5 island tour all inclusive with Ile aux cerfs and snorkeling

This is a busy, sea-filled day that packs several of Mauritius’s best-known stops into about six hours. You start in Trou d’Eau Douce, cruise to GRSE Waterfall and Lighthouse Island, then head south to Blue Bay for snorkeling before finishing with lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. I like the range: you get scenery, a lighthouse visit, coral-rich water, and a beach meal instead of spending the whole day doing only one thing.

I also like the small group of no more than 14 people, which should feel more personal than a large boat outing. The price of $103 includes the boat trip, snorkeling, and lunch, making it a useful one-day sampler. The main caution is the boat itself: this is a speedboat built to move you between stops, not a slow, shaded catamaran cruise. Young children may also find the lack of shade difficult.

Key points to know before you book

• GRSE Waterfall comes first: You cruise from Trou d’Eau Douce to the waterfall before visiting the lighthouse.
• The lighthouse visit is more than a photo stop: You can go inside Lighthouse Island’s lighthouse.
• Blue Bay is the snorkeling highlight: The water is clear and full of fish, with snorkeling from a glass-bottom boat.
• Lunch is served on Ile aux Cerfs: Expect a grilled meal, with lobster noted as part of the food served on some outings.
• The group is limited to 14 people: That keeps the boat smaller than many island excursions.
• This is a speedboat trip: Choose it for efficient island hopping, not for a relaxed catamaran ride.

A fast start from Trou d’Eau Douce

Your morning begins at 8:30 a.m. at Chez TinoB59 in Trou d’Eau Douce. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, and the location is near public transportation.

One practical point deserves attention. The meeting information says Chez TinoB59, but the boat may leave from the nearby jetty. Confirm the exact boarding place with the operator before setting out, especially if you are taking a taxi. A clear phone call can prevent a slow start to the day.

From the village, you board the boat and head toward the GRSE Waterfall. The early departure gives you a full morning on the water, but the advertised duration is about six hours rather than a full sunrise-to-sunset outing. One past outing finished earlier than expected, so do not book this if you want an all-day cruise with a late return.

GRSE Waterfall from the boat

The first cruise takes you to the GRSE Waterfall. This is a good opening stop because it gives you a taste of Mauritius from the water before the more structured parts of the day begin.

You should expect a short scenic visit rather than a long walk or land-based waterfall trek. The value is in seeing the falls as part of the river and coastal route, then moving on without spending the best snorkeling and beach hours at the first stop.

The boat ride also sets the tone. You are moving between several places, and the speedboat helps fit them into one morning. On the other hand, the ride is functional. If your ideal day involves stretching out on deck, reading, and sailing slowly, a catamaran trip will likely suit you better.

Inside Lighthouse Island’s historic beacon

After GRSE Waterfall, the boat continues to Lighthouse Island. Here, you can visit the inside of the lighthouse, which gives this excursion a little more substance than a series of quick beach stops.

The lighthouse is a useful break from the water. You get a land-based visit and a different view of the surrounding sea, while the interior adds something you cannot get from simply photographing the building from offshore. The supplied details do not give a long guided history talk or specify how much time you spend inside, so treat this as a focused stop rather than a museum visit.

Bring care to the footing and follow the operator’s instructions. The outing is designed around several stops, so the lighthouse visit is likely to be fairly compact. That is not a flaw if you want variety, but it may feel brief if this is the part of Mauritius that interests you most.

Snorkeling near Blue Bay

The trip then heads south toward Blue Bay for the water portion of the day. This is one of the strongest reasons to book. The water is described as clear, with plenty of fish, and snorkeling takes place from a glass-bottom boat.

That arrangement gives you two ways to see the marine life. You can enter the water for a closer look, while the glass-bottom boat lets you watch below the surface without snorkeling every minute. For anyone in your group who is less confident in the water, that second option adds real value.

The stop is also a reminder to set realistic expectations. This is a short excursion combining several attractions, not a dedicated snorkeling charter. You will have time in the water, but the exact duration is not provided. Weather and sea conditions can affect the stop, and the activity requires good weather to operate.

The Blue Bay section is best for people who want a taste of Mauritius’s underwater life without giving an entire day to snorkeling. You may see a strong range of fish, but no specific species or guarantee of marine-life sightings is provided. Keep your focus on the clear water and the chance to see the reef from both above and below.

Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs

After snorkeling, you cruise to Ile aux Cerfs for lunch. This is the most relaxed part of the schedule, and eating on the beach gives the day a welcome pause after the speedboat and water activities.

