Reviewed · SPEEDBOAT TOURS
5 Islands All-Inclusive Speedboat w/Snorkeling Sea Turtle
The best part of this nine-hour speedboat day is its range. You move from a waterfall and wild monkeys to historic islands, coral-rich Blue Bay, and the broad white beach of Ile aux Cerfs. It is a full day on the water, not a quick island transfer.
I like the small maximum group of eight, which keeps the boat from feeling like a floating bus. I also like the practical all-inclusive setup: snorkeling gear, a beach BBQ, snacks, and drinks are built into the price. The main concern is consistency. One booking had no language guide, no Blue Bay stop, no open bar, and poor snorkeling, while other outings were praised for the skipper, food, and wildlife.
Key points at a glance

- Trou d’Eau Douce start and finish: You meet at the jetty known on Google Maps as Debarcader Trou D’eau Douche.
- Five-island route: The day includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Phares, Ile de La Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ilot Margenie.
- Blue Bay snorkeling: Several water stops are planned, with marine life and a chance to see sea turtles.
- Beach BBQ included: Grilled chicken, fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad are served on Ile aux Cerfs.
- Small speedboat group: The boat is limited to eight participants, with a fast ride across Mauritius’s largest lagoon.
- Guide quality matters: Languages listed are English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian, but the guide arrangement should be confirmed before departure.
A fast start across Mauritius’s largest lagoon

This is the sort of outing that works best when you want to pack several east-coast sights into one day. The speedboat gives you a sense of motion and open water, while the stops break up the ride with swimming, snorkeling, food, and short visits ashore.
The tour begins and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce. That matters because hotel pickup is not included in the $125 price. You can arrange a transfer from elsewhere on Mauritius at an added cost, but you should treat the jetty as your main logistical task.
The boat carries no more than eight participants. That is a useful limit for a day involving snorkeling gear, lunch, drinks, and several stops. A small boat also gives you a better chance of hearing the guide and moving through the itinerary without the long boarding delays common on large vessels.
The speedboat itself is central to the experience. You will hear the engine, feel the boat skim over the water, and cover more ground than you would on a slow cruise. If you want a quiet sailing day, this may feel too active. If you like the trip between stops to be part of the fun, the speed is a strong point.
More Five Islands Tours in Ile aux Cerfs
- Mauritius: Private 5 Island Tour with Ile aux Cerfs
★ 5.0 · 25 reviews - 5 Islands Boat Trip, Snorkeling and Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs
★ 4.6 · 22 reviews - 5 Islands Private Speedboat w/ Snorkeling + Lunch & Drinks
★ 4.2 · 18 reviews
Ile aux Cerfs brings the first taste of island life

The first planned stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you have about 45 minutes for a visit and refreshments. This gives you a quick introduction to the island before the boat continues its circuit.
Later in the day, you return to Ile aux Cerfs for about two hours. That second visit is the main relaxation period. You can swim, sunbathe, drink coconut water, or choose optional adrenaline activities such as parasailing and a tube ride.
The island is also where lunch is prepared. The menu is generous for a beach meal: grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad. You should not expect a quiet restaurant setting. The point is to eat outdoors near the sand, with drinks available from the open bar.
Live music or a sega show may accompany lunch. The entertainment appears to depend on the setup that day. One small group had a table placed away from the music and found the performance limited to one guitarist, so I would treat the entertainment as a possible extra rather than the reason to book.
I like having two separate visits to Ile aux Cerfs. The first gives you a short look before the sightseeing circuit, while the longer return lets you slow down. The tradeoff is that the tour spends a substantial part of its schedule here, so it is less suitable if you want every minute devoted to remote islands and snorkeling.
Grand River South East adds a waterfall and wildlife

From Ile aux Cerfs, the boat heads toward Grand River South East. Here you view a waterfall flowing into the Indian Ocean, one of the more distinctive sights on the route.
The waterfall visit is mainly about the setting. You remain on the water and take in the cascade where the river meets the sea. It is a good change of pace after the speedboat ride and gives the itinerary a natural feature beyond beaches and coral.
There is also an opportunity to see and feed wild Mauritian monkeys. This is an unusual stop, but it deserves a little care. The activity describes feeding the monkeys as part of the experience, so follow the crew’s instructions rather than improvising with food.
One particularly good outing included both dolphins and monkeys before the waterfall. Dolphin sightings are listed among the included highlights, but wildlife never follows a timetable. You should see this as a chance for wildlife viewing, not a fixed guarantee.
The waterfall stop is valuable because it gives the day some variety. If your main goal is snorkeling, though, you may see this as time taken away from the water. That is the basic choice with this tour: it is built as a broad east-coast sampler, not as a single-site marine excursion.
Ile aux Phares and Ile de La Passe bring the history

