5 Islands Private Speedboat w/ Snorkeling + Lunch & Drinks

Start with speed, then slow down. This private nine-hour boat trip links the east and southeast coasts of Mauritius with island stops, a waterfall, snorkeling at Blue Bay Marine Park, and a beach BBQ at Ile aux Cerfs. I like the freedom of having your own boat and the strong mix of sea time, wildlife, food, and island visits. I also like that the price is for a group of up to four, making the cost more reasonable for a family or small party.

The main caution is that the advertised nine-hour day has not always lasted nine hours. Some departures have finished around 2 or 3:15 p.m., well before the planned 5 p.m. return. Confirm the timetable and language of your guide before you go, especially if you book a German, Italian, French, or Romanian-speaking guide.

Key points to know before booking

• Private speedboat from Trou d’Eau Douce: You get a boat for your group rather than joining a large shared cruise.
• Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling: The route includes time with tropical fish and the chance to see sea turtles and dolphins.
• Beach BBQ at Ile aux Cerfs: Grilled chicken, fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad are served during the longer island stop.
• Monkey feeding at Grand River South East: This is a memorable wildlife stop, but feeding wild animals with crisps is not ideal.
• Open bar and snacks: Rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water are included, though the timing and amount of refreshments may vary.
• Optional hotel transport: Pick-up and drop-off can be arranged around Mauritius, but this is an extra service rather than part of the base price.

What the $498 private price really buys you

The listed price is $498 per group of up to four people. With four passengers, that works out to $124.50 each. For a private nine-hour boat day with lunch, drinks, equipment, and several major stops, that can be a fair deal.

For two people, the calculation changes sharply. You are effectively paying $249 each, so the private format matters more. I would compare it with shared catamaran cruises and standard boat trips before booking, but those options may not give you the same control over the group or the same speedboat feel.

The price includes snorkeling equipment, a waterfall visit, island stops, a lagoon cruise, BBQ lunch, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and the chance to see dolphins and sea turtles. Parasailing and a tube ride at Ile aux Cerfs are not included, so budget separately if you want those activities.

The word all-inclusive needs a little care here. The planned package includes an open bar and unlimited snacks, but some departures have had only a small cooler with limited snacks and drinks during the earlier part of the day. The larger selection appears to come at the final island stop. Ask exactly when the bar opens and what will be available on your boat.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce on a private speedboat

The trip begins and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce, a useful base for exploring Mauritius’s east coast by water. After boarding your private speedboat, you head out over the waves toward the island chain.

This is not a quiet sailing trip. The appeal is the engine, the spray, and the quick movement between stops. You get more distance covered than on a slow boat, and the private setting means your group can enjoy the ride without sharing every seat with strangers.

That said, a speedboat day can feel exposed. Bring sunscreen, a camera, and anything you need to protect from spray. The supplied information specifically recommends sunscreen and a camera, and both are sensible choices for a day spent outdoors on the water.

The tour offers live guiding in English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian. In practice, confirm this carefully. At least one booking made with a German-speaking guide did not receive that language, and the guide provided little commentary in English. If explanations, local stories, and clear instructions matter to you, get the guide language confirmed in writing.

Ile aux Cerfs: a gentle first stop

The first planned stop is Ile aux Cerfs, with about 45 minutes to look around and have refreshments. This gives you an easy start before the faster sequence of waterfalls, islands, and snorkeling.

Ile aux Cerfs is also the main relaxation stop later in the day, when you receive about two hours on its white sand. The split visit can be useful. You get a short introduction early, then a longer beach break after the boat route has done the hard work.

The island is also where you can choose optional activities such as parasailing and a tube ride. These are not part of the listed price, so you should not assume every water activity is included. If you would rather swim, sunbathe, drink coconut water, or simply sit on the beach, you can use the time that way instead.

One point to keep in mind is the social setting. The lunch area can attract large groups and a party mood. I would treat Ile aux Cerfs as a place for choice: enjoy the energy if you like it, then move farther along the beach if you want quiet.

