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

Mauritius packs a lot into this seven-hour speedboat day: white-sand islands, a historic lighthouse, a marine park, waterfalls, snorkeling, lunch, and an open bar. You move quickly, but the route gives you a broad taste of the island’s southeast coast in one outing.

I like the small group limit of 18, which keeps the boat more personal than a large catamaran. I also like the practical all-in price of $110.79, since lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included.

The main caution is pace. Several stops are short, and the day can feel less appealing if you prefer long, quiet time on one beach. Snorkeling and the exact route can also change with weather and coral-breeding conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• A full southeast-coast sampler: You visit Ile aux Cerfs, pass historic islands, stop near Ile aux Aigrettes, and snorkel at Blue Bay Marine Park or Ilot Mangenie.
• Lunch and drinks are included: You do not need to pack a full meal, and an open bar is available later in the day.
• Snorkeling is built in: Equipment is supplied, with the marine park offering shallow water and coral gardens when conditions cooperate.
• A capped group of 18: The boat is smaller and more social than a large sightseeing vessel, though music may be loud.
• Skipper Andy brings energy: The guide team is known for friendly service, island stories, and an upbeat boat atmosphere.
• Expect an active, weather-dependent day: The route may change, and some stops can feel brief.

Why this speedboat trip covers so much of Mauritius

This is not a slow beach escape. It is a moving tour of the east and southeast coast, designed for you to see several places without arranging separate transport, boat trips, meals, and snorkeling gear.

The speedboat is the main attraction between stops. You get open views of the Indian Ocean, rocky islets, beaches, and the changing coastline. The ride also gives you a sense of how scattered Mauritius’s offshore islands are. Instead of seeing one resort beach all day, you get a series of short impressions.

That variety is the strongest reason to book. If you have only a few days in Mauritius, this tour helps you cover several famous coastal sights in one morning and afternoon. You will not study each place in detail, but you will come away with a useful picture of the region.

The group is capped at 18 people. That is a good middle ground. You have enough company for a lively day, but the boat should feel more manageable than a large cruise vessel. The social side is part of the appeal, especially if you are traveling alone or want an easy way to meet people.

The atmosphere can be energetic. One practical point from the experience is that music may be loud. Skipper Andy has been singled out for his friendly, enthusiastic style, so this is better suited to you if you enjoy a cheerful boat crew rather than a quiet, formal excursion.

Ile aux Cerfs gives the morning a quick start

The first island stop is Ile aux Cerfs, one of Mauritius’s best-known offshore destinations. You have about 45 minutes there, with refreshments included.

That timing matters. You can take in the beach setting, look around, and enjoy a short break, but you should not expect a full island visit. Ile aux Cerfs is a place to get your bearings and enjoy the water and sand before the boat moves on.

If your idea of an island day means finding a shaded corner and staying put for hours, this stop may feel rushed. If you prefer a broad itinerary with several locations, the short visit makes sense. Bring a simple plan: take photographs first, then use the remaining time for a drink or a quick walk.

The schedule appears to combine the Ile aux Cerfs visit with a stop near Grand River South East and its waterfall. Since the route is affected by sea conditions, listen carefully to the guide’s timing instructions. A short stop is easier to enjoy when you know exactly how long you have.

Grand River South East adds a waterfall view

Grand River South East is known for a waterfall that flows toward the Indian Ocean. This is a scenic pause rather than a long land excursion.

You will see the waterfall from the boat, with the surrounding coast and river mouth providing the setting. It is a useful contrast to the beach at Ile aux Cerfs. The morning is not only about sand and swimming. You also get a look at one of the area’s natural features from the water.

Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a long walk or a major waterfall hike. The attraction here is the viewpoint from the boat. The exact time is short, so the value comes from seeing it as part of a larger route.

Ile aux Fouquets connects scenery with naval history

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile Phare or Lighthouse Island, is a small historic islet near Mahébourg. Its lighthouse was built in 1864 and remained in use until the early 20th century.

The island was also linked to naval action in the bay of Grand Port. In 1810, the Battle of Grand Port took place in this area during the British campaign to take Mauritius from the French. The French victory was significant, with British forces losing four frigates, although one was later recaptured.

You may not spend much time on land here, but the guide’s explanation helps turn a rocky offshore island into something more than a photograph. This is one of the better parts of the tour for anyone who likes a little historical context with their sea views.

The lighthouse itself is not presented as a long indoor visit. Think of Ile aux Fouquets as a sight viewed from the boat, paired with a short account of its role in navigation and wartime history. If you want extensive museum time, this is not that kind of excursion. If you like history delivered in small doses between swims, it works well.

Ile de la Passe is also tied to the Battle of Grand Port. The surrounding islands can seem like scattered rocks until you learn that they once controlled access to the bay. That background gives the boat route more meaning.

Blue Bay Marine Park is the main water activity

The longest scheduled section is snorkeling at Blue Bay Marine Park, with about two hours set aside for swimming and time in the water. Depending on weather conditions and the coral-breeding season, the activity may take place at or near Ilot Mangenie instead.

Blue Bay was declared a national park in 1997 and later became a Ramsar wetland site in 2008. Its coral garden contains many types of coral, and the water near the coast is described as calm and shallow, making it a practical place for snorkeling.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not have to rent a mask and fins separately. That saves both money and preparation time. You can choose to swim and snorkel, or stay on the boat and relax. The tour is not forcing every person into the water.

