5 island tour all inclusive with Ile aux cerfs and snorkeling

The best part of this six-hour island cruise is the variety. You move from the GRSE Waterfall to a lighthouse, then on to fish-filled water near Blue Bay before finishing with lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. It gives you several sides of Mauritius in one morning and afternoon.

I like the small scale, with groups capped at 14, and the fact that lunch, drinks, the boat ride, and snorkeling are included. I also like the unusual lighthouse stop, since this is more than a beach transfer with a meal tacked on.

The main point to consider is the boat. This is a speedboat excursion, not a catamaran cruise, so it is built for getting from place to place rather than for a slow, shaded day on the water. The boat may also feel exposed for young children.

Key points at a glance

• GRSE Waterfall by boat: Start with a cruise to the waterfall near Trou d’Eau Douce.
• Lighthouse Island visit: You can go inside the lighthouse, not just photograph it from the water.
• Blue Bay snorkeling stop: The southern cruise reaches clear water with plenty of fish, with a glass-bottom boat used at the snorkeling area.
• Grilled lunch on Ile aux Cerfs: Eat by the beach, with drinks included and lobster sometimes part of the meal.
• Small group format: The boat carries no more than 14 people, keeping the outing more personal than a large harbor cruise.
• Simple booking protection: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, subject to the weather policy.

A busy morning on Mauritius waters

This outing packs several popular east and southeast-coast sights into one route. You meet at Chez TinoB59 in Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m., then board the boat for a series of stops rather than spending the whole day at one beach.

That rhythm suits me. You get scenery, a little history, time in the water, and a meal without having to arrange separate taxis, boat trips, and restaurants. The tradeoff is that each stop is fairly focused. This is a sampler of the coast, not a long stay at every island.

The activity lasts about six hours and ends back at the meeting point. It is listed as a private activity, with only your own group taking part, while the boat capacity is capped at 14. That combination should feel more controlled than a large shared cruise, but you still need to expect a practical boat trip with several transfers.

One useful warning comes from the meeting point. The stated departure location is Chez TinoB59, but one outing had an uncertain start, with the taxi driver calling the operator and taking the passenger to the jetty. I would save the booking contact, confirm the exact boarding point before leaving, and make sure your driver knows both the restaurant and the jetty details.

First stop: GRSE Waterfall from Trou d’Eau Douce

The boat first heads toward the GRSE Waterfall. Seeing it from the water gives you a different angle from a road visit, and the cruise itself is part of the attraction. You are already looking at the coastline and open water instead of waiting for the main activity to begin.

The stop is brief enough to keep the route moving. I would treat it as a scenic introduction rather than a full waterfall hike or long swimming break. The supplied details do not promise a land excursion at the falls, so expect the boat to provide the view.

Trou d’Eau Douce is a natural departure point for this kind of trip. It places you close to the eastern waterways and Ile aux Cerfs, while the route later reaches the Blue Bay area in the south. That wider itinerary is why the excursion offers good value for people who have limited time in Mauritius.

Bring a small waterproof bag for your phone and other items. A boat day involves spray and movement, and the tour information does not describe storage arrangements onboard.

Lighthouse Island and a rare chance to go inside

After the waterfall, the boat continues to Lighthouse Island. The special feature here is that you can visit the inside of the lighthouse. Many boat tours simply circle a landmark, so this short stop adds a little substance to the route.

You should not expect a long museum visit or a detailed historical program, since no extended guided talk is promised. Still, walking into the lighthouse gives the stop a stronger sense of place than another photograph from the deck. It also breaks up the boat ride before the snorkeling portion.

This is where the small-group setup may help. With no more than 14 people, boarding and moving between stops should be less awkward than on a large vessel. The experience provider is Tino Boats, and Joey has been specifically praised for being fun, kind, and good company on the water.

The outing is not presented as a formal history tour, though. If your main interest is architecture or lighthouse history, this will probably feel like a compact visit. If you want a varied day with a few unusual stops, it earns its place.

Blue Bay snorkeling with fish below the boat

The route then heads south toward Blue Bay for snorkeling. This is one of the strongest parts of the day because the stop changes the pace completely. After sightseeing from the boat, you get into the water and see the coast from below.

The water near Blue Bay is described as turquoise, with plenty of fish. A glass-bottom boat is used in the snorkeling area, allowing you to look down even before getting fully into the water. That detail is useful for anyone who prefers to ease into snorkeling or wants another way to see the marine life.

The tour includes the boat ride and snorkeling, so you do not have to pay for those separately during the day. The information does not specify the exact snorkeling equipment provided, so I would confirm that with Tino Boats if you do not have your own mask and snorkel.

Sea conditions matter here. The activity requires good weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if conditions force a cancellation. Even in suitable weather, visibility and comfort can vary, so think of this as a worthwhile marine stop rather than a guarantee of a particular animal sighting.

One account also describes dolphin and turtle sightings. Those are possible bonuses, not scheduled parts of the excursion. The reliable promise is the snorkeling stop in fish-filled Blue Bay waters.

Ile aux Cerfs lunch by the beach

After snorkeling, you cruise to Ile aux Cerfs for lunch. This is the most relaxed part of the schedule, since you have already covered the sightseeing and water activity.

