Full Day Tour 5 Island to Ile Aux Cerfs Incl. Lunch and Transfer

The best part of this day is the speedboat ride itself. You cover a long stretch of Mauritius’s southeast coast quickly, stopping for reefs, shipwrecks, old fortifications, a lighthouse, a waterfall, and several sand-fringed islets. It feels more like a full day at sea than a simple beach transfer.

I like the Blue Bay snorkeling and the mix of nature and history. I also like the beach barbecue, sega music, and time to swim at Ile aux Cerfs. The main caution is that the advertised schedule can be ambitious, and the atmosphere may lean heavily toward loud music and drinking rather than quiet island sightseeing.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Bay Marine Park: Snorkel in clear water around 5.5 meters deep, with coral and reef fish.
• A fast, active day: The speedboat covers many stops, but the ride can be bumpy and exposed to the sun.
• Historic southeast coast: See the Dalbair shipwreck, Ile aux Phare lighthouse ruins, and Ile de la Passe defenses.
• Beach barbecue: Expect chicken, fish, salads, garlic bread, drinks, sega entertainment, and banana flambé.
• Group size: The boat can carry up to 15 people, with a minimum of two needed to book.
• Book with care: Confirm pickup time, food needs, boat type, and which stops will operate in current weather and tide conditions.

A full day across Mauritius by speedboat

This excursion is designed for people who want to pack a lot into one day. You leave your accommodation at about 8:00 a.m., travel by private air-conditioned vehicle to Blue Bay, and then spend most of the day on the water before returning around 4:30 p.m.

The price is $151.21 per person. That is not a bargain beach outing, but it includes hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius, private ground transport, a certified guide or driver, speedboat travel, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and drinks. If you plan to use the open bar and want several different coastal stops, the price can make sense. If you mainly want two hours at Ile aux Cerfs, a simpler island transfer may be better value.

The boat holds a maximum of 15 people, so it is smaller than a large catamaran. That gives you a quicker ride and a more personal feel, but it also means less room to escape the sun, music, or fellow passengers. Some trips have been led by guides and captains called Chris, Nelson, Donovan, Kevin, and Emmanuel. The quality of the day depends quite a bit on who is running the boat.

Blue Bay Marine Park and the first snorkeling stop

Blue Bay is the strongest early stop. The marine park is known for clear water, coral, and reef fish, and the snorkeling area averages about 5.5 meters deep. The excursion includes masks and other basic snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own unless you prefer a particular fit.

You will stop in the marine park and swim above coral formations with more than 50 recorded coral species. Visibility depends on weather and sea conditions, but the location can be excellent for a first look at Mauritius’s underwater life.

You do not need to be a strong snorkeler to enjoy this part. You can stay in the water for the view, swim near the boat, or remain onboard and enjoy the coast. Still, the tour is built around sea activities, so it suits you best if you are comfortable getting wet and moving around a small boat.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses with a strap, and clothing that covers your shoulders. The boat offers little shade, and one recent description warned that you may sit in the sun for much of the day. A dry bag is also useful for phones and cameras.

The Dalbair shipwreck at Pointe d’Esny

The next stop is the Dalbair shipwreck, sometimes written as Alblair in the tour details. The vessel has been on the coral reef near Pointe d’Esny since 1902, and the guide is expected to explain its troubled story before the boat moves on.

This is a short stop of about 30 minutes. It is less about walking ashore and more about seeing the wreck from the boat or water, then hearing the background. If you enjoy maritime stories, this adds welcome context to what could otherwise be a string of pretty lagoons.

The shipwreck is also a reminder that this is not only a beach day. You are moving through a part of Mauritius shaped by shipping, colonial rivalry, and the difficult approach to Grand Port. Ask questions if your guide offers a detailed account, since the amount of explanation can vary.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the natural swimming pool

At Ile aux Aigrettes, you get about 40 minutes for a cocktail and a swim in a clear lagoon pool. The stop is described as having starfish and calm water, making it one of the more relaxed pauses on the route.

