride between stops, with music and spray part of the atmosphere.
• Lunch and drinks are covered: Snacks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, lunch, taxes, and snorkeling equipment are included in the $110.79 price.
• Skipper personality matters: Andy has been praised for his friendly, upbeat style, but your skipper may be different.
• The schedule is full: Ile aux Cerfs and Ile aux Fouquets receive about 45 minutes each, while Ile aux Aigrettes and the waterfall stop are brief.

A fast-moving day from Ile aux Cerfs

You meet at 8:30 am at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, and parking is available there, which helps if you are driving rather than arranging private transport.

The boat carries no more than 18 people. That number is large enough to give the ride a social feel, but small enough that boarding, serving lunch, and getting help with snorkeling should be easier than on a big excursion boat. You are not booking a quiet private charter, though. Music can be loud, and the mood depends partly on your skipper and fellow passengers.

The speedboat gives you a brisk view of Mauritius’ east coast. You move between islands rather than spending most of the morning in one place. That makes this a good choice if you have limited time or want a single outing that combines swimming, history, scenery, food, and a boat ride.

The tradeoff is depth. Five stops sound generous, but travel time between them means you will not have hours on every island. Think of the trip as a sampler of the coast, not a slow island beach day.

Ile aux Cerfs: a popular first taste of the coast

The first stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where the scheduled visit lasts about 45 minutes. The island is one of Mauritius’ best-known coastal stops, so it gives you an immediate sense of the polished, postcard side of the east coast.

You have time for refreshments and a look around, but not necessarily enough time for an unhurried beach afternoon. If your main goal is to stretch out on sand, you may find this stop too short. If you want a quick introduction before moving on, it works well.

The tour title includes lunch at Ile aux Cerfs, and lunch is listed among the inclusions. Still, the stop description refers to refreshments, while a later stop mentions an all-inclusive open bar. The information also does not provide a menu or explain precisely where lunch is served. I would confirm the lunch location and serving time before booking, especially if you are choosing this trip mainly for a long Ile aux Cerfs meal stop.

This is also where you should set your expectations for the day. The tour keeps moving. You will see more than you would on an Ile aux Cerfs-only trip, but you give up some free beach time to do it.

Grand River South East and its waterfall

The route continues toward Grand River South East, where a waterfall flows into the Indian Ocean. This is one of the more unusual sights on the schedule because the river meets the sea in a setting you can view from the boat.

The waterfall stop is listed as about 15 minutes. That is enough for a photo and a quick look, but not enough for a long shore visit or a walk. I would keep your phone or camera ready and avoid expecting a full stop on land.

The waterfall is best understood as part of the boat route, not a separate attraction with extensive facilities. The short timing also helps explain why this tour can fit several areas into seven hours. You are collecting views from the water, then moving on to the next experience.

Ile aux Fouquets and the old lighthouse

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile Phare or Lighthouse Island, receives about 45 minutes. The lighthouse was built in 1864 and remained in operation until the beginning of the 20th century. The island also lies within the Bay of Mahébourg, an area linked to the naval Battle of Grand Port.

That background gives the stop more substance than a quick photo break. The small island is tied to navigation, colonial-era settlement, and military history. Dutch settlers discovered it among the islands in 1598, and its position later had strategic value during the struggle between French and British forces for control of Mauritius.

You should not expect a long museum visit or a guided historical tour inside a major building. The attraction is the island itself, the lighthouse, and the setting. Your guide explains local history and culture during the day, so this is a good moment to listen rather than simply rush to the next view.

A 45-minute stop gives you more breathing room than the waterfall visit. Even so, the boat-based format means the visit may be mainly about seeing the lighthouse and surrounding bay from close range. If your interest is strongly historical, ask how much time will be spent ashore and how much will be explained from the boat.

Blue Bay Marine Park: the main water activity

The longest part of the day is snorkeling at Blue Bay Marine Park, with about two hours set aside. This is the heart of the trip for anyone who wants to get into the water.

Blue Bay became a national park in 1997 and was later designated a wetland site under the Ramsar Convention. Its appeal is practical as well as environmental: the water near the coast is described as calm and shallow, and the marine park is known for coral gardens and many forms of sea life.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to hire a mask and fins separately. Bottled water is also included, which matters after time in the sun and salt water. The two-hour block should give you a better chance to enjoy the water than the short island stops, though the actual snorkeling time can be less once anchoring, instructions, and getting everyone in and out are counted.

The captain may move the snorkeling session to a spot near Ilot Mangenie. Weather conditions and coral breeding season can affect the location. That flexibility is sensible for safety and for the marine environment, but it means you should not treat one exact reef location as guaranteed.

Bring your own swimwear, towel, and sun protection, since those items are not listed among the inclusions. The supplied information does not state that wetsuits, lockers, or showers are provided, so do not plan around them.

One practical point: the snorkeling experience may feel brief to strong swimmers who want sustained time underwater. The full two-hour block sounds generous, but it also includes the group’s movement in and out of the water. If snorkeling is your only reason for booking, a dedicated marine trip may give you more water time. If you want snorkeling as one part of a broader day, Blue Bay fits the bill nicely.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the short refreshment stop

After Blue Bay, the boat passes by Ile aux Aigrettes for about 20 minutes and refreshments. The islet is a nature reserve and scientific research station off Mauritius’ southeast coast. It is also a popular place for both local residents and visitors.

