Mauritius: 5 East Coast Islands Tour with Snorkeling & Lunch

Hold on tight, the east coast moves fast. This seven-hour speedboat trip combines Ile aux Cerfs, island stops, snorkeling, and a beach BBQ in one busy day, with the Grande River South East waterfall and old naval battle sites added for good measure. I like the lively speedboat ride and the way the tour mixes swimming with a little Mauritian history.

I also like the friendly guides. Ronny, Thomas, and Derek have each earned praise for their warm manner and commentary, and small groups can make the boat feel almost private. The main drawback is that this is a fast, bumpy ride, and the lunch setup and snorkeling equipment may not satisfy everyone, especially vegetarians.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven hours on a speedboat: You leave around 9 AM and return to Trou d’Eau Douce at about 4 PM.
• Five-island route with flexible timing: The advertised stops include Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ile aux Margenie.
• History on the water: Ile aux Fouquets lighthouse and Ile de la Passe connect the tour to the 1810 naval battle of Grand Port.
• Swimming and snorkeling: The schedule includes stops at Eau Bleu, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ile aux Cerfs, with conditions affecting what you can do.
• Beach lunch included: Expect a BBQ, drinks, beer, and wine on Ile aux Margenie, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices.
• Transport matters: Hotel pickup and drop-off are available only with the transport option, so check your booking carefully.

Why this east coast boat trip works

The appeal is simple: you cover a lot of Mauritius by water without spending a week arranging separate outings. The east coast has waterfalls, reefs, small islands, beaches, and colonial-era landmarks, and this tour puts them into one long day.

At $85 per person, the price is reasonable if you want transport by speedboat, a waterfall visit, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and several island stops. It is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet beach day. You are paying for movement and variety, not long, peaceful hours in one place.

The boat is a major part of the experience. It gives the day energy and cuts across the lagoon quickly, but it also means a firmer ride than you would get on a catamaran. One particularly useful point is group size. Some departures have had only four people or around seven people, while the boat can hold up to ten. A small group gives you more room and makes the guide’s commentary easier to hear.

You should also know that the route is not a rigid checklist. Access time at each island can vary, and one person reported not visiting every expected island. Weather, sea conditions, access rules, and the timing of other stops can affect the final shape of the day.

Starting at Ile aux Cerfs

The morning begins with Ile aux Cerfs, one of the east coast’s best-known island stops. You get time for sightseeing and an arts and crafts market, with around 45 minutes listed for this part of the day.

This is a useful first stop because it gives you a chance to get your bearings before the faster boat sections. You can look around, take photographs, and see the kind of commercial activity that comes with a popular island destination. If you prefer remote beaches with no facilities or vendors, this may feel more developed than expected.

The itinerary also includes swimming and snorkeling around Ile aux Cerfs for about 35 minutes. That timing is enough for a refreshing swim, but it is not a long reef session. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. Some people were given an eye mask but no breathing tube, while others received a snorkeling head and had a better experience.

The water may be clear and calm, but snorkeling quality depends on the day. Aimee from the United Kingdom called the snorkeling exceptional and also saw dolphins. Others saw turtles, while some departures did not see dolphins or whales. Treat wildlife as a lucky extra, not part of the guaranteed program.

The Grande River South East waterfall

The boat then heads toward the Grande River South East waterfall, where Mauritius’s longest river meets the sea. The listed stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes a boat cruise, scenic views, and time for photographs.

This is one of the day’s strongest changes of pace. After open-water speed, the boat moves toward a river setting, where the waterfall gives you a more enclosed view of the island. The stop is short, so you should think of it as a scenic visit rather than a long walk or full nature excursion.

Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray. The best views may come during the approach and departure, when the boat can show you the falls from the water. The exact experience can depend on river conditions and the boat’s access on that day.

Ile aux Fouquets and the 1810 naval battle

The historical heart of the excursion is Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile aux Phares. Its lighthouse dates back more than 200 years and is now a protected historical monument.

