FULL-DAY CATASPEED – East Lagoon cruise including transfer.

Mauritius looks best from the water. This private seven-hour cruise combines five island stops, snorkeling, a riverside waterfall, a BBQ lunch, and hotel transfers into one busy day along the island’s East Coast. I like the freedom of having the speedboat reserved for your party, and I like that food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and life jackets are included rather than added one by one.

The main catch is the boat itself. This is a fast private speedboat, not a quiet catamaran, so expect wave-hopping and engine noise. Ile aux Cerfs also receives mixed marks: it is the longest beach stop, but one assessment found litter and no useful snorkeling there. You should book this for movement, variety, and a little thrill, not for a slow, peaceful sail.

The five details that shape your day

• A private speedboat for seven hours: The boat stays with your party, giving you more say over swimming, beach time, snorkeling, and island visits.
• Five East Coast islands: The route includes Ile aux Flamants, Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ile aux Cerfs, with Ile Aux Margenie listed as the lunch stop.
• Snorkeling equipment is supplied: Masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets are provided for infants, children, and adults.
• BBQ lunch on Ile Aux Margenie: Garlic bread, salads, sausages, chicken, fish fillets, and fruit dessert are included.
• A chance to see wildlife: The Grand River South East waterfall stop may bring views of monkeys and sleeping fruit bats, while dolphins have also been seen close to the boat.
• A 07:00 pickup: The early start gets you onto the water at about 08:30 and back near 16:00.

From a 07:00 hotel pickup to the East Coast

Your day begins early, with private car pickup at your hotel or another agreed location at 07:00. That transfer matters because the cruise harbor is not necessarily beside your accommodation, and you do not need to arrange a separate taxi before breakfast.

The boat is scheduled to leave at 08:30. Since the excursion ends around 16:00, you get roughly seven hours on the water, not just a short harbor trip with a few photographs. French and English are offered, so you can expect the skipper and support team to communicate in either language.

The early start has a practical benefit. It gives you a full morning for the islands and snorkeling before lunch, followed by the waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs in the afternoon. The tradeoff is simple: this is not a lazy late-morning outing. Plan for an early alarm and bring anything you need for a full day in the sun.

Why the private speedboat changes the trip

The most useful feature here is the private charter arrangement. The speedboat stays with your group for the day, so you can decide how long to spend swimming, walking, snorkeling, or sitting on the boat. That is a better fit for families and small groups who do not want to follow a rigid public cruise schedule.

You also get a more active ride than you would on a standard catamaran. The boat is described as modern and comfortable, but it is still a small, fast craft. One account praised the skipper for jumping over waves and creating an adrenaline rush. Another preferred a quieter catamaran and found the speedboat less relaxing.

That contrast is important. If you enjoy speed, spray, and quick movement between islands, the boat is part of the entertainment. If you want a calm deck, gentle sailing, and room to stretch out, this may feel too lively. I would pack a light cover-up, secure loose items, and expect some noise while the boat is moving.

The atmosphere also depends on the skipper. The strongest praise goes to a friendly, energetic skipper who kept the mood light and gave the boat ride some personality. The exact skipper is not named, so you should not book based on a particular crew member. Still, the human side of the trip appears to be one of its strongest points.

Island one: Ile aux Flamants

Ile aux Flamants is one of the first island sights on the route. The appeal is the change of scene: after leaving the harbor, you begin crossing between small islands rather than simply following the coast.

The stop is part of a larger island circuit, so do not expect an hour-long visit at every location. Some islands are best appreciated from the boat, with time for photographs and a short look around. The private format gives your group some flexibility, but the day still has several planned highlights to fit in.

Ile aux Phares and Ile de la Passe

Ile aux Phares, known for its lighthouse, adds a clear visual landmark to the route. A lighthouse stop gives the cruise more character than a series of anonymous sandbars, and it makes a good photo point even if the boat does not offer a long shore visit.

Ile de la Passe is another historic-looking island marker in the lagoon route. The supplied details do not promise a guided history talk or a long walking tour, so keep expectations focused on scenery, island views, and time on the water.

This is one reason the cruise works well as a first look at the East Coast. You can see several named places in a single day, but you are not committing to a detailed cultural tour of any one island. The pace is broad rather than slow and deep.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the island-route question

Ile aux Aigrettes is included among the island highlights and appears in the stated route. Ile Aux Margenie is separately listed as the BBQ lunch location. Because the names appear differently in the schedule, I would confirm the exact sequence and landing points before departure.

That small clarification matters if you have your heart set on a particular beach or island. The trip description presents a five-island experience, but the named stops include more than five places when you count all of them. Treat the route as a broad East Lagoon circuit, and ask the operator which islands are visited from the boat and which receive a shore stop.

Snorkeling at the Aquarium site

The snorkeling stop called Aquarium is one of the day’s main active moments. Masks, snorkels, and fins are supplied, as are life jackets for infants, children, and adults. That makes the stop easier for families and for anyone who does not want to pack bulky equipment.

The water is described as crystal clear, and one account praised the colorful fish seen during snorkeling. Still, sea conditions can change, and the tour takes place rain or shine. You should bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a dry bag for phones or cameras.

The private boat is useful here because your group can spend more or less time in the water, within the day’s schedule. If some people want to snorkel and others prefer to stay aboard, the group has more room to split its time than it would on a tightly programmed shared outing.

BBQ lunch on Ile Aux Margenie

Lunch is served as a BBQ on Ile Aux Margenie, with the cooking team preparing the meal on the cruise. The menu includes garlic bread, mixed salads, sausages, chicken, fish fillets, and a dessert of flaming bananas or local pineapple.

That is a generous spread for a day on the water. It also gives you a proper midday break instead of relying on snacks from the hotel. Drinks are included in the ice box: bottled water, juice, soft drinks, local beers, white wine, rosé wine, and rum.

