Full Day Tour 5 Island to Ile Aux Cerfs Incl. Lunch and Transfer

Hold on tight, the East Coast comes fast. This full-day speedboat trip links Blue Bay’s coral reefs, historic islands, and Ile aux Cerfs in one busy day on the water. I like the excellent mix of snorkeling and sightseeing, and I like that hotel pickup, equipment, lunch, and drinks are included. The main caution is that this is a high-energy boat day with a strong party feel, and some stops may be shortened or missed if weather and sea conditions turn rough.

You get roughly eight to nine hours for $151.21 per person, which is fair if you use the included transfer, meal, open bar, and several water stops. I would book this for couples, groups of friends, and active families who enjoy speed, sun, music, and a packed schedule. If you want a quiet nature trip, a carefully paced history tour, or a dry boat with no smoking or drinking around you, this may not be the right fit.

Five things to know before you book

• The speedboat is the main attraction: You move quickly between reefs, islands, beaches, and the GRSE waterfall rather than spending the day on one beach.
• Blue Bay snorkeling starts the day: The marine park has clear water, coral, and fish at an average depth of about 5.5 meters.
• History comes with the scenery: The Dalbair shipwreck, Ile aux Phare lighthouse, and Ile de la Passe defenses give the trip more substance than a simple beach cruise.
• Lunch is a beach barbecue: Expect chicken, fish, salads, garlic bread, drinks, music, sega dancing, and banana flambé.
• The mood can be lively: Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included, so the boat may feel more like a floating party than a calm sightseeing vessel.
• Weather matters: Rough conditions can affect the route, snorkeling, waterfall visit, and access to Ile de la Passe.

Why this Mauritius boat trip offers good value

At $151.21, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs. But it includes a private air-conditioned transfer from your accommodation, a qualified guide or driver, a full speedboat day, snorkeling gear, lunch, an Ile aux Aigrettes cocktail, and unlimited drinks.

You also cover a lot of ground. A normal Ile aux Cerfs outing might focus on the beach and barbecue. This one adds Blue Bay Marine Park, the Pointe d’Esny shipwreck, two historic islands, Ilot Flamants, the GRSE waterfall, and the return cruise. If you want to see several parts of Mauritius’s southeast coast in one day, the price begins to make sense.

The group is limited to 15 people, although some departures may feel smaller. One particularly enjoyable outing had only five passengers with guide Chris. Other departures carried about 10 people in a small speedboat. A smaller group gives you more room and makes it easier to ask questions, but the exact atmosphere depends on the departure.

Pickup is offered anywhere in Mauritius, which is a major help if you are staying far from Blue Bay. The advertised start time is 8 a.m., but pickup times can vary by hotel and route. Confirm the final time in the booking app, not just an earlier email. A few people received changing pickup information, and one early collection meant a long wait before boarding.

Blue Bay Marine Park sets the tone

The first water stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, where you snorkel in clear water over coral and fish. The listed average depth is 5.5 meters, and the park contains more than 50 coral species. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day. The water can be remarkably clear, and the reef gives you something to see soon after leaving shore. You may choose to swim rather than snorkel, which is useful if you are not comfortable with a mask. One person in a group did exactly that while friends snorkeled nearby.

Allow about an hour here. Use reef-safe sun protection if you have it, and bring a rash guard or sun shirt. The boat is open to the sun for much of the day, and you can spend long periods sitting without shade.

Snorkeling conditions depend on the sea. The description promises a marine park stop, but water movement, visibility, and boat traffic can change. Do not judge the whole trip by this one session if the morning is cloudy or choppy.

The Dalbair wreck and Pointe d’Esny

The boat next heads to the Dalbair shipwreck near Pointe d’Esny. The wreck dates from 1902 and has a complicated story, which the guide explains before or during the stop. This is a quick historical pause rather than a long museum-style visit.

You may not walk around the wreck. The value is seeing a real piece of maritime history in its reef setting, then hearing how it came to rest there. Guides such as Nelson, Donovan, and Chris were praised for explaining the route and answering questions, so the quality of this stop depends partly on who is leading your boat.

