Trou D’Eau Douce: 5 island tour Mauritius with lunch/drinks

The most memorable part of this Mauritius island tour is the sharp change of scenery. One moment you are skimming across calm, clear water, and the next you are facing open Indian Ocean waves breaking beside the old lighthouse on Île aux Phares. I like the mix of swimming, history, and a beach BBQ, and I like that a six-hour trip gives you more than a quick ride to Île aux Cerfs.

The main caution is that the advertised stops and the detailed route do not match perfectly. Île aux Phares is described as a major stop, while the timed route lists Fouquets Island and Île aux Aigrettes instead. Also, snorkeling gear and the snorkeling session are listed as extra, so confirm these points before you pay.

• Old lighthouse and naval history: Île aux Phares has a lighthouse more than 200 years old and views toward the open sea.
• Île aux Cerfs beach time: You get time for swimming, relaxing, and a BBQ lunch on the island.
• Grand River South East waterfall: The boat pauses for a 20-minute sightseeing and photo stop.
• Small speedboat format: The boat is quick and direct, but space and shade may be limited.
• Flexible private upgrade: A recent booking was changed to a private trip within about 10 minutes, giving the group control over timing.
• English and French guidance: The local skipper or guide can lead the trip in either language.

A fast start from Trou d’Eau Douce

This six-hour trip begins at the end of the jetty beside the Mauritian flag, near the Blue Alizé Catamaran Île aux Cerfs departure point. That meeting detail matters. Trou d’Eau Douce has several waterfront operators, so do not simply arrive at the first boat you see. Go to the end of the jetty and look for the flag.

The first transfer takes about 20 minutes by speedboat. That is much quicker than a slow catamaran, and it lets the trip cover several places along the east coast. You should also expect more spray, engine noise, and less room to move around.

A speedboat is a good fit if you want to pack a lot into one morning and afternoon. It is less appealing if you need shade, quiet, or a roomy seat. One booking began with about ten people already aboard, followed by more passengers, leaving some people tightly packed at the front without shade. The group chose a private option instead, which was arranged in roughly ten minutes and made the day much more flexible.

That experience is useful advice. If you are booking as a couple or family and comfort matters, ask about the boat’s capacity and the price of a private departure before setting off.

Île aux Cerfs gives you the classic Mauritius view

Île aux Cerfs is the best-known stop on the east coast, and it delivers the postcard setting people expect: pale sand, clear turquoise water, and broad stretches of beach. The first visit includes free time, while the longer return visit is set aside for lunch and swimming.

I like having two visits here. The first gives you time to get your bearings and enjoy the water before the meal. The second lets you slow down after the boat stops, eat, and spend more time on the beach instead of rushing through a single short landing.

The island is also the least secluded-feeling part of the trip. Its fame brings activity and other boat groups, so do not expect a deserted beach. The value is access to a beautiful, easy-to-enjoy setting, not complete solitude.

The exact activities available at the time of your visit are not specified beyond swimming and the general mention of water sports. If you want a particular activity, ask before booking rather than assuming it is included in the $88 price.

The Grand River South East waterfall is a quick scenic stop

The boat then heads to the Grand River South East waterfall for about 20 minutes of sightseeing and photographs. This is a short stop, so think of it as a chance to view the falls from the water, not a walk or extended nature visit.

The waterfall adds variety to the day. Without it, the trip would be mostly beaches and lagoons. Here you get a freshwater feature framed by the east coast, and your guide can point out the best angle for photographs.

Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray. The boat format means you may not have much time to prepare once the group reaches the viewing point. If you prefer long, quiet stops, this will feel brief. If you like a moving itinerary with several sights, 20 minutes is enough to break up the ride.

Snorkeling requires a careful check before departure

The route allows about 40 minutes for snorkeling in the Mauritius lagoon. That is enough time for a proper swim rather than a token few minutes in the water, assuming conditions are suitable.

Here is an important booking detail: the information supplied for the experience conflicts on snorkeling. One section describes snorkeling equipment and guided sessions as included, but the specific inclusion list says that snorkeling gear and the snorkeling session are not included. The practical approach is simple: ask the operator exactly what you must bring and what, if anything, costs extra.

