Trou d’Eau Douce: 5 Islands Tour with Snorkeling and BBQ

The Indian Ocean does the heavy lifting here. This five-hour speedboat trip from Trou d’Eau Douce packs snorkeling, island stops, dolphin watching, a waterfall visit, and a beach barbecue into one lively day on the water. I especially like the excellent snorkeling near Île aux Aigrettes and the generous lunch on Margénie Island, where chicken, fish, sausages, salad, garlic bread, and flambéed fruit are served with drinks.

I also like the small-group feel available with this experience. One group had a boat for nine people with only five aboard, while guides such as Ayen and Danilo earned praise for keeping the mood cheerful. The main point to consider is that English explanations may be brief or hard to hear over the engine and music, so this is better for scenery, swimming, and fun than for detailed interpretation.

Quick take: what makes this day special

• Snorkeling comes early: You spend about an hour near Île aux Aigrettes, with equipment supplied and time for swimming and marine-life viewing.
• Five-island scenery in one outing: The route includes Phare Island, Île de la Passe, Île aux Cerfs, Île aux Aigrettes, and the Margénie islands.
• The barbecue is a real meal: Chicken, fish, sausages, garlic bread, mixed salad, and pineapple or banana flambé are included.
• Drinks are part of the experience: Rum, beer, wine, soft drinks, and fruit juice are available during lunch, with no restriction on bringing your own drinks.
• Dolphin watching is handled responsibly: If dolphins appear, the boat does not chase them or let people enter the water after them.
• You get both action and downtime: The day mixes speedboat rides and sightseeing with free time at Île aux Cerfs and a relaxed lunch stop.

From Cabane du Pêcheur to open water

Your day begins at Cabane du Pêcheur, the stated meeting point near Trou d’Eau Douce. Transport to the boarding point is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there and allow enough time to arrive ready for the boat.

The first speedboat ride lasts about 20 minutes. That short crossing gets you out among the islands quickly, and the boat itself is part of the appeal. You are not spending the morning on a large sightseeing vessel. The smaller speedboat format gives you open views and a more active ride, though anyone prone to seasickness should take the boat setting seriously.

The exact feel of the trip depends on the group. Private and small-group options are available, and that can make a major difference during snorkeling, island stops, and lunch. A smaller group means less waiting and a better chance of having room to move around the boat. One particularly positive experience had five people using a boat designed for nine.

Île aux Cerfs offers the first proper stop

The itinerary gives you about an hour at Île aux Cerfs. This is your chance to walk around, take in the views, shop, and explore at your own pace rather than follow the guide every minute.

That free time matters because the rest of the outing has a firm rhythm. You will move between several islands and water stops, so Île aux Cerfs gives you a slower break. Bring your camera, but keep an eye on the time. An hour is enough for a taste of the island, not a full beach day.

The stop is also a useful fit for mixed groups. Someone who wants to browse or walk can do so while another person enjoys the views. If your main goal is long, uninterrupted time on one beach, though, this tour may feel too busy. Its strength is variety, not extended relaxation in one place.

Village views, wildlife, and the waterfall stop

After Île aux Cerfs, the boat route includes a traditional village visit lasting about 35 minutes. You can expect guided sightseeing, scenic views along the way, and wildlife viewing. The available information does not specify the village name or give a detailed cultural program, so I would treat this as a short local stop rather than a full village tour.

That distinction helps set expectations. You will get a glimpse of the area and its surroundings, but the tour’s strongest experiences are on the water. The guide speaks English and French, yet explanations may not always be easy to hear from a moving boat. One English-speaking participant found the commentary sparse and difficult to understand, even while rating the overall day highly.

The route also includes a visit to the Grse waterfall. The spelling is given this way in the tour details, but the stop is clearly intended as a scenic nature break. You have about 35 minutes for guided sightseeing, dolphin watching, views, and wildlife viewing in this part of the route. Another section allows roughly 45 minutes for walking and self-guided sightseeing.

Since the supplied details do not specify how close you get to the waterfall or whether swimming is allowed there, do not plan on a long waterfall swim. Think of it as one of several short scenic stops woven into a boat trip.

Passing Île de la Passe and seeing Phare Island

Phare Island, also called the lighthouse island, is one of the most distinctive stops in the route. The tour highlights its lighthouse and views, but the itinerary does not promise a long landing there. You should expect to see it from the boat or make a short stop, depending on the day’s operating plan.

Île de la Passe is listed as a pass-by stop of about 10 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a quick look at its position in the channel, but not enough for an extended visit. This is a good example of how the tour works: you cover a lot of ground, but some islands are scenic viewpoints rather than places where you get off and wander.

I like this approach for a first look at the eastern coast of Mauritius. You get a sense of how the islands relate to one another, rather than spending the whole day in one bay. Just remember that the five-island label does not mean five long island walks.

Île aux Aigrettes is the snorkeling highlight

The strongest water stop comes at Île aux Aigrettes, where you have about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, local snacks, and marine-life viewing. Snorkeling equipment is included, which keeps the price easier to justify and saves you from packing your own mask and fins.

The water is described as crystal clear, and the snorkeling sites received some of the strongest praise from the available feedback. Fish sightings were specifically appreciated, and one outing included monkeys and dolphins as well. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the mix of clear water and an island-hopping route gives you a good reason to bring an underwater-capable camera if you have one.

I would pack your swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel easy to reach. You also need sunscreen and a hat, since much of the day is exposed to sun. The tour asks you to bring a camera, and that advice is sound. You will have scenic island views, boat shots, wildlife possibilities, and a colorful lunch setting.