Grand River South East and the monkey stop

From the islands, the boat heads to Grand River South East, where a waterfall flows toward the Indian Ocean. The meeting of fresh water and sea gives this stop its visual appeal, and the boat approach lets you see the falls from the water.

The tour also includes a chance to feed wild Mauritian monkeys. That will be a hit with many families, and it adds a lively wildlife moment to a day otherwise focused on sea and sand.

Still, I would not encourage feeding wild animals with crisps. This practice is specifically associated with the experience, but snack food is not a good choice for wildlife. Enjoy watching the monkeys, follow the guide’s instructions, and consider asking whether food is necessary at all.

The guide may provide context about the waterfall and animals, but the quality of commentary can depend on the person assigned to your boat. One highly praised guide was Anil, who was described as engaged and friendly, while other departures had very little explanation. This is another reason to confirm both the language and the level of guiding you expect.

Ile aux Phares and Ile de la Passe

The route continues toward Ile aux Phares, then passes Ile de la Passe on the way to Blue Bay. These small islands add the historical and exploratory side promised by the trip.

You are not simply being taken to one beach and returned. The boat moves through a chain of offshore locations, with time to see changing coastlines, reefs, and island forms from the water. The exact amount of time at each smaller island is not stated, so think of Ile aux Phares and Ile de la Passe mainly as scenic and route stops rather than long land visits.

The boat format works well here. You can cover several sites in one day without arranging separate transfers or waiting for different excursions. The trade-off is that some stops may feel brief, particularly if your priority is long walks or detailed historical visits.

Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling

The strongest part of the day for many people will be the snorkeling session at Blue Bay Marine Park. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you have time to see tropical fish in the protected marine area.

The tour also promises the possibility of dolphins and sea turtles. These are wild animals, so sightings are never something you should treat as guaranteed. A lucky day may bring a close view of a turtle or a dolphin group, but the snorkeling itself is the dependable part of this stop.

One especially strong day included a dolphin group and a sea turtle seen at close range, followed by enough time in the water near Ile aux Aigrettes to enjoy the underwater life. That combination explains why this excursion appeals to people who want more than a beach break.

Bring your camera, but protect it properly. A waterproof case or underwater camera is useful if you have one, though the tour only specifically requires a camera and sunscreen. You should also be comfortable with a boat-based snorkeling session and understand that sea conditions can affect what you see.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the return through the islands

After Blue Bay Marine Park, the boat passes by Ile aux Aigrettes for refreshments. The itinerary then takes you back toward Ile aux Cerfs, passing Îlot Margenie.

This part of the day is less about ticking off a long shore visit and more about the pleasure of moving through the lagoon. The return journey gives you a chance to rest after snorkeling and watch the water from the boat.

The tour description says the open bar is fully available at this stage. Drinks include rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water. A barman may prepare rum cocktails, and Mauritian beer or wine is also available. Because earlier departures have had fewer drinks and snacks than expected, ask whether the bar will be set up throughout the trip or mainly at Ile aux Cerfs.

BBQ lunch and the long Ile aux Cerfs break

The main meal is a beach BBQ at Ile aux Cerfs. The listed menu includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. This is a practical spread for a mixed group, and individual requests have been accommodated, including vegetarian meals for children.

The meal is part of the experience rather than a quick packed lunch. Your group gets around two hours at the island, allowing time for eating, swimming, sunbathing, and optional paid water activities.

Live music or a sega show may accompany lunch. Sega is Mauritius’s traditional music and dance style, so this can add a local touch to what might otherwise feel like a standard beach barbecue. The atmosphere can also become noisy and party-focused. If that is not your style, use the beach time to step away from the main lunch area.

The lunch menu is a clear strength, but the setting can be crowded. I would not book this tour expecting a private beach meal in total quiet. You are paying for a private boat, not exclusive use of Ile aux Cerfs.

Timing problems and how to protect your day

The planned duration is nine hours, with the journey starting and ending at Trou d’Eau Douce. The stated schedule suggests a return around 5 p.m., but some departures have ended much earlier.

