5 Islands Speedboat Cruise incl. Snorkeling in Blue Bay + Lunch at Ile aux Cerfs

The best part of this seven-hour speedboat trip is the variety packed into one day. You move from sandy islands and a waterfall to a lighthouse tied to naval battles, then spend up to two hours in the calm waters of Blue Bay Marine Park. It is a good way to see several sides of Mauritius without arranging separate boat trips.

I like the small group limit of 18 people, which gives the skipper room to keep the day sociable without turning it into a floating crowd. I also like the practical inclusions: lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, and parking at the meeting point. The main caution is timing. Some stops are short, while the lunch break can take much longer than the published 45-minute visit to Ile aux Cerfs.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Bay is the main water stop: Plan on about two hours for snorkeling and swimming, subject to weather and coral protection conditions.
• Ile aux Cerfs gets an early visit: The listed stop lasts 45 minutes and includes time for refreshments before the boat continues.
• History comes from the water: Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse and Ile de la Passe connect the trip to Dutch settlement and the Battle of Grand Port.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Snacks, bottled water, an open bar, and lunch help make the $110.79 price easier to justify.
• Skipper personality can shape the day: Andy is specifically praised for his energy and friendly manner.
• The schedule is not for strict clock-watchers: A quiet lunch stop may stretch to around two and a half hours, and some snorkeling sessions can feel shorter than expected.

A full day on Mauritius’s east and southeast coast

This is an active boat day, but it is not a nonstop race. You spend much of the morning and afternoon seated on a speedboat, with short island visits and one longer water stop. That mix works well if you want scenery, swimming, history, lunch, and a social atmosphere in one booking.

The meeting point is Blue Alizé Catamaran at Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce. The start time is 8:30 am, and the trip returns to the same meeting point. Private transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there, though parking is available at the meeting point.

The group is capped at 18 people. That matters on a speedboat. You get a better view than you would on a large vessel, and it is easier to hear the skipper when he explains the islands. The mood can be lively, especially when music is playing, but the music has been too loud for some people. If you prefer quiet sightseeing, this may feel more like a fun day out than a peaceful nature cruise.

Ile aux Cerfs, sand, refreshments, and first impressions

The first stop is Ile aux Cerfs, one of the best-known island outings in Mauritius. The planned visit lasts 45 minutes, with refreshments before the boat heads toward Grand River South East.

That short stop gives you time to stretch your legs, look around, and take in the island setting. It is not enough for an extended beach visit, so you should not book this tour expecting a full day at Ile aux Cerfs alone. The value here is variety. You get a taste of the island before moving on to other sights.

The schedule can be confusing because the experience is promoted with lunch at Ile aux Cerfs, while the detailed timing gives the island a 45-minute visit and places other refreshments later in the day. In practice, be ready for the lunch arrangement and length of the stop to vary. One account describes a much longer lunch pause, around two and a half hours, at a quiet island with little to see nearby.

That is not automatically a bad thing. A long lunch break gives you time to eat, talk, and relax. But if you want constant sightseeing, it may feel slow. Ask about the expected lunch timing when you check in, especially if your priority is snorkeling and island visits.

Grand River South East Waterfalls from the boat

The route continues toward Grand River South East, where a waterfall flows toward the Indian Ocean. This is a scenic stop rather than a long shore visit. The itinerary gives the waterfall area about 15 minutes.

You will mainly enjoy this from the boat, so keep your camera ready and do not expect a lengthy walk or inland excursion. The appeal is the setting: fresh water dropping toward the sea, viewed from a low position on the water. It is a quick visual change from the beach atmosphere of Ile aux Cerfs.

Short stops can be frustrating if you want time for photographs. They are also what lets the tour cover several locations in one day. I would treat the waterfall as a pleasant bonus, not the central reason to book.

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse and the Battle of Grand Port

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile Phare or Lighthouse Island, brings a useful historical layer to the trip. Dutch settlers discovered the island in 1598, and a lighthouse built in 1864 operated into the early 20th century.

The island sits in the bay of Mahébourg and once had strategic value during naval battles at Grand Port. Nearby Ile de la Passe is linked to the Battle of Grand Port, fought from August 20 to 25, 1810, when French and British frigates clashed during the campaign for control of Mauritius.

You do not get a full museum visit or a long guided history walk. Instead, the skipper explains what you are seeing while the boat passes the islands. That approach suits you if you enjoy history in small portions, tied to actual places rather than delivered as a formal lecture.

The listed visit to Ile aux Fouquets lasts 45 minutes. Even if you stay on or near the boat, the lighthouse gives the day a stronger sense of place. You are not only hopping between pretty islands. You are following the route of explorers, colonial powers, and warships.