The meal is described as a grilled lunch, with lobster included in the food served on some outings. Drinks are also available during the meal according to the experience details, though you should not assume that every menu item or drink is guaranteed unless you confirm it with Tino Boats.

Ile aux Cerfs is famous for its bright water and sandy beaches, but you should not book this trip only for beach time. The east coast of Mauritius already has excellent beaches, and the island stop is relatively late in a packed itinerary. The best reason to enjoy lunch here is the setting and the change of pace, not a long, empty afternoon on the sand.

That distinction matters. If you want to spend most of your day swimming and sunbathing on Ile aux Cerfs, a dedicated island or beach outing may be a better fit. If you want to combine the island with a waterfall, lighthouse, and snorkeling, this plan gives you more variety for the same day.

What the $103 price includes

At $103 per person, the cost is easiest to judge as a package rather than as a simple boat transfer. You are paying for the cruise, the GRSE Waterfall stop, Lighthouse Island, the Blue Bay snorkeling section, lunch on Ile aux Cerfs, and a small-group format.

That is good value if you planned to arrange several of those activities separately. The trip also removes much of the planning work. You do not need to organize one boat for the waterfall, another for snorkeling, and a separate lunch stop.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a calm boat ride or a long stay on one beach. A speedboat moves efficiently, but it does not provide the leisurely onboard atmosphere some people expect from a more expensive island cruise. You are paying for access to several places in one morning and afternoon, not for luxury seating or a slow sailing experience.

The small group helps the price feel more reasonable. With a maximum of 14 people, boarding and moving between stops should be easier than on a large commercial boat. The activity is described as private, with only your group participating, so confirm how that wording applies to your booking if the group size matters to you.

Speedboat or catamaran?

This choice should guide your decision more than the title of the tour. The boat is a speedboat that takes you from one stop to the next. It is useful when you want to cover ground and see several parts of the coast within six hours.

You may enjoy the fast transfers, open-water views, and direct route. The captain and crew have also been praised for being friendly, and Joey has been singled out for bringing fun and warmth to the outing.

But this is not the right boat for everyone. A speedboat offers less of the lounge-and-sail feeling associated with a catamaran. It may also expose you to more sun and spray. One French-language account specifically noted that the boat had little shade, which is an important warning for families with young children.

Pack sun protection and water. Water is supplied, along with other drinks, but carrying your own bottle is still sensible for a six-hour outdoor trip. The information provided does not specify shade, seating style, or onboard storage, so keep your day bag compact and practical.

How the small group changes the day

A group capped at 14 people is one of the better features of this excursion. You are not trying to hear instructions across a huge boat or waiting for dozens of people to climb aboard before moving on.

A smaller group can also make the island stops feel more orderly. That matters when the schedule includes four different sections: the waterfall, lighthouse, snorkeling area, and lunch beach. You will still be following a set route, but the day should feel less like a mass transfer.

Do not read small group as private guide at every stop. The provided details identify the activity as private for your group, but they do not promise a long explanation at each location. The experience is strongest for independent visitors who want transport, access, and a friendly captain rather than a formal history tour.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see several coastal highlights without spending time arranging them yourself. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a fast boat, sun, and a morning of changing activities.

It is also a good choice if snorkeling is important but not the only reason for your day. Blue Bay gives you the main water activity, while the waterfall, lighthouse, and lunch add variety.

You may want another tour if your priority is a slow catamaran ride, plenty of shade, a long beach stay, or detailed historical guiding. The itinerary is compact, and the boat is built for transport between stops. Families with very young children should consider the limited shade carefully.

The tour requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can take another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, so keep your plans firm once the deadline passes.

Final decision: book it for variety, not lounging

Book this outing if you want a well-packed introduction to Mauritius by boat. The strongest combination is the clear, fish-filled water near Blue Bay, the chance to enter the lighthouse, and lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. The small group and included meal make the $103 price reasonable for a one-day sampler.

Skip it if you want a quiet catamaran day or a long stretch of beach time. For the right person, this is an efficient and friendly way to connect several memorable stops. Just confirm the jetty meeting point, prepare for sun, and choose it for the range of experiences rather than for a leisurely cruise.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Chez TinoB59 in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius, at 8:30 a.m. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

What places are included in the route?

The route includes GRSE Waterfall, Lighthouse Island, the lighthouse interior, the snorkeling area near Blue Bay, and Ile aux Cerfs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs is included. The meal is described as grilled food, with lobster served on some outings.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The boat stops near Blue Bay for snorkeling, and the activity uses a glass-bottom boat in that area.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.