5 Islands Trip & Ile aux Cerfs inc Lunch, Drinks & Transport

This is an interesting way to see Mauritius fast, without feeling like you are stuck in a single hotel area. I like the mix of speedboat time with beach time, and I also like that the day covers more than just one pretty spot, you get snorkel, islands, and the Grand River Southeast waterfall. One possible drawback is that the schedule moves quickly, so snorkel and stops are short, and if weather turns wet you will still be on the water.

The day starts early, and you are moving pretty much from the moment you get picked up. I also like that lunch is not a sad afterthought, it is a proper barbecue on the beach with local drinks included. The consideration to keep in mind is the boat rides: expect open water exposure, and the group is capped at 15 even though the vibe depends on who shows up.

If you want a stress-free half-day getaway that feels like a postcard, this one is built for that.

Key things I’d focus on before you book

• Snorkel near Blue Bay Marine Park with gear included, right by the Ile aux Aigrettes area
• Ile au Phare and Ile de la Passe views from the water, plus a chance to step near the lighthouse
• Grand River Southeast waterfall pass with wildlife sightings like monkeys and fruit bats (when conditions allow)
• Beach barbecue at Ilot Mangenie with chicken, fish, sausage, garlic bread, salad, fruit, plus alcohol
• Ile aux Cerfs sand time for relaxing and optional island activities
• Small group limits to keep the boat experience from feeling like a floating bus

Speedboat day from the East coast, without the hassle

This tour is designed around one simple goal, get you off the mainland and onto the water early, then keep things moving so you can pack in a lot of variety in about 6 hours. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, which matters on Mauritius because getting to the right port area on your own can eat up time and energy.

Most departures are timed around an 8:00am start in the East, so your pickup typically lands somewhere between 6:00am and 7:30am depending on where you are staying. If you are the kind of traveler who enjoys mornings and hates wasting the day in transit, you will like this format.

The speedboat is the engine of the trip. There is a quick ride out to the first water stop, then another short hop to keep you on an island-hopping route. The good news is that you avoid long drives through traffic. The trade-off is that you are outdoors for multiple stretches, so bring sun protection and be ready for wind off the water.

Blue Bay Marine Park snorkel near Ile aux Aigrettes

The snorkel portion is one of the most practical parts of the day, because it gives you a clear time window and includes gear. You head to the Blue Bay Marine Park area for about 30 minutes of snorkeling, and the tour frames it as the best place for snorkeling nearby.

You get snorkelling gear provided, so you do not need to pack your own mask or find a rental. That alone can save money and hassle.

Now the honest part: reef health is not always what people imagine. One recent experience noted that the corals were not in great shape and that the fish were more like common reef types than the kind of colorful coral fish you see on dream snorkel days. Translation for you: treat this as a chance to see marine life in clear water, not as a guarantee of a postcard reef.

If you have never snorkeled before, this short session is a comfortable introduction. If you are a serious reef hunter, you may find the conditions variable and the time short. Either way, it is a solid “get in the water once, then go enjoy the rest” setup.

Ile de la Passe and Ile au Phare, history you can actually see

After snorkeling, the tour shifts from water activity to island viewing. You pass Ile de la Passe and Ile au Phare (Lighthouse Island) with your skipper providing info as you go.

This is a good part of the day if you like learning without sitting in a classroom. You can view the ruins of older buildings from the boat, which makes the history feel more real than just reading about it later. If you are lucky with timing and conditions, the experience also includes a chance to visit the historical lighthouse on Ile au Phare.

One thing I like about this segment is that it gives context to the landscape, instead of treating the islands like random stops. On this route, the islands are not just “pretty land,” they are tied to a specific place and story, and you can see the remnants from the water.

Fouquets Island and the wildlife moment near GRSE waterfall

As the day continues, you will have another sightseeing pass around Fouquets Island. It is not framed as an activity stop, more like a viewpoint opportunity from the boat, which keeps the pace realistic for a 6 hour excursion.

Then comes the big nature highlight on the route, the Grand River South East (GRSE) waterfall area. You pass by and take in views, and this stop is also where wildlife can show up. The tour description specifically points to the chance to see monkeys and fruit bats.

In real life, wildlife spotting is never guaranteed, but this is one of those parts of the day where you are in the right environment for it. Some people have also reported seeing dolphins and turtles during the wider boat day. That is not a promise, but it tells you the day is not only about man-made sights and sandy beaches.

The key consideration here is timing and weather. You are outside and moving, and waterfall viewing is best when visibility is good. If the day is gray, you may still see the falls, but the mood will change.

Ilot Mangenie barbecue lunch, drinks, and a real break from the speedboat

Lunch is where this tour wins points for practicality. You head to Ilot Mangenie and enjoy a barbecue on the beach for about an hour, with drinks included and alcohol offered.

