5 Islands Private Speedboat with Snorkeling Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this Mauritius boat trip is its mix of speed, sea, and story. You race along the east coast in a private boat, pause to snorkel over coral, walk among old military ruins, watch for monkeys at a waterfall, and finish at the famous Île aux Cerfs.

I like the private boat and the freedom it gives your group of up to four. I also like the way the day joins natural sights with Mauritius history, especially at Île du Phare and Île de la Passe. The main drawback is that this is a busy eight-hour schedule, so some island stops may feel brief.

One practical note: guide names appear as Dino and Gino in the booking information, so confirm who will lead your outing. Hotel pickup can be arranged, but the listed meeting point is Tropical Waves on Debarcadere Road in Trou d’Eau Douce.

Key points at a glance

• Private speedboat for up to four: You get the boat to yourselves rather than sharing the ride with a large group.
• Blue Bay snorkeling: Swim in water averaging about 5.5 meters deep, with clear visibility, coral, and many fish.
• Mauritius history on small islands: See the Dalblair shipwreck, the old lighthouse on Île du Phare, and French defenses on Île de la Passe.
• East coast scenery: The route includes Ilot Vacoas, Îlot Flamants, Grand River South East Waterfalls, and Île aux Cerfs.
• Food and drinks included: Expect a BBQ lunch with chicken, fish, salads, garlic bread, and a vegetarian option if requested in advance.
• A full day on the water: The tour runs about eight hours, generally from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Racing from Trou d’Eau Douce to the east coast islands

This is not a slow sightseeing cruise. The powerful speedboat is part of the appeal, giving you the thrill of skimming across the water between stops. You will feel the breeze, hear the engine, and cover a lot of the east coast in one day.

The private format matters. With only your own group aboard, you can discuss the pace and make choices during the day. A past outing included a guide called Gino who gave the group options as the day unfolded. Another booking note names Dino, so ask the operator to confirm your guide before departure.

The tour is based at Tropical Waves, Debarcadere Road, Trou d’Eau Douce. Pickup is offered, and one useful detail is that hotel pickup was arranged successfully for a previous booking, although the meeting-point instructions were confusing during the reservation process. I would settle the pickup point directly with Taxi Mauritius Tours and Transfer before the morning of the trip.

The hours are listed as 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. That is enough time for a generous day out, but not enough to linger everywhere. Think of this as a highlights route with several short visits, not a single-island beach day.

Blue Bay Marine Park and the first look below the surface

The first major stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, one of the strongest parts of the outing for anyone who likes coral and fish. You stop in the marine park and snorkel in water with an average depth of about 5.5 meters.

The water is described as clear, with good visibility. The park has more than 50 coral species, so this is more than a quick swim in a pretty lagoon. You can expect to see reef, fish, and a broad mix of coral formations beneath the boat.

I like having the snorkeling early in the day, when you are still fresh and the sea activity is the main event. The boat ride out also gives you a pleasant view of the coast before the history-focused island stops begin.

The limitation is simple: sea conditions can affect how much you see and how comfortable you feel in the water. The tour describes ideal snorkeling conditions, but no reef visit can guarantee perfect visibility every day. If snorkeling is your top priority, tell the guide early so you can make the most of this stop.

Pointe d’Esny and the Dalblair shipwreck

At Pointe d’Esny, the boat pauses at the shipwreck of the Dalblair, also spelled Alblair in the supplied details. The vessel sank on the coral reef in 1902, and the guide shares the controversial story connected with the wreck.

This is a good change of pace after Blue Bay. You are not only looking at pretty water. You are connecting the coastline to the dangers of old sea travel and the role the reefs played in shipwrecks.

The stop is listed as about an hour, but the actual experience may depend on conditions and how the guide handles the story. You should not expect a large museum or a formal shore attraction. The value is in seeing the site from the boat and hearing its background in the place where it happened.

Île aux Aigrettes and a swim with starfish

Next comes Île aux Aigrettes, where you can enjoy a cocktail and swim in the clear lagoon. The stop includes a natural swimming pool with starfish, making it one of the more relaxed sections of the day.

This is a nice moment to slow down. After the speedboat ride and snorkeling, the lagoon gives you time to float, look into the shallow water, and enjoy a drink. The natural pool also offers a different sort of sea experience from Blue Bay, where the focus is on reef life.

Treat the starfish gently and leave them where they are. The tour information does not promise a guided nature visit or a long walk on the island, so your time here is mainly about the water and the scenery.

Île du Phare and the lighthouse ruins

Île du Phare, also called Île aux Fouquets or Lighthouse Island, is a small rocky island in Grand Port Bay. Its old lighthouse was built in 1864 to guide ships toward Mahébourg, and the ruins remain a striking sight.

You have time to walk around the island and visit the lighthouse ruin. The stop also links to the Battle of Grand Port, fought between French and British forces. That gives the place more weight than its size suggests.

I like this part of the itinerary because it brings Mauritius’s colonial past into a day otherwise centered on beaches and snorkeling. The old stonework, open sea, and lighthouse create a strong sense of place without requiring a long museum visit.

The ground may be uneven on a small rocky island, so wear secure footwear rather than loose flip-flops if you plan to walk around. The tour does not specify a detailed walking route, and the time available can vary.

Île de la Passe and the story of Grand Port

Île de la Passe is another small islet with a serious military past. French and British forces built defenses here, and ruins dating back about two and a half centuries remain on the island.