Give yourself realistic expectations. This is not a major underwater wreck expedition. It is a short sight and story stop paired with more snorkeling. If you like having context for what you see, it adds a welcome layer to the morning.

Ile aux Aigrettes brings a cocktail and calm water

At Ile aux Aigrettes, you get about 40 minutes for a cocktail and a swim in a clear natural pool. Starfish may be visible in the shallow water, adding a small but memorable detail.

This pause breaks up the fast boat ride. You can swim, look around, or simply cool off with the included drink. It is also one of the more relaxed stops, although the overall schedule remains tight.

The name can cause confusion. Ile aux Aigrettes is not the same as the protected nature reserve experience that some visitors associate with the island. Here, the planned activity is a lagoon stop with a cocktail and swimming time. The description does not promise a land tour of a wildlife reserve, so book this for the water, not for a guided conservation visit.

Ile aux Phare gives you lighthouse ruins and sea views

Ile aux Phare, also called L’Île aux Fouquets, is a small rocky island in Grand Port Bay. Its lighthouse was built in 1864 to guide ships toward Mahébourg, and the island was linked to the Battle of Grand Port between French and British forces.

You get about 45 minutes here. The island offers a chance to walk around and see the old lighthouse ruins rather than just photographing them from the boat. The setting is rugged and open, with wide views across the turquoise water.

Wear shoes that you can walk in comfortably. The stop is not only a swim break, and uneven ground may make sandals less useful. The lighthouse visit is one reason this trip feels more varied than a standard beach cruise.

The historical explanation may be brief, depending on the guide and the pace of the group. Still, seeing the remains in place gives the story more meaning than reading a paragraph on a sign.

Ile de la Passe adds the strongest history

Ile de la Passe is a small defensive islet off southeast Mauritius. French and British forces built defenses here during the colonial period, and ruins from those structures remain. The island is linked to the Battle of Vieux Grand Port, a conflict remembered by an inscription on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

You usually have about 30 minutes for this stop. The pleasure is walking among old defenses while looking back toward the mainland. It is a good place to pause and remember that these calm waters were once strategically important.

There is one important condition: access depends on the tide. If the tide is unsuitable, the boat may pass the island rather than land or stop properly. Keep that in mind when treating this as a promised highlight. The route is broad, but not every stop is guaranteed in every set of sea conditions.

Ilot Flamants and the run toward Ile aux Cerfs

Ilot Flamants is a small white sand island in the lagoon. You get about 30 minutes here, with time for swimming or snorkeling in shallow turquoise water before continuing toward Ile aux Cerfs.

This is the classic postcard portion of the day. White sand, open water, and a small group make it easy to take photos and enjoy a quick swim. It is also a nice contrast to the stone ruins of Ile aux Phare and Ile de la Passe.

Do not expect a long beach stay. Thirty minutes disappears quickly once you have stepped off the boat, found a place for your belongings, taken photos, and entered the water. Keep your bag simple and waterproof.

The GRSE waterfall is best seen from the boat

The Grand River South East waterfall is where the river meets the sea. The speedboat enters the river channel for a closer view of the falls, surrounding trees, and riverbanks.

You might see monkeys moving through the trees or fruit bats resting high above the water. These sightings are not guaranteed, but the river approach gives you a different view of Mauritius from the open sea.

This stop takes about 30 minutes. It is scenic rather than strenuous, and you generally view the waterfall from the boat. Weather can affect this part of the route. On one cloudy day, the waterfall was missed, while other departures got close views and saw monkeys and bats.

Ile aux Cerfs is the big beach break

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop, with about two hours of free time. You can swim, stroll, snorkel, relax on the sand, or pay extra for water sports.

The island looks exactly as you hope a Mauritius beach will look: palms, white sand, and bright lagoon water. After a morning of moving between small islands, this longer pause lets you slow down. If your ideal day means sitting in the water with a cold drink, this is your best chance.

Water sports are not included. The supplied information lists an optional cost of about 40 euros, so bring a payment method if you want an additional activity. Otherwise, the beach, lagoon, and walk are enough to fill the time.

The stop can feel crowded depending on the day, and the two-hour window includes getting off and back onto the boat. Keep an eye on the meeting time. A fast boat cannot wait indefinitely for one late swimmer.

