5 islands tour: New Private OCÉANE Speedboat

The best part of this Mauritius excursion is the freedom of a private speedboat. You move quickly between the GRSE waterfall, lighthouse islands, snorkeling water, and Ile aux Cerfs instead of spending the day on a crowded catamaran. Skippers such as Angelo and Brian have also allowed groups to linger where they wished, including for an unexpected dolphin sighting.

I like the quiet beach BBQ and the chance to stop for a swim without being tied to a large group schedule. I also like the new boat, which gives you a fast, open-air ride with the sea spray and island views close at hand. The main drawback is the price: $842 for up to two people is a serious splurge, and the ride is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for a flexible day: The skipper can adapt the pace and, within the day’s route, respond to your interests.
• Fast travel between island stops: This is the lively alternative to a slower catamaran cruise.
• A real beach lunch stop: Enjoy a BBQ at a quiet corner of a private beach on Ile aux Cerfs.
• Snorkeling comes before alcohol: Drinks are served after the snorkeling session, and drinking beforehand can cancel that activity.
• A lucky chance of dolphins: Dolphin sightings are not promised, but the route has produced memorable encounters.
• Bring practical beach gear: Pack swimwear, a towel, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, flip-flops, and dry clothes.

Why this speedboat trip feels different

Mauritius has plenty of boat outings, but this one is built around speed, privacy, and a full day on the water. You leave from Pointe Maurice Jetty near Trou d’Eau Douce and travel in a private speedboat with room for up to eight passengers. The advertised price covers a group of up to two, so larger parties should confirm the correct rate before booking.

The boat is the main attraction between stops. You get the thrill of a quicker ride, with waves lapping against the hull and sea spray in the air. That makes the trip more exciting than a standard cruise, but it also means you should expect movement, wind, and exposure to the sun. If you want a quiet, steady ride with lots of shade, this is probably not the right style of outing.

The private format matters most at the stops. A large boat usually has a fixed timetable and a full passenger list to please. Here, the skipper can give more attention to your group and adjust the pace. Brian, one of the skippers praised for this trip, has taken groups away from the busiest spots and allowed them to choose how long to stay. Angelo has also been singled out for being accommodating with special requests.

That flexibility does not mean you can redesign the whole day. The route still follows the southeast coast and its islands, and the return is planned for Pointe Maurice at about 3:30 PM. Think of it as a well-shaped private day with room to breathe, not a completely unplanned charter.

From Pointe Maurice to the GRSE waterfall

The trip begins at Pointe Maurice Jetty. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point at Trou d’Eau Douce. Arrive ready for the water, with swimwear under your clothes and your essential items packed where you can reach them.

The first major stop is Grand River South East, commonly called GRSE. The boat pauses near the waterfall for about 30 minutes of sightseeing, photographs, and wildlife viewing. The waterfall itself is framed by tropical forest, and monkeys in the surrounding area are part of the appeal. They are cheeky, lively, and worth watching from the boat, though you should not expect a controlled wildlife encounter.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you something to see before the island hopping begins. You can take photographs, look for monkeys, and enjoy the contrast between the river setting and the open sea ahead. The stop is short enough to keep the day moving, which suits a speedboat tour.

The approach itself is part of the fun. The boat lets you cover the route quickly, so you spend less time simply getting from one point to another. You will still want sunglasses and sunscreen, since the speed and open boat do not protect you from strong tropical light.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the southeast islands

After the waterfall, the route turns toward the southeast coast. Ile aux Aigrettes is mainly a sightseeing and pass-by stop, with around 20 minutes listed for viewing. The island and surrounding water add another change of scenery, and the mountains around the lagoon create a dramatic frame for the ride.

The itinerary then takes you among several small islands. At Ile aux Fouquets, you get a photo stop and a chance to see the lighthouse. This is one of the most distinctive sights on the route. The lighthouse gives the stop a strong sense of place, and the boat can bring you close enough for photographs and sightseeing.

You also pass or stop near Îlot Flamants. The precise amount of time at each island can depend on the day and on the skipper’s judgment, so do not assume every location receives a long shore visit. Some are best appreciated from the water, where you can see the island shape, reef areas, and open lagoon together.

Ile aux Phares is highlighted as one of the tour’s key attractions, while the itinerary identifies Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse. These names can refer to different lighthouse locations in descriptions of southeast Mauritius, so it is sensible to confirm the exact planned landing or viewing point with the operator if this stop matters especially to you.

The private arrangement adds value here. A skipper can slow down for photographs or spend a little longer at a spot when conditions and timing allow. One of the most attractive details from the trip is the possibility of seeing dolphins along the route. A dolphin encounter cannot be guaranteed, but one group was able to remain with them for as long as they wished, rather than being hurried onward.

Snorkeling near Ile aux Aigrettes

The snorkeling session is one of the day’s main active moments. You stop in clear lagoon water near Ile aux Aigrettes and look for marine life below the surface. The setting is especially appealing because the water is framed by the southeast islands and mountains, rather than by a busy resort shore.

Bring your own towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. A change of clothes is useful after the snorkeling, especially if you plan to stay on the boat for the next part of the route. Flip-flops make sense for the beach, while sunglasses and a hat help during the long periods in the open sun.

