Trou d’Eau Douce: 5 Island Adventure with BBQ & Snorkeling

The best part of this six-hour speedboat trip is the variety. You race along Mauritius’ southeast coast, stop for snorkeling, pass old colonial-era islands, watch monkeys near the waterfall, and finish with a beach BBQ at Ile aux Cerfs. It is a busy day, but it gives you a strong taste of the coast in one outing.

I like the contrast between the calm turquoise lagoon and the rough Indian Ocean breaking around the old lighthouse islands. I also like the small group, limited to 14 people, and the guides, including Rajiv, Oliver, Wendel and Jeremy, who are praised for their humor, photo help and sharp eyes for dolphins and turtles.

The main thing to consider is the pace. Some stops are short, the early islands are rocky rather than lush, and the speedboat can be thrilling but bumpy. Bring aqua shoes if your feet are sensitive, and know that this trip is not suitable for pregnant women.

Key points at a glance

• A fast southeast-coast route: The speedboat covers a lot of ground and feels far more lively than a slow cruise.
• Colonial history beside wild water: Ile aux Fouquets and Ile de la Passe were tied to the 1810 naval battle of Grand Port.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Dolphins, sea turtles, monkeys, flying foxes and reef fish have all been spotted.
• Beach BBQ included: Lunch, drinks, snacks and beer are part of the day, with vegetarian food available.
• Small group, bilingual guide: French and English commentary is provided for a maximum of 14 people.
• Pack lightly: Take sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a towel, but leave large bags behind.

Why this speedboat trip works so well

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest boat outing in Mauritius. But you are paying for more than a short ride to Ile aux Cerfs. The price covers several island stops, the GRSE waterfall, snorkeling equipment, snacks, drinks and a BBQ lunch. You also get a guide and a boat that can move quickly between the coast and offshore islands.

That makes the trip good value if you want a full day of sights and water time without arranging several separate excursions. It is less suitable if your ideal beach day means staying in one quiet place for hours.

The boat leaves from the jetty beside the Mauritius flag at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs. Despite the meeting-point name, this experience uses a speedboat, not a catamaran. That detail matters. The boat ride is one of the main attractions, with quick runs across open water and plenty of wind in your face.

The group limit of 14 helps. You are not lost in a large crowd, and the guide can help with photos, swimming and getting in and out of the boat. Several guides have been singled out for doing exactly that. Jeremy helped a solo participant feel comfortable, Ranjeev kept the stops moving smoothly, and Wendel was praised for spotting wildlife and taking holiday photos.

Ile aux Cerfs gives you the postcard finish

Ile aux Cerfs appears early in the route and again for the longer lunch stop. The first visit is roughly 40 minutes, giving you time to walk, see the beach and get your bearings. The island is known for pale sand, clear water and an easy holiday feel.

The first stop is more of an introduction than a long beach stay. You may want to save serious swimming and sunbathing for later, when you return for lunch. That second visit lasts about two hours and is the most relaxed part of the day.

Here you can eat beside the beach, have a beer or another included drink, and spend time in the clear water. The BBQ is one of the strongest parts of the outing. It is filling rather than fussy, and vegetarian meals have been provided when requested. Snacks and drinks are also available during the boat ride, with Mauritian rum and rum-based drinks mentioned often as part of the onboard refreshments.

If you want a quiet meal, the social setup may feel lively. This is a shared boat day, not a private picnic. Still, the beach setting and generous lunch break give the fast-moving trip a useful pause.

GRSE waterfall and the monkey encounter

The Grand River South East waterfall, often shortened to GRSE, gets around 20 minutes. The waterfall itself is scenic, but it is not the largest or most dramatic part of the day. Keep your expectations sensible.

The ride to the waterfall adds much of the fun. Monkeys can be seen around the river and trees, and guides often know where to look. Some groups have had monkeys come close to the boat, along with sightings of flying foxes.

Here I would make one practical and ethical point. Feeding monkeys may bring them close enough for photographs, but wild animals should not be encouraged to depend on tour boats. One guide has been praised for finding animals while keeping a more respectful distance from dolphins and turtles. That is the better approach.

Bring a camera, but do not count on a guaranteed wildlife show. The animals are free-moving, and sightings depend on timing and luck.

The old lighthouse at Ile aux Fouquets

Ile aux Fouquets is the historical heart of the trip. The island has an old lighthouse more than 200 years old, and the structure is protected as a historical monument. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, including a photo opportunity and a short walk.

The island is not polished like Ile aux Cerfs. Expect exposed rock, stone and strong ocean views. That roughness is part of its appeal. On one side, the lagoon can look calm and glassy. On the other, Indian Ocean waves hit the outer reef and breakers.

The lighthouse also gives the guide something meaningful to explain. In 1810, Ile aux Fouquets and Ile de la Passe were involved in the naval battle of Grand Port between French and British forces. The French victory was the only naval victory of Napoleon’s navy and is recorded on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

You will not get a long museum visit here. The stop is short, so the quality of the guide’s explanation matters. Some guides, including Oliver, Rajiv and Ranjeev, have been praised for adding history and humor. If your guide is quiet, you may get more scenery than storytelling.

Aqua shoes are useful at this part of the route. The early island stops can feel stony underfoot, especially if you expect soft beach sand everywhere.

