Trou D’Eau Douce: 5 island tour Mauritius with lunch/drinks

Mauritius looks best from the water. This six-hour speedboat trip links the east coast’s bright lagoons, old colonial-era landmarks, small islands, and the popular beaches of Île aux Cerfs. I like the mix of history and sea time, and the included BBQ lunch with drinks makes the $88 price easier to justify. The main concern is comfort: a shared speedboat can feel crowded, with limited shade and little room to stretch.

The trip suits you if you want to see several east-coast sights in one outing rather than spend a whole day on one beach. Just bring your own snorkeling equipment, towel, hat, and sun protection, because snorkeling gear and the guided snorkeling session are not included despite the water activities listed in the schedule.

Five useful things to know before you book

• The tour lasts six hours, with departures from the end of the jetty beside the Mauritian flag.
• Île aux Phares has a lighthouse more than 200 years old, plus views of calm lagoon water on one side and open-ocean surf on the other.
• Île aux Cerfs gets the longest stop, about two hours for lunch, swimming, and beach time.
• The $88 price includes lunch and drinks, including local rum and soft drinks, but not snorkeling equipment.
• Shared boats may be tight, and one booking was changed to a private tour after the speedboat filled with 10 people plus additional passengers.
• The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with back problems, and it is not recommended for people over 95.

Why the east coast works so well for island hopping

Trou d’Eau Douce is a practical starting point for this kind of trip. The east coast gives you easy access to Île aux Cerfs, the Grande Rivière South East waterfall, and the offshore islands connected with the Battle of Grand Port.

You begin at the end of the jetty next to the Mauritian flag, at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Île aux Cerfs meeting point. From there, the boat ride takes about 20 minutes. A speedboat is the right choice for a route with several stops because it covers ground quickly and gets you closer to the small islands than a larger vessel would.

The trade-off is space. A shared speedboat can feel cramped, especially if you are seated at the front without shade. Bring a sun hat and accept that this is an active boat day, not a leisurely cruise with a large covered deck.

The operator lists English and French as the tour languages. A local skipper leads the trip, and the strongest praise has gone to the friendly guiding, including a guide named Lucas. One particularly useful detail is that a private option was arranged within about 10 minutes when a shared departure felt too crowded. That suggests some flexibility, but you should not assume a private boat is included in the $88 price.

Île aux Cerfs gives you the classic Mauritius view

Île aux Cerfs is the most familiar stop on the route, and it delivers the postcard setting you probably expect from Mauritius: pale sand, clear turquoise water, and a lagoon made for swimming.

The first visit allows free time, so you can explore at your own pace. That is useful early in the day, when you are still getting your bearings and may want to walk the beach, take photos, or simply sit near the water.

The island returns later for the main meal and the longest stop. You get roughly two hours for a BBQ lunch, swimming, and more beach time. I like this arrangement because the day is not built entirely around quick photo stops. You have a proper block of time to eat and enjoy the beach.

Still, Île aux Cerfs is the most popular place on the route. If your ideal island day means a quiet, empty shore, this may not be the best part of the outing. Its value is convenience and beauty, not solitude.

The Grande Rivière South East waterfall is a quick but worthwhile stop

The Grande Rivière South East waterfall appears as a 20-minute visit and photo stop. You should think of this as a short scenic pause rather than an extended nature walk.

The waterfall is reached by boat, which gives you a different view from a land-based sightseeing stop. You can take photos, look at the surrounding water and rock, and then continue before the day loses momentum.

Twenty minutes is enough for a look, but not enough for a slow exploration. If waterfalls are your main reason for booking, you may want a separate mainland visit. On this tour, the waterfall works best as one part of a larger east-coast route.

Île aux Phares adds the most memorable history

Île aux Phares is the stop I would pay closest attention to. Its old lighthouse dates back more than 200 years and is now a historic monument. The island also connects directly to the 1810 naval battle of Grand Port, fought between French and British forces.

That battle is unusual in European and Mauritian history because it was the only naval victory of Napoleon’s navy. Its importance is marked on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, a surprising connection to find on a small island off Mauritius.

The setting makes the visit more than a simple heritage stop. One side of the island looks toward the calm turquoise lagoon, while the other faces the open Indian Ocean, where large waves break against the island’s outer edge. That contrast gives you one of the tour’s strongest photo opportunities.

The available schedule does not assign a separate timed stop to Île aux Phares, so the exact amount of time there may depend on the boat’s route and sea conditions. Ask the skipper about it early in the trip if this is a priority for you.

Île de la Passe connects the scenery to the Battle of Grand Port

Île de la Passe is another historical stop, but the schedule lists it as a sightseeing pass-by rather than a long landing. It played a role in the naval battles between French and British forces during the colonial period.