The key word here is passes by. The schedule does not promise a full visit to the reserve. You should not expect a guided walk or an extended wildlife program on Ile aux Aigrettes as part of this boat outing.

Instead, this stop adds a conservation and nature note to the day. The islet gives you another view of Mauritius’ offshore environment, while the refreshments and included open bar make it a social pause after snorkeling. Alcoholic drinks are included, but drink responsibly before any later swimming or boat travel.

The short stop may disappoint you if you hoped to explore the reserve itself. It works better as a scenic pause than as a major attraction. The trip’s strength is the combination of places, not long visits at each one.

Ile de la Passe and the Battle of Grand Port

The route also takes in Ile de la Passe, a rocky islet in the bay off Grand Port. It is linked to the Battle of Grand Port, fought from August 20 to 25, 1810, during the British campaign to take Mauritius from the French.

The battle was hard fought between French and British frigates. The British lost four frigates, although one was later recaptured, while the French fleet did not survive the later British invasion of Mauritius. Seeing the islet from the water gives the surrounding bay a clear historical setting.

The supplied schedule places the Grand River South East waterfall area at 15 minutes and also connects the lighthouse and Ile de la Passe with the history of Grand Port. Because the stop descriptions overlap a little, I would ask the operator how these sights are handled on your departure. You may view some of them from the boat rather than step ashore.

That is not necessarily a weakness. A speedboat can show you several small islets and historic points in one route. Just do not book it expecting a formal battlefield tour with long commentary at every location.

Lunch, drinks, and the real value of $110.79

At $110.79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Mauritius. The price becomes easier to judge when you count what is covered: lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, snorkeling equipment, and all fees and taxes.

You are also paying for a full seven-hour route, a capped group, a speedboat, and several coastal stops. If you tried to arrange separate boat transport, snorkeling gear, food, and island visits, the convenience could add up quickly. The tour is strongest in value for someone who wants one organized day with many ingredients already handled.

The weak point is that the schedule appears busy, and the lunch details are not fully clear. One account described a long lunch stop of about two and a half hours at an island with little to see. That may reflect a particular departure or a schedule change, but it is enough reason to confirm the plan before paying.

Food quality can also shape your view of the price. One especially positive account praised the lunch as the best part of the day, while the supplied details do not state the menu. I would not book based on a specific meal expectation. Treat lunch as a useful included feature, then judge the trip mainly on the boat route and snorkeling.

The atmosphere on board

This is a social excursion with an upbeat pace. A friendly, energetic skipper can make a large difference, and Andy has been praised for bringing warmth and enthusiasm to the day. Your skipper may be someone else, so the exact tone is not guaranteed.

The boat’s music can be loud. That may suit you if you want a cheerful outing with conversation, drinks, and a party-like mood. If you prefer quiet nature watching, bring realistic expectations. A speedboat cruise is more active and noisier than a calm sail.

There may also be unexpected wildlife moments. One account described monkeys jumping onto the boat, and another mentioned seeing dolphins. These are not promised parts of the tour, so consider them lucky extras rather than reasons to book. The operator also needs to handle dolphin encounters carefully. Chasing wildlife is not an experience I would want to support, so watch how the skipper behaves around animals.

Language may need attention. At least one booking was made with a French guide requested, but the passenger was placed with an English-speaking group. If French commentary matters to you, confirm the language before the morning of departure rather than assuming your selection will be honored.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want a one-day sampler of Mauritius’ southeast coast. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy moving between several sights and do not mind a set schedule.

It is also a good fit for people who want snorkeling without organizing equipment, lunch, drinks, and transport between separate stops. The group cap of 18 makes it more appealing than a very large boat outing.

Families and mixed-interest groups may like the balance. One person can enjoy history and scenery, another can snorkel, and another can relax on board. Most people can participate, according to the supplied information.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, private cruise, a long beach stay, or a serious snorkeling session with extensive time in the water. I would also pause if exact guide language, lunch location, or stop duration is central to your decision.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. The trip requires good weather, and a weather cancellation comes with the choice of another date or a full refund. That gives you some useful protection, but changes made inside the 24-hour window are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this speedboat cruise if you value variety over long stays. You will see historic islets, a lighthouse, a waterfall, a nature reserve, and Blue Bay’s coral waters in one organized day, with food, drinks, water, and snorkeling gear included.

Before booking, confirm three things: the guide language, the precise lunch location, and how much of the two-hour Blue Bay block is actual time in the water. If the answers suit you, $110.79 is a fair price for a busy, social coastal tour.

Skip it if your ideal Mauritius day means one beautiful beach, silence, and plenty of time to linger. For everyone else, this is a practical way to pack a lot of east and southeast coast scenery into seven hours.

FAQ

How long is the 5 Islands Speedboat Cruise?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours. It starts at 8:30 am and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The meeting point is Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. The activity ends at the same meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

How long is the snorkeling session?

About two hours are scheduled at Blue Bay Marine Park or near Ilot Mangenie. The location can change because of weather conditions or coral breeding season.

What is included in the price?

Lunch, snacks, alcoholic beverages, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and all fees and taxes are included. Private transportation is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and poor-weather cancellations offer another date or a full refund.