5 Islands Speedboat w/Snorkeling Sea Turtle + Lunch & Drinks

The most unusual part of this nine-hour speedboat day is how much ground you cover. From Trou d’Eau Douce, you visit five islands, stop at a waterfall, snorkel in Blue Bay Marine Park, look for sea turtles and dolphins, and still get beach time at Ile aux Cerfs. It is a full day, not a quick island shuttle.

I like the small group of up to eight and the chance for four or more people to have the boat privately. I also like the practical all-inclusive setup: grilled chicken and fish, rice, pasta, salad, garlic bread, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included.

The main consideration is the pace. A speedboat, several stops, snorkeling, lunch, and island visits make for a busy day, and the sea can be lively. The meeting time can also involve a wait: one recent departure took place about 55 minutes after the stated meeting time.

Key points to know before booking

• Five-island route: Visit Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Phares, Ile de La Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ilot Margenie.
• Small boat setting: The group is limited to eight, with a private option available for groups of four or more.
• Blue Bay snorkeling: Use the provided equipment to see tropical fish in one of Mauritius’ best-known marine areas.
• Beach BBQ included: Grilled chicken, fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, salad, snacks, and drinks are part of the day.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: You may see sea turtles, dolphins, tropical fish, and wild Mauritian monkeys.
• Trou d’Eau Douce start: The boat leaves from the jetty known as Debarcader Trou D’eau Douce, and hotel transfers cost extra.

A fast start from Trou d’Eau Douce

Your day begins at the jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’ east coast. To find it, search for Debarcader Trou D’eau Douce on Google Maps. The meeting point is a jetty, so allow enough time to locate the correct waterfront area.

The advertised duration is nine hours. One practical wrinkle is that the meeting time and actual departure may not match perfectly. A recent departure had a 7:55 a.m. meeting time and an 8:50 a.m. launch, so I would avoid scheduling anything important immediately after the tour.

Once underway, the speedboat gives the route a different feel from a slow catamaran cruise. You hear the engine, feel the boat lift over the waves, and move quickly between stops. That speed is useful here because the itinerary covers the east coast, the southeast river mouth, Blue Bay, and several islands in one day.

The boat holds no more than eight participants. That matters on a long outing. You are not dealing with a large crowd moving through every stop together, and the guide can keep a closer eye on the group during snorkeling. For a family or group of four or more, the private speedboat option may be the best reason to book this particular trip.

Ile aux Cerfs gives you your first island break

The first stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you have about 45 minutes to visit and take refreshments. The island is known for white sand and shallow coastal water, so it is an easy introduction to the day.

This opening stop is short. You can stretch your legs, take photos, and get your bearings, but you should not expect a long, unhurried beach session at this point. The itinerary returns to Ile aux Cerfs later for a much longer break, so the first visit works more as a quick taste than the main event.

That split schedule is useful. You see the island before the route gets busy, then return after the sightseeing and snorkeling for lunch, swimming, sunbathing, and optional water activities. If your main goal is to sit on a beach all day, this tour may feel too active. If you want a broad look at the coast, the short first stop keeps the boat moving.

Grand River South East and the waterfall stop

The boat then heads to Grand River South East, where a waterfall flows toward the Indian Ocean. You get to view the falls from the water, an appealing change from the open sea and island beaches.

This section also includes the chance to meet and feed wild Mauritian monkeys. It is one of the more distinctive parts of the route because it adds a wildlife encounter to what could otherwise be a standard beach-and-snorkel trip.

Keep your expectations sensible. The activity promises a chance to see the monkeys, not a guaranteed close encounter at a fixed time. The waterfall view is also weather and water dependent in character, so the appeal is the setting and the contrast with the sea portion of the day, rather than a long formal visit.

The stop gives the trip some local character. You are not simply moving from one resort beach to another. You see a river mouth, a coastal waterfall, and wildlife before returning to the islands.

