5 Islands Speedboat Cruise, Snorkeling + Lunch & Open Bar

Hold on tight, the east coast is calling. This seven-hour speedboat trip links islands, a lighthouse, snorkeling waters, a waterfall, and a beach lunch in one lively day. I like the mix of history and sea adventure, and I like that lunch, an open bar, snorkeling, and attraction tickets are included. The main catch is that transport to Trou d’Eau Douce is not included, and you snorkel only once.

The pace also depends on the sea. One day may bring perfect island weather, while another may be windier or less clear. Still, the experience earns strong praise for its friendly crews. Skipper Danilo is singled out for keeping the day fun and well paced, while another captain is remembered for good humor. That personal touch matters on a seven-hour boat ride.

Key points at a glance

• A full east-coast route: Visit Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouqets, Ile aux Aigrettes, Ilot Mergenie, the Blue Bay Marine Park area, and Grand River South East.
• Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse: This is the main historical sight and gives the cruise more purpose than a simple beach outing.
• Lunch and open bar included: Your island-style barbecue lunch and drinks are covered, though fresh grilled lobster costs extra.
• One main snorkeling stop: You get snorkeling near Blue Bay Marine Park, but the day is not built around repeated reef sessions.
• Simple schedule: Depart Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m. and return at 3:30 p.m., for about seven hours on the water.
• A social, upbeat boat day: The crew’s humor and energy are a major part of the appeal, especially for families and groups of friends.

Why this cruise works so well

At $100 per person, this is not just a short boat transfer to one beach. You are paying for a broad east-coast circuit, several stops, snorkeling, lunch, an open bar, and access to the listed attractions. I see good value here if you want one busy day that covers many of Mauritius’s eastern sights without arranging separate outings.

The cruise also gives you variety. You are not stuck on a single island for seven hours. The day moves from open water to a historic lighthouse, from a marine area to a waterfall, then back to time for swimming, sunbathing, and lunch at Ile aux Cerfs.

That variety does require a compromise. This is a highlights tour, not a slow island retreat. You will spend much of the day moving between places, and the snorkeling stop is limited to one location. If your top goal is long, quiet reef time, choose a more focused snorkeling trip instead.

The activity starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce. You need to arrange your own way there, although private transport from your hotel or accommodation can be organized if requested through WhatsApp. That extra service may be useful if you are not staying nearby, but ask about it before the day of the cruise.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30

The morning departure gives you a full day on the east coast. You should arrive ready for the water, with swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. The operator sends embarkation details by WhatsApp, so keep an eye on your messages and confirm the meeting instructions before setting out.

The speedboat is part of the entertainment. You will hear the engine, feel the boat rise over the waves, and get a faster, more open-air ride than you would on a standard sightseeing boat. That makes the crossing exciting, but it can also be bumpy. If you prefer calm, slow cruising, this is worth considering before you book.

The tour uses English and French. That gives you flexibility if you speak either language, though the amount of commentary may vary with the crew and conditions. The strongest feedback centers on the captains’ attitude, with Danilo receiving particular praise for making the day enjoyable and keeping the pace comfortable.

Ile aux Cerfs: swimming, lunch, and time to slow down

Ile aux Cerfs is the most relaxed part of the route. Here you can sunbathe, swim, and take a break from the boat. The island also has watersports shops, so you can look around if you want more activity, though the tour details do not state that any extra watersports are included in the $100 price.

Lunch is served here as an island-style barbecue. It is included, along with the open bar, so you do not have to budget separately for the basic meal and drinks. That is a useful saving on a full-day water outing, especially when you want to stay at the beach rather than search for a restaurant.

Fresh grilled lobster is available at an extra cost. If that is important to you, request it in advance through WhatsApp. Do not assume it is part of the standard lunch.

I like this stop because it gives the day breathing room. After the speedboat ride and sightseeing, you get a chance to sit, swim, eat, and enjoy the setting without rushing through another photo stop. The tradeoff is that the island can become the busiest-feeling portion of the day, particularly if you prefer quiet beaches and very little structure.

Ile aux Fouqets and its lighthouse

Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse is described as the main attraction of the cruise. It gives the trip its strongest historical angle, adding an old maritime marker to a route otherwise centered on beaches and water.

The lighthouse is also a good reason to keep your camera ready during the boat approach. The tour information does not promise a landing or a guided interior visit, so you should think of this as a sightseeing stop connected to the island and lighthouse rather than a full museum visit.

That distinction matters. You are not booking a dedicated heritage tour with long lectures or indoor exhibits. You are seeing an important coastal landmark as part of a fast-moving island route. I like that balance, since the lighthouse adds meaning without taking over the whole day.

If you enjoy local history, this is probably the moment that gives the cruise its character. If you only want swimming and snorkeling, it may feel like a short pause between water activities.

Ile aux Aigrettes and Ilot Mergenie

The itinerary also includes Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve and Ilot Mergenie. The information provided lists swimming and an open bar at the nature reserve, so this part of the route combines another chance to get in the water with a drink break.

Do not expect every island to function as a long land visit. Some stops may be viewed from the boat or used for swimming rather than explored on foot. The schedule includes several places in one day, so the value comes from seeing a wide stretch of the coast rather than spending hours on each island.