That difference matters. You may have arranged a full day around this tour, and an early return can feel like a serious loss of value. It also raises questions about whether every advertised stop, the full beach break, and the open bar were provided.

I would ask these questions before departure:

• What time will the boat leave Trou d’Eau Douce?
• What time will it return?
• Will all five island stops and both Ile aux Cerfs visits happen?
• Is the full two-hour beach break included?
• When do the drinks and snacks become available?
• Which language will the guide speak?

Get clear answers rather than relying only on the phrase nine hours. The best day appears to be an early departure, when the stops are less crowded and the water feels calmer. A booking that starts early can also help you reach the main sites before more boats arrive.

Hotel transfers and practical comfort

Hotel pick-up and drop-off are available around Mauritius as an optional service. They are not part of the base inclusion, so check the extra cost when comparing packages.

If your hotel is near the departure point, transport may be simple. One group near Trou d’Eau Douce received pick-up and return service at no extra charge, but you should not assume the same arrangement applies to every hotel or booking.

This is a private group experience, which makes it a good fit for families, couples, or friends who want their own boat. The group limit is four people, so larger parties may need more than one booking or another arrangement.

The tour is most suitable for people who want a full outdoor day and are happy to combine quick sightseeing with a longer beach stop. It is less suitable if you need guaranteed language support, a fixed return time, quiet dining, or a highly detailed historical talk at every island.

Cancellation, languages, and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you some flexibility if your Mauritius plans are still changing.

The available guide languages are English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian. The important practical point is not just that these languages are listed, but that your requested language should be confirmed before the trip.

The overall rating is 4.2 out of 5 from 18 ratings, which fits the mixed picture. The best days include excellent organization, an early start, a strong skipper, memorable wildlife sightings, flexible food arrangements, and a particularly good experience with guide Anil. The weaker days center on early endings, unclear information, limited refreshments before lunch, and guide-language problems.

Who should book this Mauritius boat trip?

I would recommend it to a small group of up to four that wants to cover many east and southeast coast highlights in one day. It is especially appealing if you care about snorkeling, a fast boat, island scenery, beach food, and the chance to see marine life.

Families may like the simple mix of swimming, wildlife, food, and optional water sports. Couples and friends can make the private boat worthwhile by sharing the $498 cost. The tour also suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the islands without arranging several separate outings.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a quiet, carefully guided cultural tour. I would also think twice if you are booking mainly for unlimited drinks, since the refreshments may be lighter before the final island stop than the description suggests.

Should you book the 5 Islands Private Speedboat Tour?

Book it if you value a private boat, a full mix of stops, and a strong snorkeling opportunity more than a perfectly controlled schedule. The combination of Blue Bay Marine Park, a waterfall, the monkey stop, Ile aux Cerfs, a BBQ, and an open bar gives you plenty for one day.

Before paying, confirm the return time, the guide’s language, the hotel-transfer cost, the timing of the open bar, and whether vegetarian food or other meal requests can be arranged. If those details are settled, this can be a memorable and good-value day for four people.

If the operator cannot confirm the full nine-hour plan, I would choose another excursion. The water, wildlife, and islands are the real reasons to go. You should not have to chase the promised hours after the boat leaves the dock.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start and end?

The journey starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce.

How long is the tour?

The planned duration is nine hours. Check the confirmed start and return times because some departures have ended earlier than planned.

How many people can join the private group?

The listed price covers a private group of up to four people.

Is hotel pick-up included?

Hotel and Airbnb pick-up and drop-off are available as an optional service around Mauritius. It is not included in the base activity price.

What food is included?

The BBQ lunch includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. Individual requests, including vegetarian meals for children, have been accommodated.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water. Snacks are also included, but confirm when the full drink selection will be available.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the session at Blue Bay Marine Park.

Are parasailing and the tube ride included?

No. Parasailing and the tube ride at Ile aux Cerfs are optional activities and are not included in the tour price.