Ile aux Phares and Ile de La Passe bring the history angle

Next comes Ile aux Phares, followed by a passage near Ile de La Passe. The tour is designed to include history and exploration as well as speed and swimming, and these islands provide that context.

The supplied itinerary does not give a detailed historical talk or list specific monuments. You should therefore think of this part as a scenic island passage with interpretation from your multilingual guide, rather than a formal museum visit. The route lets you see important coastal sites from the water, which is a good fit for anyone interested in Mauritius’ maritime past.

A boat-based view also changes your sense of distance. Small islands that look close from shore become part of a wider route through the east coast lagoon. You spend less time on foot and more time seeing how the islands relate to one another.

Blue Bay Marine Park is the main water stop

The strongest snorkeling section takes place at Blue Bay Marine Park. Here, you use the provided snorkeling equipment and enter clear water to look for tropical fish.

I would treat this as the day’s central water experience. The setting is presented as an aquarium-like marine area, and one recent guest described the snorkeling as feeling like an enormous aquarium. That comparison makes sense as a practical guide: you are there for underwater viewing, not for a long-distance swim.

One useful point is water awareness. A German guest described being well instructed before snorkeling and noted that the current can be stronger than expected. The boat crew kept an eye on everyone and helped shorten the return to the boat for people who wanted to get back sooner.

That detail matters more than fancy equipment. You should be comfortable in open water, listen closely to the instructions, and stay within the area the guide indicates. Snorkeling equipment is included, but you may want to bring your own mask if you already have one that fits well. The official advice specifically calls for sunscreen and a camera.

Blue Bay is also where wildlife sightings may include sea turtles. Dolphins are listed among the possible sights as well, but no wildlife encounter can be guaranteed. One outing produced four dolphin sightings, while another did not see any. That is the nature of a sea safari: enjoy the search, but do not book this as a guaranteed dolphin trip.

Ile aux Aigrettes opens the drinks portion

After Blue Bay Marine Park, the boat passes by Ile aux Aigrettes for refreshments. This is also when the all-inclusive bar is described as opening in full.

Included drinks cover Mauritian rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water. Snacks are included too. This is useful on a nine-hour boat trip, especially because the day has several active stops and a beach lunch still lies ahead.

The bar adds value, but it also calls for common sense. A speedboat ride, sun, snorkeling, and alcohol are a poor mix if you drink heavily. Water and soft drinks are available, so I would use those freely and save any rum cocktail for a quiet moment on the beach.

The route then heads back toward Ile aux Cerfs, passing Ilot Margenie. This return leg gives you more time on the water and another view of the island chain. It is not simply a transfer to lunch. The boat continues the sightseeing route through the lagoon.

Ile aux Cerfs is where the day slows down

The later Ile aux Cerfs stop is the day’s main relaxation period. You can swim, sunbathe, drink coconut water, or simply enjoy the white sand after the faster sections of the tour.

Optional water activities listed for this stop include parasailing and a tube ride. These are presented as available choices, but the supplied details do not state that they are included in the $125 price. If you want to add either activity, confirm the cost before committing.

Lunch is prepared on the beach. The BBQ includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. It is a generous menu with enough variety for people who want meat, fish, or a simpler plate of rice and salad.

The beach setting is a major part of the value. You are not eating in a restaurant and then returning to the boat at once. You have time to combine lunch with a swim, a drink, and a proper pause. A barman prepares Mauritian beer, wine, or rum cocktails, while coconut water is also available during the island break.

Live music or a sega show may provide entertainment in the background. This adds a distinctly Mauritian touch, but it is best viewed as part of the atmosphere rather than the central reason to book. The main draw remains the beach, meal, and time to relax.

Why the small group changes the experience

A group limit of eight is one of the clearest strengths of this tour. On a route with frequent stops, a smaller boat usually means less time organizing people and more flexibility around snorkeling and island visits.

The private option for four or more people is especially appealing. A private boat can make the day feel less like a fixed schedule and more like a shared family or friends’ outing. One French family of four described having Ile aux Cerfs almost to themselves and appreciated a guide who adapted to their wishes.

