5 Islands Speedboat Cruise, Snorkeling + Lunch & Open Bar

Mauritius looks best from the water. I like that this seven-hour cruise combines speedboat thrills with history, swimming, snorkeling, a barbecue lunch, and an open bar. I also like the steady mix of island stops, from the Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse to Grand River South East Waterfalls. The main drawback is that snorkeling is scheduled at only one spot, so you may find the cruise less satisfying if underwater time is your top priority.

The day starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce, with departure at 8:30 a.m. and return around 3:30 p.m. That early start gives you a full morning on the water, but you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point unless you pay for private hotel transportation. Captain Danilo earned especially warm praise for his good humor and sense of pace, while the other guides were also singled out for making the day fun and comfortable.

Key points to know before you book

• The Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse is the historical centerpiece, and it gives the cruise more character than a simple beach outing.
• The speedboat makes the route exciting, with open water, engine noise, and quick movement between the east-coast stops.
• Lunch, snorkeling, attraction tickets, and an open bar are included, which strengthens the value of the $100 price.
• Snorkeling happens once near Blue Bay Marine Park, so set your expectations accordingly.
• The tour suits families and active couples, but it is not suitable for wheelchair users.
• Fresh grilled lobster costs extra, and you need to request it in advance through WhatsApp.

Why this east-coast boat day works so well

This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. The boat ride itself is part of the attraction. You get the rush of a powerful speedboat, then time to slow down for swimming, a meal, or a look at an old lighthouse. That change of pace keeps the seven-hour schedule from feeling like one long transfer between islands.

I like the way the itinerary mixes Mauritius’s natural side with its human history. The small islands and marine areas give you sun, water, and wildlife, while Ile aux Fouqets adds a landmark with a story. Grand River South East Waterfalls gives the day another visual change before you return to Trou d’Eau Douce.

The cruise is also designed with an easy holiday rhythm. You do not have to buy lunch separately, search for a snorkeling operator, or pay entrance fees at each stop. At $100 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the included lunch, open bar, snorkeling, and boat sightseeing. It is less attractive if you mainly want a long session in the water or a private, slow-paced outing.

Setting off from Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m.

Trou d’Eau Douce is both the starting point and the finishing point. The exact embarkation details are sent by WhatsApp, so do not simply arrive without checking the meeting instructions first. If your hotel is elsewhere on Mauritius, transportation is not included, though private transfers can be arranged for an additional cost.

The morning departure matters. You get cooler conditions and a full day for the route, but you also need to plan breakfast and your drive carefully. Bring your swimwear under your clothes, since the first stops may invite a quick swim and there is no reason to waste time changing.

Because the boat is a speedboat, expect movement and spray rather than a smooth ferry ride. Sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and beachwear are listed as essentials. I would apply sunscreen before boarding and bring a secure way to protect phones or cameras from water.

Ile aux Cerfs: the relaxed beach stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the most easygoing part of the day. Here you have time for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing, along with lunch and the open bar. Watersports shops are also available, though any extra activity purchased there is separate from the cruise.

This stop gives you a chance to settle into the day. The speedboat gets you there quickly, then the schedule shifts to a slower beach break. If you prefer to sit in the sun and enjoy lunch, you can do that. If you want to get wet early, this is one of the places where swimming is part of the plan.

Lunch is an island-style barbecue, included in the price. Fresh grilled lobster is not included, so you need to request and reserve it ahead of time if that is important to you. That small detail can affect the final cost, and it is worth sorting out before the morning of the trip.

The open bar is included at Ile aux Cerfs and again at the Ile aux Aigrettes portion of the route. The available drinks are not specified, so you should not assume a particular menu. Think of it as a useful inclusion with lunch and beach time, not the main reason to book the tour.

Ile aux Fouqets and its weathered lighthouse

Ile aux Fouqets is described as the main attraction, and it is easy to see why. The lighthouse gives the route a strong sense of place. Instead of stopping only at beaches, the boat takes you toward a small island marked by a historic structure.

The lighthouse is best appreciated from the water unless the crew advises otherwise. The tour details do not promise a land visit or a guided interior tour, so you should expect a scenic and historical stop rather than a full lighthouse museum experience. Bring a camera, but protect it from spray during the ride.

This is also where the tour earns its history-and-exploration label. The east coast has more to offer than swimming, and the lighthouse adds a reminder that these islands have long served practical purposes for ships and navigation. It is a short stop, but it gives the day a memorable focal point.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the nature reserve setting

The route continues to the Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, where swimming and the open bar are included. The name suggests a protected natural area, but the supplied details do not promise a guided reserve walk or wildlife viewing on land. Plan for a water-based stop rather than a formal reserve tour.

This part of the day is useful because it breaks up the sightseeing. You can get back in the water, cool off, and enjoy a drink before the boat moves on. If you are not interested in swimming, this may feel like a shorter stop, since no separate land activity is described.

The reserve also adds variety to the route. Ile aux Cerfs is the beach-and-lunch stop, Ile aux Fouqets is the lighthouse stop, and Ile aux Aigrettes brings a more protected natural setting. You get several different moods without needing to organize separate excursions.

Snorkeling near Blue Bay Marine Park

Snorkeling takes place at a spot near Blue Bay Marine Park, where you can see local marine life and plant life. This is the one dedicated snorkeling stop, and it is an important point to understand before you book.

The water experience can be excellent when conditions cooperate, but the schedule does not promise repeated snorkeling sessions. One person who enjoyed the tour wished there had been another snorkeling opportunity at a better spot. That is the clearest limitation in the itinerary, particularly for anyone choosing the cruise mainly for underwater time.