The recommended packing list includes goggles and snorkeling gear, along with swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, flip-flops, and a change of clothes. Bring your own equipment if you have it. That removes uncertainty and avoids wasting lagoon time sorting out rentals.

The water stop suits confident swimmers and people who want a short look beneath the surface. The tour is not described as a specialist marine-life excursion, so choose it for a pleasant lagoon swim rather than a highly technical snorkeling program.

Fouquets Island adds a quieter pause

Fouquets Island appears in the timed route as a dolphin-watching stop followed by about 20 minutes for photographs and sightseeing. The supplied details do not promise a dolphin sighting, so treat this as a chance to look for marine life rather than a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

That distinction matters. Wildlife is never a sure thing, and the trip should still feel worthwhile if no dolphins appear. The island stop itself offers a change of pace from Île aux Cerfs and the waterfall.

The 20-minute visit is short. You will have time for photos and a look around, but not a long walk or a full island exploration. Listen for the guide’s instructions, since small islands and sandbanks can have limited areas where you can safely walk.

Île de la Passe brings the strongest historical setting

Île de la Passe is viewed as the boat passes by. It played a role in the naval battle of Grand Port in 1810, fought between French and British forces during the colonial period. The battle is remembered as the only victory of the Napoleonic Navy and is listed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

You do not land for an extended visit, so the historical value comes through the guide’s explanation and the view from the water. This is one place where a good English or French guide makes a real difference. Lucas is one guide praised by name for an excellent experience, and a friendly local captain can turn a passing view into a meaningful part of the day.

The most striking detail is the contrast between the two sides of the area. One side has calm turquoise lagoon water, while large Indian Ocean waves hit the outer breakers. It is a vivid reminder that Mauritius is not just a collection of soft beaches. The island sits where sheltered lagoon and open ocean meet.

Île aux Phares is fascinating, but confirm the stop

Île aux Phares is described as one of the tour’s main attractions, yet it does not appear in the detailed timed route provided for the trip. That makes it essential to confirm the current route before booking if the lighthouse is your main reason for coming.

The island’s old lighthouse dates back more than 200 years and is now a historical monument. In 1810, Île aux Phares and Île de la Passe were connected to the Battle of Grand Port. The lighthouse setting also offers a strong visual contrast between protected lagoon water and the rougher ocean side.

If you do visit, this may be the most distinctive stop of the day. Île aux Cerfs gives you the beach image of Mauritius, but Île aux Phares gives you a sense of the island’s seafaring past and exposed position in the Indian Ocean.

Still, do not assume that a description of a stop guarantees a landing. Ask specifically: Is Île aux Phares included on the date you want, or is it viewed from the boat? That one question can prevent disappointment.

Île aux Aigrettes is a short swim and aperitif stop

The route includes about 45 minutes at Île aux Aigrettes for an aperitif and swimming. The island is described as a protected nature reserve with rare species and native vegetation, though the tour details do not promise a guided land walk or wildlife presentation.

That means you should view this stop mainly as a water break with a nature setting. It gives you time to swim, enjoy a drink, and take in an island that has a more protected character than the busy beach areas.

The stop is also a good reason to bring a cover-up or dry change of clothes. You may get in and out of the water more than once during the day, and the return speedboat ride will be more comfortable if you have something dry.

The BBQ lunch is the tour’s social center

The longest stop is the return to Île aux Cerfs, where you get about two hours for a BBQ lunch and swimming. Lunch and drinks are included, and the description specifies refreshments such as soft drinks and local rum.

This is where the $88 price begins to make sense. You are not paying only for a boat transfer. The fare combines a six-hour route, a meal, drinks, several island and coastal stops, and a local skipper. Comparable value depends on the exact group size and on whether snorkeling costs extra, but the package is reasonably positioned for someone who wants a full east-coast day without arranging separate transport and meals.

The lunch setting is informal and beach-based. Do not expect a formal restaurant meal or a long dining service. You are there to eat, swim, and spend time by the water.

