Mauritius: 5 East Coast Islands Tour with Snorkeling & Lunch

The best part of this five-island speedboat trip is the variety. In one day, you get a waterfall reached by boat, old colonial-era landmarks, fast open-water rides, snorkeling, swimming, and a beach BBQ. It is not a slow cruise. The boat moves with some punch, which makes the journey part of the attraction.

I like the small-group feel when numbers are low, and I like that the guides, including Ronny, Thomas, and Derek, are praised for friendly conversation and useful commentary. The east coast also gives you a good mix of scenery and history, rather than another day spent only on a beach.

The main caution is the ride itself. A speedboat can be bumpy, and a full boat with up to 10 people may feel crowded. Lunch is good for many people, but vegetarian food has drawn serious criticism, and snorkeling equipment may be limited.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven hours on the east coast: The tour generally runs from 9 AM until about 4 PM, with optional hotel pickup depending on the package you choose.
• A fast, varied route: You visit the GRSE waterfall, historic islands, swimming areas, snorkeling spots, and a beach lunch site.
• The history is unusual: Ile aux Fouquets and Ile de la Passe are linked to the 1810 naval battle of Grand Port, a French victory listed on Paris’s Arc de Triomphe.
• Guides make a difference: Ronny, Thomas, and Derek are specifically praised for friendly service, commentary, and attention to comfort.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear if possible: An eye mask may be available, but breathing tubes are not guaranteed.
• Lunch is the weak point for some: Halal meat and vegetarian options are offered, but vegetarian meals may be very basic.

Why this east coast boat trip works so well

At $85 per person, this is a strong-value day if you want several east coast sights without arranging separate transport and boats. The price includes the speedboat, the waterfall visit, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. Hotel transfers are included only when you select the transport option, so check that detail before paying.

I see the appeal in the packed format. Mauritius has beautiful coastlines, but getting between offshore points on your own can be awkward. Here, the boat links the stops into one day, and your guide handles the route. You also get a little context about the colonial period, which gives the old islands more meaning than a quick photo stop.

The tour is best for people who like an active day with changes of pace. You will not spend seven hours sitting in one place. You may be speeding across open water one moment, standing near a waterfall the next, then floating in clear water before lunch.

Starting near Trou d’Eau Douce

The usual meeting point is on the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant. If you choose hotel pickup, send your accommodation address by WhatsApp so the operator can give you a pickup time. The time depends on where you are staying, and the advertised start is around 9 AM.

Arrive ready to board, not dressed for a formal boat excursion. Wear swimwear beneath light clothes, bring sunscreen, and keep your camera protected from spray. Comfortable shoes help on the shore, but you will spend much of the day barefoot or in the water.

The boat can hold up to 10 people, though some departures are much smaller. A group of four or seven gives you more room and a more personal feel. If the boat is full, the speed and limited space become more noticeable, especially on a rougher day.

Ile aux Cerfs and the first burst of speed

Ile aux Cerfs is one of the early stops, with roughly 45 minutes listed for sightseeing and an arts and crafts market. This gives you a quick introduction to the east coast’s best-known island setting before the boat moves on.

You can expect time for photographs and a look around, but this is not a long island stay at the start. The attraction is the combination of sand, shallow water, and easy access by speedboat. Later in the day, Ile aux Cerfs appears again as a place to swim, snorkel, relax, and enjoy drinks.

That repeated stop can feel slightly confusing if you expect five completely separate islands. The day is built around several named islands and coastal points, but the exact time at each place can depend on access, conditions, and the group. One useful piece of advice is to treat the tour as an east coast route with several island stops, not as a formal checklist where every stop receives equal time.

Grande River South East waterfall by boat

The Grande River South East, usually called the GRSE, is described as the longest river in Mauritius. It reaches the sea at the waterfall, which you visit by boat for about 30 minutes.

This is a scenic stop rather than a long walk or a major swimming session. Your boat takes you toward the falls, giving you views of the river meeting the coast and time for photographs. The setting adds a welcome change from open sea and beaches.

The waterfall is especially worthwhile because you reach it as part of the boat journey. You do not need to arrange a separate river excursion. Still, keep your expectations sensible. The listed time is short, so the stop is about seeing the falls and taking in the surroundings, not spending half a day exploring inland.

Ile aux Fouquets and Ile de la Passe

The historic section of the trip comes at Ile aux Fouquets, also known as Ile aux Phares in the tour details. Its old lighthouse dates back more than 200 years and is now a protected historical monument. You mainly stop for photographs and sightseeing, rather than for a long visit ashore.

The island’s history gives the day some substance. In 1810, Ile aux Fouquets and Ile de la Passe were involved in the naval battle of Grand Port between French and British forces. It is remembered as the only victory of the Napoleonic Navy and is represented on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

You may not get a long lecture, but a good guide can make this brief stop worthwhile. Thomas is praised for providing commentary at the different points, while Derek is praised for creating a friendly atmosphere and explaining what you were seeing. Ask questions if you want more than a photograph.

Ile de la Passe is generally viewed from the boat or passed by. That matters when you plan the day. You will see the historic setting, but you should not expect a museum visit or a long shore excursion.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleu

After the historic stops, the boat heads to Eau Bleu for snorkeling. The tour also includes swimming near Ile aux Cerfs and Ile aux Aigrettes, so you get more than one chance to enter the water.

