5 island tour all inclusive with Ile aux cerfs and snorkeling

The best part of this Mauritius outing is its variety. In about six hours, you move from the GRSE waterfall to a working lighthouse, then on to fish-filled water near Blue Bay and lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. It gives you several very different island experiences without arranging separate boats and meals.

I like the small group of up to 14 people, which should feel less hectic than a large cruise. I also like the tidy all-in-one price: boat transport, snorkeling, lunch, lobster on some menus, and drinks are covered. The main drawback is that this is a speedboat transfer, not a slow, relaxing catamaran cruise, and the day can finish earlier than some people expect.

Key points to know before booking

• GRSE waterfall comes first, so you begin with scenery before the water activities.
• Lighthouse Island includes an inside visit, a detail many quick boat tours skip.
• Blue Bay is the snorkeling stop, with clear water and plenty of fish reported on the route.
• Lunch is served on Ile aux Cerfs, with grilled food, drinks, and lobster mentioned on some departures.
• The boat is a speedboat, better for covering ground than stretching out in comfort.
• Bring extra water and sun protection, especially if you are traveling with young children, since shade on the boat is limited.

Four Mauritius highlights in one six-hour boat trip

This tour is designed for you if your holiday time is tight but you still want more than a beach afternoon. The route links several well-known sights on the east and southeast sides of Mauritius, beginning at Trou d’Eau Douce and ending back at the same meeting point.

You meet at Chez Tino in Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m. The published duration is about six hours, so think of this as a busy half-day outing rather than a dawn-to-dusk cruise. That timing works well if you want an evening free, though it may feel short if you expect a full day on the water.

The excursion is listed as a private activity, with only your group participating, and the small-group limit is given as 14 people. Those details matter. A private departure can make the day easier for families and groups who want to stay together, while a group of 14 still keeps the boat from becoming a large commercial outing.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce for GRSE waterfall

The first stretch takes you toward the GRSE waterfall, one of the route’s scenic stops. You will view the falls from the water, with the boat giving you a changing angle as it approaches and moves away.

This opening stop is useful because it starts the trip with a clear sense of place. You are not spending the first hours simply traveling to a beach. Instead, you get a quick nature stop before the itinerary shifts toward heritage and snorkeling.

Do not expect a long waterfall walk or a large block of free time here. The available details describe a cruise to the waterfall, not a land excursion. If you prefer extended time at each stop, the brisk schedule may feel rushed. If you want to see several sights in one outing, the pace is a fair trade.

Lighthouse Island and the inside visit

After GRSE waterfall, the boat continues to Lighthouse Island. The useful detail here is that you can visit the inside of the lighthouse, rather than only taking photographs from the boat.

That gives the route a little more substance than a string of beach stops. The lighthouse adds a human and maritime element to a day that otherwise focuses on swimming, sand, and scenery. It is also a welcome chance to stretch your legs between boat rides.

The visit appears to be brief, so keep your expectations in check. This is not a long guided tour of lighthouse history. The value is in seeing the building up close and entering it as part of a wider island route.

Blue Bay snorkeling with a glass-bottom boat option

The tour then heads south toward Blue Bay for snorkeling. This is likely the most active part of the day, and it is where the boat trip shifts from sightseeing to getting into the water.

Blue Bay is known here for clear turquoise water and abundant fish. One account describes a glass-bottom boat being used at the snorkeling area, allowing you to see below the surface from the boat before or during the water stop. That is a useful feature for anyone who wants a look at marine life but is less confident in the water.

The snorkeling appeal is clear: you get a chance to see fish in open water rather than simply admire the coast from a seat. Still, you should bring realistic expectations. This is a scheduled stop, not a dedicated marine-life expedition, and the route has several other stops to fit into the same morning and afternoon.

A phone or camera should be protected carefully around the water. Bring a towel, and consider carrying a bottle of water even though drinks are included. The crew provides water and other drinks, but an extra bottle is a sensible choice for a warm boat day.

Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs

After snorkeling, the boat heads to Ile aux Cerfs for lunch. The meal is served by the beach, which makes this more than a simple boxed lunch eaten on board.

The food described in the trip details includes grilled dishes, drinks, and, on some departures, lobster. That is a strong part of the package for the price, especially because you do not need to arrange a separate restaurant stop. The beach setting also gives you time to slow down after the faster pace of the boat and snorkeling.

Ile aux Cerfs is a major draw, but it is important to understand what this tour is and is not offering. You are visiting the island as one stop in a multi-part route. You are not booking a full beach-resort day with hours of unstructured time. The island works best here as a scenic lunch stop after the morning’s sightseeing and water activities.

If your main goal is to spend most of the day stretched out on sand, a dedicated Ile aux Cerfs beach visit may suit you better. If you want to combine the island with a waterfall, lighthouse, and Blue Bay, this arrangement makes better use of limited holiday time.

What the boat is really like

The boat style deserves special attention. This is a speedboat, not a catamaran. That distinction affects the whole mood of the outing.