Ile de la Passe and the edge of the ocean

Ile de la Passe is mainly viewed while passing by. It is linked to the same 1810 naval battle, so it adds historical context to the lighthouse stop.

This is not a place where you should expect a long walk or a full landing. Instead, look at the shape of the island, the old defensive position and the change in water conditions around it. The calm lagoon and crashing outer ocean make this one of the most striking views from the boat.

The speedboat is particularly useful here. You can see the island from different angles, then move on without losing half the day to a slow crossing.

Snorkeling in Grand Port District

The snorkeling stop takes about 40 minutes. Equipment is included, and the water can be clear enough to see reef fish and other marine life. Sea turtles have been seen during the swim, and some people have been lucky enough to remain near one for several minutes.

Dolphins and turtles are also spotted from the boat at other points. Guides such as Rajesh, Derrick and Oliver have been praised for finding them, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. A good guide can improve your chances, not control nature.

The supplied snorkel gear is serviceable, though some people have found its quality basic. If you already own a mask and snorkel, bringing your own is sensible for comfort and hygiene. Check that the mask fits before the boat moves away from shore.

The water stop is active rather than leisurely. You may be asked to get in and out of the boat, swim in open water and keep an eye on the group. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the guide early so you can understand the options.

Ile aux Aigrettes adds a second swim

Ile aux Aigrettes is the last major water stop before the long return to Ile aux Cerfs. You get around 45 minutes for an aperitif and a swim.

This stop breaks up the day nicely. After the history and sightseeing, you can get back in the water, cool off and enjoy a drink. The exact feel depends on sea conditions and the group, but the purpose is clear: less looking, more swimming.

You should bring a towel that dries quickly and avoid carrying valuables. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and there is little reason to bring them on a small speedboat anyway.

What the boat ride is really like

The speedboat is a major part of the experience, not just transport between stops. Several people describe it as thrilling, especially when the captain opens the throttle across the waves. Music may be played, and drinks and snacks are served along the way.

That excitement comes with tradeoffs. Open-water rides can be windy, wet and bumpy. Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch, hold onto hats and sunglasses, and apply sunscreen more often than you think you need to. A sun hat is useful, but choose one that will not fly away.

The route is carefully packed. You see islands, waterfall, wildlife, snorkeling water and a beach meal in six hours. The downside is limited time at each attraction. One person suggested that longer stops would be welcome, but also recognized that this would turn the trip into an eight-hour outing or longer.

If you want to linger at one beach, this is the wrong format. If you like movement and variety, it is a strong match.

Food, drinks and the social side

Lunch at Ile aux Cerfs is included, along with drinks. The food has been praised as one of the day’s pleasant surprises, with BBQ dishes and vegetarian options available. Beer is included, and local rum drinks and Mauritian coffee are recurring parts of the onboard hospitality.

The social mood is relaxed and playful. Captains and guides often use jokes, music and conversation to keep the group involved. That can be a real plus for solo visitors or anyone who enjoys meeting people during an excursion.

It is worth pacing yourself with alcohol. You still have swimming and boat transfers ahead, and the tropical sun is strong. Water, sunscreen and a sensible approach will make the afternoon more enjoyable.

Who should book this trip

I would recommend it to you if you want to combine:

• Fast boat travel
• Short island walks
• Colonial history
• Snorkeling and swimming
• A beach BBQ
• Possible wildlife sightings
• A small group rather than a large cruise

Families can enjoy it, and one family with an eight-year-old had a particularly good day. Still, children should be comfortable with speed, spray and open-water swimming. Solo visitors also fit well because the group and guides create a social setting.

This is not the best pick for pregnant women, people who dislike bumpy boat rides, or anyone seeking a slow, quiet cruise. It is also not a dedicated wildlife tour. Dolphins, turtles and monkeys may appear, but the guaranteed part is the route, the stops and the meal.

The activity has a 4.7 rating from 1,052 bookings, which fits the pattern of the experience: the guides, speedboat ride, lunch and range of stops receive the most praise. The smaller complaints are useful too. The waterfall may feel modest, early islands can be rocky, and the snorkel gear may not satisfy experienced swimmers.

Should you book the five-island adventure?

Yes, if you have one free day on Mauritius and want a broad, energetic introduction to the southeast coast. At $100, the combination of boat transport, several historic and natural stops, snorkeling gear, drinks and BBQ lunch makes the cost reasonable.

Book it with the right expectations. You are choosing variety over long visits, speed over a gentle cruise, and a lively group outing over private island time. Bring aqua shoes, your own snorkel gear if you prefer, sun protection, a towel and very little else. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is one of the better all-round coastal excursions in Mauritius.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and finishes at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs meeting point, at the jetty next to the Mauritius flag.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts six hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

Is the boat a speedboat or a catamaran?

It is a speedboat. The meeting point name includes Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs, but the tour itself uses a speedboat.

Which languages does the guide speak?

Guides provide the tour in French and English.

What is included in the price?

Lunch, drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, snorkeling, the visit to Ile aux Cerfs, the GRSE waterfall, Ile aux Fouquets and a stop at Ile aux Aigrettes are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to the jetty meeting point.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen and a towel. Aqua shoes and personal snorkeling equipment may also be useful, especially if you dislike rocky ground or prefer your own gear.

Can pregnant women join the tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women.