5 Islands Speedboat Cruise incl. Snorkeling in Blue Bay + Lunch at Ile aux Cerfs

The best thing about this Mauritius excursion is the amount of coast you cover in one day. You move from the resort feel of Ile aux Cerfs to old lighthouses, a marine park, a nature reserve, and the Grand River South East waterfall. I like the mix of history and water time, and I like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and bottled water are already covered.

The speedboat makes the day lively, especially with a friendly skipper such as Andy at the helm. My main caution is the pace: some stops are short, and the snorkeling time can feel limited. If you prefer one quiet beach and a long swim, this may feel rushed.

Key points before you book

• Five named stops in roughly seven hours: You see several parts of Mauritius without arranging separate boat trips.
• Blue Bay snorkeling is the main water stop: Expect about two hours assigned to snorkeling, swimming, or relaxing, depending on weather and coral conditions.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Snacks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, and an open bar are part of the day.
• The group is capped at 18 people: This is smaller and more personal than a large catamaran outing.
• The route can change: Snorkeling may take place at Blue Bay Marine Park or near Ilot Mangenie.
• The mood is social and energetic: Music and a lively skipper add fun, but the boat can feel noisy.

A fast boat ride through Mauritius’s east coast

This is not a slow sightseeing cruise. You spend much of the day moving by speedboat between small islands and coastal landmarks, with the sea providing the main view between stops. That makes the trip a good fit if you want variety and do not want to spend a full day in one place.

The meeting point is Blue Alizé Catamaran at Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce. The tour begins at 8:30 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point. Parking is available there, which is useful if you are driving to the launch point. Private transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to and from the meeting point.

The group limit of 18 matters. You will still be sharing the boat, but the skipper has a better chance of keeping an eye on everyone and explaining the route. The atmosphere can be friendly and social. It may also include loud music, so do not expect a quiet nature cruise.

Ile aux Cerfs: 45 minutes to get your bearings

Ile aux Cerfs is the first planned stop, with about 45 minutes for a visit and refreshments. This is one of Mauritius’s best-known island outings, so expect a popular, easygoing setting rather than a remote castaway island.

The short visit gives you time to stretch your legs, take in the shore, and have a drink before moving on. It is not enough time for a long beach session, so keep your expectations in check. The value here is that Ile aux Cerfs forms a pleasant opening to a packed route, not that it provides a full beach day.

The boat then heads toward Grand River South East. The changing views are part of the appeal. You see the coast from the water, with the speedboat giving you a closer sense of the smaller channels and offshore islets than a road trip would.

Grand River South East and the waterfall view

Grand River South East is known for a waterfall flowing toward the Indian Ocean. The stop is tied to the wider route and gives you a chance to see one of the east coast’s natural sights from the boat.

The timing can be brief, so this is mainly a viewing stop rather than a walk or extended exploration. I would keep your phone ready before the boat slows down. If you want a long, quiet look at the falls, you may find the 15-minute stop too short. If you enjoy collecting several sights in one day, it works well.

The route also brings in the story of Ile de la Passe and the Battle of Grand Port. In August 1810, French and British forces fought a major naval action in the bay, with the British losing four frigates. That background gives the offshore rocks more meaning than a quick photograph alone. The guide’s explanations help connect the islands to Mauritius’s past.

Ile aux Fouquets and its old lighthouse

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile Phare or Lighthouse Island, adds a strong historical note to the trip. Dutch settlers discovered the islet in 1598, and a lighthouse was built there in 1864. It remained in use until the beginning of the 20th century.

The island also had a strategic role during the naval battles at Grand Port. From a boat, you mainly take in the lighthouse and the rocky setting, but the stop gives the day more substance than a sequence of pretty beaches.

You should not expect to tour the lighthouse itself based on the stated schedule. The experience is about seeing the site from the water and hearing its story. I like this part because it shows how Mauritius’s offshore islands were useful working places, not just holiday scenery.

Blue Bay Marine Park: the main two-hour water stop

Blue Bay Marine Park is the heart of the day. The marine park became a national park in 1997 and was later designated a Ramsar wetland site in 2008. Its coral garden supports many types of coral and marine life, while the shallow water near the coast can make snorkeling comfortable.

The planned snorkeling session lasts about two hours. You can snorkel, swim, or remain on the boat if you prefer. Equipment is supplied, so you do not need to rent a mask and snorkel separately. That saves both time and money, especially if you are packing light.

The exact location can change. Depending on weather and the coral breeding season, the group may snorkel at Blue Bay Marine Park or near Ilot Mangenie. This is important if Blue Bay itself is the main reason you are booking. The protected area is a major draw, but the operator cannot promise one fixed water site in every condition.