The next part of the route reaches Ile aux Phares, followed by Ile de La Passe. These islands add a historical and scenic layer to the day, which is why the outing suits people who want more than a beach break.
The supplied plan does not give a long shore visit or a detailed historical talk at either island. Your experience will depend heavily on the guide and the amount of explanation offered from the boat. If history is a priority, confirm that a live guide in your preferred language will be present.
This point is important because one German-language booking had a last-minute guide illness. The skipper was present, but no German or English-speaking guide was available, so the group received little information about the five islands. That is a serious gap on a tour marketed around exploration and history.
At its best, the island circuit gives you a useful sense of Mauritius’s east-coast geography. You see how the islands sit around the lagoon and how the boat route links them. At its weakest, you simply pass scenic spots without much context. Ask about the guide before you pay, especially if you do not speak French or English.
More Snorkeling Trips in Ile aux Cerfs
- Trou d’Eau Douce: 5 Island Adventure with BBQ & Snorkeling
★ 4.7 · 1,052 reviews - 5 Islands Speedboat w/Snorkeling Sea Turtle + Lunch & Drinks
★ 4.4 · 156 reviews - Catamaran Adventure Full Day: Ile aux cerfs,GRSE Waterfall,Snorkeling &BBQ Lunch
★ 3.5 · 120 reviews - 5 island tour all inclusive with Ile aux cerfs and snorkeling
★ 4.5 · 64 reviews
Blue Bay Marine Park is the day’s key water stop

The route continues toward Blue Bay, passing Ile de La Passe before reaching Blue Bay Marine Park. This is the most important stop for anyone booking the tour mainly for snorkeling.
Several snorkeling sessions are included, and equipment is provided. You can expect time in the water with tropical fish, along with the possibility of seeing sea turtles. The marine park is one of the clearest reasons to choose this outing over a sightseeing-only boat ride.
The quality of this section depends on two things: reaching the marine park and getting calm enough water for a useful swim. One highly positive outing praised the snorkeling spots and wildlife. Another booking reported that Blue Bay was not visited at all and that the snorkeling was not worthwhile. Since that difference is so large, I would confirm the planned Blue Bay stop shortly before departure.
Bring sunscreen and a camera, as requested. You should also be comfortable getting into the sea and using shared snorkeling equipment. The supplied information does not give a minimum swimming level or describe flotation support, so ask the operator directly if you have concerns about water confidence.
Blue Bay is where the tour feels most rewarding when everything runs as planned. The stop gives the day a clear purpose, not just a series of boat views. It also makes the tour appealing to families and couples who want wildlife and reef time without arranging a separate marine park excursion.
Ile aux Aigrettes and Ilot Margenie complete the circuit

After Blue Bay Marine Park, the boat passes by Ile aux Aigrettes for refreshments. This is a shorter pause rather than a full island visit, but it helps break up the return journey.
The all-inclusive bar is meant to open during this part of the day. Drinks listed include Mauritian rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water, along with snacks. The setup is designed for a relaxed ride rather than a formal bar service.
That promise also needs a reality check. One outing reported that no open bar was offered on the speedboat, and the participants had to serve themselves non-alcoholic drinks. This was a major failure for a tour priced around an all-inclusive format. I would clarify when and where drinks will be served before setting out.
The route then heads back toward Ile aux Cerfs through Ilot Margenie. This final island passage gives you more time to watch the water and enjoy the boat ride before the beach lunch and relaxation period.
You will likely find the second half slower and more social than the morning. The initial speed, sightseeing, and snorkeling give way to food, drinks, music, and time on the sand. That rhythm works well for a full-day outing, though anyone seeking nonstop action may find the two-hour beach stay long.
The BBQ and open bar shape the value

