5 Islands Speedboat Cruise, Snorkeling + Lunch & Open Bar

The old lighthouse at Ile aux Fouqets is the prize here. You get a fast, splashy ride across the east coast, then a close look at a lonely historic marker that gives the trip more purpose than a simple beach cruise. The route also folds in snorkeling near Blue Bay Marine Park and Grand River South East Waterfalls.

I like the mix of history and water time, and I like that lunch, an open bar, snorkeling, and attraction tickets are built into the $100 price. Skippers such as Danilo are praised for keeping the mood cheerful and the pace moving. The main drawback is simple: you only snorkel once, so this is better for a broad day of sightseeing than for serious underwater exploration.

Key points to know before booking

• Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse is the signature stop: Expect a memorable offshore view and a dose of Mauritius history.
• The day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: You get seven hours on the water, starting and ending at Trou d’Eau Douce.
• Lunch and an open bar are included: The island barbecue is part of the price, while fresh grilled lobster costs extra.
• Snorkeling is scheduled near Blue Bay Marine Park: It is included, but the route provides one snorkeling stop rather than repeated sessions.
• The speedboat keeps the day active: You will move between beaches, islands, a lighthouse, a nature reserve, and a waterfall.
• Transport to the boat is not included: You need to arrange your own way to the meeting point, or request private hotel transport in advance.

A fast start from Trou d’Eau Douce

This outing begins and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce, a useful base for exploring Mauritius’s east coast by boat. Boarding is set for 8:30 a.m., with the return planned for 3:30 p.m. That seven-hour window gives the skipper time to combine several different stops rather than rush you straight to one beach.

You will receive the exact embarkation details by WhatsApp, so keep the contact process in mind when booking. The general meeting point is clear, but the precise boarding instructions are sent separately. If you need a hotel pickup and return, ask about private transportation before the day of the trip because it is not part of the $100 price.

The speedboat is central to the character of the experience. You are not simply being carried from one resort beach to another. You feel the engine, the spray, and the changes in pace as the boat crosses open water. That makes the journey itself part of the attraction, though anyone prone to seasickness should bring whatever they normally use for a fast boat ride.

There is no group-size information provided, so I would not book this expecting a private charter or a quiet, tailored itinerary. The tone is lively and social, and the captain helps set that mood. Danilo is one skipper associated with the trip, and his good humor and ability to keep the day moving have been singled out. Other captains may operate the boat on your date.

Ile aux Cerfs, the first major beach stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the practical heart of the day. This is where you can sunbathe, swim, relax, eat lunch, and use the open bar. There are also watersports shops, which gives you the option to look at additional activities, though the supplied information does not say that extra watersports are included.

The island stop matters because it gives the speedboat day a proper pause. After the noisy ride, you have time to sit on the beach and enjoy the water without having to keep moving. If you want a full schedule from start to finish, this stop provides it. If you prefer long, quiet stretches on one beach, the overall itinerary may feel busy.

Lunch is an island recipe barbecue, included in the price. That makes the $100 cost easier to justify, since you are paying for more than transport and sightseeing. Fresh grilled lobster is available only as an extra, and you need to request it ahead of time. Do not assume it is part of the standard meal.

The open bar is available during the designated stops, including Ile aux Cerfs and Ile aux Aigrettes. I would still treat this as a social perk rather than the main reason to book. The real value comes from having food and drinks handled while you spend the day on the water.

Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse and the island’s history

Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse is described as the main attraction, and I can see why. A lighthouse on a small offshore island gives the route a strong visual focus. It breaks up the beach time with a piece of coastal history and offers a reason to look beyond the sand and swimming water.

The boat visit is also where the trip earns its claim to be about exploration. You are moving toward a distinct landmark rather than stopping only at places designed for leisure. The lighthouse may be viewed from the boat, and the exact access details are not specified, so I would not expect a long land visit unless the operator confirms it.

This stop will appeal most if you enjoy seeing how Mauritius’s coastline was used and marked in earlier times. It is not a museum visit or a formal history tour. Instead, the setting does the work: open sea, a remote structure, and a captain who can give the place context in English or French.

The route’s historical angle is modest but welcome. You will not spend the day hearing a long lecture. You will get a quick encounter with a coastal landmark, then continue to the next part of the route. That balance suits people who want some substance without giving up a full day of swimming.

Ile aux Aigrettes and time for another swim

Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve adds another change of scene. The stop includes swimming and an open bar, so it is less about a formal reserve visit and more about enjoying the surrounding water. The supplied details do not promise a guided walk or wildlife viewing, so I would keep expectations focused on the boat stop itself.

The name may suggest a nature program, but the practical plan listed for this outing is water time. That can be useful after the lighthouse stop, especially if you want another chance to cool off. Bring a towel and sunscreen, and wear swimwear under your clothes so you do not waste time changing between stops.

Weather can affect how enjoyable this section feels. One day with poor weather still worked out well for the group, but choppy water, cloud, or rain can change the comfort of an open speedboat trip. The itinerary does not turn bad weather into a museum day, so keep a flexible attitude and pack beachwear that can handle a wet ride.

Snorkeling near Blue Bay Marine Park

The snorkeling stop is near Blue Bay Marine Park, an area known in the itinerary for its marine fauna and flora. Equipment or the exact gear arrangement is not described, but snorkeling itself is included in the tour price. You should bring your own preferred mask or snorkel only if you have strong personal preferences, since the provided details do not specify what equipment is supplied.