The food is spelled out clearly: chicken, fish, sausage, garlic bread, salad, and fruit. That mix matters. It is not only “whatever they have,” and it is not just bread and snacks that leave you hungry again in an hour. The garlic bread and fruit are simple details, but they make a beach barbecue feel like a proper meal rather than a rushed fuel stop.

Drinks are included, including alcohol. I would treat it as part of the value package, not an open-ended party. The vibe on a boat day is usually more about relaxing and resetting than turning the lunch into an all-day drinking event.

One more thoughtful detail, the barbecue happens after you have already done the snorkel. So you are not eating immediately after a water activity that might leave some people feeling off. By the time you sit down, you have usually cooled off and warmed back up in the sun.

Ile aux Cerfs beach time, what you can do with 1.5 hours

Then you reach the main beach payoff, Ile aux Cerfs. You get about 1.5 hours there, with time to relax on the white sand.

This is enough time to do a few things if you plan. You can:

• unwind on the beach and swim casually
• walk the shoreline for a change of scenery
• take photos and enjoy the view

Some island activities may be available on site, but the key is you are not trapped there all day. The tour is built to fit your beach time into the wider route and still get you back before the day runs long.

Compared with longer island stays, 1.5 hours sounds short. But for many people it feels just right. You get the “I am actually at Ile aux Cerfs” moment without losing an entire day to sun and logistics.

What I like is that it gives you a mix of beach mood plus the earlier adventure stops. If you only wanted sun, you would choose a beach day with more hours. Here, the beach becomes the reward at the end.

Price and value, what you are really paying for

At $176 per person for about 6 hours, you are paying for three things: transportation, water time, and a meal with drinks. On a Mauritius trip, that combination is often the difference between “I saw a lot” and “I spent the day commuting.”

You get:

• hotel pickup and drop-off
• a full-day speedboat excursion on the Southeast and East coast
• snorkeling gear and a snorkel stop
• lunch plus local drinks, including alcohol
• time on Ile aux Cerfs

If you were to try to recreate this on your own, you would likely spend time and money arranging a boat, getting to multiple island points, and finding food and drinks at the right time. The tour bundles those pieces.

Now, balance it against expectations. Some snorkeling experiences have not been perfect in terms of coral condition, and one person noted the snorkeling segment might feel short. If your main goal is a long snorkel or a reef that looks like a top dive destination, you may feel the trade-off.

But if your goal is variety, beach time, and an organized day that starts with pickup and ends with drop-off, the value is easier to defend.

Group size, language, and who this tour fits best

The tour is set up for a small group, limited to 15 participants. That size usually helps keep things from feeling chaotic and makes it more likely you get attention during the day, especially around the snorkeling and during explanations from the skipper.

The guide language is offered in English and French, and you will have a live tour guide. That is important on an island day, because the “why this island matters” part is delivered verbally, not via a printed brochure.

One review specifically praised a guide named Georges for keeping a good mood and making the day feel fun, which matches what you want from a morning excursion that includes multiple moving parts.

This tour is a great match for:

• first-time visitors who want a sampler of East and Southeast highlights
• people who like boats and do not mind an early start
• beach lovers who still want nature and a little history

It is not a fit for:

• anyone who is pregnant, since the tour is listed as not suitable for pregnant women
• travelers who dislike open-water movement or want very long time in the water

Weather and comfort notes you should plan around

You should assume the day is outdoors for a lot of it. Even with the planned stops, the speedboat segments are exposed, and the snorkeling is at the mercy of conditions.

One past experience mentioned the trip continued despite stormy vigilance and that they spent more than three hours under rain. That is not something you can control, but it is a good reminder to bring a light rain layer and be ready for a wet, windy ride if the day turns.

Also, bring the basics that make a short trip easier: sunscreen, a hat, and water-friendly footwear. If you hate sand and wind, you may prefer to cover up during transitions between the boat and the beach.

Should you book the 5 Islands and Ile aux Cerfs trip?

Book it if you want one efficient day in Mauritius that combines snorkel, island viewing, waterfall area scenery, and Ile aux Cerfs sand time, all with pickup, lunch, and drinks handled for you. It is the kind of tour that helps you see the East and Southeast without spending your holiday days on logistics.

Think twice if your heart is set on a long snorkeling session or on pristine coral. Also skip it if you are pregnant or if early mornings and speedboat weather exposure will ruin your mood.

If you are flexible, and you treat it like a fun, fast island day rather than a slow, perfect reef day, it is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the excursion?

The duration is about 6 hours.

What is included in the price?

It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a speedboat excursion, snorkeling near Ile aux Aigrettes with gear provided, sightseeing of several islands and a waterfall pass, lunch, and local drinks (including alcohol), plus time on Ile aux Cerfs.

What snorkeling gear do I need to bring?

Snorkelling gear is provided.

Where do pickups and drop-offs happen?

Pickup and drop-off are offered at many locations across Mauritius, including Port Louis and areas on the East and West coasts. You should share your accommodation details so the operator can confirm the exact pickup and drop-off points.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. It is listed as not suitable for pregnant women.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.