Some people find the actual time in the water shorter than expected once anchoring, equipment, and group movement are taken into account. I would treat the two-hour slot as the total marine-park portion, not two uninterrupted hours of snorkeling. You get flexibility to swim or relax, but a dedicated snorkeler may wish for more time in the water.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the refreshment break

After the marine-park visit, the boat passes Ile aux Aigrettes for a short refreshment stop of about 20 minutes. The islet is a nature reserve and scientific research station off Mauritius’s southeast coast. It is also visited by both local residents and people from abroad.

The stop is brief, but it adds another side of the island: conservation and research. You should not expect a full reserve tour during this boat excursion. The main practical benefit is the pause for drinks and snacks.

The open bar is available during this part of the day, and alcoholic drinks are included. Bottled water and snacks are also supplied. That makes the long boat ride easier, particularly in warm weather. Drink sensibly if you plan to snorkel later or still have a rough ride ahead.

Lunch, drinks, and the real value of the price

The listed cost is $110.79 per person. At first glance, that is not a bargain boat ride. The value becomes clearer when you add up what is included: lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, and taxes.

You are also paying for a full day of transport between several coastal sites, a skipper, and the convenience of not arranging separate excursions. A smaller group of no more than 18 adds to the value. If you used separate taxis, boat trips, meals, and equipment rentals, the total could quickly become more complicated and expensive.

Lunch is a highlight for some people, but the exact menu is not provided, so I would not book this for a particular dish. One account describes the lunch as especially memorable, while another had a less satisfying experience with a long lunch stop on an unoccupied island. The practical lesson is simple: ask the crew how long the lunch break will be and where it will take place on your day.

That uncertainty matters because the itinerary gives different time figures for the listed stops, while the full experience lasts about seven hours. Delays, weather, boat conditions, and meal service can change the rhythm. You get a lot, but you do not get complete control over the schedule.

The skipper and the mood on board

The human side of the trip is important. Andy is one skipper specifically praised for his energy and friendly manner. A good skipper can turn a basic boat transfer into a fun day by explaining the islands, checking that people are comfortable, and keeping the group moving.

The experience is not formal or hushed. Music may play loudly, and the atmosphere is designed to be social. That will suit you if you like chatting with people and enjoying a little party energy on the water. It may not suit you if you want a calm wildlife cruise.

Dolphin sightings have been reported during the day, but dolphins are not listed as a guaranteed part of the tour. If the boat follows dolphins, you may find the experience exciting, though some people are uncomfortable with the feeling of pursuing wildlife. Keep that in mind if animal encounters are an important part of your decision.

Language can also require attention. A booking made for a French guide was not matched with a French-language group on one occasion. If language matters to you, confirm it before the day and again at the meeting point. Do not assume that a requested language will automatically be available.

Who will enjoy this excursion most

I would choose this tour if you want a busy, social day with several types of scenery. It suits people who like boats, short island visits, snorkeling, lunch with drinks, and a guide who adds local stories along the way.

It is also useful for a first visit to Mauritius. You see the east and southeast coast, learn about the Battle of Grand Port, pass historic islands, and visit a protected marine area without having to plan each piece yourself.

Families and mixed groups may like the flexibility at Blue Bay. Strong swimmers can snorkel, while others can stay on board or swim more gently in shallow water. Most people can participate, according to the supplied activity information, but you should still be comfortable boarding and riding in a speedboat.

I would hesitate if you want a slow, private outing, a long beach stay, or guaranteed uninterrupted snorkeling. The route covers a lot, but each part receives limited time. The boat, music, and group format also mean this is not a quiet escape.

Practical details worth knowing

The experience starts at 8:30 a.m. and lasts approximately seven hours. It returns to the original meeting point at Ile aux Cerfs, so plan your onward schedule with that return in mind.

Parking is available at the meeting point. Private transportation is not included. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the group is limited to 18 people.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the trip depends on good weather, poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Pack swimwear, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. Those items are not listed as included, but they are sensible for a day built around swimming and snorkeling. Bring a waterproof way to protect your phone, since many of the best views appear during short boat passes.

Should you book the 5-island speedboat cruise?

Book it if you want maximum variety in one day. The combination of Ile aux Cerfs, the old lighthouse at Ile aux Fouquets, Ile aux Aigrettes, Blue Bay Marine Park, Grand River South East, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment gives you a broad sample of Mauritius’s east and southeast coast.

Skip it if your ideal day means one beach, silence, and no schedule. The short stops can feel rushed, the snorkeling may seem brief, and the lunch timing may vary. For most active visitors, though, the $110.79 price is reasonable because so much is bundled into a small-group boat outing. Confirm the language, ask about the lunch location, and go in expecting a lively sampler rather than a slow cruise.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours. It begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and finishes at Blue Alizé Catamaran at Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can snorkel or swim at Blue Bay Marine Park or near Ilot Mangenie, depending on weather and coral breeding conditions.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, and an open bar are included.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum group size of 18 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.