5 Islands Speedboat Cruise incl. Snorkeling in Blue Bay + Lunch at Ile aux Cerfs

Set sail for a full day of island-hopping. This 7-hour speedboat trip packs a lot into one outing: Ile aux Cerfs, historic lighthouse islands, Blue Bay Marine Park, waterfalls, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and time on the water. I like the small group of up to 18 people, which should feel more personal than a crowded boat tour, and I like that snorkeling gear, lunch, snacks, water, and alcoholic drinks are included.

The main drawback is the tight timing. Several stops last less than an hour, and the snorkeling period can feel short if you want time both in the water and on the boat. Music may also be loud, and the pace is best for people who want a busy day rather than a slow, quiet cruise.

Key points before you book

• Blue Bay snorkeling: Expect up to two hours at Blue Bay Marine Park, or near Ilot Mangenie if weather or coral breeding conditions require a change.
• Five very different stops: You get beaches, waterfalls, a lighthouse island, a nature reserve, and a major marine park in one day.
• Lunch and drinks included: Snacks, bottled water, lunch, alcoholic drinks, and snorkeling equipment are part of the price.
• A lively captain can shape the day: Captain Andy received particular praise for his friendly energy and attention to the group.
• The schedule moves quickly: Ile aux Cerfs gets 45 minutes, Ile aux Aigrettes 20 minutes, and the final waterfall stop only 15 minutes.
• Good value at $110.79: The price is reasonable if you want several activities bundled together and do not want to arrange boats, gear, meals, and island stops separately.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce

The day begins at 8:30 a.m. at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which keeps the transport plan simple. Parking is available at the meeting point, a useful perk if you have a rental car.

Private transportation is not included, so you need to reach Trou d’Eau Douce on your own. Check your route carefully and allow enough time to arrive before departure. Since the tour depends on good weather, keep your plans flexible around the cruise date.

The boat carries no more than 18 people. That is small enough to make it easier to hear the guide, ask questions, and move around without feeling packed in. It also gives the captain a better chance to check that everyone is comfortable during the swimming and snorkeling stops.

This is not a quiet sightseeing boat. It is a speedboat day with music, drinks, short stops, and a captain who may keep the mood lively. If you like a social outing with plenty happening, that works in your favor. If you want long stretches of silence and unhurried time ashore, the schedule may test your patience.

Ile aux Cerfs and the first taste of island life

The first island stop is Ile aux Cerfs, one of the best-known coastal stops in Mauritius. You have about 45 minutes here, along with refreshments, before moving on toward Grand River South East.

That short visit gives you enough time to step ashore, look around, and get a first feel for the east coast. It is not enough time for a full beach day, so set your expectations accordingly. You are sampling the island rather than settling in.

Ile aux Cerfs works well as an opening stop because it gets you off the boat early. You can stretch your legs, take photographs, and enjoy the contrast between the moving speedboat and firm ground. The tradeoff is that the stop may feel rushed if you want a long swim or a proper walk.

Afterward, the boat heads toward Grand River South East, where a waterfall drops into the Indian Ocean. This is one of the day’s memorable natural sights because the freshwater falls meet the sea. The trip includes a separate short waterfall stop later, so pay attention to the guide’s explanation of which viewpoint you are seeing at each point.

Ile aux Fouquets and the lighthouse story

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile Phare or Lighthouse Island, brings a strong historical note to a day otherwise focused on water and scenery. Dutch settlers discovered the island in 1598, and a lighthouse built in 1864 gave it its familiar name. It remained operational until the start of the 20th century.

The island also sits within the wider story of the Battle of Grand Port. In August 1810, the bay was the setting for a hard-fought naval battle between French and British forces. The British lost four frigates, although one was later recovered. The French force did not survive the later British capture of Mauritius.

You may not spend much time ashore here, but the guide’s explanation helps turn a rocky island into something more than a photo stop. Ask questions if your guide is discussing the battles and the lighthouse. The historical context is one of the better reasons to choose a guided boat rather than simply hiring transport to the coast.

The visit is also a reminder that many Mauritian islands have had practical purposes beyond tourism. A lighthouse was a working navigation aid, and the surrounding waters were part of an important naval route. The island’s bare, exposed character suits that story.

Blue Bay Marine Park and the main water stop

Blue Bay Marine Park is the heart of the excursion. You get a snorkeling session lasting up to two hours, depending on the day’s conditions and how the operator manages the schedule. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to hire a mask and fins separately.

Blue Bay was declared a national park in 1997 and became a Ramsar wetland site in 2008. Its coral garden contains hundreds of coral varieties, along with abundant marine life. The water close to shore is described as calm and shallow, which makes this a friendly place for people who want to see underwater life without committing to a demanding swim.

Weather and coral breeding conditions can change the plan. If Blue Bay is unsuitable, the snorkeling session may take place near Ilot Mangenie instead. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should not treat one exact reef location as guaranteed.

I would treat the two-hour slot as the day’s main chance to get in the water. Take your time with the equipment, listen to the safety instructions, and save enough energy for the boat ride afterward. The marine park is valuable because it gives you a different view of Mauritius. You are not only looking at islands from the deck; you are seeing the coral and marine life beneath the surface.

