5 Islands Private Speedboat w/ Snorkeling + Lunch & Drinks

Mauritius looks best from the water. This nine-hour private speedboat trip links Ile aux Cerfs, Grand River South East, Ile aux Phares, Blue Bay Marine Park, Ile aux Aigrettes, and nearby coastal sights in one energetic day. I especially like the mix of snorkeling with tropical fish and possible sea turtles and a proper beach BBQ with drinks included.

The private boat is another strong point, particularly for a family or small group of up to four. You can move at your own pace more easily than on a large shared cruise. The main caution is timing: some bookings have finished far earlier than the advertised nine hours, and language support has not always matched what was reserved. Confirm both before you set out.

Key Details Before You Book

• Private speedboat for up to four people: The $498 group price works out to $124.50 per person when four people share it.
• Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling: Equipment is included, with chances to see tropical fish, dolphins, and sea turtles.
• Beach BBQ at Ile aux Cerfs: Expect grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, salad, and drinks.
• Grand River South East waterfall: The falls run into the Indian Ocean, and the stop includes a chance to feed wild monkeys.
• Optional island extras: Parasailing and a tube ride at Ile aux Cerfs cost extra.
• Early departure is smart: One especially positive experience came from starting early, before the popular stops filled with boats.

Why This Private Mauritius Boat Day Has Appeal

This outing is aimed at people who want a full day on the water without being packed into a large group. You get a private boat, a skipper, island stops, snorkeling, lunch, refreshments, and a return to Trou d’Eau Douce. That is a lot of ground to cover.

I like the balance between action and downtime. The speedboat gives you the thrill of racing across the East Coast waves, while Ile aux Cerfs gives you two hours to swim, sunbathe, drink coconut water, or simply step away from the engine noise.

The trip also works well for a mixed group. One person can snorkel, another can relax on the beach, and someone else can pay extra for parasailing. Families can request food adjustments, and one successful outing accommodated vegetarian children.

Still, this is not a quiet nature cruise from start to finish. Ile aux Cerfs can become busy around lunch, with plenty of people in a party mood. If you want an isolated beach and long, silent stretches, this is probably too active. If you want variety, it makes much more sense.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce on a Private Speedboat

The boat departs from and returns to Trou d’Eau Douce, a practical base for East Coast excursions. Optional hotel and Airbnb transfers are available throughout Mauritius, although the transfer costs are not included in the listed price. One booking included free hotel pickup and return because the hotel was close to the departure point, so it is worth asking what applies to your accommodation.

The private setup is valuable here. You are not simply buying a seat on a boat. You are reserving the outing for your own group, up to four people. That gives you more privacy and can make the day easier for families or friends with different interests.

The ride itself is part of the attraction. The powerful engine and open-water speed create a sharper sense of adventure than a slow lagoon cruise. Bring sunscreen and a camera, but also protect anything delicate from spray. The activity information specifically recommends both items, and the water is not a place to discover that your phone has poor protection.

An early start deserves serious thought. A morning departure was praised because later hours brought more boats and choppier conditions around the main stops. Starting early may also give you a calmer snorkeling session and a more pleasant visit at Ile aux Cerfs.

Ile aux Cerfs: A Short First Stop, Then the Main Beach Break

The first Ile aux Cerfs stop lasts about 45 minutes and includes time for refreshments. Later, the boat returns for roughly two hours on the white sand. This two-part arrangement makes sense, but you should understand the difference between them.

The first visit is a quick introduction. You can look around, stretch your legs, and have a drink before moving on. It is not the main beach stay, so do not expect to settle in with a book at this point.

The longer return visit is where the island becomes useful. You can swim, sunbathe, sip coconut water, or choose paid water activities. Parasailing and a tube ride are optional, not part of the $498 price. If your group wants these, budget separately rather than assuming the open bar covers all island activities.

The beach BBQ is prepared during this longer stop. The planned meal includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. That range gives your group more choice than a single fixed plate, and food adjustments have been possible for vegetarian children.

The meal is one of the stronger value points, but keep your expectations realistic. Lunch takes place in a popular beach setting, and it can feel crowded when other groups arrive. You may be able to move away from the busiest area afterward, which is useful if you want some peace after eating.