This is the best part of the route for seeing Mauritius below the surface. The stop gives you a chance to look at the underwater life rather than only passing islands from above. Conditions matter, though. Visibility and comfort depend on the day’s weather and sea state, and the boat crew decides how the schedule works in practice.

The main limitation is the amount of snorkeling time. The route includes one snorkeling stop, and one passenger specifically wished for another session at a better spot. If you are choosing between this outing and a specialist snorkeling trip, choose the specialist option for more time in the water. If snorkeling is one pleasant part of a larger day, this trip fits well.

I would also avoid assuming that the marine stop is a long, guided lesson. The supplied details promise the location and activity, not an extended naturalist talk. You get the chance to enter the water, see the marine setting, and then continue with the wider island route.

Grand River South East Waterfalls by boat

Grand River South East Waterfalls gives the day a final change in scenery. The waterfall visit takes you away from the open coastal feel and into one of the east coast’s better-known river sights. It helps the itinerary feel varied: beaches, offshore islands, a lighthouse, snorkeling, and moving freshwater.

The attraction is viewed as part of the boat outing, but exact landing arrangements are not provided. I would expect a sightseeing stop rather than a long hike or extended time ashore. That is useful for a seven-hour schedule, since the waterfall can be added without turning the day into a separate land excursion.

The contrast is the point. At Ile aux Cerfs, you have sun, sand, lunch, and swimming. At the waterfall, you are looking at flowing water and a more enclosed setting. The boat gives you a practical way to link these stops without arranging several separate excursions.

Ilot Mergenie is also included among the places visited. The details do not describe a specific activity there, so consider it part of the route’s island scenery rather than booking it for a particular beach, walk, or attraction. The same applies to the exact sequence of the stops. Weather and sea conditions may affect the order.

What the $100 price really covers

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Mauritius, but it includes a lot of moving parts. You receive the speedboat outing, attraction tickets, snorkeling, an island barbecue lunch, and an open bar. Those inclusions can add up quickly if you tried to arrange boat transport, food, drinks, and separate visits on your own.

The value is strongest for someone who wants one organized day with plenty of variety. You pay once and avoid planning several coastal stops. The captain also handles the route, which matters when you want to see more than one island but do not want to compare separate boat operators.

The value is weaker if you want to control every minute. You may prefer a private boat if your main goal is a long swim, repeated snorkeling, or a relaxed lunch with no fixed timetable. This tour is built around covering ground and fitting several sights into one day.

Lobster is the key extra cost to remember. Fresh grilled lobster is excluded, and it must be reserved if you want it. Ask about the price before confirming, especially if you are comparing the standard barbecue with the upgraded seafood option.

Who will enjoy this speedboat day

I would recommend this outing to families, couples, and active groups who want a full day on the water. The combination of swimming, lunch, an open bar, and sightseeing gives different people something to do. A family can enjoy the beach and waterfall, while adults can appreciate the drinks and lighthouse stop.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the east coast. In seven hours, you see several kinds of scenery without having to organize the route yourself. The skipper’s mood matters here, and the feedback around captains such as Danilo points to a friendly, upbeat atmosphere.

I would be more cautious if your priority is serious snorkeling. You get one included snorkeling location, not a string of reef stops. I would also think twice if you need step-free access, since the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. You will want protection from the sun even on a cloudy day, and beachwear makes it easier to move between the boat, sand, and water. English and French are available, which is useful when confirming the meeting details and speaking with the crew.

Weather, comfort, and the pace of the route

A speedboat outing is exposed to the weather. The day can still be enjoyable when conditions are not ideal, but you should accept that the ride may feel different from the picture-perfect version. Cloud can reduce the color of the water, and rougher conditions can make the crossing less comfortable.

The itinerary has a brisk rhythm. You are not spending seven hours in one bay. You move from stop to stop, with the boat ride linking each part. I like that pace for an active holiday, but I would not choose it for a slow beach day.

The captain’s role is important. A good skipper keeps the day on schedule without making it feel rushed, and the strongest feedback centers on humor, friendliness, and a pleasant pace. That human touch can make a big difference on a long boat day.

The cancellation policy gives you some protection if your plans change: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still setting your Mauritius schedule.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book it if you want one lively, well-filled day that combines speedboat travel, beaches, a lighthouse, snorkeling, a waterfall, lunch, and drinks. At $100, the inclusions make sense for anyone who values convenience and variety more than a private or highly customized route.

Skip it if your ideal day means repeated snorkeling, long hours on one beach, or complete control over the schedule. Also arrange transport early, since getting to Trou d’Eau Douce is your responsibility unless you request private transfers.

For most active visitors, this is a strong east coast sampler. The lighthouse gives it character, the barbecue and open bar make the day easy, and the boat keeps the route lively. Just remember that the snorkeling is a single stop, the lobster costs extra, and the sea decides how smooth the ride feels.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat cruise start and finish?

The activity starts and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce. Exact embarkation details are sent by WhatsApp.

What time does the tour run?

Boarding is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., and the return is planned for 3:30 p.m. The total duration is seven hours.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Transportation is not included in the listed price. You can ask the operator to organize private transportation from your hotel or accommodation to the boat and back.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An island recipe barbecue lunch is included in the price. Fresh grilled lobster is not included and must be requested separately.

Is the open bar included?

Yes. An open bar is included, with listed stops including Ile aux Cerfs and Ile aux Aigrettes.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling near Blue Bay Marine Park is included. The planned route provides one snorkeling stop.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.