Beach barbecue, sega music, and an open bar

Lunch is prepared on the beach at Margenie Islet, with the itinerary also placing the main beach time around Ile aux Cerfs. The meal is described as a three-course barbecue with chicken, fish, salads, garlic bread, and sides. Vegetarian and halal meals are available, but you need to request a vegetarian meal when booking and report food allergies in advance.

Drinks include alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices, with an open bar during lunch and the wider boat experience. Sega dancing, live music, and banana flambé add a distinctly Mauritian touch.

The meal is a social affair, not a quiet restaurant lunch. Some people enjoyed the chicken, fish, sausages, salads, rum, and beach setting. Others found portions modest, drinks warm, or food less impressive than expected. I would bring a few snacks, especially if you eat lightly or need food between stops.

This is also where the trip’s party character becomes clearest. Music, rum, smoking, and vaping were part of the atmosphere on some departures. That suits adults looking for a cheerful day with dancing and drinks. It may be less comfortable for families with young children or anyone who wants a calm, substance-free boat.

The ride home and the real comfort question

The final cruise returns to Blue Bay, with arrival expected around 4:30 p.m. The speedboat makes the return a highlight for people who enjoy the thrill of open water. You can expect spray, wind, and a fast ride, so protect phones and cameras in a dry bag.

Transfers are in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, and several outings had excellent drivers. Kavi was praised for his driving and local information, while other drivers helped passengers find the busy pier and kept the transfer organized.

Transport quality can vary, though. A few people described late pickups, confusing time changes, or unsafe driving. This is a practical reason to confirm your pickup carefully and speak up if the instructions are unclear.

The boat itself may also vary by departure. One boat broke down, but a replacement arrived and the group still had an enjoyable day. Another departure had poorly maintained snorkeling equipment and did not provide the promised alcohol. Those reports are not the normal picture, but they show why you should keep expectations flexible.

Who should book this speedboat day?

You should consider booking if you want:

• A full day that combines snorkeling, history, beaches, a waterfall, and a barbecue.
• A faster alternative to a slow catamaran cruise.
• Hotel pickup from anywhere in Mauritius.
• A social atmosphere with music and included drinks.
• Several short stops rather than one long beach visit.
• A small-group setting, with a maximum of 15 people.

You may want a different experience if you prefer:

• A quiet boat with little music or alcohol.
• A carefully paced history tour.
• Guaranteed access to every island.
• A substantial lunch with many vegetarian choices.
• A family outing where smoking and drinking are not part of the atmosphere.
• A calm sea day with no chance of route changes.

The rating of 4.2 from 155 reviews reflects that split. Many departures delivered an excellent day with dolphins, turtles, monkeys, strong snorkeling, a funny captain, and memorable scenery. A few had poor communication, missed stops, warm drinks, or service that did not match the advertised inclusions.

Should you book the 5-island Ile aux Cerfs tour?

Book it if you want the most active version of an east coast boat day. The combination of Blue Bay snorkeling, the Dalbair wreck, lighthouse ruins, Ile de la Passe, the GRSE waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, and a beach barbecue gives you a lot for one price.

I would be especially happy booking this with friends or a partner who enjoys speedboat rides and social drinking. Families should ask themselves one blunt question: will everyone be comfortable with loud music, alcohol, smoking, and a tightly packed schedule? If the answer is no, choose a quieter boat trip.

Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can also lead to a rescheduled trip or refund. The best practical move is to confirm pickup time, vegetarian or allergy needs, and the drink and boat arrangements before the morning begins.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The excursion begins with hotel or accommodation pickup anywhere in Mauritius, followed by transport to Blue Bay on the east coast. The advertised start time is 8 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full excursion lasts approximately eight to nine hours. Return to the mainland is expected around 4:30 p.m.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the Blue Bay Marine Park stop and the other listed snorkeling sessions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course barbecue lunch is included, with chicken, fish, salads, garlic bread, and other sides. Vegetarian and halal meals are available when requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including an open bar. A cocktail is also planned at Ile aux Aigrettes.

Are water sports at Ile aux Cerfs included?

No. Optional water sports cost about 40 euros and are paid separately.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.