Trou d’Eau Douce: 5 Islands Tour with Snorkeling and BBQ

The best part of this five-island speedboat trip is the mix of scenery and easygoing fun. You move from the open water around Phare Island and Île de la Passe to snorkeling near Île aux Aigrettes, then finish with a long BBQ lunch on Margénie Island. It feels like a full day at sea, even though the tour lasts about five hours.

I especially like the included snorkeling gear and drinks, since you do not need to arrange either separately. I also like the small-group option: one booking had a boat for nine with only five people aboard, leaving plenty of room. The main drawback is that English explanations can be brief or hard to hear over the boat and music, so this suits you better if you want scenery and swimming more than detailed commentary.

Key points to know before booking

• Snorkeling comes early: You spend about an hour swimming and looking for marine life near Île aux Aigrettes.
• The BBQ is a major part of the outing: Margénie Island provides about 90 minutes for lunch, drinks, dessert, and free time.
• You visit five island areas: The route includes Île aux Cerfs, Phare Island, Île de la Passe, Île aux Aigrettes, and Îles aux Margénie.
• Dolphin watching is included: Sightings are possible, but the boat does not chase dolphins or allow swimming with them.
• The mood is lively: Music, rum, beer, wine, soft drinks, and fruit juice are served during the BBQ.
• Ask for food changes in advance: Vegetarian meals are available on request, and dietary restrictions should be shared when booking.

A fast start from Cabane du Pêcheur

Your meeting point is Cabane du Pêcheur, where you board the speedboat. Transport to the boarding point is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there. The first ride lasts about 20 minutes and gets you quickly into the island route.

A speedboat changes the feel of the day. You cover more water than you would on a slower craft, and the ride itself becomes part of the outing. Expect open views, wind, spray, and a lively boat atmosphere. Bring a hat that fits securely, and keep your camera and other loose items protected.

The tour is listed as lasting five hours. That is enough time for several stops, but not enough for long, detailed visits everywhere. You are choosing variety over a slow, quiet exploration of one island.

Île aux Cerfs, your first proper stop

Île aux Cerfs gives you about an hour of free time. This is the stop for walking around, taking photographs, sightseeing, and shopping. It is also a useful first chance to get your bearings before the more water-focused part of the day.

You should think of this as an open leisure stop rather than a guided cultural visit. The schedule leaves room for a self-guided wander, so you can choose your own pace. If you like to browse, take pictures, or simply step off the boat for a while, this break adds variety.

The tradeoff is time. An hour passes quickly, especially if you want to shop and explore. Keep an eye on the departure time and do not assume you can see every corner of the island. This tour gives you a taste of Île aux Cerfs, not a full island day.

Village views, wildlife, and the Grse waterfall

After Île aux Cerfs, the route includes a traditional village stop lasting about 35 minutes. The program combines a guided visit with scenic views and wildlife viewing. The information provided does not specify the village name or describe a long cultural presentation, so you should expect a compact stop rather than a major heritage tour.

That shorter visit can be a good change of pace. After the boat ride and beach time, you get a glimpse of life beyond the resort shore. Keep your expectations measured: the strength of this excursion is the combination of stops, not extended time at each one.

The route also includes a visit to the Grse waterfall. You have about 45 minutes for sightseeing and walking in this part of the day. The schedule also lists wildlife viewing, and one recent outing included sightings of monkeys and dolphins. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the route gives you a chance to watch the water and shore instead of moving straight from one beach to another.

Dolphin watching is included, but the conduct described here matters. When dolphins appeared during one trip, the boat did not chase or follow them, and nobody was allowed into the water. That is a sensible approach and keeps the encounter observational rather than intrusive. You should treat dolphins as a possible bonus, not the main reason to book.

Passing Île de la Passe and Phare Island

Phare Island, also called the lighthouse island, is one of the visual highlights of the route. The boat stops there as part of the island circuit, while Île de la Passe is passed by for about 10 minutes. These are primarily scenic moments, with views from the water rather than long shore visits.

Île de la Passe has an important place in the route because it gives you a look at another part of the island chain without using up a large block of time. The short pass-by is ideal for photographs, but it may disappoint you if you expect to walk ashore or explore the island on foot.

Phare Island works in much the same way. You get the setting and the views, but the schedule does not promise a lengthy lighthouse tour. The practical lesson is simple: bring a camera, but do not build your expectations around entering every historic or natural site you see from the boat.

Snorkeling near Île aux Aigrettes

The snorkeling stop near Île aux Aigrettes lasts about an hour and includes equipment, swimming, local snacks, marine-life viewing, and time for scenic views. This is one of the most active sections of the trip, and it is where you will want your swimwear, towel, and sunscreen ready before the boat arrives.

The water is described as crystal clear, and the snorkeling sites received especially strong praise for the quality of the experience. You can expect a chance to see fish and other marine life, though the available information does not promise particular species or a guaranteed visibility level on every departure.

I like that the equipment is included. It saves you from packing a mask and snorkel or renting them separately, and it makes the stop simple for first-time snorkelers. Still, this is not presented as a formal instructional snorkeling lesson. If you are not comfortable in the water, tell the crew what you need and take the stop at your own pace.

The tour combines snorkeling with a scenic island visit, so it is not designed for extended time underwater. If snorkeling is your top priority, you may want to ask how much of the hour is spent in the water and how the group is managed. If you want a pleasant swim in a wider day at sea, the timing makes sense.

Margénie Island and the long BBQ lunch

The Margénie Island stop is the heart of the social side of the tour. You get about 90 minutes for an aperitif, lunch, dessert, BBQ food, drinks, and free time. That is a generous portion of a five-hour trip, and it means you are not eating a rushed meal between boat transfers.