Grand River South East Waterfall and the Monkey Stop

Grand River South East offers one of the day’s more unusual sights. The waterfall flows toward the Indian Ocean, giving you a view that combines fresh water, rocky shore, and open sea. It is not just another beach stop, and it breaks up the island hopping with a change of scenery.

The visit also includes a chance to see and feed wild Mauritian monkeys. That sounds entertaining, especially for children, but I would treat this part with care. One account specifically objected to the monkeys being fed chips. Feeding wild animals with snack food is not a practice I would encourage, even when it is presented as part of the outing.

You can enjoy the monkey sighting without making the feeding the center of your visit. Ask the guide what is appropriate, and avoid treating the animals like pets. This is one place where responsible behavior matters more than getting a close photograph.

The quality of explanation can affect this stop. Some outings had a skipper who answered questions and kept the day moving well. Other bookings had little information unless people asked directly, with language ability below what had been expected. If learning about the waterfall, islands, and wildlife is important to you, confirm the guide language and ask questions early.

Ile aux Phares and Ile de la Passe

The route continues to Ile aux Phares, one of the historic island stops on the East Coast. The name means Lighthouse Island, and the visit adds a sense of place to what could otherwise be a simple beach-and-snorkel trip. You are not only moving between swimming spots, but also passing islands tied to Mauritius’s coastal story.

The boat then passes Ile de la Passe on the way toward Blue Bay. The experience here is mainly about seeing the islands from the water and understanding the route. The exact amount of time spent ashore at each island can vary, so do not assume every named island receives a long walking visit.

This is where a good skipper makes a difference. A short explanation can turn a distant island into a memorable part of the day. Without that context, you may mainly remember the speedboat ride and the next stop. Since language service has been inconsistent for some bookings, confirm whether your preferred guide language is actually available.

English and French are listed, along with German, Italian, and Romanian. If you book a German-speaking guide, verify the arrangement directly. A reserved German guide was not always provided, and that led to understandable frustration.

Blue Bay Marine Park: The Day’s Main Water Activity

Blue Bay Marine Park is the central snorkeling stop. Equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange masks and snorkels separately. The setting is known for tropical fish, and the route also offers possible sightings of dolphins and sea turtles.

The wording matters here: these animals are opportunities, not guarantees. One successful outing saw a school of dolphins and a sea turtle at close range, while the snorkeling itself provided enough time to enjoy the underwater life near Ile aux Aigrettes. That is a strong combination, but nature keeps its own schedule.

The snorkeling session is likely to be the most rewarding part of the day if you enjoy being in the water. You get a chance to see the marine environment rather than only photographing it from the boat. Bring sunscreen and a camera, but remember that the camera needs suitable protection if you take it into the water.

Blue Bay can also become busy. An early departure is useful because popular marine areas are less pleasant when many boats and swimmers arrive at once. If you have flexibility, choose the earliest available start rather than treating the schedule as an afterthought.

The private boat does not mean you will have the marine park to yourself. It does mean your group is not tied to a large tour party, which can make getting into and out of the water less awkward.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the Return via Ilot Margenie

After Blue Bay, the boat passes by Ile aux Aigrettes for refreshments. This is another lighter stop, useful after snorkeling and before the long beach portion at Ile aux Cerfs. The day is paced as a chain of short visits followed by one longer pause.

The return route passes Ilot Margenie before reaching Ile aux Cerfs again. These smaller island passages help make the cruise feel like a real East Coast circuit rather than a transfer between two attractions.

Do not expect every stop to have the same format. Some are viewing points, some are short refreshment breaks, and some offer a proper chance to get ashore. That variety is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not picture five long island walks.

BBQ Lunch, Open Bar, and What All-Inclusive Really Means

The meal is designed as a beach lunch, not a restaurant service. Grilled chicken and fish form the main dishes, with rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad alongside. The inclusion of both meat and side dishes makes it easier for a small group with different tastes to eat together.

The open bar includes rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water. Rum cocktails are prepared by the barman, and Mauritian beer and wine are available during the Ile aux Cerfs portion. Snacks are also included in the advertised package.