The meal is grilled food served by the beach, with drinks included. One meal description specifically mentions lobster, though I would not book this expecting a guaranteed lobster portion unless the operator confirms it. Water and other drinks are included according to the tour details, but bringing an extra bottle is sensible for a warm day.

Ile aux Cerfs is known for its bright water and sandy shore, so the setting does much of the work. Still, keep your expectations in check. If you are staying on Mauritius’s east coast, you may already have access to excellent beaches. One useful way to judge the day is to think of Ile aux Cerfs as the lunch and island stop, not the sole reason to book.

The beach meal also gives you a social break from the speedboat. You can eat, take in the view, and enjoy the island without having to search for a restaurant. That convenience is a real part of the $103 price.

Why the speedboat choice matters

The most important booking decision is choosing the right type of boat. This is not a catamaran cruise. It is a speedboat designed to move between the waterfall, lighthouse, snorkeling area, and Ile aux Cerfs.

That makes the outing efficient. You cover a wide stretch of the coast in about six hours and fit in several activities. If you want to reach Blue Bay and return to the east coast without arranging another transfer, the speedboat format makes sense.

The downside is comfort. A speedboat offers less of the open-deck lounging associated with a catamaran, and the ride may feel more active. One person specifically preferred the atmosphere of a catamaran seen nearby and felt this boat was mainly transport from one stop to the next.

I would choose this trip if your priority is variety. You get a waterfall, lighthouse access, snorkeling, lunch, and island scenery in one package. I would choose a different type of cruise if your ideal day means stretching out on deck, enjoying a slower sail, and treating the ride itself as the main event.

Shade is another practical concern. The boat does not appear to offer much shade, which matters for young children and anyone sensitive to the sun. Bring sun protection, a hat that will stay put, and water beyond the included drinks if you tend to drink often.

What the $103 price really covers

At $103 per person, this is not just a boat transfer to Ile aux Cerfs. The price combines the cruise, several sightseeing stops, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. That bundled format can be good value because you avoid paying separately for a boat ride, a snorkeling outing, and a beach meal.

The value is strongest for people who want to see more than one part of Mauritius in a single day. Reaching the Blue Bay area from Trou d’Eau Douce adds range to the excursion, while the waterfall and lighthouse keep the morning from becoming a simple point-to-point ride.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet beach day. You may spend much of your time moving between stops, and Ile aux Cerfs is only the final section of the tour. If you already have transport and beach plans, paying for the full package may not add much.

A group limit of 14 helps justify the cost. You are not paying for a huge boat filled with people, and the private activity format means only your group participates. The exact feel will depend on your party size and the boat arrangement, but the cap should keep the outing more personal.

Who should book this outing

I think this tour suits first-time visitors who want a broad taste of Mauritius without building the day themselves. It also fits couples, families with older children, and small groups who enjoy being on the water and want lunch included.

It is a good match for you if you like:

• Several short experiences rather than one long beach stop
• Snorkeling and marine life
• A small boat instead of a large cruise vessel
• A beach lunch with drinks included
• A simple package at a known per-person price

I would be more cautious if you have very young children, dislike sun exposure, or get uncomfortable on fast boats. The lack of much shade is a real consideration, and the speedboat is not designed as a slow, restful cruise.

You should also think carefully about your expectations for guiding. Joey is specifically praised for his friendly manner, but the excursion is not sold as a formal cultural or historical tour. You will receive a varied coastal outing rather than a long series of detailed talks.

Practical preparation for the 8:30 departure

Plan to be ready at Chez TinoB59 in Trou d’Eau Douce before the 8:30 a.m. start. Since there has been some uncertainty about whether passengers should meet at the restaurant or the jetty, confirm the final boarding point with Tino Boats in advance.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation is received at booking. Public transportation is nearby, and the activity ends at the same meeting point where it begins.

Pack lightly. Useful items include:

• Swimsuit and a towel
• Sun protection and a hat
• Waterproof protection for phones
• Extra drinking water
• Dry clothes for the ride home
• Any snorkeling gear you prefer to use yourself

The activity is considered suitable for most people, but no detailed accessibility information is provided. If you have mobility concerns, contact the operator before booking and ask about boarding the boat, entering the lighthouse, and getting into the water.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book the five-island tour?

Book it if you want an efficient, all-in-one day with real variety. The strongest reasons are the Blue Bay snorkeling, the inside visit to Lighthouse Island, the grilled beach lunch, and the small group of no more than 14 people.

Skip it if you are looking for a relaxed catamaran sail or a long, quiet stay on Ile aux Cerfs. The speedboat is practical and active, and the schedule finishes earlier than some people expect from a full-day outing.

For most people with one free day and an interest in the water, the $103 price is reasonable because it covers transport by boat, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. Just confirm the jetty meeting point, prepare for sun, and book this as an island-hopping adventure rather than a leisurely beach cruise.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Chez TinoB59 in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs is included, with grilled food served by the beach.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included in the tour package. Bringing extra water is still recommended.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The route stops near Blue Bay for snorkeling, and a glass-bottom boat is used in the snorkeling area.

Is this a catamaran cruise?

No. This experience uses a speedboat rather than a catamaran.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience begins.