Mauritius: Private 5 Island Tour with Ile aux Cerfs

Small islands, big day on the water.

This private speedboat trip packs Mauritius’ southeast coast into about six hours, with Île aux Cerfs, snorkeling, a waterfall, a lighthouse, and a beach barbecue all on the plan. I like the variety: you are not stuck doing the same beach stop all day, and the private format gives your group a more personal outing. I also like the local touches, from the old lighthouse at Île aux Fouquets to the chance of seeing wild dolphins.

The main drawback is simple: hotel pickup is not included. You need to reach Chez Tino Restaurant in Trou d’Eau Douce by 8:45 a.m., and the day includes plenty of boat time. If you want a slow, quiet beach day, this schedule may feel busy.

Five details that make this boat trip worth considering

• Île aux Cerfs comes with two different moods: You get an early island visit for a walk and free time, then return later for a two-hour beach barbecue.
• The lighthouse at Île aux Fouquets adds real character: This small coral island has a lighthouse built in 1864, more than 150 years ago.
• The Grand River South East waterfall is viewed from the water: The boat cruises toward the cascade, with a chance of spotting monkeys nearby.
• Snorkeling is built into the day: Gear is available, and the stop lasts about 40 minutes in the Grand Port area.
• The private group price works best for four: At $501 for up to four people, the cost is roughly $125 per person when the boat is full.
• The barbecue earns repeated praise: Drinks, snacks, and lunch are included, with vegetarian and gluten-free meals available if requested ahead of time.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:45 a.m.

Your morning begins at Chez Tino Restaurant in Trou d’Eau Douce, a useful meeting point for exploring the southeast coast. The listed start time is 8:45 a.m., so I would treat that as a firm arrival target rather than a vague suggestion.

Before setting off, the crew gives a short safety briefing of about 10 minutes. You then board the speedboat for the first section of the trip. This is an active outing, not a cruise where you sit in one place and watch the coast drift by, so bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and something to cover your head.

The tour is private, which matters most if you are traveling as a family or a small group of friends. Your group of up to four shares the boat rather than joining a large crowd. French and English are available, and the crew handles the boat, stops, snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks.

The exact order can change with the tides. Île aux Cerfs may be the first stop, but the operator notes that the order depends on water conditions. That flexibility is sensible on a coastal day, though it means you should not expect the schedule to unfold like a train timetable.

Île aux Cerfs, Mauritius’ famous beach stop

Île aux Cerfs is the name most people recognize on this excursion, and it is easy to see why. The island offers white sand, clear water, and green vegetation, with time for a walk and free exploration. The first visit lasts about 45 minutes, so think of it as a look around and a swim opportunity rather than a full morning at the beach.

You can also find paid activities here, including parasailing, tube riding, and an underwater walk. These are not listed as included, so plan on treating them as optional extras. The short first stop does not leave much room for fitting in several add-on activities.

I like that Île aux Cerfs is not the entire day. The island is popular and can feel more developed than the smaller stops, but this tour uses it as one part of a broader route. You get the postcard beach without giving up the waterfall, lighthouse, coral islands, and snorkeling.

The tour returns to Île aux Cerfs later for lunch. That second visit lasts around two hours and gives the beach more room to breathe. You can eat, swim, sit in the sun, and enjoy the setting without rushing through a sandwich between boat departures.

The Grand River South East waterfall from a speedboat

The Grand River South East waterfall is reached by cruising along the river toward its mouth. The listed sightseeing time is about 20 minutes, and the attraction is best understood as a scenic boat approach rather than a walk to the base of a waterfall.

The river scenery provides a change from open sea. The waterfall sits in a quieter setting, and the crew may point out monkeys in the area. One unusual detail from the trip is the chance to see monkeys from the boat, with one recent outing even including the guide feeding them. That is a memorable moment, but I would not book this tour expecting a guaranteed animal encounter.

This stop also shows why a speedboat is useful. You can reach several separate sights along the southeast coast in one morning, including a river passage that would be difficult to combine with a simple beach excursion. The tradeoff is that the waterfall visit is relatively brief.

If waterfalls are your main reason for coming to Mauritius, you may want a separate land-based outing with more walking time. Here, the waterfall is one scenic chapter in a fast-moving coastal day.

Forty minutes of snorkeling near Grand Port

The snorkeling stop lasts about 40 minutes in the Grand Port area. Equipment is available, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear.

This is one of the most useful inclusions in the package. A beach view is lovely, but getting into the water lets you see the coral reef setting and marine life that make the southeast lagoons special. The water is described as crystal clear, though visibility can always vary with weather and sea conditions.

You should see this as a proper activity rather than a token photo stop. Forty minutes gives you time to get comfortable, swim, and look below the surface. Still, the exact marine life is not specified, so nobody can promise particular fish or coral sightings.

The snorkeling area is also a practical reason to bring a towel and a dry change of clothes. The schedule moves on to more islands afterward, and you will be more comfortable if you are not sitting in wet swimwear for the rest of the trip.

Île aux Fouquets and its 1864 lighthouse

Île aux Fouquets, also called Île au Phare, is one of the most distinctive stops. This small, uninhabited coral island sits off Mauritius’ east coast and is known for its lighthouse, which was built in 1864.

The visit lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough to take in the lighthouse, see the island’s beaches and birdlife, and look out toward the open Indian Ocean. It is not a long historical tour, but it gives the day a sense of place that a beach-only trip would miss.

The lighthouse also connects the scenery to Mauritius’ colonial period. Along with Île de la Passe, which is included in the broader five-island route, it offers a glimpse into the strategic waters around the island. The supplied schedule names Île aux Fouquets specifically, while the tour description also highlights Île de la Passe. Ask the crew how the day’s conditions affect that part of the route.

