5 Islands Private Speedboat with Snorkeling Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this private speedboat tour is its mix of sea time, snorkeling, old ruins, beaches, and a barbecue lunch. In one long day, you move from the coral gardens of Blue Bay to the lighthouse of Ile aux Phare, then on to white sand, waterfalls, and the famous Ile aux Cerfs.

I like the freedom of having your own boat for up to four people, and I like the range of stops. You are not spending eight hours on one beach. You get a look at Mauritius’ maritime past, clear lagoons, a shipwreck, and the Grand River South East Waterfalls.

The main caution is the pace. The day includes many stops, and some are short or viewed from the boat. If you want a slow beach day with lots of time in one place, this may feel rushed.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Bay snorkeling reaches about 5.5 meters: Clear water, coral, and more than 50 coral species make this the main underwater stop.
• Your group gets a private boat: The $575 rate covers up to four people, which is good value when shared by a full group.
• The route mixes nature and history: You’ll see the Dalblair shipwreck, the old Ile aux Phare lighthouse, and French and British defenses on Ile de la Passe.
• Lunch is a BBQ around noon: Chicken, fish, sides, salads, and garlic bread are normally served, with a vegetarian option available if arranged ahead.
• The boat reaches Grand River South East Waterfalls: The approach by water gives you views of monkeys and possibly fruit bats in the trees.
• Pickup needs careful confirmation: Hotel pickup can be arranged, but the meeting details may require extra attention during booking.

What this full-day boat trip is really like

This is an eight-hour outing from Tropical Waves on Debarcadere Road in Trou d’Eau Douce. The boat returns to the same meeting point, and the operating hours listed for the experience are 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

The price is $575 per group of up to four. That works out to $143.75 per person if four people share the boat. For a private day with a dedicated speedboat, lunch, drinks, and several coastal stops, that is a reasonable price for a small group. For one or two people, the cost per person is much higher, so the value improves sharply when you fill all four places.

The private setup matters here. You can ask for more time at a preferred stop, accept a shorter visit at one that interests you less, and spend the day only with your own party. A previous outing led by Gino included choices about how to shape the day, and Dino is also named in connection with the service. Confirm the guide’s name and pickup details before you go.

Blue Bay Marine Park and the first swim

The first major stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, one of the strongest parts of the route for anyone who cares about fish and coral. The boat heads out toward the reef, then stops in the marine park for snorkeling.

The water here averages about 5.5 meters deep and is described as crystal clear, with good visibility. You can expect views of reef fish and a broad selection of coral, including more than 50 recorded species in the park. That makes this more than a quick swim beside a beach. It is the place where you get the clearest look at the underwater side of the trip.

You should treat sea conditions as part of the day’s uncertainty. The advertised conditions are favorable, but visibility and comfort in the water can change. If snorkeling is your priority, go early in the day with that in mind, and ask the crew how long you will have in the water.

Pointe d’Esny and the Dalblair wreck

At Pointe d’Esny, the boat visits the shipwreck of the Dalblair, also spelled Alblair in the tour information. The wreck lies on the coral reef and dates from 1902.

This stop adds a useful bit of context to an otherwise beach-heavy day. The wreck has a controversial story, and the guide is expected to explain what happened. It is not simply another photo stop. You get a reminder that these calm-looking waters have long been important to ships, trade, and military power.

The listed stop lasts about an hour, although the amount of time spent in the water or looking at the wreck may depend on conditions. Ask whether the wreck is best seen by snorkeling or from the boat on the day. The information provided confirms the visit, but it does not promise a particular underwater viewing distance.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the lagoon pause

Next comes Ile aux Aigrettes, where you can have a cocktail and swim in the clear lagoon. The description calls the swimming area a natural pool and notes that starfish can be seen there.

This is a good change of rhythm after the reef and wreck. You are not being asked to keep moving for the entire morning. A calm swim in a shallow-looking lagoon setting can be one of the more relaxed moments of the day, especially for people who want time in the water without another formal activity.

Use care with starfish. If you see them, admire them in place and avoid lifting or handling them. The attraction is the clear water and natural setting, not taking anything from it.

Ile aux Phare and the old lighthouse

Ile aux Phare, also known as Ile aux Fouquets, is a small rocky island in Grand Port Bay. The main sight is its old lighthouse, built in 1864 to guide ships toward Mahebourg.

You can walk around the island and see the lighthouse ruins. This gives the trip a different feel from the snorkeling stops. The island is tied to the Battle of Grand Port, fought between French and British forces, so the boat ride is also a short lesson in Mauritius’ colonial-era conflicts.

The lighthouse is old and exposed, and the island is rocky rather than a soft white-sand beach. Wear footwear you can walk in, and do not expect a polished attraction with extensive facilities. Its appeal is the setting, the sea views, and the remains of a working maritime landmark.

Ile de la Passe and Mauritius’ military past

Ile de la Passe is a small islet off the southeast coast with the remains of French and British defenses. The ruins date back roughly two and a half centuries and relate to the battles around Vieux Grand Port.