The standard BBQ includes chicken, fish, sausages, garlic bread, mixed salad, and pineapple or banana flambé. Vegetarian food is available on request. Tell the provider about vegetarian needs or other dietary restrictions when you book, rather than waiting until you reach the island.

Drinks include rum, beer, wine, Coke, and fruit juice. The atmosphere can be lively, with music and a relaxed party feel. One booking specifically praised the music and general energy, while another short review singled out the rum. You can also bring your own drinks, since there are no restrictions on doing so.

The drinks deserve a practical warning. Rum, beer, wine, and a speedboat make it easy to overdo things in the tropical heat. Drink water if it is available, use sunscreen, and remember that the boat ride back is still part of the tour. The included alcohol is a perk, but it should not define your whole day.

The BBQ is best understood as a shared island lunch, not a private restaurant meal. If you want a quiet, refined dining setting, this may feel casual. If you like eating outdoors with music, swimming nearby, and a group atmosphere, it adds a lot of value to the price.

Guides, music, and the group atmosphere

The tour operates in English and French, with live guides. Guides named in the feedback include Ayen and Danilo. Ayen was praised for being entertaining, while Danilo was described as cheerful and funny. Those details matter because the guide helps set the tone during the long boat ride and BBQ stop.

The experience appears to lean toward fun and informal hosting rather than a lecture-heavy sightseeing tour. Music is part of the atmosphere, and the combination of views, snorkeling, and drinks keeps the day moving.

The limitation is communication. English explanations were described as sparse and difficult to understand on one outing. On a speedboat, wind, engine noise, and music can all make commentary harder to follow. If you want detailed explanations about the islands, ask questions when the boat is stopped and sit close enough to hear the guide.

You can choose a private or small-group departure. Group size will shape the day more than the formal itinerary does. A smaller boat can feel more relaxed and give you more space, while a larger group may bring more energy but less personal attention. The available details do not promise one fixed group size, so check the option you are booking.

Is $106 a fair price?

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water in Mauritius. The value comes from the number of elements bundled into one half-day: speedboat transport between several islands, snorkeling equipment, the waterfall visit, dolphin watching, Île aux Cerfs free time, a BBQ lunch, and a broad selection of drinks.

You would also spend time and money arranging separate boat trips, food, and snorkeling equipment if you tried to copy the day yourself. The included meal and drinks make the cost easier to justify, especially if you want a ready-made outing rather than a simple transfer to one beach.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a calm snorkel session or a detailed island tour. Part of the price pays for movement between many places, and some stops are short or viewed from the boat. You are buying variety, convenience, and a festive atmosphere.

The rating is very high at 4.9 from 28 reviews, but the written feedback also shows the key pattern: people praise the organization, music, guides, snorkeling, views, and relaxed mood more often than detailed interpretation. That is useful when deciding. The tour is strongest as an active social day on the water.

What to pack for five hours at sea

Bring the basics listed for the activity:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Camera
• Sunscreen

Wear something that handles spray and quick changes between boat, shore, and water. Keep valuables to a minimum, since the day includes swimming and a moving boat. A camera is worthwhile for Phare Island, Île de la Passe, the waterfall, and the open-water views.

Pets are not allowed. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the information does not explain the boat transfer or conditions at each island. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the exact boarding and shore arrangements before paying.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date and departure time carefully.

Who should book this island circuit?

I would choose this tour if you want a packed half-day with plenty of changes in scenery. It fits couples, families, and small groups who like swimming, casual sightseeing, music, and an outdoor lunch. The private and small-group options are especially worth considering if you prefer a less crowded boat.

It also suits you if you want an easy first taste of several eastern Mauritius highlights. You do not have to plan separate visits to Île aux Cerfs, Île aux Aigrettes, the waterfall, or the nearby islands.

I would think twice if you need long visits, strong historical commentary, or a quiet boat ride. The schedule moves quickly, some islands are only scenic passes, and spoken explanations may be limited. The activity is not suitable for people over 95, according to the provided restrictions.

Should you book the five-island tour?

Book it if you want one lively package that combines speedboat views, snorkeling, possible dolphin watching, a waterfall, and a substantial BBQ lunch. At $106, the price is reasonable when you value the included equipment, food, drinks, and several stops.

Skip it if your ideal day means staying in one peaceful place or learning detailed facts at every stop. For the best fit, request a vegetarian meal or other dietary changes in advance, consider a small-group or private option, and tell yourself that dolphin sightings and wildlife are extras, not promises. The strongest reasons to go are the island variety, the snorkeling, and the easygoing Margénie lunch.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Cabane du Pêcheur in Mauritius. Transport to the boarding point is not included.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts about five hours. The first speedboat ride is about 20 minutes, and the return ride is about 15 minutes.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Île aux Cerfs, Phare Island, Île de la Passe, Île aux Aigrettes, and Îles aux Margénie.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with time for swimming and marine-life viewing near Île aux Aigrettes.

Is dolphin watching guaranteed?

No. Dolphin watching is included as part of the route, but sightings are not guaranteed. If dolphins appear, the boat does not chase or follow them, and swimming with them is not allowed.

What food is served at lunch?

The BBQ includes chicken, fish, sausages, garlic bread, mixed salad, and pineapple or banana flambé. Vegetarian meals are available on request.

What drinks are included?

Drinks include rum, beer, Coke, wine, and fruit juice. You may also bring your own drinks.

Can I cancel the booking?

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