5 Islands Tour: New OCÉANE Private Pontoon Boat cruise

The big draw here is the chance to see Mauritius’s southeast coast from the water without sharing your day with a large tour crowd. You’ll move from the Grand River South East Waterfall to quiet island scenery, clear snorkeling water, and a lighthouse that looks made for holiday photos.

I like the private boat format and the fact that lunch, snorkeling gear, and drinks are included. I also like the flexible route, since the crew can adjust the plan. The main point to weigh is the price: $871 for up to two people is a serious splurge, even though it buys a six-hour private outing. Alcohol is served only after snorkeling, so plan your day in that order.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat carries up to 11 passengers: The advertised rate covers a private group of up to two, so ask how pricing works for a larger party.
• The route starts at Pointe Maurice: Meet just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel, with no hotel pickup or drop-off included.
• The southeast waterfall comes first: You’ll stop at the Grand River South East Waterfall for photos, sightseeing, and possible wildlife viewing.
• Snorkeling comes before alcohol: Equipment is provided, but the crew may cancel snorkeling if drinks are consumed beforehand.
• Lunch is served on board: The boat anchors after the swimming stop, giving you time to eat and rest in the sun.
• The route can change: Island stops and the amount of time spent at each place are not fixed in stone.

Why this private southeast lagoon cruise is worth considering

Mauritius is easy to admire from a beach, but the southeast coast makes more sense from a boat. The lagoon opens into a chain of small islands, pale beaches, green mountain views, and shallow blue water. A private pontoon gives you room to sit, swim, take photos, and ask the crew to adjust the pace.

The six-hour schedule is long enough to feel like a full day on the water, yet not so long that the boat becomes your only view of Mauritius. You start at Pointe Maurice and return there at about 3:30 p.m. That leaves the evening free, though you’ll still need to arrange your own ride to and from the meeting point.

This is not a fast checklist tour. The stated plan allows time for swimming, lunch, free time, and views from the boat. That matters in Mauritius, where rushing from one island to the next can turn a beautiful day into a series of quick photographs.

Meeting at Pointe Maurice

The meeting point is just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel. Hotel pickup is not included, so check your route carefully before the morning of the trip. The experience is hosted in English, and you’ll join a private group rather than an open boat full of unrelated passengers.

The pontoon can carry up to 11 people. That makes it suitable for a family or a group of friends, but the advertised price of $871 is specifically for a group of up to two. If you are booking for more people, confirm the total cost before paying. The boat capacity and the published two-person price are not the same thing.

A pontoon is a comfortable choice for this kind of day. It offers a stable platform for sitting, eating, changing clothes, and getting into the water. You should still bring a towel, spare clothes, sunglasses, flip-flops, a hat or cap, swimwear, a camera, and high SPF sunscreen.

Grand River South East Waterfall comes first

The first major stop is the Grand River South East Waterfall, one of the southeast coast’s most familiar sights. The boat heads south from Trou d’Eau Douce, with time for a photo stop, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing.

The waterfall is best understood as a scenic opening to the day rather than a long land excursion. You see it from the water, and the surrounding river and wooded slopes give the first part of the cruise a more sheltered feel. An earlier outing also reported seeing monkeys near the waterfall. Do not treat wildlife sightings as guaranteed, but keep your camera ready.

This stop helps set the pace. You are not expected to race out, snap one picture, and leave immediately. The timing can be adjusted, and the crew can decide how long conditions and interest allow.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleu

After the waterfall, the cruise heads toward Eau Bleu for swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as clear, and snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear.

I like this part of the schedule because the active water stop comes before lunch and alcohol. You can swim while you are fresh, then return to the boat for food and a drink. The management reserves the right to cancel snorkeling if alcoholic drinks are consumed beforehand, so this is one rule worth taking seriously.

The phrase crystal clear should not make you expect a guaranteed aquarium. Visibility can change with weather and water conditions, and the supplied information does not promise particular fish or coral. Still, the stop gives you a chance to see the undersea world rather than only admiring the lagoon from above.

Bring your own sense of timing here. If you want a long swim, say so early. The route is described as customizable, and one earlier outing allowed plenty of time at its stops. The actual balance between snorkeling, island visits, and lunch may depend on the day.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the flexible route

Ile aux Aigrettes is part of the planned route, with time listed for swimming, snorkeling, an aperitif, and passing by. It is one of the southeastern islands you may view from the water rather than explore at length.

This is also where you should remember that the route is indicative. A past outing did not visit Ile aux Aigrettes, even though it included several other stops and a private beach. That does not mean the island will be skipped on your departure, but it does mean you should book this cruise for the overall coastal experience, not for a promise that every named island receives the same amount of time.

The flexible approach is useful when sea conditions, swimming preferences, or group interests change. It is less useful if you want a rigid schedule with a fixed number of minutes at each stop. Ask the crew at the start how they expect to divide the six hours.

Ile aux Fouquets and its famous lighthouse

The Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse is one of the strongest photo stops on the route. The old lighthouse sits on a small island surrounded by open water, and the contrast between the weathered structure, turquoise sea, and bright sky makes it a natural centerpiece for the cruise.