At $125 per person, the price needs to be judged as a package rather than as a simple boat ride. You are paying for about nine hours, a small group, the speedboat, island stops, waterfall viewing, snorkeling equipment, several water sessions, lunch, snacks, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
A beach BBQ with two types of grilled protein gives the meal more substance than a basic sandwich lunch. The inclusion of fish, chicken, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad also helps if your group has different tastes.
The drinks add real value if they are available as promised. Beer, wine, rum, juice, soft drinks, and water can make the long day easier, especially during the beach stop. But because one booking did not receive the open bar, I would not calculate the price on the assumption that unlimited alcohol is guaranteed without checking first.
The tour also includes optional paid activities at Ile aux Cerfs, such as parasailing and a tube ride. The supplied information does not say that these activities are included in the $125 price, so plan to pay extra if you choose them.
Compared with booking a private boat, arranging separate snorkeling, finding lunch, and paying for drinks, the package can offer good value. Its value drops sharply if Blue Bay, the guide, or the open bar is missing. The main question is not simply is $125 cheap? It is will the full route operate on my day?
Who should book this speedboat day
I would choose this tour if you want one energetic day that combines sightseeing, swimming, wildlife, food, and a beach break. The small group and fast boat are especially appealing if you dislike large excursion boats.
It also suits visitors staying near the east coast who can reach Trou d’Eau Douce easily. If you are staying elsewhere, the added transfer cost may change the value calculation. Pickup and drop-off around Mauritius are not included.
You should be comfortable with a long day outside. The tour lasts nine hours, and the itinerary includes repeated boat rides, sun exposure, swimming, and several transitions. Pack sunscreen and a camera, and bring anything else you normally need for a full day near the water.
I would be cautious if your priority is detailed history in German or another language. The listed languages are English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian, but guide availability can change. Confirm your preferred language and ask who will be guiding the boat, not only who will skipper it.
The experience is also less ideal for someone who wants a slow, quiet cruise. The speedboat is part of the attraction, and the engine and waves are part of the day.
My booking advice for a reliable day

Before booking, confirm four practical points: the Blue Bay Marine Park stop, the availability of your language guide, the open bar arrangement, and the meeting time at Trou d’Eau Douce. These questions target the parts of the experience that matter most to the final value.
The strongest outings combine the features well. A small group, a clean fast boat, a capable skipper such as Sino, wildlife sightings, good snorkeling, and a well-prepared BBQ can make this an excellent full-day introduction to the east coast.
The weak point is not the idea of the tour. The route is attractive and the package is broad. The risk is that a guide illness or operational change can remove several promised elements at once. The overall rating of 4.1 from nine ratings reflects that mixed picture: many elements work very well, but consistency matters.
I would book it if you want variety and can confirm the key arrangements in advance. I would skip it if Blue Bay snorkeling is your only goal, if you need guaranteed language service, or if you prefer a calm beach day with no fast boat ride.
FAQ
Where does the tour begin and end?
The tour begins and ends at the jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce. Search Google Maps for Debarcader Trou D’eau Douche to find the meeting point.
How long does the experience last?
The tour lasts about nine hours. Starting times depend on availability.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off around Mauritius are available at an additional cost.
How many people can join the boat?
The group is limited to eight participants.
Which islands are included in the route?
The route includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Phares, Ile de La Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ilot Margenie.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with several snorkeling sessions.
What food is served for lunch?
The beach BBQ includes grilled chicken, grilled fish, rice, pasta, garlic bread, and salad.
What drinks are included?
The all-inclusive package lists Mauritian rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, water, and unlimited snacks.
Which languages are available for the live guide?
The listed guide languages are English, French, German, Italian, and Romanian. You should confirm that your preferred guide is available before departure.
More Five Islands Tours in Grand River South East
- Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises
★ 4.8 · 90 reviews - Blue bay: boat trip for ile au cerf (5 islands, barbecue)
★ 5.0 · 9 reviews - Mauritius 5 Islands Hopping Tours – PRIVATE BOAT
★ 5.0 · 4 reviews - Full Day Tour 5 Island to Ile Aux Cerfs Incl. Lunch and Transfer
★ 4.0 · 155 reviews
More Speedboat Tours in Ile aux Cerfs
- Mauritius: Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Tour with Lunch & Drinks
★ 3.9 · 41 reviews - Mauritius: Speedboat Ile aux Cerfs, GRSE Waterfall, BBQ, Bar
★ 4.0 · 13 reviews - Mauritius: Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs & BBQ
★ 4.8 · 429 reviews - Mauritius: Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch
★ 4.6 · 158 reviews
Just added around Grand River South East
- Mauritius: Speedboat Ile aux Cerfs, GRSE Waterfall, BBQ, Bar★ 4.0 · 13 reviews
- Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise with Lunch★ 4.5 · 11 reviews
- Mauritius 5 Islands Hopping Tours – PRIVATE BOAT★ 5.0 · 4 reviews
- Mauritius: 3 Activities + Ile aux Cerfs Boat tour w/ BBQ★ 4.2 · 9 reviews
- Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Trip w/ Lunch, Drinks & Transfer★ 3.7 · 9 reviews
- Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise with Pick-up/Drop-off & Lunch★ 4.8 · 5 reviews
- Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise & Waterfalls- Lunch & Drinks★ 3.9 · 12 reviews
- FULL-DAY CATASPEED – East Lagoon cruise including transfer.★ 4.4 · 8 reviews
Speedboat Tours, compared.

Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs & BBQ
Read our review →
5 Islands Speedboat w/Snorkeling Sea Turtle + Lunch & Drinks
Read our review →
Snorkel and Swim with Dolphins on Speedboat Tour
Read our review →