That flexibility is not a promise that every group receives a completely custom itinerary. The published route still sets the main stops. But a smaller party gives the guide more room to respond to comfort levels, swimming ability, and the group’s preferred pace.

The group size also matters for safety. During snorkeling, the guide can watch fewer people at once. A German guest specifically praised the skipper’s calm handling of the boat and attention to swimmers who wanted to return early. For an activity involving speed and open water, that kind of close supervision is worth noting.

Speedboat comfort, timing, and transfers

This is an adventure boat, not a quiet floating lounge. You should expect engine noise, wind, spray, and movement over the waves. The speed is part of the appeal, but it can be tiring over a full day if you prefer gentle cruising.

Bring sunscreen and a camera, as requested. Water, snacks, and drinks are supplied, but the official information does not list dry bags, towels, or protective clothing. Pack only what you can keep secure and protect anything electronic from spray.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available around Mauritius for an additional fee. Transfers to Airbnbs and hotels are not included in the $125 price, so calculate the full cost before booking. If you need a transfer, request it when you book. One guest arranged this in advance and received follow-up communication the day before, which helped the morning run smoothly.

The advertised languages are English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian. That is useful for mixed-language groups, although the specific guide assigned to your boat is not named in the supplied details.

Is the $125 price good value?

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see one beach or take a short boat ride. But the price covers a substantial day: nine hours, a speedboat, island hopping, a waterfall visit, snorkeling equipment, a beach BBQ, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

The value improves if you planned to pay separately for several of those pieces. You get a full east coast route, a marine park stop, and a meal without having to arrange each activity yourself. The small group also gives the trip a more personal feel than a large shared cruise.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a long, quiet beach afternoon. In that case, much of the day’s cost pays for transport between several places you may not care to visit. You should also add the price of any hotel transfer and optional water sports.

The rating is 4.4 from 156 reviews, which fits the overall picture: strong service and a well-filled itinerary, with timing and the active pace as the main points to weigh.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad first look at Mauritius’ east and southeast coast. It suits people who like to combine scenery, wildlife, snorkeling, food, and beach time rather than spend the whole day in one place.

It is also a good fit for families and friend groups of four or more who can make use of the private boat option. Couples may prefer it too if they want a more active day with plenty of stops and a small-group setting.

You may want another kind of excursion if you dislike fast boats, struggle with open-water swimming, or want a slow catamaran meal with little movement. The snorkeling current can be noticeable, and the full route is busy.

Wildlife should guide your attitude, not your booking decision. You may see turtles, dolphins, tropical fish, and wild monkeys, but the dolphin sightings can vary. Book this for the complete coastal experience, with wildlife as a welcome bonus.

Should you book the 5 Islands speedboat tour?

Book it if you want maximum variety in one day and like the idea of moving quickly through Mauritius’ largest lagoon. The mix of five islands, Grand River South East, Blue Bay snorkeling, a beach BBQ, and an open bar gives you a lot for the price.

I would choose the private option for four or more people if your budget allows. It should make the long day more comfortable and may give the guide more room to adjust the pace. If you book a shared trip, the eight-person limit is still a strong advantage.

Before paying, confirm your transfer cost, prepare for a potentially early and flexible morning, and bring serious sun protection. If that sounds manageable, this is a lively, well-rounded way to see the east coast from the water.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce. The meeting point is the jetty found by searching for Debarcader Trou D’eau Douce on Google Maps.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts nine hours. Availability should be checked for the exact starting time.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel and Airbnb pickup and drop-off around Mauritius are available for an additional fee. Transfers are not included in the listed $125 price.

What food and drinks are included?

The beach BBQ includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. Snacks, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and rum are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and snorkeling takes place in Blue Bay Marine Park.

Can I book a private boat?

Yes. Groups of four or more can be offered a private speedboat. Shared groups are limited to eight participants.