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

The best part of this day is the range: you get fast open-water cruising, island stops, a waterfall, wild monkeys, snorkeling, and a long beach lunch without packing each activity into a separate tour. The boat carries no more than eight people, and groups of four or more can request a private boat.

I like the well-stocked lunch and drinks, which include grilled chicken, fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, salad, beer, wine, rum, juice, soft drinks, and water. I also like the careful snorkeling support, especially since the current at Blue Bay can be stronger than it looks. The main drawback is the early start and the possibility of waiting at the meeting point before departure, plus hotel transfers cost extra.

Key points before you book

• Five island route: Visit Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ilot Margenie from the water.
• Small speedboat: The group is limited to eight people, with private boat arrangements available for groups of four or more.
• Blue Bay snorkeling: Swim among tropical fish in Blue Bay Marine Park, with equipment supplied and safety guidance from the crew.
• Beach BBQ included: Expect grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, salad, snacks, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Wildlife sightings: The route includes a chance to see wild Mauritian monkeys, sea turtles, and dolphins, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
• Trou d’Eau Douce departure: You meet at the jetty listed as Debarcader Trou D’eau Douce on Google Maps. Hotel and Airbnb transfers are optional and cost extra.

Why this east coast speedboat day works

This is a busy day on the water, but it is not a rushed checklist in a coach. The speedboat lets you cover a large stretch of Mauritius’s east coast, where the islands sit across a broad lagoon and the scenery changes from sandy beaches to rocky islets, mangroves, reefs, and river outlets.

I would choose this tour if you want to see several famous places but prefer a small boat to a large catamaran. You get a taste of many sides of the coast in nine hours. The tradeoff is that you do not spend a full day at any one island, apart from the longer beach time at Ile aux Cerfs.

The boat leaves from Trou d’Eau Douce, a useful base for the east coast. Check the meeting point carefully on Google Maps before setting out, since the instructions use the name Debarcader Trou D’eau Douce. The scheduled meeting time can be early. One booking recorded a meeting time of 7:55 a.m. and a departure at 8:50 a.m., so I would allow patience for check-in and loading rather than assuming the boat will leave the minute you arrive.

Ile aux Cerfs starts the island circuit

The first island stop is Ile aux Cerfs, with about 45 minutes for a visit and refreshments. This gives you a quick look at one of the east coast’s best-known beach islands before the route moves on.

You can expect white sand, warm water, and the classic postcard setting that draws many people here. It is a good place to stretch your legs after the early start and take photos before the boat gets moving again. Since the visit is short, I would not plan a long swim or a complete beach afternoon at this stage.

The island appears again later in the day for a longer stop. That split arrangement is useful: you get an early orientation, then return after the sightseeing and lunch for a more relaxed period by the water.

Grand River South East brings a waterfall and monkeys

From the island, the speedboat heads toward Grand River South East. Here, the river reaches the Indian Ocean in a scenic waterfall, and you get a close view from the water.

The falls are not a vast inland cascade. Their appeal comes from the setting, where fresh water flows toward the coast and the boat can approach the river mouth. This stop adds a different texture to the day, since you are no longer looking only at beaches and reef water.

You also have an opportunity to meet and feed wild Mauritian monkeys. The monkeys are one of the most unusual moments on the route, but I would follow the guide’s instructions closely and keep food handling controlled. Wild animals can be unpredictable, and this is a wildlife encounter, not a petting area.

The crew’s role matters here. The boat operator is responsible for keeping the group together, moving safely near the river, and explaining what you are seeing. The available guide languages are English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian, which is helpful for mixed groups.

The five island route has a clear rhythm

After Grand River South East, the boat continues toward Ile aux Phares, then passes Ile de la Passe on the way to Blue Bay. Later, it reaches Ile aux Aigrettes and passes Ilot Margenie before returning to Ile aux Cerfs.

These islands are not treated as separate long land excursions. Much of the experience is a moving view from the boat, with selected stops for walking, refreshments, snorkeling, or beach time. That is important to understand before booking. You are paying for access to a wide stretch of coastline and the ability to see several sites in one day, not for a detailed guided tour of every island.

Ile aux Phares and Ile de la Passe add a strong historical feel to the route, even though the day is not presented as a formal history tour. Their position in the lagoon makes the boat ride feel like more than a simple transfer between beaches. You will have time to take in the islands from the sea and hear explanations from the guide.

Ile aux Aigrettes is used as a refreshment stop. Ilot Margenie is passed during the return to Ile aux Cerfs. These short moments help break up the long ride and give you changing views across the lagoon.

Blue Bay is the day’s main water stop

The snorkeling session takes place at Blue Bay Marine Park, known for clear water and tropical fish. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask or fins.

This is the part of the day where conditions matter most. One participant described the current as strong enough to require proper instruction, and the skipper kept watch over the group, helped shorten the distance for anyone ready to return to the boat, and gave extra support in the water. I would treat that as useful practical information: listen carefully before entering, stay within the guide’s limits, and do not swim off alone.