The order of activities matters. Alcoholic drinks are included, but they are served only after snorkeling. The management can cancel the snorkeling activity if alcohol is consumed beforehand. That is a sensible safety rule, and it means you should treat the first part of the day as an alcohol-free water activity.

The description does not specify the type or amount of snorkeling equipment provided, so ask the operator if you need particular gear or have concerns about fit. The activity is presented as a session in the lagoon, not a dedicated marine biology outing. You should expect a pleasant look at local sea life, with the surrounding water and scenery doing as much work as the fish.

Ile aux Cerfs and the private beach BBQ

Lunch is served at La Flibuste, a quiet corner of a private beach on Ile aux Cerfs. This is the point where the day slows down. After the faster boat ride and island sightseeing, you have time to eat, sunbathe, and swim in clear blue water.

The BBQ lunch is included, along with drinks after snorkeling. The food has received particularly strong praise, and the combination of a hot meal and a beach setting is a major part of the tour’s value. You are not simply stopping at a busy waterfront restaurant and returning to the boat. You get a more secluded beach setting and a proper pause in the middle of the day.

Ile aux Cerfs is a well-known destination, so the private beach setting matters. It gives you a chance to enjoy the island without making the entire visit feel like a mass excursion. Still, private beach should not be read as a guarantee of total solitude. Conditions and other activity on the island can vary, but this lunch stop is designed to avoid the busiest feel.

Plan your expectations around a relaxed beach break rather than a long cultural visit. The attraction is the water, the meal, and the setting. You can swim, sit in the shade if available, take photographs, and dry off before getting back on the boat.

If you are booking for a family, this is also the easiest part of the day for different interests. Younger passengers can swim and enjoy the boat ride, while adults can take their time with lunch and the view. One family with children aged 10 and 15 found the full day suited them, though parents should still consider the speedboat’s motion and the lack of suitability for back problems or mobility impairments.

The return to Pointe Maurice

After lunch and beach time, the boat cruises back toward Trou d’Eau Douce and Pointe Maurice. The return is not just a transfer. It gives you another chance to enjoy the southeast coast from the water, with scenic views and a final burst of speed if conditions permit.

The full activity lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. The planned arrival is around 3:30 PM, although you should check the available start time when booking because the exact departure schedule is not provided here. That timing leaves the day focused on the boat trip rather than extending into the evening.

A private speedboat can make the return feel more personal than the outward journey. Some skippers have allowed passengers to take part in handling the boat under their direction. That is not listed as a standard feature, so you should not book expecting to drive, but you can ask whether it is possible on the day.

Is $842 good value for two people?

At $842 per group of up to two, this is an expensive Mauritius excursion. You are paying for privacy, a newer speedboat, a skipper dedicated to your group, snorkeling, lunch, and the ability to avoid the fixed rhythm of a large cruise.

The value improves if you would otherwise book separate transport, a boat trip, snorkeling, and lunch. The tour puts those pieces into one long day and adds the private beach setting. It also makes more sense for a special occasion or for people who dislike crowded group excursions.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is simply to reach Ile aux Cerfs and swim. A less expensive shared cruise may provide the beach, food, and basic island scenery at a lower cost. You should choose this experience for the combination of speed, privacy, flexibility, and comfort, not just for the destination list.

For a group of more than two, the per-person cost may improve, but the listed price specifically covers up to two people. Since the boat can carry up to eight, ask how the rate changes for three to eight passengers before committing.

Who should book this private boat?

I would recommend it to couples, small families, and friends who want a full day on the water without joining a large group. It suits people who value personal attention, quick movement between stops, and a little control over how long they spend at scenic locations.

It is also a strong choice for a last full day in Mauritius. The route combines wildlife viewing, a waterfall, islands, a lighthouse, snorkeling, a beach lunch, and a swim. That gives you a broad taste of the southeast coast without needing several separate outings.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, have back problems, or have limited mobility. The activity is not suitable for those conditions, and the speedboat’s movement can be demanding. Smoking is not allowed, and Wi-Fi is not provided. Caps and T-shirts are available for purchase on board, but they are not included, so bring your own hat and sun protection.

The strongest practical tip is simple: pack for a water day, not a sightseeing bus. Bring swimwear, a towel, a spare change of clothes, flip-flops, sunglasses, a hat or cap, high-SPF sunscreen, and a camera. Keep valuable electronics protected from spray.

Should you book the OCÉANE speedboat?

Book it if you want Mauritius by boat at its most flexible and energetic. The private format, strong skippers such as Brian and Angelo, snorkeling, dolphin possibility, and quiet Ile aux Cerfs lunch make this much more than a quick transfer between beaches.

Skip it if $842 for two strains your budget or if you prefer a calm, low-cost cruise. For everyone else, this is a polished splurge with a clear advantage over a crowded catamaran: you get more space, more speed, and a better chance to shape the day around your own group.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start and finish?

The tour starts and returns at Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, which is six and a half hours. The planned return to Pointe Maurice is at approximately 3:30 PM.

How many people can join the private boat?

The speedboat can carry up to eight passengers. The listed price of $842 covers a private group of up to two people, so ask about pricing for a larger group.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served at La Flibuste, in a quiet corner of a private beach on Ile aux Cerfs.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes, alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling. Alcohol must not be consumed beforehand because the management may cancel the snorkeling activity if passengers drink before it.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, flip-flops, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat or cap, and a camera. Smoking is not allowed, and Wi-Fi is not provided.