5 Islands Speedboat Cruise, Snorkeling + Lunch & Open Bar

The best part of this day is the speedboat ride between Mauritius’s east-coast islands. You are not simply ferried from one beach to the next. The engine, open water, lighthouse, waterfalls, and several swimming stops give the day a proper sense of movement and discovery.

I like the mix of history and sea time, especially the old Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse and the stop near Blue Bay Marine Park. I also like the practical value: a barbecue lunch, open bar, snorkeling, and attraction tickets are covered in the $100 price.

The main drawback is the pace. You cover many places in seven hours, and snorkeling is listed as one stop, so anyone hoping for a long underwater session may want more time in the water. Your day also depends on sea and weather conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat leaves Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m. and returns at about 3:30 p.m., making this a full seven-hour outing.
• Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse is the signature sight, offering one of the tour’s strongest links to Mauritius’s maritime past.
• Lunch and an open bar are included, along with snorkeling and entry to the listed attractions. Fresh grilled lobster costs extra.
• The itinerary covers five islands and several coastal sights, including Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Aigrettes, Ilot Mergenie, and Grand River South East Waterfalls.
• The tour suits active beach days, but it is not suitable for wheelchair users and does not include transport from your hotel.
• Captain Danilo received especially warm praise for keeping the day fun and well-paced, although the crew can vary.

Why this east-coast speedboat day works

Mauritius is easy to admire from a beach chair, but the east coast makes more sense when you move across it by boat. The islands sit offshore, and a speedboat lets you connect the beaches, reefs, lighthouse, river mouth, and waterfalls in one day.

This is an outing for people who want several kinds of scenery rather than one long stop. You get open-water travel, swimming, a meal, a historic structure, snorkeling, and a river waterfall. The engine noise and quick ride add energy, though they also mean this is not a quiet sailing trip.

The tour begins and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce. You need to arrange your own way there unless you ask the operator to organize private transport from your accommodation and back. That transfer is not included in the $100 price, so add it to your budget before comparing this with other boat trips.

The meeting details are sent by WhatsApp. That is useful, but it means you should contact the operator before the morning of the trip and confirm the exact embarkation point and timing.

Ile aux Cerfs, your first major beach stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the most relaxed part of the day. The plan here includes sunbathing, swimming, lunch, the open bar, and access to watersports shops. After the speedboat ride, this gives you a chance to slow down and enjoy the island at your own pace.

I like that lunch is tied to a scenic island stop rather than treated as a quick meal on the boat. The included food is described as an island recipe barbecue lunch, which gives the midday break a local feel. Fresh grilled lobster is available only as an extra, so ask about the price before ordering if you want it.

The open bar is also included at Ile aux Cerfs and at the Ile aux Aigrettes stop. You should still pace yourself. The boat continues through the afternoon, and the day involves swimming and movement rather than simply sitting in one place.

Ile aux Cerfs is likely to appeal most to visitors who want a classic tropical beach setting. If you prefer archaeological sites, long snorkeling sessions, or a quiet nature walk, this stop may feel more like a pleasant pause than the main reason to book.

Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse and the story of the coast

The Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse is described as the main attraction, and it is easy to see why. A lighthouse gives the boat trip a clear historical focus. It is not just another beach stop, but a reminder that these islands sit along a working maritime route.

The tour is designed for people interested in history as well as adventure. The lighthouse is where those two themes meet. You get the thrill of reaching a small offshore island by speedboat, then a chance to look at a structure linked to navigation and the sea.

The available information does not promise a guided historical talk or an interior visit, so keep your expectations sensible. Think of this as a memorable coastal sight viewed during a boat excursion, not a museum tour. Your captain or guide may provide context, but that should not be assumed as a formal lecture.

Still, this stop gives the day more substance than a beach-and-bar outing. If you enjoy photographing unusual island structures, the lighthouse may be the image you remember best.

Ile aux Aigrettes and Ilot Mergenie

The itinerary includes Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, with time for swimming and another open-bar stop. The name suggests a nature-focused setting, but the supplied details do not include a land visit, walking route, or wildlife presentation. Plan on enjoying this section primarily from the water and during the swimming break.

That distinction matters. Some people hear nature reserve and expect a formal reserve tour. Here, the stated activities are swimming and refreshments. You may find the setting peaceful and attractive, but do not book this trip expecting an extended conservation visit.

Ilot Mergenie is also included among the places visited. No separate activity or sightseeing detail is provided for this island, so it is best understood as part of the wider coastal cruise rather than a guaranteed long stop. The boat’s route is the point: several islands create a sense of exploration, even when some stops are brief.

This is one reason the tour’s pace can work both for and against you. You see more of the east coast in one day, but you may not have time to explore each island in depth.

Snorkeling near Blue Bay Marine Park

The snorkeling stop is near Blue Bay Marine Park, an area included for its marine fauna and flora. For many people, this will be the most active water stop of the day. You can expect time in the sea with snorkeling equipment and a chance to see underwater life.

The snorkeling is included in the price, which improves the tour’s value. You are not paying $100 for transport and lunch alone. You are also getting a water activity, island visits, the lighthouse sight, the waterfall stop, and the open bar.

One point deserves a clear warning: the itinerary lists one snorkeling stop. A previous participant wished there had been another good snorkeling location, and that is a fair concern if snorkeling is your top priority. You will likely be happier with this tour if snorkeling is one part of your day, not the entire purpose.

Bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. The operator lists those items directly, and you will use them more than once during the day.

Grand River South East Waterfalls by boat

Grand River South East Waterfalls adds a different setting to the itinerary. After islands and sea stops, the river brings you into a freshwater environment near the coast. The waterfalls are a strong visual change and help keep the day from feeling like one long beach excursion.

The tour does not specify whether you leave the speedboat or how long you stay at the falls. You should therefore treat this as a sightseeing stop rather than plan around a long hike or waterfall swim. The value comes from seeing another side of Mauritius in the same outing.

This stop also shows why the speedboat format is useful. A land-based day would require separate drives between beaches, islands, and the river area. By boat, the route itself becomes part of the experience.

If you are prone to seasickness, keep in mind that the journey includes repeated movement across open water. The fast ride is a major attraction, but it is not the best fit for someone seeking a gentle, still-water cruise.

The seven-hour pace and the role of the captain

The schedule runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. That timing gives you a full morning and afternoon without turning the outing into a late-night commitment. It also means you should arrive ready for the water, with sunscreen applied and your belongings organized.

The strongest personal praise goes to the crew. Danilo was singled out as a great skipper who kept the group laughing and maintained a good pace. Other feedback also highlights a captain with a strong sense of humor and a guide who made the trip fun for the whole family.

That detail matters on a boat tour. A good captain does more than steer. The captain helps set the rhythm between fast rides, swimming, food, and sightseeing. The comments point to a friendly atmosphere, even when the weather was not ideal.

At the same time, Danilo may not be the captain on your departure. The experience provider is Island Cove Mauritius, and the tour is available in English and French. You can request or confirm guide details through WhatsApp, but do not assume a particular skipper unless the operator confirms it.

What the $100 price includes

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day at the beach. The price makes more sense when you count what is bundled into the outing:

• Speedboat cruise between the east-coast islands
• Tickets for the listed attractions
• Snorkeling
• Barbecue lunch
• Open bar
• Visits to Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouqets, Ile aux Aigrettes, Ilot Mergenie, and Grand River South East Waterfalls

Fresh grilled lobster is excluded. Transportation from your hotel is also excluded, unless arranged separately as a private service.

I consider the price fair for an active full-day cruise, particularly if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, meal, drinks, and snorkeling. The value drops if you mainly want one beach, because you may not use the lighthouse, waterfall, or multiple-island route enough to justify the cost.

The tour also offers reserve-now, pay-later booking, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still changing. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, giving you some protection against a change of plans.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a busy day on the water with plenty of variety. It suits couples, families, and groups who enjoy speedboat rides, swimming, simple island food, and a friendly captain.

It is especially good for:

• First-time visitors who want to see several east-coast sights in one day
• Families looking for a mix of boat time, beach time, and swimming
• People who want snorkeling included without booking a separate activity
• Visitors who like a little history, especially the Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse
• Anyone who prefers an active schedule to spending all day at one resort beach

I would think twice if your priority is a long, quiet snorkeling session, a private boat, or a slow cultural tour. The $100 price is for a shared, full itinerary, and the day’s strength is variety rather than depth at one location.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Since transport is not included, you also need to solve the journey to Trou d’Eau Douce yourself or request a private transfer in advance.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Send a WhatsApp message before the trip to confirm your meeting point. The published start location is Trou d’Eau Douce, but the exact embarkation details are sent this way.

Pack lightly. You need swimwear, beachwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Keep valuables to a minimum, since the day includes swimming and repeated movement between the boat and shore.

Ask ahead about the lobster. Fresh grilled lobster is not part of the included lunch, and the operator asks guests to reserve it in advance if wanted.

Do not judge the trip only by the weather forecast. One account describes a wonderful day despite poor weather, but conditions can still affect visibility, comfort, and the feel of the boat ride. A cloudy day may soften the beach experience while leaving the waterfalls and lighthouse interesting.

Finally, treat the schedule as a guide rather than a promise of equal time at every stop. Five islands, a marine park snorkeling area, lunch, and a waterfall visit create a lot of ground to cover in seven hours.

Should you book the 5 Islands Speedboat Cruise?

Book it if you want one energetic day that combines beaches, islands, snorkeling, a lighthouse, waterfalls, lunch, and drinks. The crew’s friendly style, especially the praise for captain Danilo, adds to its appeal, and the included extras make the $100 fare reasonable for an active outing.

Skip it if you want to linger in one place or snorkel repeatedly. The route is broad, the pace is brisk, and the exact amount of time at each stop is not specified. For most people seeking a lively introduction to Mauritius’s east coast, though, this is a well-rounded choice with enough history and scenery to keep the day from becoming repetitive.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat cruise start and end?

The activity starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce. Exact embarkation details are sent by WhatsApp after you contact the operator.

What time does the tour run?

The boat departs at 8:30 a.m. and returns at about 3:30 p.m. The total duration is seven hours.

What is included in the $100 price?

The price includes tickets to the listed attractions, snorkeling, an open bar, and an island recipe barbecue lunch. The speedboat excursion is also part of the experience.

Is fresh grilled lobster included?

No. Fresh grilled lobster is excluded from the price, but you can ask the operator to reserve it in advance.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included. You can ask Island Cove Mauritius to organize private transport from your hotel or accommodation to the boat and back.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. These are useful for the swimming and snorkeling portions of the day.