The snorkeling has earned some of the strongest praise. One booking party compared it favorably with snorkeling in Thailand, while other people enjoyed seeing turtles and dolphins during the wider boat trip. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so book this for the water and scenery, not for a promise of animals.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. The operator may provide an eye mask, but one person reported receiving no breathing tube. Another person found that snorkeling gear was available, so the supply appears to vary. Your own equipment removes an unnecessary risk.

The boat ride can be rough at speed, but the same movement is part of the fun for people who enjoy a little adventure. If you prefer a gentle, quiet ride, a catamaran would likely suit you better. The speedboat is the better choice when you want the transport itself to feel exciting.

A swim and aperitif at Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes is scheduled for about 45 minutes, with an aperitif and swimming. This is one of the more relaxed sections of the route. After the faster ride and historical sightseeing, you get a chance to cool off and spend time in clear water.

Bring a towel and secure your belongings before swimming. The stop is not designed as a long beach day, so use the time for a swim, a drink, and a little sun rather than expecting extensive facilities.

The water conditions depend on the weather. The operator can cancel or move the trip if conditions are poor, which is sensible for an open-water excursion. A sunny day can make the colors and visibility much better, while wind and chop can change the feel of the whole route.

BBQ lunch on Ile aux Margenie

Lunch is served on Ile aux Margenie, with BBQ food and a selection of drinks, including beer and wine. Food is halal, and both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are listed.

For many people, the meal is a satisfying part of the day, with plenty of food and a pleasant beach setting. The service is handled by staff, so you may not choose every item yourself. That makes lunch simple and quick, but it may feel less flexible than a buffet.

Vegetarians should take special care. One vegetarian party received a very basic salad and white bread, with concern that the bread had been prepared on the same grill as the meat and fish. If you do not eat meat, fish, or food cooked near them, bring additional food and confirm the arrangement before departure.

The lunch island is also the least polished part of the experience for some people. Maintenance and cleaning were criticized, so do not expect a luxury beach club. Think of it as a practical outdoor meal that keeps the boat day moving.

What the boat ride is really like

The speedboat is a major reason to choose this tour, but it also sets the limits. You get a fast, lively ride instead of a floating restaurant or a quiet sightseeing boat. The ride can be bumpy, especially when the sea is not calm.

I would choose this for couples, friends, and active families with older children who enjoy water activities. Children under four are not accepted, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant women. People with back problems or a strong dislike of fast boats should think carefully before booking.

A small departure can feel almost private, while a full boat with 10 people gives you less room to move. The operator does not promise a private boat, so do not book on that assumption. The guide’s attitude matters here. Ronny, Thomas, and Derek each received specific praise for being friendly and attentive, which can make a shared boat feel much more pleasant.

Dolphins and turtles have been spotted, and monkeys were seen during one trip, but wildlife is luck. You may see none of them. The reliable attractions are the islands, waterfall, historic sites, swimming, and snorkeling.

Timing, transport, and practical value

The planned day runs from about 9 AM to 4 PM. That is a useful length because the route feels full without becoming a multi-day commitment. If you are staying near the east coast, meeting at Trou d’Eau Douce is straightforward. If you are based elsewhere, the transport option can save considerable effort.

Pickup and drop-off options cover districts including Moka, Rivière Noire, Grand Port, Rivière du Rempart, Port Louis, Flacq, Pamplemousses, and Savanne. Green Island Beach Restaurant is also listed among the drop-off points. Select transport when booking if you want hotel service, since it is not included in every option.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Bad weather can cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

What to pack for the seven-hour outing

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a camera. A dry bag or waterproof phone case would be sensible, though it is not specifically listed as an included item.

Pack snorkeling gear if you own it. The equipment situation is not fully consistent, and your own mask and tube will give you a better chance to enjoy Eau Bleu properly. Keep valuables to a minimum because the day includes repeated boarding, swimming, and shore stops.

Should you book the five-island tour?

Book it if you want one active day that covers a lot of the east coast. The speedboat, GRSE waterfall, lighthouse, colonial-era history, snorkeling, swimming, and BBQ lunch make $85 a fair price, especially when transport is included in your chosen option.

I would skip it if you want a slow cruise, a polished lunch setting, or guaranteed wildlife. Vegetarians should confirm the meal or bring extra food, and anyone who dislikes bumpy boat rides should choose a catamaran instead.

For most people who enjoy the water, the strongest reasons to book are the varied route and the guides. The day is not perfect, but it gives you a lively look at Mauritius’s east coast, with enough history and scenery to keep it from becoming just another beach outing.

FAQ

How long does the five-island tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours, generally running from 9 AM until 4 PM.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is on the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant. Pickup from your accommodation is available only if you select the transport option.

Which languages does the guide speak?

Live guiding is available in English and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch and drinks are included on Ile aux Margenie. Beer and wine are listed among the available drinks.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are offered. The food is halal. Vegetarians with strict dietary needs should confirm the meal details or bring extra food.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling is part of the tour, but equipment availability can vary. Bring your own mask and breathing tube if possible.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Children under four years old are not permitted. The experience is also not suitable for pregnant women.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.