A speedboat is practical for a route that covers several separate areas. You spend less time making slow progress between stops, and the boat can feel lively as it crosses open water. The trade-off is less room to lounge and less of the calm, social feel associated with a catamaran cruise.

One account specifically warns that the boat mainly takes you from point to point. If your ideal day means lying back with a drink while the boat drifts along, this may not be the right choice. You should book it for the stops, not for a long, lazy cruise.

Shade is another practical concern. A French-language account points out that the boat has little shade for young children. Families should bring hats, sunscreen, and water, and think carefully about how comfortable small children will be in direct sun during the crossings.

The tour’s six-hour length also means the schedule has a firm rhythm. You will cruise, stop, move again, snorkel, and then eat on Ile aux Cerfs before returning. That structure helps you see a lot, but it leaves less room for delays or long personal breaks.

The crew and guiding style

The crew can shape this kind of day more than the scenery does. Joey is praised as funny, kind, and good at keeping the outing enjoyable. If Joey is leading your departure, you can expect a friendly presence rather than a formal lecture-heavy tour.

The available information does not promise a full cultural or naturalist commentary at every stop. That matters if you want detailed explanations about Mauritius, the islands, or marine life. This experience is primarily a boat route with activities, rather than a history-focused guided tour.

The captain is also described as friendly and attentive. That warmth is useful on a small boat, where the crew is close to the group and practical help matters during boarding, snorkeling, and lunch.

There is one logistical caution. The stated meeting point is Chez Tino in Trou d’Eau Douce, but one departure had confusion about where to meet, with the taxi driver calling and taking the passenger to the jetty. I would confirm the exact pickup point and keep the booking contact available on the morning of the tour. That is a small step that can prevent a stressful start.

What is included for $103

At $103 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the whole package. You are paying for a boat route, several sightseeing stops, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks in one booking. Booking separate boat trips and a meal on Ile aux Cerfs could easily take more planning, even before adding the convenience of one return point.

The value is strongest for people who want variety. You get a waterfall, lighthouse, snorkeling area, and popular island in a single morning and afternoon. You also avoid spending time comparing different operators for each section.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a polished cruise experience. The speedboat is functional rather than luxurious, shade is limited, and the day may end earlier than you expect. In that case, a catamaran trip may provide a better match, even if it offers fewer stops.

The 94 percent recommendation rate and 4.7 rating from 64 reviews suggest that the package works well for most people, but the lower scores point to a clear pattern: expectations matter. Book this for movement, scenery, water time, and included food. Do not book it expecting a slow boat lounge or a long beach stay.

Who will enjoy this route most

I would recommend this trip to couples, families with older children, and small groups who want to cover several Mauritius highlights without spending days arranging transport. It also suits people staying on the east coast who already have access to good beaches and want different experiences during the day.

It is a good fit if you like an active schedule and do not mind changing locations several times. The mix of a lighthouse visit, snorkeling, waterfall views, and a beach lunch gives the day a useful range.

Families with very young children should think more carefully. The boat has limited shade, and the speedboat format may be tiring in strong sun. Most people can participate, but comfort depends on how well your child handles boat travel, heat, and a structured schedule.

You should also consider this tour if you are staying near Trou d’Eau Douce. The start and end point are both there, which keeps the logistics simple. The information provided does not include a hotel transfer, so you should confirm how you will reach Chez Tino before booking.

Small details that make the day easier

Keep your phone charged, as you will have several photo stops, including the waterfall, lighthouse, snorkeling area, and Ile aux Cerfs. Protect it from water during the Blue Bay stop.

Wear clothing suitable for both a boat and a beach. You will want something comfortable for the crossings, plus swimwear and a towel for snorkeling. Pack a hat and strong sun protection because shade on the boat is limited.

Bring extra drinking water even though water and other drinks are supplied. This is especially useful for children and anyone who finds a warm speedboat tiring.

Finally, check the weather before you leave. The trip requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that period are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs tour?

Book it if you want an efficient day with many different stops, included snorkeling, and lunch already arranged. The combination of GRSE waterfall, Lighthouse Island, Blue Bay, and Ile aux Cerfs gives you more variety than a simple beach cruise, and the small group helps keep the outing personal.

Think twice if your priority is comfort, shade, or a long, gentle sail. The speedboat covers ground well, but it is not a floating lounge, and the six-hour schedule can feel short.

My practical advice is simple: choose this trip for the route and the value, not for luxury. Confirm the jetty meeting point, bring sun protection and water, and expect a busy but rewarding day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Chez Tino, B59, in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours and returns to the original meeting point.

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes GRSE waterfall, Lighthouse Island, the Blue Bay area for snorkeling, and Ile aux Cerfs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs is included, along with drinks. Grilled food and lobster are mentioned as part of the meal on some departures.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The boat stops near Blue Bay for snorkeling, and a glass-bottom boat is used at the snorkeling area according to the available tour details.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.