The snorkeling stop lasts about an hour, so it is substantial but not endless. Strong swimmers can enjoy several rounds in the water, while less confident swimmers can use the stop for a swim and shoreline views. The supplied information does not mention flotation aids or lifeguards, so ask the guide about available equipment if you have specific swimming needs.

Dolphin watching without the chase

Dolphin watching is included, but it should be understood as an opportunity rather than a promise. Dolphins may appear during the route, and the boat may pause for viewing. One especially positive detail is that the boat did not chase dolphins when they appeared, and nobody was allowed into the water after them.

That policy is worth valuing. It keeps the encounter calmer and avoids turning wildlife viewing into a pursuit. You may get a memorable sighting, or you may simply enjoy the open-water ride and island scenery. The tour includes dolphin watching, not a guaranteed close encounter.

The same applies to other wildlife. Monkeys and fish were spotted on one outing, but nature sets the schedule. Your guide can point out what appears, but no responsible tour can promise a particular animal.

Margénie Island turns lunch into the main event

The barbecue lunch on Margénie Island lasts about an hour and a half, making it the longest single stop of the day. This is not a token sandwich between activities. The planned menu includes chicken, fish, sausages, garlic bread, mixed salad, and pineapple or banana flambé.

Vegetarian food is available on request, and you should give dietary details when booking. That is especially important here because the meal is a central part of the experience, not an afterthought. If you have other restrictions, ask ahead rather than relying on the standard menu.

Drinks include rum, beer, wine, cola, fruit juice, and cocktails. The tone is social and informal, with music helping create a party atmosphere on the boat and at lunch. One guide, Ayen, was praised for being entertaining, while Danilo was described as cheerful and funny. Another short review simply said Rum, which tells you something about the role drinks play in the day.

You can also bring your own drinks, since no restriction is listed. Still, pace yourself. A speedboat, strong sun, swimming, and alcohol are a demanding combination. Drink water when it is available, use sunscreen, and do not let the cheerful beach-bar mood get in the way of getting safely back on the boat.

Is $106 a fair price?

At $106 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to reach the water in Mauritius. The value comes from how many separate elements are combined: speedboat transport between islands, snorkeling equipment, free time at Île aux Cerfs, a waterfall visit, dolphin watching, a substantial barbecue lunch, and several drinks.

If you booked a boat, lunch, snorkeling gear, and island visits separately, the cost and coordination could rise quickly. The five-hour duration also makes the price easier to assess. You get a concentrated half-day rather than paying for a full-day outing with long stretches of idle time.

The value is strongest if you want variety. I would consider it a good use of money if your ideal day includes movement, music, swimming, wildlife possibilities, and a social lunch. It is less compelling if you want quiet commentary, a long cultural visit, or several uninterrupted hours on a single beach.

The small-group option may also improve the value. A boat with fewer people gives you more space and can make the stops feel less crowded. Since the exact group size depends on the booking, check that detail if privacy or room on board matters to you.

What the guides add, and where the tour is weaker

The guides seem to shape the mood as much as the scenery. Danilo was praised for his humor and energy, while Ayen was called entertaining. Music, good views, and a relaxed social atmosphere are recurring strengths of this outing.

The weaker point is spoken explanation. The tour has live guiding in English and French, but commentary may be limited or difficult to catch over the engine and music. If you want detailed information about Mauritian history, island ecology, or local culture, this may not satisfy you.

I see that as a trade-off rather than a deal breaker. The boat ride, snorkeling, lunch, and island views are the main product. You should book it for a fun day outdoors, not as a lecture on the region.

Who should book this Mauritius boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several coastal sights in one outing and do not mind a brisk schedule. It suits couples, families with active older children, friends, and small groups who enjoy water time and a lively lunch.

It is also a good choice if you want flexibility. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Mauritius plans are still moving around, though you should still check the available starting time before booking.

The experience is listed as wheelchair accessible, and private or small-group formats are available. Because this is a speedboat and includes snorkeling, contact the provider with any mobility or medical questions before you commit. The activity is not suitable for people over 95.

Pets are not allowed. Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and camera. Leave room in your plan for your own transport to Cabane du Pêcheur, since getting to the meeting point is not included.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an active, social half-day that covers a lot of eastern Mauritius without arranging each piece yourself. The best reasons are the clear-water snorkeling, responsible dolphin viewing, generous barbecue, and the chance to see Phare Island, Île de la Passe, Île aux Cerfs, Île aux Aigrettes, and Margénie in one route.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat, long cultural explanations, or hours on one beach. For most people who value scenery, swimming, food, and a bit of rum-fueled fun, $106 is a reasonable price for a tightly packed day on the Indian Ocean.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Cabane du Pêcheur. Transport to the boarding point is not included.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about five hours. You should check availability for the exact starting time.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Phare Island, Île de la Passe, Île aux Aigrettes, Île aux Cerfs, and the Margénie islands.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with time for snorkeling and swimming near Île aux Aigrettes.

What food is served at the barbecue?

Lunch includes chicken, fish, sausages, garlic bread, mixed salad, and pineapple or banana flambé. Vegetarian food is available on request.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are rum, beer, wine, cola, and fruit juice. Cocktails are also listed with the lunch stop, and you may bring your own drinks.

Is dolphin watching guaranteed?

No guarantee is stated. Dolphin watching is included as part of the route, but sightings depend on conditions and wildlife. When dolphins appeared during one outing, the boat did not chase them or allow people to enter the water after them.