One practical warning: a short snorkeling period can feel disappointing if the boat arrives late or the group takes time getting organized. Some people found the water stop too brief, even though the planned period is much longer than the other stops. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, make that clear to the crew at the start of the day.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the open bar stop

After Blue Bay Marine Park, the boat passes Ile aux Aigrettes. You have about 20 minutes here for refreshments, with an all-inclusive open bar available.

Ile aux Aigrettes is an islet off the southeast coast that functions as a nature reserve and scientific research station. It is also a popular place to visit for both local residents and international visitors. On this cruise, the stop is mainly a refreshment break rather than a full reserve visit, so do not expect a lengthy walk or a detailed wildlife program.

This short pause can be welcome after snorkeling. You can dry off, have a drink, and take in the setting without needing to pack another activity into the schedule. Alcoholic drinks are included, but pace yourself. You still have a speedboat ride and more stops ahead.

The drinks and food are important to the value of the tour. A full day on the water can become expensive when every snack, bottle of water, and meal costs extra. Here, snacks, lunch, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages are included in the stated price.

Lunch, music, and the social side of the boat

Lunch is included, which makes the day easier to manage. You do not need to search for a restaurant between marine stops, and the meal is part of the outing rather than an interruption to it.

The exact rhythm of lunch can vary. The advertised stop descriptions give short time blocks for several islands, but one reported version of the day included a much longer lunch stay of about two and a half hours on an island where there was little else to do. That difference matters. If you prefer constant movement, a long lunch pause may feel like wasted time. If you like swimming, eating, and relaxing without a strict schedule, it could be a pleasant break.

The boat’s atmosphere is friendly and energetic. Captain Andy is especially noted for his good humor and warm manner, and the crew is described as checking that people are happy during the day. That personal touch can make a difference on a small boat, where the captain’s attitude shapes the entire outing.

Music is part of the atmosphere, but it may be too loud for some people. Bring a relaxed attitude and do not expect a silent nature cruise. The social setting is a good fit if you enjoy meeting other people and sharing a boat for the day.

There can also be unexpected moments. Monkeys have reportedly jumped onto the boat during one outing, and dolphins have been seen. These are not guaranteed parts of the program, but they show how the day can include surprises beyond the listed stops. The dolphin pursuit deserves a thoughtful note: following wildlife too closely can feel uncomfortable, so you may want to ask the captain how the boat approaches animals.

Grand River South East and the final waterfall views

Grand River South East adds another scenic stop to the route. The waterfall flows toward the Indian Ocean, giving you a clear example of how Mauritius combines freshwater rivers, rocky coast, and open sea in a compact area.

The final stop lasts only 15 minutes, so use it well. This is enough time for a quick look and photographs, but not a long walk or a relaxed swim. Short stops like this are part of the bargain for seeing several places in one day.

The area also connects with the history around Ile de la Passe and Grand Port. Between August 20 and August 25, 1810, the island was involved in the Battle of Grand Port, a major clash between French and British frigates. The guide’s commentary gives the waterways more meaning than a simple scenic cruise.

Because the tour covers so much, you should expect brief introductions rather than long guided visits. That is not a flaw if you want variety. It becomes a drawback only if you would rather spend half a day at one island or reserve.

What the $110.79 price really includes

At $110.79 per person, this cruise offers fair value for a full 7-hour day. You are paying for a speedboat outing, a small capped group, several island and waterfall stops, lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the guide’s commentary.

The price becomes especially reasonable if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, snorkeling gear, food, and drinks. It also saves you the work of coordinating several coastal sights yourself.

The value is weaker if you want long beach time. Much of the cost goes toward the boat, the route, and the number of places covered, not toward extended time at each island. You are buying variety and convenience.

The overall rating of 4.4 from 40 ratings suggests a generally strong experience with a few clear limits. The best parts are the friendly crew, the scenic variety, the lunch, and the lively day on the water. The weaker points are short stops, loud music, possible schedule changes, and concerns about how closely boats follow dolphins.

Who should book this speedboat day?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Mauritius and want to combine several east and southeast coast sights in one day. It suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy swimming, light snorkeling, history, and a social boat atmosphere.

It also works well for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the coast. You see beaches, islands, a lighthouse, a reserve, a marine park, waterfalls, and historic waterways without arranging separate excursions.

I would hesitate if you want a peaceful sailing trip, long independent walks, or serious wildlife observation. The speedboat is the attraction, but it also means noise, movement, and a brisk schedule. The tour is active without being physically extreme, and most people can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat and taking part in water-based stops.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a lively, all-in-one day and value convenience over long stays at one place. The included meal, drinks, snorkeling equipment, parking, and small group make the $110.79 price easy to justify.

Skip it if your priority is a slow beach day or a carefully controlled wildlife encounter. For everyone else, this is a strong way to see a large slice of Mauritius’s east and southeast coast in one outing, especially with a friendly captain such as Andy leading the day.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat cruise?

The experience lasts approximately 7 hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, snacks, and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Where does snorkeling take place?

Snorkeling takes place at Blue Bay Marine Park or near Ilot Mangenie, depending on weather conditions and the coral breeding season.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 18 people.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, but parking is available at the meeting point.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Poor weather cancellations may result in a different date or a full refund.