The name can cause some confusion. This excursion offers a short lagoon stop rather than a formal wildlife tour of the protected island reserve. Treat it as time to swim, see the shallows, and enjoy a drink, not as an extended nature visit.

A cocktail is included, but you should still carry water. With several swimming stops ahead, it helps to pace yourself rather than treat the first drink as a challenge.

Ile aux Phare and the old lighthouse

Ile aux Phare, also called L’Île aux Fouquets, is a small rocky island in Grand Port Bay. Its lighthouse was built in 1864 to guide ships toward Mahébourg, and the island is linked to the Battle of Grand Port between French and British forces.

You get around 45 minutes here. That gives you time to walk around the island and see the old lighthouse ruins. The setting is stark and exposed, with water on all sides and broad views back toward the mainland.

This is one of the better stops for photos, but it is not a polished attraction with paved paths or a large visitor center. Wear shoes that can handle uneven ground, and watch your footing near old stonework. The boat schedule does not allow a long historical visit, so your experience will depend on how much background the guide provides.

Ile de la Passe and Mauritius’s colonial defenses

Ile de la Passe is another small islet with a large historical role. French and British forces built defenses here, and the remaining ruins date back roughly two and a half centuries. The island also connects with the Battle of Vieux Grand Port, a conflict important enough to be commemorated by an inscription on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes and may depend on sea tide. That caveat matters. You should not assume every departure will land here, especially when the water or weather makes access difficult.

If the landing goes ahead, you can walk among the old defensive ruins and look across the turquoise water toward the mainland. This is a good counterpoint to the swimming stops. The ruins are not restored into a formal museum, so you will get the most from them if your guide explains what you are seeing.

Ilot Flamant and the open lagoon

Ilot Flamant is a small white-sand island in the lagoon. You get about 30 minutes here, with another chance to swim or snorkel before continuing toward Ile aux Cerfs.

This stop is short, so think of it as a quick taste of a sandbar rather than a full beach visit. The shallow water and bright sand make it attractive for photos, but the boat may share the area with other excursions.

The itinerary also refers to Ilot Vacoas while cruising. In practice, you should expect to pass it rather than spend a dedicated amount of time ashore.

Grand River South East Waterfall by boat

The Grand River South East Waterfall is viewed from the speedboat as it enters the waterfall’s channel. The place where river meets sea gives you a different view of Mauritius, with trees along the banks and the falls framed by the river mouth.

The stop is planned for about 30 minutes. Monkeys may be seen in the trees near the water, and fruit bats can sometimes be spotted resting high above the river. These sightings are not guaranteed, so keep your eyes open but do not treat wildlife as part of the fixed schedule.

The boat ride into the channel is one reason to choose this outing instead of a simple beach cruise. It adds a short inland section to a day otherwise spent around reefs and open lagoons. Bad weather can change the route, and one reported departure did not reach the waterfall because of conditions.

Ile aux Cerfs and the beach lunch

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop, with roughly two hours for swimming, walking, snorkeling, or relaxing on the sand. Water sports are available at extra cost, with the supplied information listing about 40 euros for optional activities.

This is where the day slows down. After several short stops, you finally have enough time to choose your own pace. If you want a quiet stretch on the beach, claim that time for yourself rather than filling it with another activity.

The barbecue lunch is prepared on the beach at Ilot Margenie, within the Ile aux Cerfs portion of the outing. The usual meal includes chicken barbecue, fish barbecue, salads, garlic bread, and other side dishes. A three-course meal is advertised, with halal food available and vegetarian meals arranged if requested in advance.

Drinks include alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices, and the meal is paired with sega dancing, live music, and a banana flambé dessert. Canopies may provide shade around the lunch area, but you should still expect a sunny setting.

There is an important practical point here. The experience is promoted with unlimited drinks, but one poor account specifically reported no alcohol and limited service. That does not prove every departure has the same problem, but it is sensible to confirm the drink arrangement before you go. If you are traveling with children or want a calm lunch, ask what kind of music and onboard service is planned.