I would treat the snorkeling as one part of a wider boat day, not as a specialist snorkeling trip. You get the equipment and activity as part of the price, but the tour also has several island and sightseeing goals. If you want multiple reefs, long water sessions, or a guide focused almost entirely on marine life, a dedicated snorkeling excursion may suit you better.

Weather can also shape this stop. The cruise still received strong praise after a day with poor weather, which suggests the guides work hard to keep the mood positive. Still, wind and sea conditions can affect visibility and comfort, so keep your expectations flexible.

Grand River South East Waterfalls from the water

Grand River South East Waterfalls gives you one more change of scenery before the return journey. The waterfalls are listed as a visit to Grand River South East, but the details do not promise a hike, landing, or extended walk. You should expect a boat-based view unless the crew explains otherwise.

This stop is valuable because it brings a river setting into an otherwise coastal itinerary. After beaches, islands, and snorkeling, the waterfalls provide a final natural sight with a different shape and sound. It also helps the day feel like a tour of the east coast rather than a single beach transfer.

The route also includes Ilot Mergenie. No separate activity is specified there, so it may function as part of the scenic island route rather than a long stop. The itinerary names five islands in the tour title but lists several separate locations, including this islet, the waterfall area, and the marine park zone. In practical terms, you should expect a sequence of viewpoints and stops rather than equal time on five islands.

The guide can shape the mood of the day

The guide and skipper matter on a speedboat trip. You are spending seven hours with the crew, moving between several stops, and relying on them to keep the pace comfortable. The strongest feedback centers on the crew’s attitude, humor, and ability to make the day enjoyable.

Captain Danilo was especially praised for creating a fun day with a good pace. That phrase is worth noting. A good pace means you are not left waiting too long between activities, but you also get enough time to swim, eat, and relax. Other guides were described as great with families and full of good humor.

The tour is offered in French and English. If you want specific information about the lighthouse, marine area, or waterfalls, ask the crew directly during the ride. The itinerary gives the stops, but it does not promise a long formal history talk at each one.

What the $100 price really includes

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Mauritius, but the package includes a useful amount:

• Speedboat transport during the tour
• Tickets for the listed attractions
• Snorkeling
• Barbecue island lunch
• Open bar
• Visits to the main island and nature sites

The value is strongest for people who want variety. You are paying for one organized day that combines transport, food, drinks, water time, and sightseeing. If you paid separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling, the costs could add up quickly.

The price does not include transportation from your hotel to Trou d’Eau Douce. That extra cost matters if you are staying far from the departure point. It also does not include fresh grilled lobster, which must be reserved in advance. Ask about both items through WhatsApp before you commit so there are no surprises.

You are also paying for convenience. The crew handles the route and timing, which lets you focus on the water and scenery. The tradeoff is less control than you would have on a private charter. The group schedule determines how long you spend at each location.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend this tour to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want a lively introduction to the east coast. It has enough swimming and beach time for a relaxed holiday, but the speedboat and island hopping keep it active. Families may also appreciate the all-day structure and the guides’ friendly approach.

It suits you particularly well if you want several highlights in one outing:

• A fast boat ride
• A historic lighthouse
• Beach time at Ile aux Cerfs
• A barbecue lunch
• One snorkeling session
• Open-bar service
• A waterfall stop

I would be more cautious if you dislike speedboats, need a wheelchair-accessible activity, or want a slow private cruise. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the boat-focused format may feel busy if you prefer long, quiet stops.

Snorkeling specialists should also think twice. One session near Blue Bay Marine Park may be enough for a casual swimmer, but it may not satisfy someone who wants to spend most of the day looking underwater.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Send a WhatsApp message before the tour to confirm the exact meeting point and boarding details. The operator uses WhatsApp to provide embarkation information, so this is an important step rather than a minor convenience.

Wear swimwear beneath light beachwear and bring a towel. Add sunscreen, and consider a waterproof pouch for your phone because the speedboat ride can be wet.

If you want lobster, reserve it ahead of time. It is specifically excluded from the standard price, so do not wait until lunch to ask. Also arrange hotel transportation in advance if you do not have your own way to Trou d’Eau Douce.

Finally, keep some flexibility in your expectations. The tour operates outdoors, and weather can affect how the boat ride, snorkeling, and stops feel. The friendly crew can keep the day enjoyable, but no guide can guarantee perfect sea conditions.

Should you book the 5 Islands Speedboat Cruise?

Book it if you want one energetic day that covers a lot of Mauritius’s east-coast flavor. The combination of the Ile aux Fouqets lighthouse, Ile aux Cerfs beach time, a nature reserve stop, Blue Bay snorkeling, waterfalls, lunch, and an open bar gives you strong variety for $100.

Do not book it solely for snorkeling, repeated reef visits, or a private pace. The best reason to choose this cruise is the complete mix of speed, scenery, swimming, food, and friendly guiding. With realistic expectations about the single snorkeling stop and extra costs for transfers and lobster, it offers a well-rounded day for active families and couples.

FAQ

Where does the 5 Islands Speedboat Cruise start and finish?

The activity starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce. The exact embarkation details are sent by WhatsApp.

What time does the cruise depart and return?

Departure is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., and return is around 3:30 p.m. The total duration is seven hours.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Transportation to and from the boat is not included, but private transportation from your hotel or accommodation can be arranged.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An island-style barbecue lunch is included in the price. Fresh grilled lobster is available at an additional cost and should be reserved in advance.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling is included, with a snorkeling stop near Blue Bay Marine Park.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.