Two hours at Blue Bay Marine Park

Blue Bay Marine Park is the main event for anyone who wants to get in the water. The marine park was declared a national park in 1997 and became a Ramsar wetland site in 2008. Its calm, shallow water and coral garden make it one of the more accessible snorkeling areas on this route.

The planned water session lasts two hours. You can snorkel, swim, or remain on the boat and relax. Equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and snorkel separately. The park is known for many coral varieties and abundant marine life, although the exact conditions depend on weather, visibility, and conservation restrictions.

The boat may use Blue Bay Marine Park or move near Ilot Mangenie. The choice depends on weather and the coral breeding season. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should not assume the exact snorkeling site is guaranteed.

Bring realistic expectations. The water is described as calm and shallow, which suits beginners and casual swimmers. This is not presented as a technical snorkeling expedition. You are getting a supervised stop in a protected marine area, with time to look for coral and fish before returning to the boat.

Snorkeling time can also feel shorter than expected if the group takes a while to organize or if sea conditions change. I would bring patience and treat the full two hours as the planned water window, not a promise of two uninterrupted hours with your face in the sea.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the open bar

After the marine park, the boat passes Ile aux Aigrettes for refreshments. This islet off the southeast coast functions as a nature reserve and scientific research station, and it is also visited by local residents and holidaymakers.

The tour does not list an onshore visit to the reserve. You pass by and stop for refreshments, so the island is best understood as part of the coastal setting rather than a wildlife excursion. If Ile aux Aigrettes is a major interest, you may want a separate visit that focuses on the reserve itself.

The open bar is available at this point, and alcoholic drinks are included. Snacks, bottled water, and lunch are also part of the package. That is useful after time in the water, when you are likely to want something more substantial than a quick drink.

Drink responsibly. You still have boat movement, wet decks, and a return journey ahead. The included bar adds value, but it should not become the main reason you book.

What the skipper and group atmosphere add

The skipper can make or break a boat outing. Andy is singled out for his energy, friendliness, and ability to keep the day feeling relaxed. The crew is also described as checking that people are comfortable and enjoying themselves.

That personal touch is important on a small boat. You are not simply being carried from one GPS point to another. The skipper talks about the islands, gives the day some character, and helps create a shared mood among the people on board.

There are limits. The tour may be offered in different language groups, and one booking intended for a French guide was assigned to an English-speaking group. If your guide language matters, confirm it before departure rather than assuming the request is guaranteed.

The atmosphere can also be energetic. Music is part of the experience and has been described as louder than ideal by one person. If you want a quiet, contemplative cruise, a larger sightseeing boat or a private charter may suit you better.

Is $110.79 good value?

At $110.79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning on the water. But the price covers a lot: about seven hours, a speedboat, multiple island and coastal sights, lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, snorkeling equipment, and taxes.

The value improves if you would otherwise book separate transport, a snorkeling trip, and a lunch outing. You also save the trouble of planning a route between Ile aux Cerfs, Blue Bay, the lighthouse islands, and the waterfall.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want one long snorkeling session or a full day at Ile aux Cerfs. The tour spends time moving between stops, and several visits are brief. You are paying for range and convenience, not for deep time at one place.

A maximum of 18 people is another part of the value. It is not a private trip, but it is smaller than a large group cruise. For a first visit to Mauritius, that balance can work well.

Who should book this speedboat day?

I would recommend it to you if you want a busy, social day with several kinds of scenery. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who like meeting people and do not mind a lively skipper-led outing.

It also works for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another relaxes on board, and the history and waterfall stops provide breaks from swimming. Most people can participate, according to the tour information, but the experience still requires comfort around a boat and the sea.

You may want another option if you need a French-language guide confirmed, dislike loud music, or want a carefully timed itinerary. It is also not ideal if every stop must offer a major attraction. Some islands are viewed briefly, and one long lunch pause may test your patience.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want one convenient day that combines snorkeling, island scenery, history, lunch, and drinks. The strongest reasons are the Blue Bay water stop, the small group size, the included gear and food, and the friendly energy associated with skipper Andy.

Skip it if you want a quiet cruise, a full Ile aux Cerfs beach day, or a tightly controlled schedule. Before paying, confirm the guide language and ask how long lunch is expected to last. With those points clear, this is a solid way to sample Mauritius’s east and southeast coasts without piecing together several separate excursions.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours, beginning at 8:30 am and ending back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Blue Alizé Catamaran at Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius, and returns to the same meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with snacks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and all fees and taxes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Where does snorkeling take place?

Snorkeling takes place at Blue Bay Marine Park or near Ilot Mangenie, depending on weather conditions and the coral breeding season.

How long is the snorkeling stop?

The planned Blue Bay Marine Park or Ilot Mangenie stop lasts about two hours.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum group size of 18 people.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, but parking is available at the meeting point.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.