I would still eat a light breakfast before pickup. The early departure leaves little time for a full meal, and a boat day can make you hungry well before lunch. If you have dietary restrictions, ask ahead, since the available information does not specify vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or religious-diet substitutions.

The lunch setting sounds relaxed, but it is worth keeping the price point in mind. At $170 per person, the meal and drinks help explain the cost, especially for a private charter. You are paying for the boat, driver, food, beverages, gear, and a full day rather than a basic transfer to one beach.

Grand River South East waterfall and wildlife

The route includes a visit and swim at the Grand River South East waterfall. This is a welcome change from beaches and open water. You get a freshwater-looking river setting, a chance to swim, and a different view of Mauritius than the lagoon provides.

The area may also offer wildlife sightings. Monkeys can be seen in their natural habitat, and fruit bats have been spotted sleeping upside down in the trees. These sightings are not guaranteed, so think of them as a bonus rather than the reason to book the excursion.

Dolphins have also been seen very close to the speedboat on some outings. Again, wildlife is unpredictable. The right attitude is to enjoy the islands and water even if no animals appear, then count yourself fortunate if dolphins, monkeys, or fruit bats show up.

Ile aux Cerfs: beautiful, busy, and not perfect

Ile aux Cerfs is the best-known beach stop on the route and often receives the longest visit. Its appeal is easy to understand: you have time to swim, walk along the sand, or simply sit near the water after the morning’s faster pace.

But you should go in with realistic expectations. One assessment found substantial litter and complained that there was no snorkeling opportunity during the longest stop. That is a serious drawback, especially if you expect the cleanest and most natural part of the day to come at the most famous island.

The private charter gives you some protection from that problem. You can ask to spend more time elsewhere, swim from the boat, or shorten a beach stop if your group is not enjoying it. The schedule still has limits, but the boat does not have to feel like a conveyor belt.

Ile aux Cerfs is best treated as a convenient beach finish, not the sole purpose of the excursion. If your dream is pristine solitude, this may disappoint. If you want a recognizable island, a swim, and a final relaxed stop after snorkeling and lunch, it may fit well.

What is included, and what you still need

The package covers hotel pickup and drop-off, the cruise, food, and drinks. You also receive snorkeling equipment and life jackets for all age groups. The ice box on the boat is stocked with water, juices, soft drinks, local beers, wine, and rum.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and waterproof protection for electronics. The provided information does not say that towels, reef shoes, or medication are supplied.

Because the tour runs rain or shine, pack for changing conditions. A light rain layer can be useful, but you should also protect cameras and phones from spray. The fast boat makes loose bags and unsecured hats poor companions.

Is $170 per person good value?

The value depends heavily on your group size and your expectations. For $170 per person, you receive a private speedboat, a private vehicle transfer, a seven-hour route, several islands, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a waterfall stop. If you would otherwise pay separately for transport, a boat charter, a meal, and equipment, the bundle is reasonable.

It is less compelling if you mainly want a quiet catamaran cruise or a single beautiful beach. A cheaper shared boat may suit you better if privacy and flexibility do not matter. You may also feel the price is high if the weather is poor, the sea is rough, or Ile aux Cerfs is crowded and untidy.

The customer score is 4.4 from eight ratings, which suggests a generally strong experience but not a flawless one. The praise centers on the friendly driver, energetic skipper, close dolphin sightings, colorful fish, island scenery, food, and the fun of the fast boat. The main criticisms are the speedboat style and the condition and snorkeling value of Ile aux Cerfs.

Who should book this East Lagoon cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want supplied safety gear and private transport.
• Couples or small groups who enjoy an active day with several stops.
• People who want snorkeling, swimming, wildlife possibilities, and beaches in one outing.
• Visitors who like speedboats more than slow sailing.
• Anyone who values having control over beach time and swimming stops.

I would be more cautious if you want silence, a long guided history visit, guaranteed wildlife, or a pristine beach with excellent snorkeling at every stop. The boat is private, but the islands themselves are not presented as private or empty.

Final verdict: book it for variety and freedom

This is a strong choice when you want to pack a lot of Mauritius into one East Coast day. I like the private format, the early hotel transfer, the supplied snorkeling gear, the full BBQ lunch, and the chance to see dolphins or monkeys along the way.

I would book it if the words fast boat sound appealing and you prefer a flexible route to a formal group cruise. Before paying, confirm the exact island sequence, the Ile aux Aigrettes and Ile Aux Margenie naming, and how much time is planned at Ile aux Cerfs. If you want calm sailing and an immaculate beach above all else, choose another style of boat. If you want movement, variety, food, and a little spray in your face, this package offers a good full-day outing for the money.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise is planned as a full-day, seven-hour outing. Pickup begins at 07:00, the cruise starts around 08:30, and return is expected around 16:00.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. A private car picks you up from your hotel or another agreed location and returns you to the pickup location after the excursion.

Is this a private boat trip?

Yes. The speedboat stays with your party for the whole day, allowing you to decide how much time to spend swimming, snorkeling, walking, relaxing, or visiting the islands.

Is the boat a catamaran?

No. This experience uses a private speedboat. It is described as modern and comfortable, but it is faster and more active than a quiet catamaran.

What islands are included?

The listed highlights include Ile aux Flamants, Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ile aux Cerfs. Ile Aux Margenie is listed as the BBQ lunch location.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and fins are supplied. Life jackets are also provided for infants, children, and adults.

What food and drinks are included?

BBQ lunch includes garlic bread, mixed salads, sausages, chicken, fish fillets, and either flaming bananas or local pineapple. Drinks include bottled water, juice, soft drinks, local beers, white wine, rosé wine, and rum.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The excursion takes place rain or shine.