5 Islands Speedboat w/Snorkeling Sea Turtle + Lunch & Drinks

The most appealing part of this day is its mix of fast open-water cruising and unhurried island time. You’ll cover a broad stretch of Mauritius’s east and southeast coast, then slow down for snorkeling, a waterfall, a beach lunch, and time on Île aux Cerfs. It feels more varied than a simple beach excursion.

I like the small-group format, limited to eight people, and the generous food and drink package. I also like the route itself: the Blue Bay Marine Park, Grand River South East, and the old island ruins give the day more character than a boat ride built around scenery alone.

The main consideration is the early start and long duration. A nine-hour speedboat outing can be tiring, especially in bright sun or choppy water. Hotel pickup is available for an extra charge, and the meeting point is at the jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce.

Key points to know before you book

• Five-island route: See Île aux Cerfs, Île aux Phares, Île de la Passe, Île aux Aigrettes, and Îlot Margenie, with stops and views along the way.
• Blue Bay snorkeling: Swim among tropical fish in the Blue Bay Marine Park, where currents can be noticeable.
• Beach BBQ and open bar: Grilled chicken, fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, salad, snacks, beer, wine, rum, juice, soft drinks, and water are included.
• Small boat, small group: The regular group is limited to eight people. Four or more people can request a private speedboat.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: The route may bring dolphins, sea turtles, tropical fish, and wild monkeys, but nature controls the schedule.
• Meeting point at Trou d’Eau Douce: Hotel and Airbnb transfers are optional and cost extra.

A full day across Mauritius’s east coast

This is not a quick boat trip with one swim stop. The plan lasts about nine hours and uses the speedboat to connect several distinct places around the largest lagoon in Mauritius. You get open-water views, island visits, a waterfall, wildlife, snorkeling, lunch, and a few hours of relaxed beach time.

The boat leaves from the jetty at Trou d’Eau Douce. You’ll need to search for Debarcader Trou D’eau Douche on Google Maps, then find the jetty at the meeting point. Check the start time carefully, since the day begins early and the boat may not depart immediately after everyone arrives.

The small-group setup matters here. With up to eight people, boarding, getting instructions, and moving between stops should feel more orderly than on a large excursion boat. If your family or group has at least four people, ask about making the boat private. That option changes the character of the day, giving you more say in the pace and a quieter ride.

Île aux Cerfs begins the island circuit

The first stop is Île aux Cerfs, where you have about 45 minutes to walk around, take in the sand, and enjoy refreshments. This opening visit gives you a quick introduction to one of the east coast’s best-known islands before the route moves on.

You should think of this first stop as a short orientation rather than a full beach session. The longer Île aux Cerfs visit comes later, after snorkeling and the other island stops. If you want a slow morning on the sand, this timing may feel brief. If you prefer to keep moving, it gets the day off to a lively start.

The water and light around the island are a major part of the appeal, but the area can also be popular. The schedule is designed to shift you between several places instead of leaving you in one crowded spot all day.

Grand River South East brings the waterfall and monkeys

From Île aux Cerfs, the speedboat heads toward Grand River South East. Here, a waterfall pours toward the Indian Ocean, creating one of the day’s most recognizable views. The stop gives you a change from open lagoon water to a river setting framed by rock and vegetation.

You may also encounter wild Mauritian monkeys and have the chance to feed them. That is one of the more unusual parts of the route, but you should follow the skipper’s instructions and keep your distance when needed. Wildlife encounters are memorable precisely because they are not staged on a fixed timetable.

The river section also gives you a break from the boat’s speed. One visitor described the skipper as especially careful and professional, including during the snorkeling session and wildlife searches. That matters on a day that combines a fast boat, changing water conditions, and several different activities.

Île aux Phares and Île de la Passe add a sense of place

The route continues to Île aux Phares, then passes by Île de la Passe. These islands bring a little more context to the trip. You are not only crossing pretty water from one swim stop to another. You are moving through a part of Mauritius shaped by shipping routes, coastal defenses, and the islands that guard the entrance to the lagoon.

The supplied plan does not promise a long guided history talk at each island, so do not book this as a formal heritage tour. The value is in seeing these places from the water and understanding how close together the east-coast islands are.

The speedboat is useful here. You can cover the route without spending the whole day motoring slowly between points. On the other hand, the ride can be lively. If you are sensitive to speed or spray, bring sunscreen, protect your camera, and prepare for a boat day rather than a gentle cruise.

Blue Bay Marine Park is the main swim stop

The snorkeling session at Blue Bay Marine Park is likely to be the day’s central activity. The water is described as clear, and the marine park is known for tropical fish and shallow-water viewing. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a mask and fins separately.

Pay attention to the safety briefing. One account specifically noted that the current can be stronger than expected and that the skipper gave clear instructions while keeping an eye on everyone. That is useful information for confident swimmers and beginners alike. Stay close to the group, conserve your energy, and let the boat crew know if you want to return early.

Sea turtles are included among the possible wildlife sightings, and dolphins may also appear during the boat ride. You should treat both as possible bonuses rather than guaranteed parts of the tour. The itinerary includes an effort to look for dolphins, but no operator can control where wild animals surface.