You will not get a full museum visit here. The listed time is about 25 minutes for a visit, photographs, and sightseeing. Still, the lighthouse gives the trip a useful sense of place. This is not just a series of pretty sandbars. The islands helped shape Mauritius’s colonial story.

Ile aux Phares and Ile de la Passe were the setting for the 1810 naval battle of Grand Port, fought between French and British forces. The French victory is described as the only victory of the Napoleonic Navy and is listed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

That detail makes the guide’s explanation worth listening to. Thomas was praised for providing commentary at each stop, while Derek was noted for explaining the area and keeping the group comfortable. The quality of the day depends partly on who is steering your boat, but the better guides turn a quick photo stop into something you can remember.

Ile de la Passe is mainly a sightseeing pass by rather than a long landing. Do not book this trip expecting hours at every historical site. You get a quick look, a story, and photographs from the water.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleu

After the historical stops, the boat heads toward Eau Bleu for snorkeling. This is the part of the day that can feel most rewarding when the water is calm and visibility is good.

Bring your own snorkeling gear if possible. The tour information asks you to bring it, and the equipment supplied may be limited. A missing breathing tube can turn a planned snorkeling session into little more than a swim with a mask.

You should also pack a towel, swimwear, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a camera. The sun can be strong, and a full day on open water gives you little shade unless the boat provides it.

Wildlife sightings are not promised. Dolphins and turtles were seen on some outings, along with monkeys near the water on one departure, but another person saw no dolphins or whales. The right attitude is to enjoy the sea even when the animals stay out of view.

Swimming at Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes is listed as a 45-minute stop with an aperitif and swimming. This is a good middle section of the day because you can get off the boat’s schedule for a moment and simply enjoy the water.

The stop is more about swimming and relaxing than a detailed island tour. If you want to sunbathe, use the time well, but remember that the schedule keeps moving. Bring a towel and apply sunscreen before you board again.

As with all the water stops, conditions matter. The operator can cancel or change the experience in poor weather, with a different date or a full refund offered. That flexibility is useful in Mauritius, where a change in wind or rain can affect a speedboat day quickly.

BBQ lunch on Ile aux Margenie

Lunch is served on Ile aux Margenie, with a BBQ and a selection of drinks. Beer and wine are included in the listed lunch details, along with other drinks, and vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available. The food is halal.

Several people found the lunch tasty and plentiful. Marian described the full day as well organized, while Mirjana specifically praised the food. That makes lunch a solid part of the package for meat eaters who want a simple beach BBQ rather than a formal restaurant meal.

There are two cautions. First, the food may be served to you rather than offered as a buffet, which some people prefer and others do not. Second, the vegetarian meal drew a serious complaint: one vegetarian couple received a basic salad and toasted white bread, and suspected it had been prepared on the same grill as the meat and fish.

If you are vegetarian, contact the operator before departure and explain your needs clearly. You may also want to bring a backup snack. The tour says vegetarian food is available, but that does not necessarily mean a substantial or carefully separated meal.

The setting also received mixed feedback. One person found the lunch island in need of cleaning and maintenance. Keep expectations practical. This is a working beach BBQ stop, not a polished resort restaurant.

The return to Ile aux Cerfs

After lunch, you have time to relax, swim, or sunbathe around Ile aux Cerfs. This final beach period gives the day a gentler finish after the boat rides and scheduled visits.

I like this structure. You get the active parts early and a chance to slow down later. Still, the timing can feel short if you want a long, unhurried beach stay. The tour’s strength is variety, so every stop has to share the day with several others.

The return to the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce is planned for about 4 PM. If you select hotel transport, pickup and drop-off may be available across districts including Moka, Rivière Noire, Grand Port, Rivière du Rempart, Port Louis, Flacq, Pamplemousses, Savanne, and the Green Island Beach Restaurant area.