I especially like this stop for people who want more than pretty water. The island is small and exposed, with the old lighthouse facing the sea. Keep your expectations realistic: you are making a short sightseeing stop, not spending an afternoon exploring a large island.

Île aux Aigrettes, a swim before lunch

Île aux Aigrettes is a 26-hectare island off the southeast coast. It is known for conservation work and endemic plants and animals, but this boat trip does not include a formal visit to the nature reserve.

That distinction matters. A separate reservation is required to visit the protected area. On this tour, the boat stops near Île aux Aigrettes for about 40 minutes, giving you time to swim, enjoy refreshments, and take in the scenery.

The lagoon stop is a good pause after the lighthouse and snorkeling sections. You can cool off in clear water without adding another complicated transfer. The crew provides drinks and snacks, which makes the stop feel less rushed.

If you are particularly interested in conservation, arrange the reserve visit separately rather than assuming it is part of this excursion. The boat stop and the reserve tour are different experiences.

A beach barbecue at Île aux Cerfs

Lunch is served back at Île aux Cerfs, with about two hours set aside for a barbecue. This is one of the strongest parts of the day because you have time to eat properly and enjoy the beach rather than grabbing food on the move.

Lunch and drinks are included, along with snacks during the outing. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request, but you should make that request before the tour. The operator does not list other dietary arrangements, so contact them in advance if you have additional needs.

The barbecue has drawn especially warm praise, with some visitors describing it as the best part of the trip. That makes sense. After several boat rides and water stops, a relaxed meal beside the beach gives the schedule a welcome reset.

You should also note that the tour returns to the same island for lunch after visiting it earlier. That is efficient, not repetitive. The first stop is mainly for sightseeing and walking, while the later stop is the main meal and free-time period.

What the speedboat format feels like

The route includes several boat sections of roughly 20 minutes, followed by a final ride of about 25 minutes back to Chez Tino Restaurant. Speedboat travel makes the five-stop plan possible, but it also means the boat itself is part of the experience.

You get changing views of the coast, open water, river scenery, and small offshore islands. You should also be prepared for wind, spray, and movement. Anyone prone to motion sickness should consider taking their usual precautions, although the provided details do not specify the boat size or seating arrangement.

The private format helps here. You can spend the day with your own group and receive guidance in French or English. Named crew members Luca, Dario, and Robin have been singled out for making the day easy, fun, and well organized. Luca was praised for his knowledge of the route, Dario for his calm handling of the day, and Robin for mixing useful information with good humor.

The dolphin sighting is another possible highlight. The tour advertises a chance to spot wild dolphins by speedboat, but dolphins are wild animals, not a scheduled stop. Treat it as a bonus rather than a promise.

Price, group size, and practical value

The listed price is $501 for a private group of up to four people. Filled to capacity, that works out to about $125.25 per person. For a private boat day with lunch, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, crew, and several coastal stops, that can be good value for a small group.

For one or two people, the per-person price is much higher. You are paying for privacy and a full route rather than simply buying seats on a shared boat. Couples should compare the price with shorter shared excursions, while families and groups of four get the clearest financial benefit.

Hotel pickup is not included, so you must arrange your own way to Trou d’Eau Douce. That extra step reduces the overall convenience and was the main value criticism attached to the experience. If you are staying nearby, it is less of a concern. If you are based elsewhere on Mauritius, factor in transport time and cost.

The advertised duration is six hours. The schedule is full, with sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and repeated speedboat rides. I would choose this for variety and access, not for a slow pace.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful if your plans are still taking shape, but the more important booking detail is to request special meals in advance and confirm the meeting point.

Who will enjoy this day most

This tour suits you if you want to see several sides of Mauritius in one outing. Families can benefit from the private boat, child-friendly format, swimming, snacks, and beach lunch. Couples and friends may prefer it because the day combines scenery, water time, history, and food without needing to organize each piece separately.

It is also a good fit if you like active sightseeing. You will walk on Île aux Cerfs, swim at Île aux Aigrettes, snorkel near Grand Port, cruise to a waterfall, and visit a lighthouse island. That is a lot for six hours.

You may want something else if you dislike boat travel, need long stretches of shade and rest, or want a detailed nature-reserve visit at Île aux Aigrettes. The reserve is not included, and the short stops leave limited time for quiet exploration.

Should you book the five island tour?

I would book this tour if you have a small group, want a private boat, and value variety over a leisurely pace. The best features are the two-part Île aux Cerfs visit, the excellent barbecue, the lighthouse at Île aux Fouquets, and the chance to snorkel and spot dolphins in one day.

I would pause if hotel pickup is important or if your main goal is to spend the whole day on one beach. Arrive at Chez Tino Restaurant ready for sun, spray, swimming, and a busy schedule, and ask ahead about the exact island order and meal needs. For four people sharing the $501 price, this is a well-filled southeast coast outing with strong practical value.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Chez Tino Restaurant in Trou d’Eau Douce. The meeting time is 8:45 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange transport to and from Chez Tino Restaurant.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is six hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private group experience for up to four people.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in French and English.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served as a barbecue at Île aux Cerfs, and drinks and snacks are also included.

Can vegetarian or gluten-free meals be arranged?

Yes. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request. Ask for them when booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is available for the snorkeling stop near Grand Port.

Does the tour visit the Île aux Aigrettes nature reserve?

No formal reserve visit is included. A separate booking is required to visit the nature reserve, while this tour stops nearby for swimming and refreshments.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.