This is a good example of how the tour combines several types of sightseeing. You are not only moving from beach to beach. You are also seeing the waterways and small islands that shaped Mauritius’ military and colonial past.

Because the boat passes by, you will have limited time to study the island. Keep your camera ready, and listen when the skipper explains what you are seeing. The value here comes from the context, not from a long visit ashore.

Snorkeling and swimming break up the boat time

The itinerary includes about 40 minutes for snorkeling in Mauritius waters, followed later by a 45-minute swimming and aperitif stop near Île aux Aigrettes. These pauses matter because six hours on a speedboat can become tiring if you never get into the water.

You need to plan your equipment carefully. Snorkeling gear, goggles, and the guided snorkeling session are listed as not included, so bring your own equipment if you want to take part. A towel is also not supplied.

The route includes snorkeling gear in one general description, but the practical inclusion details specifically exclude it. I would follow the more cautious interpretation and pack your own mask, snorkel, and fins if you use them. At minimum, bring goggles, swimwear, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and a towel.

The 45-minute stop near Île aux Aigrettes includes an aperitif and swimming. Île aux Aigrettes is known as a protected nature reserve with rare species and native vegetation. The schedule does not promise a landing or reserve tour, so you should expect to see the area from the water rather than take a guided wildlife walk.

Fouquets Island provides a short scenic pause

Fouquets Island appears twice in the route: first for dolphin watching and then for a 20-minute photo stop and visit. The description does not guarantee dolphin sightings, so treat this as a chance to look for marine life rather than a fixed wildlife encounter.

The second stop gives you time for photos and a closer look at the island. Twenty minutes passes quickly, but it adds variety to the day and keeps the route from becoming only Île aux Cerfs plus a waterfall.

If wildlife watching is especially important to you, keep your expectations sensible. The experience promises dolphin watching, not a guaranteed sighting or a dedicated marine-biologist session.

Lunch, rum, and the real value of the $88 price

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near Trou d’Eau Douce. It becomes better value when you count what is bundled together: speedboat transport, several island stops, the waterfall, snorkeling and swimming time, a BBQ lunch, and drinks.

Lunch is served on Île aux Cerfs during the two-hour final stop. Drinks include local rum and soft drinks. That removes some of the small costs that can build up during a beach day, though the exact food menu is not provided, so do not book based on a specific dish.

The price also saves you from arranging separate boat trips to the waterfall, Île aux Cerfs, and the offshore islands. If you want a broad introduction to the east coast, that convenience has real value.

The less attractive side is the group experience. A shared boat may carry more people than you expect. One booking had 10 people already aboard, with more passengers still joining. The people involved switched to a private tour and had a much more flexible day, choosing where to stay and for how long.

That private option is worth asking about if you are a couple, family, or small group with a higher budget. It may provide more room and control, but the listed $88 rate should be treated as the shared-tour price.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want variety. It suits people who would rather see several islands, a waterfall, historic sites, and a famous beach in one day than spend six hours in one place.

It also works well for families, couples, and groups of friends who are comfortable with swimming, sun, boat transfers, and short stops. The English and French guiding makes it accessible to a wide range of visitors.

You may want another plan if you have back problems, need wheelchair access, or dislike fast boats and exposed seating. The operator specifically says the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with back problems.

Pack lightly but intelligently:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Towel and flip-flops
• Goggles and snorkeling gear
• A waterproof way to protect your phone and valuables

There is no need to bring a full beach bag onto the boat. The more compact your kit, the easier the day will be when space is limited.

Should you book the five-island tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing a lot of the east coast in six hours, with lunch and drinks already covered. The best parts are the contrast between the lagoon and open sea at Île aux Phares, the historical links at Île de la Passe, and the long Île aux Cerfs stop.

I would be more cautious if you need shade, space, or a quiet beach experience. Before paying, ask whether the departure is shared, how many people are expected, and whether a private boat is available. Bring your own snorkeling kit, and consider the tour strong value only if you plan to use the water stops and enjoy the full route.

FAQ

How long does the five-island tour last?

The tour lasts six hours.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the end of the jetty next to the Mauritian flag, at Blue Alizé Catamaran Île aux Cerfs.

What is included in the price?

Lunch and drinks are included. Drinks include local rum and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear and the snorkeling session are listed as not included. Bring your own goggles and snorkeling equipment if you want to take part.

Which languages are available?

The tour is offered in English and French.

How much time do you spend at Île aux Cerfs?

The final Île aux Cerfs stop lasts about two hours and includes lunch, swimming, and a BBQ.

Does the tour visit the Grande Rivière South East waterfall?

Yes. The waterfall visit includes sightseeing and a photo stop lasting about 20 minutes.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with back problems.

Can you cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.