The phrase crystal clear can set an overly perfect expectation. Water clarity depends on weather, sea conditions, and the day’s visibility. Still, Blue Bay is the strongest reason to bring your camera and sunscreen. You may see tropical fish and possibly sea turtles. Turtles are included among the possible wildlife sightings, not promised as part of every departure.

You may also look for dolphins from the boat. Dolphin sightings are possible, and one outing recorded four dolphins, but another had no dolphins. That difference is normal for wild animals. The tour makes a genuine effort to look, but no operator can guarantee an encounter.

Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs is a real part of the value

After the marine park, the boat returns toward Ile aux Cerfs, passing Ilot Margenie. The beach lunch is prepared on the island while you have time to swim, sunbathe, drink coconut water, or consider optional water activities such as parasailing and a tube ride.

The BBQ menu is generous for a day on the water:

• Grilled chicken
• Grilled fish
• Rice
• Pasta
• Garlic bread
• Salad
• Snacks
• Water, juice, and soft drinks
• Beer, wine, and rum drinks

The meal is more substantial than a wrapped sandwich or a quick snack. One French booking described it as tasty and filling, which matches the menu. Having lunch prepared at the beach also means you can stay near the water instead of losing time looking for a restaurant.

The open bar begins during the later part of the route, with Mauritian beer, wine, rum cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. This suits a relaxed beach finish, but remember that the day begins with a speedboat and snorkeling. Pace yourself, especially if you plan to swim or take part in water activities.

Live music or a sega show may provide entertainment during lunch. The exact format can vary, so I would regard it as an added touch rather than the central reason to book.

The speedboat changes the feel of the day

A speedboat is not simply a faster taxi. You feel the engine, spray, turns, and movement across the lagoon. If you enjoy a lively ride, the trip between stops becomes part of the fun. If you prefer a quiet cruise, the engine noise and motion may wear on you during a nine-hour day.

The small group size helps. With a maximum of eight people, the guide can keep a closer watch during snorkeling and respond to individual needs more easily than on a large boat. A small group also makes it easier to move between the boat, beach, and water without a long loading process.

Groups of four or more can request a private speedboat. This is a strong option for families or friends who want control over the pace. A private boat may also make the day feel less crowded at the stops, though the advertised private arrangement applies to groups of four or more and should be confirmed when booking.

The boat is described as comfortable, but comfort is still personal. Bring sunscreen, a camera, and clothing suited to sun and spray. Keep valuables limited, since this is an active day involving water, sand, and repeated movement between boat and shore.

Is $125 a good price?

At $125 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the full package. You are getting a nine-hour boat day, several island visits, the waterfall, a marine park snorkeling session, equipment, a beach BBQ, snacks, and unlimited drinks.

The price also covers the convenience of combining several east coast highlights. Booking separate boat trips, a snorkeling outing, a beach lunch, and transport between them could cost more and would create a less unified day. Here, the same crew handles the route, the meal, the drinks, and the water session.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike long boat rides, or mainly want a quiet half-day at Ile aux Cerfs. You are paying for range and activity. This is not the best fit for someone who wants to spend most of the day reading on one beach.

Hotel and Airbnb pickup is not included in the $125 price. Transfers are available around Mauritius at an additional cost. If you need one, arrange it early and confirm the pickup details. One booking reported that a requested transfer was organized successfully, with helpful contact from the operator the day before, but the transfer remains an extra service.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to active couples, families, and small groups who want a full east coast day without arranging each stop themselves. It also suits people who like variety: one hour you are watching a waterfall, the next you are snorkeling, then you are sitting at a beach BBQ with a rum drink.

Families should consider the private option if they have four or more people. The smaller setting can make the boat and snorkeling session easier to manage, especially when members of the group have different swimming abilities.

Strong swimmers should still respect the guide’s instructions at Blue Bay. The current can be noticeable, and the crew’s close supervision is one of the most useful parts of the experience.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone who gets seasick, dislikes speed, or wants guaranteed dolphin and turtle sightings. The wildlife is unpredictable, and the day includes a lot of time on the water. The early meeting time also requires a willing start.

Final booking advice

Book this tour if you want a packed but well-organized look at Mauritius’s east coast, with the added comfort of food, drinks, and a small group. The highest praise belongs to the skipper’s professional handling, the clear snorkeling guidance, the generous lunch, and the private-boat option for groups of four or more.

Before paying, confirm three things: your meeting time at Trou d’Eau Douce, the extra cost of hotel transfer, and the private boat arrangement if your group qualifies. Bring sunscreen and a camera, follow the safety briefing, and treat dolphins and turtles as lucky additions rather than promises.

For the right kind of visitor, $125 buys a full day with plenty of variety. For a quiet beach holiday, choose something slower.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The meeting point is the jetty at Debarcader Trou D’eau Douce. Search that name on Google Maps to locate it.

How long does the experience last?

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

What islands are included?

The route includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ilot Margenie.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes a beach BBQ, unlimited snacks, alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, water, and an open bar with beer, wine, rum, juice, and soft drinks.

Can I arrange hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup and drop-off around Mauritius can be arranged at an additional cost. The optional transfer also applies to Airbnbs and hotels.