The schedule allows a visit, photo time, sightseeing, and free time here. Lunch is also associated with this part of the day, served on board while the boat is anchored. That is a better arrangement than eating while the boat is moving. You can concentrate on the food, take in the view, and stay in your wet swimwear without worrying about a formal restaurant setting.

Lunch is described as a cold meal, with unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included. Alcohol is served after snorkeling. Past guest feedback described a different outing that included a barbecue at a private beach and only one drink with that meal, so do not assume every departure follows the same food and drink arrangement. The current experience is advertised with lunch on board and unlimited drinks, but the flexible route means the exact setting may change.

Coffee is another small point to clarify if it matters to you. A past outing charged separately for coffee, so included drinks should not automatically be read as every beverage or café-style service.

Ile aux Fouquets to Îlot Flamants

After the lighthouse, the boat passes Îlot Flamants. This is mainly a photo and scenery stop rather than a long shore visit. You’ll see more of the island chain from the water, with mountain ranges, white sand, and the changing shades of the lagoon providing the main attraction.

This section is a reminder that the value of the cruise is not only in landing on islands. Some of the best views come while the pontoon is moving between them. You can sit back with a drink, watch the coastline shift, and avoid the stop-start feel of a land-based sightseeing day.

If you want the most active outing possible, this passing section may feel quiet. If you like a relaxed boat day, it is exactly the sort of time that lets the experience breathe.

Ile aux Cerfs and the return toward Trou d’Eau Douce

Ile aux Cerfs appears later in the route, with scenic views on the way and dessert connected to the stop. The island is known for its white sand and bright lagoon water, and the cruise gives you a view of that setting without making the entire day depend on a long beach stay.

The schedule lists Ile aux Cerfs as a pass-by rather than a guaranteed extended visit. A past departure allowed about an hour there, which shows how much the day can vary. Another outing continued to a private beach, where a barbecue was served and the group had time to relax. Those details are useful, but they should not replace the current advertised plan of lunch on board.

The return heads toward Trou d’Eau Douce and then back to Pointe Maurice. You’ll have more boat views, a final chance for photographs, and a gradual end to the day rather than a sudden return from one last stop.

Food, drinks, and the real value of the price

At $871 for a private group of up to two, this is not a bargain boat transfer. For two people, the listed cost works out to $435.50 each. Its value comes from privacy, six hours on the water, a dedicated boat, included snorkeling equipment, lunch, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

That calculation changes for a larger group, but do not assume the two-person price simply covers everyone up to the boat’s maximum capacity. The boat carries up to 11 passengers, while the advertised price is for up to two. Get the larger-group rate before you book.

I would consider the price easier to justify for a special occasion, a couple wanting a private day, or a small group that values control over the route. It is harder to justify if you mainly want a quick look at the waterfall or a short swim. A shared cruise would likely be the better comparison, but no shared-tour price is provided here, so you will need to compare locally.

The included drinks add practical value, especially on a six-hour outing in the sun. Still, use sunscreen often, drink water, and avoid treating the alcohol allowance as the main attraction. The best order is simple: swim and snorkel first, then eat, relax, and enjoy a drink.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a private setting, flexible timing, and a mix of sightseeing and swimming. It works especially well for couples, families, and groups of friends who would rather choose their own pace than follow a crowded schedule.

It also suits people who enjoy scenery from the water but do not want a bare-bones speedboat ride. The pontoon provides a more practical base for lunch, changing clothes, and sitting in the sun.

You may want another option if your top priority is a guaranteed visit to every named island. The route can be customized, and the exact stops may change. You should also think twice if you dislike boat-based meals, need hotel transport included, or are looking for a low-cost activity.

The English-speaking host is useful for basic communication and coordination. Captain Joey is named in past guest feedback as a particularly friendly captain, but crew assignments can change, so do not book solely on the hope that he will be operating your boat.

Practical details that make the day easier

Arrive ready for the water. Wear swimwear beneath your clothes and keep your towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and camera handy. A change of clothes will make the ride back more comfortable.

Smoking is not allowed. Alcoholic drinks come after snorkeling, and the crew can cancel the snorkeling activity if people drink before entering the water.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule when booking rather than assuming a fixed departure hour.

Should you book this Mauritius cruise?

Book it if you want a private six-hour day built around the southeast lagoon, with a waterfall, lighthouse, snorkeling, island views, lunch, and drinks in one package. The strongest reasons to choose it are the flexible route and the comfortable pontoon, not simply the number of stops.

Before paying, confirm three things: the final route, the lunch arrangement, and the price for your full party. If you can accept that Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Cerfs, and the other islands may receive different amounts of time, this is a relaxed and scenic way to see Mauritius from the water. If you need a fixed schedule or a cheaper outing, keep comparing.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and ends at Pointe Maurice. The meeting point is just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts six hours and returns to Pointe Maurice at approximately 3:30 p.m.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the private pontoon boat trip, snorkeling equipment, lunch on board, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Can I snorkel before having alcohol?

Yes. Snorkeling is scheduled before alcoholic drinks. The management may cancel snorkeling if alcohol is consumed beforehand.

How many people can the boat carry?

The pontoon can carry up to 11 passengers. The advertised price of $871 applies to a private group of up to two, so confirm the rate for a larger group.