You can walk among the old defenses and look back toward the mainland and turquoise water. The island is also tied to the Battle of Vieux Grand Port, a major episode in the struggle for control of Mauritius. The battle is commemorated by an inscription on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

This stop rewards curiosity. If you only want beaches, the ruins may feel like a detour. If you enjoy seeing how geography shaped battles, it adds genuine substance to the boat trip. The small islet’s position helps explain why it was useful for defense.

The itinerary gives roughly an hour to this stop, but do not expect a full historical tour with extensive interpretation. Your guide is the main source of context, so ask questions while you are there.

Passing Ilot Vacoas and reaching Îlot Flamants

While cruising, you pass Ilot Vacoas. It is not presented as a long shore visit, but it adds another small island and another change of view to the route.

The next stop is Îlot Flamants, a small white-sand island in the lagoon. You spend about 30 minutes here, with time for another snorkeling session in the turquoise water before continuing toward Île aux Cerfs.

This is the kind of stop that works well in a private boat. You can use the short visit for a swim, a quick look around, or a few minutes on the sand. It is not a place to plan a long beach walk. The value comes from the contrast between the bright sand, shallow lagoon, and open water around you.

Because this is another water stop, bring a towel and keep your snorkeling gear organized. The supplied details do not specify equipment rental or gear type, so ask what is provided before you go.

Grand River South East Waterfalls by boat

The speedboat then enters the channel toward Grand River South East Waterfalls. The ride along the canal gives you a view of the falls where the river meets the sea.

The surrounding trees are home to monkeys that are accustomed to people. If luck is on your side, you may see them moving through the branches. Mauritian fruit bats may also be resting high in the trees as you approach the waterfall.

The waterfall visit lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a scenic boat approach and photographs, but not a long riverside walk. I would keep your camera ready and avoid expecting a powerful wall of water in every season. The appeal here is the meeting of river, trees, wildlife, and sea.

Île aux Cerfs, beach time, and a BBQ lunch

The main beach stop is Île aux Cerfs, known for palm trees, white sand, and bright turquoise water. Here you have free time to swim, snorkel, stroll, relax, or choose a water sports activity.

This is where the tour shifts from a sightseeing route to a beach outing. If your group wants time to lie on the sand, the private speedboat gets you there efficiently. If you prefer activity, the lagoon offers swimming and snorkeling, and water sports are available.

Around noon, you receive a BBQ lunch. The usual menu includes chicken BBQ and fish BBQ, along with salads, garlic bread, and other side dishes. A vegetarian meal can be arranged if you notify the operator in advance.

Drinks are part of the experience, and a cocktail is specifically included at Île aux Aigrettes. The exact drink selection is not detailed, so do not assume an unlimited bar. If you have dietary needs, clarify them before departure rather than waiting until lunch.

Île aux Cerfs is also likely to be the busiest-feeling stop because it is the best-known beach destination on this route. The private boat gives you a personal ride, but it does not turn the island into a private beach. If solitude is your main goal, the smaller islets may appeal to you more.

Is $575 a good value for four people?

The price is $575 per group of up to four, not $575 per person. Split four ways, that works out to about $143.75 each before considering the included boat time, lunch, drinks, snorkeling stops, and optional pickup.

That is a meaningful price, but the comparison should be with a private charter, not a standard shared cruise. You are paying for privacy, a full eight-hour route, and the ability to discuss the day with your own guide. For a group of four, the cost becomes easier to justify. For one or two people, the per-person price is much higher.

I see the best value for a small family or friend group that wants variety. You get reefs, a wreck, old defenses, a lighthouse, a waterfall, wildlife, and a major beach in one outing. You would pay for several separate activities if you tried to arrange all of that independently.

The tradeoff is depth. You see many places, but most stops are short. If you would rather spend a whole day snorkeling at one reef or reading on one beach, a simpler excursion may suit you better.

Who should book this speedboat day?

I would recommend it to a group of up to four that wants an active day and does not mind moving from stop to stop. It suits people who enjoy a little engine noise and speed, as well as families or friends who want a private setting.

It is also a strong choice for anyone who wants more than a beach. The Dalblair wreck, Île du Phare, and Île de la Passe give the route a historical thread that many island cruises skip.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboats, have limited mobility on rocky islands, or want a slow and quiet schedule. The tour includes several swims and walks, and its eight-hour length can feel full. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the information does not give detailed access arrangements for each island.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the five-island speedboat tour?

Book it if you want one big east coast day that combines snorkeling, history, wildlife, and beach time. The private boat is the main advantage, and the route gives you much more variety than a simple ride to Île aux Cerfs.

I would especially choose it for four people sharing the cost. Confirm pickup, the guide’s name, snorkeling equipment, lunch needs, and the exact meeting point before you go. If you prefer a calm, unhurried beach day, choose a shorter trip. If you want to see a lot of Mauritius from the water, this is a well-packed and good-value option.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours. The listed operating hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The listed meeting point is Tropical Waves on Debarcadere Road in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. Confirm your hotel location and pickup details directly with the operator because the meeting-point instructions can be confusing during booking.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to four people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What will I see at Blue Bay Marine Park?

You can snorkel in water averaging about 5.5 meters deep, with clear visibility, reef, fish, and many coral species. The park has more than 50 different coral species.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Around noon, the tour includes a BBQ lunch usually made up of chicken BBQ, fish BBQ, salads, garlic bread, and other sides. A vegetarian option can be arranged if requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included, and a cocktail is specifically mentioned during the stop at Île aux Aigrettes. The exact drink selection is not specified.

Can I visit Île aux Cerfs?

Yes. You receive free time at Île aux Cerfs to swim, snorkel, walk, relax on the beach, or enjoy a water sports activity.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.