Your expectations should stay realistic. Sea visibility, weather, and seasonal coral conditions can change the quality of the stop. One account of the day found the snorkeling session too short, despite the planned two-hour window. That can happen when boat movement, group changes, or weather reduces actual time in the water.

If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask the operator about expected conditions before you go. The listed route already allows the stop to move to Ilot Mangenie, so Blue Bay is not guaranteed on every departure.

The park’s shallow water makes it suitable for many casual swimmers, but the information does not promise a guided marine-life lesson or a private snorkeling area. You should think of this as a shared recreational stop, not a specialist wildlife expedition.

Ile aux Aigrettes brings a short refreshment break

After the marine park, the boat passes near Ile aux Aigrettes, an islet off Mauritius’s southeast coast. It functions as a nature reserve and scientific research station, and it is also visited by both local residents and people from abroad.

The planned pause is about 20 minutes and includes refreshments. An all-inclusive open bar is available at this point, alongside the drinks and snacks included during the day.

This is another quick stop, so you are unlikely to explore the reserve itself as part of this boat trip. Its value is the setting and the chance to pause after snorkeling. You can enjoy a drink, take in the islet, and reset before the final part of the route.

Because the reserve has scientific and conservation importance, it is worth treating the area with care. The tour gives you a glimpse of the place, not a full nature-reserve visit. If you want to learn more about its protected species or research work, you would need a separate visit.

Lunch is convenient, but confirm how long the break lasts

Lunch is included, which is a real advantage on a seven-hour trip. You do not need to stop and find food on your own, and the combination of lunch, snacks, bottled water, and alcoholic drinks gives the day a simple all-in feel.

The meal is part of the social atmosphere. It is a chance to sit with the group, talk with the crew, and take a break from the boat ride and water activities. One account praised the lunch highly, so food is not an afterthought in the way it can be on some boat excursions.

There is one point worth clarifying before booking: the timing of the lunch stop. A complaint described a long stay on an island with little to see, lasting around two and a half hours. The advertised schedule describes much shorter visits at several locations, so the actual timing may vary by departure or route.

I would ask where lunch is served and how long the group remains there. If you like a relaxed meal and social pause, a longer stop may suit you. If you booked this mainly for snorkeling and sightseeing, a long lunch break could feel like lost time.

The open bar also changes the rhythm of the day. You can enjoy a drink, but remember that the boat includes swimming and snorkeling. Keep your own comfort and safety in mind, and do not feel pressured to drink simply because beverages are available.

What the $110.79 price really covers

At $110.79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day near the water. It can still be good value because the price includes several separate costs:

• Speedboat sightseeing between the islands
• Lunch
• Snacks
• Bottled water
• Alcoholic beverages
• Snorkeling equipment
• All listed fees and taxes
• A group capped at 18 people

You also get a guide, parking at the meeting point, and an itinerary that would be awkward to arrange independently in one day. The value is strongest if you plan to eat onboard, snorkel, and visit several islands.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet beach day. You might spend much of your time moving between stops, waiting for the group, or taking short visits rather than settling into one location.

Private transportation is not included. You need to make your own way to Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce, where the trip begins and ends. That is important when comparing the cost with a hotel pickup tour. Parking is available at the meeting point, which helps if you have a rental car.

The start time is 8:30 in the morning. I would arrive early enough to find parking, locate the boat, and avoid beginning the day in a hurry. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity requires good weather.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want many coastal sights in one outing and do not mind a firm schedule. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families who can manage a boat day with swimming, sun, and changing locations.

It is especially useful for you if:

• You want snorkeling equipment included
• You like a lively group atmosphere
• You want lunch and drinks handled in advance
• You are interested in both scenery and island history
• You have a rental car and can reach Trou d’Eau Douce
• You prefer a small speedboat to a large catamaran

I would be more cautious if you need a French-language guide. One departure assigned a French-booked customer to an English group, so confirm the language arrangement before the day begins.

I would also think twice if your priority is long snorkeling time or peaceful beach relaxation. The schedule covers a lot, and the short stops may leave you wanting more time at one or two places.

Practical details that affect your day

The trip lasts about seven hours and returns to the same meeting point. The group size is limited to 18, but this remains a shared experience rather than a private charter.

Good weather is required. If conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and late changes are not accepted.

The route can change because of weather and the coral-breeding season. Blue Bay Marine Park may be replaced by an area near Ilot Mangenie. That flexibility protects the day’s safety and helps the operator choose a workable place for swimming.

Pack swimwear, sun protection, and a light layer for the boat ride. Bring only what you need, since you will move between boat, beach, and water stops. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible for photographs, though it is not listed as included.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book it if you want a busy, social, all-in boat day with snorkeling, lunch, drinks, island views, and a little history. Skipper Andy’s upbeat style and the small group format add to the appeal, and the price is easier to justify when you use the included meal, gear, and beverages.

Skip it if you want to spend most of the day on one beach, need guaranteed Blue Bay conditions, or care more about a long snorkeling session than a broad sightseeing route. Before paying, confirm the guide language, lunch location, and likely stop lengths.

For the right kind of visitor, this is a good way to sample Mauritius’s southeast coast in one day. Just book it for variety and energy, not for slow, uninterrupted island time.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat cruise last?

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

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. The tour also ends there.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and all fees and taxes are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Where does snorkeling take place?

The snorkeling session is planned for Blue Bay Marine Park or near Ilot Mangenie. The location depends on weather conditions and the coral-breeding season.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum group size of 18 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.