The return ride to Blue Bay

The final hour is a coastal cruise back to the mainland. By then, you will have spent a long day in salt water, sun, and wind, so the return can feel either like a last burst of fun or a tiring ride home.

The speedboat is a major attraction for some people. You move faster than the larger catamarans and get a stronger sense of the coast. The tradeoff is noise, spray, and a rougher ride. Sit where you feel secure, hold onto your belongings, and do not expect a quiet sightseeing boat.

Wildlife sightings can add to the return journey. Dolphins, sea turtles, monkeys, and fruit bats have all been reported on different trips, but none is guaranteed. The scenery is the constant reward, not a specific animal encounter.

What the guide and crew can change

The ground transfer is part of the experience, not just a way to reach the pier. Several departures have had excellent drivers who explained Mauritius along the way and handled the road journey well. Chris, Nelson, Donovan, Kevin, and Emmanuel are among the names connected with particularly well-organized or entertaining outings.

But communication has not always been perfect. Pickup times have changed for some bookings, with one person receiving different times through different messages. Check the current time in the booking app and confirm it directly before the morning of departure. Do not rely on an old email alone.

Weather and sea conditions can also lead to changes. One departure was shifted between operators and initially offered a catamaran instead of the booked speedboat. The day improved after a transfer to another speedboat, but the experience shows why you should confirm the boat type at pickup.

The published route includes many stops, and not every one is guaranteed on every day. Tide affects Ile de la Passe, while poor weather can affect the waterfall, snorkeling, and the entire departure.

Who should book this Mauritius boat trip

I would choose this excursion if you want a high-energy day with lots of movement, water time, music, drinks, and several different sights. Couples, groups of friends, and active families with older children may enjoy the mix of snorkeling, speed, history, and beach time.

I would think twice if you want a quiet ecological tour, a carefully paced historical visit, or a family outing centered on calm interpretation. Some departures are clearly party-oriented, with smoking, vaping, loud music, and alcohol taking up much of the day. Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it when booking and should confirm the meal before departure.

The 4.2 rating from 155 ratings suggests a generally positive experience with meaningful variation. The most praised features are punctual transfers, entertaining captains, clear snorkeling water, beach lunch, and the thrill of the speedboat. The strongest complaints concern changing pickup times, missing stops, warm drinks, poor equipment, and differences between what was promised and what was delivered.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see a large slice of southeast Mauritius in one day and you like your sightseeing with speed, swimming, rum, and music. At $151.21, the package is reasonable when you use the transport, lunch, snorkeling, and drinks, especially if your hotel is far from Blue Bay.

Before paying, confirm four things: the pickup time, the speedboat arrangement, the vegetarian or allergy meal, and whether the day is expected to include the waterfall and Ile de la Passe. Pack sunscreen, a cover-up, secure footwear, snacks, and a dry bag.

If those details suit you, this can be a memorable way to connect reefs, ruins, waterfalls, and beaches in one long Mauritian day. If your ideal outing is quiet and carefully controlled, choose a smaller private cruise or a simpler beach excursion instead.

FAQ

How long does the full-day island tour last?

The excursion lasts about 8 to 9 hours. Pickup begins around 8:00 a.m., and the return to the mainland is expected at about 4:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered at hotels or other accommodation anywhere in Mauritius, using a private air-conditioned vehicle.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling at Blue Bay Marine Park and equipment are included. The excursion also includes snorkeling opportunities at other lagoon stops.

What food is served at lunch?

The beach barbecue usually includes chicken, fish, salads, garlic bread, and other sides. Halal food is available, and vegetarian meals can be arranged if requested when booking.

Are drinks included?

The tour includes a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and advertises unlimited drinks onboard and at lunch. Service can vary, so confirm the drink arrangement before departure.

Can children and non-swimmers take part?

The information states that most people can participate, but the day includes speedboat travel, swimming, and snorkeling. If you have an illness, food allergy, or concern about taking part, advise the operator before booking.