Ilot Mergenie is included among the places visited, but no separate activity is specified there. That makes it another point of interest in the larger route, not a stop with a promised special program. I appreciate the broader circuit, but you should keep expectations sensible: this is a moving tour with several short experiences, not five separate island excursions.

Snorkeling near Blue Bay Marine Park

The snorkeling stop is near Blue Bay Marine Park, an area chosen for its marine fauna and flora. This is the clearest nature-focused part of the day, and equipment or access for snorkeling is included in the tour price.

The main limitation is simple: you snorkel once. One person specifically wished for another snorkeling session at a better spot, and that is useful advice when deciding if this trip suits you. You may enjoy the single stop, but the itinerary does not promise multiple reefs, extended underwater time, or a choice of sites.

For a first taste of Mauritius’s coastal life, one stop can be enough. You can swim, look around underwater, and then return to the wider cruise. For experienced snorkelers who want the water to be the main event, I would choose a dedicated snorkeling outing instead.

Bring sunscreen and a towel, and expect to move between wet and dry activities throughout the day. Beachwear makes the transition easier than trying to dress formally between stops.

Grand River South East Waterfalls

Grand River South East Waterfalls gives you a different view of Mauritius. After beaches, islands, and reef water, the route reaches a freshwater feature on the east coast. It breaks up the sea time and adds another type of scenery to the day.

The waterfall visit is part of the cruise route, but the supplied details do not specify a long walk, a hike, or a landing schedule. You should therefore treat it as a sightseeing stop rather than plan around a strenuous shore excursion.

I like the contrast. A day that only links beaches can start to feel repetitive. Adding the waterfalls gives the route more range and helps explain why this experience is marketed to people interested in both adventure and exploration.

Lunch, drinks, and what the $100 covers

The $100 price is easiest to judge by looking at what you do not need to add. Attraction tickets, snorkeling, the barbecue lunch, and the open bar are included. That makes the price more practical than a basic speedboat ride where you pay separately for every meal and activity.

The included lunch is an island recipe barbecue, not a promise of a luxury dining experience. That fits the day. You are eating during a beach stop, then returning to the boat and the water, so simple food and drinks are more useful than a long formal meal.

Lobster is the one clear extra. Request fresh grilled lobster ahead of time if you want it, and confirm the added cost. The standard package does not include it.

The value is strongest for you if you plan to use the included swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and open bar. If you do not drink, do not snorkel, and mainly want a quiet beach, part of the package may have less value. The busy route also means you are paying for variety, not solitude.

The people who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this cruise to families, couples, and friends who want an active day with plenty of change. The upbeat crew helps, and one family-focused comment describes the guide as excellent fun for all ages. The boat ride, swimming, lunch, and short sightseeing stops keep the day from feeling too serious.

It also suits anyone who wants to sample the east coast in one go. You get a lighthouse, islands, marine life, a waterfall, and beach time without arranging separate transport for each stop.

You may want another kind of outing if you dislike fast boats, need long quiet periods, or want several hours of snorkeling. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the combination of boat boarding, swimming, and beach stops may be demanding for anyone who has limited mobility.

Weather also matters. The boat still operated enjoyably on a day when conditions were not ideal, which suggests the crew can keep the mood positive when the sky is less than perfect. Still, rougher water can affect comfort, visibility, and the feel of the day.

Practical planning before you book

The tour departs at 8:30 a.m. and returns at 3:30 p.m. Plan for the entire morning and afternoon, not a short half-day activity. The stated total duration is seven hours.

You need to arrange transportation to and from Trou d’Eau Douce. Private hotel transfers may be organized on request, but transport is not included in the listed price. Use WhatsApp to confirm the meeting point and ask about pickup before you commit to the schedule.

Bring:

• Swimwear and beachwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Any personal items you need for a full day near water

The operator accepts French and English. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still shifting.

The published score is 4.8 out of 5 from six ratings. The strongest pattern is clear: good captains, a cheerful atmosphere, attractive places, and a full day that feels worthwhile. The one consistent caution is the limited snorkeling time, so keep that in mind rather than expecting a reef-centered trip.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book it if you want a lively, all-in-one east-coast day with a speedboat ride, several islands, the Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse, one snorkeling stop, a barbecue lunch, an open bar, and Grand River South East Waterfalls. At $100, the package offers solid value when you use the included food, drinks, and activities.

Skip it if your ideal day is slow, quiet, or focused on repeated snorkeling. Also check the transport plan carefully, since getting to Trou d’Eau Douce is your responsibility unless you arrange a private transfer.

For most active families and groups, this is a strong choice. The best reason to book is not any single stop, but the combination of places and the crew’s good humor. Ask for the meeting details, decide about lobster in advance, and arrive ready to get wet.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat cruise start?

The cruise starts at Trou d’Eau Douce.

Where does the activity finish?

It ends back at the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

What time does the tour depart?

The stated embarkation time is 8:30 a.m.

What time does the boat return?

The scheduled return time is 3:30 p.m.

How long is the experience?

The total duration is about seven hours.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Transportation is not included, but private transport from your hotel or accommodation to the boat and back may be arranged on request.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An island-style barbecue lunch is included in the price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. An open bar is included.

Is fresh grilled lobster included?

No. Fresh grilled lobster costs extra and should be reserved in advance.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling near the Blue Bay Marine Park area is included, with one snorkeling stop listed in the itinerary.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.