If you do not drink alcohol, the soft drinks still give you an included refreshment option. If you do drink, local rum is part of the experience, but take care in the sun and after swimming. Heat, salt water, and alcohol are an unhelpful combination.

What the guides add to the day

The tour is offered in English and French. The local skipper is described as friendly, and Lucas is specifically praised by name. That is useful if you want more than a boat ride, since the historical stops need explanation from the person at the helm.

A private option can also change the feel of the trip. One group was able to switch from a crowded shared boat to a private tour within about ten minutes. They could decide how long to stay at each place and had more space and time with the captain.

That does not mean a private upgrade will always be available or cost the same. Ask about it at the start if you dislike cramped seating or want control over the stops. On a shared boat, the schedule is more fixed and shade may be limited.

The reported score is 4.6 from 27 ratings, with especially strong praise for the guide, the beautiful locations, and the overall day. The one useful caution comes from the seating problem on a crowded speedboat. In other words, service and scenery appear to be the strengths, while boat comfort is the factor to check.

What to pack for six hours on the water

Pack as if you will be wet for much of the day. The supplied advice includes:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Towel
• Flip-flops
• Goggles and snorkeling gear
• A secure bag for valuables

Do not count on snorkeling equipment being included. The information is inconsistent, so bringing your own is the safest plan.

A towel is also not included. You will want one after the snorkeling stop, Île aux Aigrettes, and the swimming time at Île aux Cerfs. Sun protection is especially important on a speedboat, where shade may be limited and the breeze can hide how strong the sun feels.

The trip is not suitable for people with back problems, wheelchair users, or people over 95 years old. The speedboat boarding and seating explain why mobility and back comfort matter here.

Is $88 a fair price for this experience?

At $88 per person, I see this as a convenient package rather than the cheapest way to reach Île aux Cerfs. You receive lunch, drinks, speedboat transfers, a waterfall stop, lagoon time, several island views, and a six-hour schedule.

The value is strongest if you want variety. A simple beach transfer may cost less, but it will not give you the waterfall, historic islands, snorkeling opportunity, aperitif stop, and extended BBQ lunch.

The value is less clear if you only want a quiet beach day or if snorkeling is essential and requires a separate fee. In that case, confirm all extra charges first. Also ask about group size, shade, and the exact island route.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less rigid. Those policies are useful for a weather-sensitive water activity, though they do not remove the need to check sea conditions and the final route.

Who should book this speedboat tour?

I would choose this for couples, families with comfortable swimmers, and friends who want a busy but varied day on Mauritius’s east coast. It works especially well for people who prefer a small-boat feel and do not mind spray, noise, or firm seating.

It is also a good choice if you want a local guide to connect the scenery with the Battle of Grand Port and the old lighthouse. The history is not the main focus, but it gives the boat ride more substance.

I would be cautious if you have back trouble, need wheelchair access, dislike direct sun, or want a slow, spacious boat. I would also hesitate if your main goal is Île aux Phares until the operator confirms that the lighthouse stop is part of the current departure.

Should you book the 5 Island Tour?

Book it if you want to combine beaches, swimming, a waterfall, lunch, and island history in one six-hour outing. The route offers more variety than a simple Île aux Cerfs transfer, and the local guide element can make the historic stops worthwhile.

Before booking, confirm three things: the exact islands visited, the boat’s group size and shade, and the cost of snorkeling equipment or a guided session. If those details suit you, $88 is a practical price for a packed east-coast day. If you want the lighthouse above all else, get written confirmation that Île aux Phares is included.

FAQ

Where does the 5 Island Tour start?

Meet at the end of the jetty next to the Mauritian flag, near the Blue Alizé Catamaran Île aux Cerfs departure point.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included and is served during the longer stop at Île aux Cerfs.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included, including soft drinks and local rum according to the activity details.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

The information is inconsistent. One description refers to snorkeling gear and guided sessions, but the specific exclusions say snorkeling gear and the snorkeling session are not included. Confirm this with the operator before departure.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, sunscreen, flip-flops, goggles, and snorkeling gear.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for people with back problems, wheelchair users, or people over 95 years old.