Bring a camera if you want photos, but protect it from spray. You’ll also want sunscreen that you can reapply after swimming. The bright water can make the sun feel less intense than it is.

Île aux Aigrettes opens the drink service

After Blue Bay, the boat passes by Île aux Aigrettes for refreshments. This is when the all-inclusive bar opens, with beer, wine, rum, rum cocktails, juice, soft drinks, and water available. Snacks are also included.

The timing is sensible. You have already had the active snorkeling portion, so the next part of the day shifts toward food, conversation, and scenery. Drink responsibly, especially in the sun and on a moving boat. Alcohol can affect you faster after swimming, and there is still a boat ride ahead.

Île aux Aigrettes is more of a passing or refreshment stop on this schedule than a long land visit. If you want a detailed visit to the island itself, this excursion is not presented that way. Its role is to add another viewpoint and a pause before the return toward Île aux Cerfs.

Beach lunch at Île aux Cerfs

The longest relaxed stop comes later at Île aux Cerfs. While you swim, sunbathe, or sip coconut water, the crew prepares a BBQ lunch on the beach. The meal includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad.

That menu should work well for a mixed group. You get a choice between meat and fish, plus familiar side dishes rather than a meal built around one strong local flavor. The food is described as plentiful and tasty, though exact serving sizes and preparation can vary on any outdoor cookout.

The beach setting is the real advantage. A meal served beside the lagoon feels more connected to Mauritius than lunch in a restaurant far from the water. Live music or a sega show may accompany the meal, adding a local touch without turning the entire day into a staged performance.

After lunch, you can swim or sunbathe. Parasailing and a tube ride are also mentioned as possible activities, but you should confirm whether these are part of your package or optional extras before you count on them. The core tour includes the island time, BBQ, drinks, snorkeling, and sightseeing.

What the $125 price really covers

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see one beach or take a short lagoon ride. It is more useful to compare the price with what is bundled into the nine-hour day.

You are paying for a speedboat route across several islands, a waterfall visit, snorkeling equipment, a marine park stop, beach lunch, snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and a small group. The open bar alone is valuable for people who would otherwise buy drinks throughout a long day. The BBQ also removes the need to find lunch during the excursion.

The value is strongest if you want variety and do not want to organize several separate outings. It is weaker if you mainly want a quiet beach day, do not drink, or dislike spending many hours on a speedboat.

Hotel pickup and drop-off around Mauritius are available for an additional fee. That extra cost may be worthwhile if you are staying far from Trou d’Eau Douce or do not want to arrange transport for an early start. If you are already nearby, meeting at the jetty will keep the total price lower.

Who will enjoy this speedboat day

I would recommend this outing to you if you want to pack a lot into one day and enjoy changing scenery. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like a mix of swimming, sightseeing, wildlife, food, and open-water travel.

The private option is especially worth considering for a family or group of four or more. A private boat can make the day feel calmer and more personal, particularly if your group has different swimming abilities or wants more flexibility with photo stops.

You should think twice if you need a slow pace, dislike boat motion, or want guaranteed dolphin and turtle sightings. The schedule is full, the start is early, and the day may include sun, spray, current, and speed. This is an active sightseeing day with relaxing breaks, not a purely restful cruise.

The tour is offered in English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian. The group limit of eight is another practical advantage, since the guide and skipper can keep closer track of swimmers and answer questions without shouting across a packed boat.

Practical details that make the day easier

Bring sunscreen and a camera, as requested. I would also use a waterproof bag or case for phones and other valuables, since the boat ride and swimming stops make spray likely.

Wear swim-friendly clothing and shoes that can handle a beach landing. The information provided does not specify changing rooms, so plan to manage your clothing simply between swimming and lunch.

The tour allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time before booking, since the exact departure schedule can vary.

The experience receives a 4.4 rating from 156 ratings, which suggests a strong but not flawless record. The most consistent strengths are the friendly skipper, small group, food, smooth organization, and the range of stops. The practical weak points are the early meeting time, the extra transfer charge, and the fact that wildlife sightings depend on nature.

Should you book this Mauritius boat tour?

Book it if you want one full, well-packed day that combines island hopping, snorkeling, wildlife possibilities, a waterfall, and a beach BBQ. The small group, included drinks, and private option for four or more give it an advantage over larger boat outings.

Skip it if you want guaranteed animal encounters or a quiet day spent mostly on one beach. For the right kind of visitor, $125 is fair value because the boat, food, snorkeling gear, open bar, and several major stops are included. For a group of four or more, the private arrangement may be the best way to turn a busy itinerary into a more relaxed personal outing.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The tour starts at the jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce. Search for Debarcader Trou D’eau Douche on Google Maps to locate the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. Check the available start times when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel and Airbnb pickup and drop-off around Mauritius are available for an additional cost. They are not included in the base price.

What food and drinks are included?

The BBQ includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. Snacks, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and rum are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the snorkeling session takes place in the Blue Bay Marine Park.

Can I book a private boat?

Yes. If your group has four or more people, you can request a private speedboat. The standard small group is limited to eight participants.