Here is the practical warning: do not assume drinks and snacks will be continuously available all day. Some people found the early refreshments limited, with only a couple of snack bags and drinks before the larger service at the final island stop. Another booking felt the unlimited supplies fit into a small cooler.

That does not cancel out the value of lunch and beverages, but it changes the meaning of all-inclusive. If you need regular snacks, bring a little extra food. If you drink alcohol, pace yourself carefully in the sun and on a fast boat. Water is included, and you should make it your main drink during the day.

Live music or a sega show may accompany lunch. This adds local flavor, although it can also make the beach section feel more like a social party than a peaceful picnic. You can enjoy the entertainment, then move away from the busiest area once you have eaten.

Timing Problems You Should Not Ignore

The advertised duration is nine hours, but actual departures have not always matched that promise. One outing ended around 2 p.m. after only about five hours, despite the group expecting to return at 5 p.m. Another finished around 3:15 p.m. instead of 5 p.m.

That is the most serious concern in the entire package. A nine-hour private excursion has a different value from a five-hour trip, especially at $498 per group. Before departure, confirm the exact start and return times, the planned time at Ile aux Cerfs, and what happens if weather or sea conditions alter the route.

The flexible cancellation policy helps with booking risk. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful, but they do not fix a shortened day after the boat has left.

The strongest experiences had smooth organization, a capable skipper, and an engaged guide. Anil was praised by name for being friendly and committed, and one family received hotel pickup and return without trouble. The lesson is simple: ask for the skipper or guide details when confirming your reservation.

Is $498 Good Value for Four People?

At four people, the cost is $124.50 each. For a full private day with a speedboat, snorkeling equipment, lunch, open bar, snacks, several island stops, and a waterfall visit, that can be fair value.

The calculation changes sharply for one or two people. A couple would pay $249 each if they share the full group price, so a private charter makes more financial sense when four people join. Hotel transfer is optional and not included in the base price, so add that cost if you need transport from another part of Mauritius.

The value also depends on the actual duration. A complete nine-hour outing with generous beach time is much easier to justify than a five-hour day. Confirm the schedule in writing and keep the activity description available when you arrive.

I would book this for a small group that wants many highlights in one day and values privacy. I would not book it solely for unlimited drinks, since availability during the earlier parts of the route may be limited.

Who Will Enjoy This East Coast Trip Most?

You are a good match if you want speed, swimming, snorkeling, wildlife sightings, and a lively beach lunch in one outing. Families can benefit from the private format and flexible food options. Couples and friends may enjoy sharing the boat and adding parasailing or a tube ride.

The tour also suits first-time visitors who want an efficient look at several famous East Coast sites. You will see more than you would by spending the whole day at one beach.

You may want another activity if you prefer long, quiet time in one place, careful historical interpretation, or guaranteed wildlife encounters. The guide experience can vary, and the island lunch may be noisy. German-speaking visitors should verify language arrangements, while anyone with a firm return schedule should confirm the day’s timing before paying.

Should You Book the Five-Island Speedboat?

Book it if you are four people sharing the cost, want a private boat, and like a busy day with plenty of variety. The best reasons are the Blue Bay snorkeling, the chance to see dolphins and sea turtles, the East Coast waterfall, and the long Ile aux Cerfs beach stop with lunch.

Before committing, confirm three things: the actual departure and return times, the guide language, and when drinks and snacks will be served. If those details are clear, this can be a memorable and good-value day on the water. If the operator cannot confirm them, choose a tour with a firmer schedule.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start and finish?

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

How long does the activity last?

The advertised duration is nine hours. The stated starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule when booking.

How many people can join the private group?

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

What islands are included in the route?

The route includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ilot Margenie. The exact amount of time spent at each island varies.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What might I see while snorkeling?

The trip includes snorkeling with tropical fish in Blue Bay Marine Park, with possible sightings of dolphins and sea turtles.

What food is served at lunch?

The BBQ includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water. Snacks are also advertised as included.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel and Airbnb pickup and drop-off around Mauritius are optional and are not included in the listed price.