Pickup times vary by accommodation. You are asked to send the hotel address through WhatsApp so the team can give you a scheduled time. One airport-style warning from a recent outing is worth noting: a passenger praised the boat crew but disliked the pickup driver’s driving and phone use. The boat portion received stronger praise than every transport detail.

Speedboat comfort, safety, and group size

Speed is part of the name and part of the fun. One person said the ride was exciting, while another advised choosing a catamaran if you dislike a fast, bumpy trip. That is good advice.

The boat can hold up to ten people, but smaller groups are possible. A four-person departure can feel almost private, while a full boat may feel tighter, especially with bags and snorkeling gear. If you get motion sick, sit where the crew recommends and bring any personal remedy you normally use. The provided information does not promise special seating or medical support, so plan ahead.

The tour is not suitable for children under four or pregnant women. Anyone else should be comfortable boarding a small boat, sitting through fast movement, and getting in and out for swimming stops.

A proper briefing at the departure point would be helpful. Arrive on time at the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant, and confirm where to meet your guide before the group leaves.

Guides can shape the whole day

The most consistent praise goes to the captains and guides. Ronny was described as enthusiastic about the water and helped make a small group feel special. Thomas was friendly, chatty, and gave information at each stop. Derek was praised for his care, local explanations, and ability to create a relaxed mood.

That matters because much of the itinerary is viewed from the boat. A quiet guide would leave you with photographs but little understanding of what you saw. A good guide adds context to the lighthouse, the battle sites, the waterfall, and the changing coastline.

The official guide languages are English and French. Ask questions during the quieter parts of the ride. The boat’s engine and wind can make commentary harder to hear when the speed increases.

Is $85 a fair price?

For $85, I see this as a fair value if you want a packed east coast day. The cost covers the full-day speedboat, the waterfall, several island visits, swimming, snorkeling, BBQ lunch, and drinks. Add hotel transport if you need it, and confirm that you selected the option that includes pickup and drop-off.

The value is strongest for couples, friends, and small groups who want activity without organizing several separate bookings. It is also useful if you have limited time in Mauritius and want a broad look at the east coast.

The value drops if your priorities are gourmet food, a pristine lunch setting, long snorkeling sessions, or guaranteed wildlife. You might get dolphins or turtles, but no operator can promise that. You might also spend less time on certain islands than the schedule suggests.

The tour has a rating of 4.1 from 267 ratings, which fits the overall picture: strong enjoyment of the boat, guides, scenery, and variety, with some unevenness around lunch, equipment, transport, and exact island access.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you like being on the water, enjoy a full schedule, and want more than a standard beach day. It suits active adults, couples, small groups, and anyone who likes a little history mixed into a sea excursion.

I would think twice if you want a slow catamaran cruise, dislike bumps, need a carefully planned vegetarian meal, or expect every advertised island to receive equal time. Bring your own snorkeling gear, pack a snack, protect your camera, and check the transport option before paying.

Should you book the five-island speedboat tour?

Book it if the speedboat ride, mixed itinerary, and small-group atmosphere appeal to you. The strongest days combine good weather with a friendly guide, calm snorkeling water, and a manageable group size.

Skip it for a quieter cruise or a more polished lunch experience. This is an energetic, practical day on the east coast, not a luxury outing. With realistic expectations and your own snorkeling equipment, it offers a lot for $85.

FAQ

How long is the five-island tour?

The tour lasts about seven hours. It generally starts around 9 AM and returns to the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce at about 4 PM.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is on the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant. The exact pickup location depends on the option selected.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only when you select the transport option. You should send your accommodation address through WhatsApp so the operator can provide your scheduled pickup time.

Which languages are available?

The tour is offered with a live guide in English or French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on Ile aux Margenie, with drinks, beer, and wine listed as included. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and the food is halal.

What should you bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, and snorkeling gear. Bringing your own snorkeling equipment is especially sensible because supplied gear may be limited.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours in advance.