This is one of the most unusual stops because the history is visible on the ground. You can walk among old defensive structures while looking across turquoise water toward the mainland. The Battle of Vieux Grand Port was important enough to be commemorated by an inscription on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Do not expect a large museum or a long guided historical tour. The interest comes from seeing the ruins in their actual setting, with the sea that made this area strategically important. If you enjoy old forts and maritime history, this stop adds real substance to the day. If you only want swimming and sand, it may feel less exciting.

The boat also passes Ilot Vacoas while cruising. It is not described as a separate landing, but it adds another small island view to the route.

Îlot Flamants and the short white-sand stop

Îlot Flamants is a small white-sand island in the lagoon. The planned stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes another chance to snorkel in turquoise water before continuing toward Ile aux Cerfs.

This is the kind of place that looks excellent from the boat and gives you a quick swim or shore break. The short timing is important. You will not have a full afternoon here, so think of it as a scenic pause rather than a major destination.

The route includes several swimming opportunities, but you should not assume each one will feel equally long. The schedule has to cover the islands, waterfall, lunch, and return journey. That variety is the appeal, but it also means you need to keep an eye on the clock.

Grand River South East Waterfalls by boat

The speedboat then enters the channel toward Grand River South East Waterfalls. The listed time here is about 30 minutes.

Approaching the waterfall from the water gives you a close view of the point where the river meets the sea. The banks are covered with wild plant life, and monkeys may be visible in the trees because they are accustomed to people. You might also see Mauritian fruit bats resting high above the river.

Wild animals are never guaranteed, so treat the monkeys and bats as a possible bonus rather than the purpose of the stop. The waterfall itself is the reliable feature. The speedboat makes this visit more practical than arranging a separate land trip, since you see it as part of the same coastal route.

Ile aux Cerfs, lunch, and free time

The main beach stop is Ile aux Cerfs, known for white sand, palm trees, and bright turquoise water. Here you have time to swim, stroll, relax on the beach, snorkel, or choose a water sport activity.

The tour also includes a BBQ lunch at around noon. The usual menu includes chicken BBQ and fish BBQ, along with salads, other sides, and garlic bread. Vegetarians can request a suitable meal in advance.

Lunch is included, but do not confuse that with every possible activity on Ile aux Cerfs being included. The description says you can enjoy a water sport, but it does not specify that each activity is covered by the tour price. Ask before paying for anything extra.

Ile aux Cerfs is a popular stop, and it is also the point where the trip can feel less private. The boat and your group are private, but the island itself is a major beach destination. If you prefer quiet, the smaller islands and lagoon stops may appeal more. If you want a classic Mauritius beach with time to stretch out, this is the payoff.

Speed, comfort, and the shape of the day

The speedboat is the transport and part of the attraction. You get the sound of the engine, open water, and quick movement between stops instead of a slow transfer from island to island.

That speed also means you should be comfortable with a lively ride. The supplied information does not specify seating, shade, or onboard facilities, so ask the operator what to bring and what the boat provides. Bring sun protection, swimwear, a towel, and footwear suitable for both a boat and rocky island ground.

Pickup is offered, and one especially useful detail is that hotel pickup was arranged successfully for an earlier booking. Still, the meeting-point process can be confusing. Confirm the pickup location directly with Taxi Mauritius Tours and Transfer, especially if you are not going to Tropical Waves in Trou d’Eau Douce on your own.

The activity is listed as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is also near public transportation. The experience is private, but the available information does not give specific limits for mobility needs or boat access, so ask before booking if that affects your group.

Who should book this Mauritius boat tour?

I would choose this trip for a small group that wants a full day with plenty of variety. It suits people who want snorkeling and history in the same outing, families or friends who value a private boat, and anyone who would rather see several east coast sights than stay at one resort beach.

It is also a good fit for photographers. You get coral, wreckage, lighthouse ruins, old defenses, white sand, waterfalls, and possible wildlife in one route. The changing scenery gives you far more variety than a simple lagoon transfer.

I would think twice if your main goal is a quiet, unhurried day. Several stops are scheduled for about an hour, Îlot Flamants is about 30 minutes, and the waterfall visit is also about 30 minutes. You may have to leave a place just as you are settling in.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Should you book it?

Book this private speedboat day if you want to cover a lot of Mauritius’ east coast in one outing and can share the $575 cost with three other people. The strongest reasons are the private boat, Blue Bay snorkeling, the Dalblair wreck, the lighthouse and defense ruins, and the included lunch at Ile aux Cerfs.

Skip it if you want one slow beach with no schedule, or if your group does not enjoy boat rides and repeated stops. Before paying, confirm pickup, ask whether your preferred guide is Dino or Gino, and check the vegetarian lunch arrangement if needed. With those details settled, this is a lively and useful way to see the coast from the water.

FAQ

How long does the private speedboat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. Its listed operating time is 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Sunday.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Tropical Waves on Debarcadere Road in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to four people. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. Confirm the exact pickup point with the operator because the meeting-point details may require clarification during booking.

What food is served at lunch?

The usual BBQ lunch includes chicken, fish, salads, other sides, and garlic bread. A vegetarian meal can be arranged if you tell the operator in advance.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling is planned at Blue Bay Marine Park and Îlot Flamants, with additional swimming opportunities at other lagoon stops.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.