FULL-DAY CATASPEED – East Lagoon cruise including transfer.

This is a fun, waters-first way to see Mauritius’ East Coast. You get a private, full-day CataSpeed outing with hotel pickup and return, then you spend the day hopping between island stops and the area around Grand River South East Waterfall.

I like that the snorkeling setup is handled for you, with mask, snorkel, fins plus life jackets for infants, children, and adults. I also like the food and drink flow, including a BBQ on the island and an ice box stocked during the cruise. One thing to keep in mind, though: the boat is built for movement and speed, so it is not a quiet, slow catamaran vibe if you’re hoping for maximum calm.

Key Points Before You Go

• Private charter feel for the whole day, with the boat staying with you while you choose how long to linger
• Snorkeling gear and life jackets included, sized for infants through adults
• Five island stops plus a waterfall visit, built around water time rather than sightseeing only
• BBQ lunch on Ile Aux Margenie, with specific menu items and drinks included
• Dolphins and monkey sightings can happen, but animal encounters are never guaranteed
• Ile aux Cerfs can be a mixed bag, with one downside being possible mess and limited snorkeling there

Private CataSpeed Day Schedule, Pickup, and Timing You Can Plan Around

The day starts early, but it’s straightforward. A driver picks you up at 7:00 a.m. from your hotel or any given location in Mauritius, then you transfer to the cruise harbor. The cruise itself begins at 8:30 a.m. and you return around 4:00 p.m., with the driver dropping you back where you started.

The boat day is described as a private full-day 7 hours cruise trip, so the pace is geared toward living on island time. In plain terms: you’re not doing quick photo stops where you’re back onboard in five minutes. You have room to swim, snorkel, and relax on whichever island you’re on.

Rain is not treated like a deal-breaker here. The tour runs rain or shine, so you should pack your day based on that reality, not on perfect weather forecasts.

What Makes This East Lagoon Cruise Work: Private Time on the Water

The big value in this experience is that it’s a real private charter. The speed boat stays with you for the whole day, and you decide how you use that time: beach wandering, lagoon swimming, snorkeling breaks, or just hanging out on deck.

That matters because island-hopping tours often feel rushed. Here, the structure supports a more relaxed rhythm. If you want extra minutes in the shallows, you can usually take them. If you want to slow down after lunch, the boat is not leaving without you.

Also, because the route is East Lagoon focused, you’re mostly riding inside the lagoon at a comfortable pace. You’re not stuck staring at the horizon for hours just to reach one destination.

Snorkeling Gear Included, Plus Life Jackets That Make It Practical for Families

You don’t have to hunt for rentals. All snorkeling gear is provided, including mask, snorkel, and fins. Life jackets are included too, and they come in sizes for infants, children, and adults.

That shifts the stress level down a lot, especially for families. You can focus on the water and your comfort rather than logistics.

One more detail that’s easy to overlook: this tour also includes snorkeling at a site called the Aquarium. That’s where you’ll get a classic Mauritius snorkeling moment, with colorful fish reported on this outing. If you’re newer to snorkeling, having fins and a mask already sorted helps you get into the water faster.

Ile aux Flamants, Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes: How Each Island Stop Feels

This cruise is built around multiple small island stops, which is often the best way to experience Mauritius. You get variety without losing your whole day to long boat stretches.

Here’s what each named stop brings to your day, and what to watch for.

Ile aux Flamants

Ile aux Flamants is one of your early island stops. Think of it as a chance to settle into the lagoon routine, swim when conditions feel right, and enjoy a quieter pocket of water compared to the larger, busier viewpoints.

You’ll also benefit from the overall boat structure: you’re not forced into a tight schedule. You can split your time between enjoying the shoreline and getting back in the water again.

Ile aux Phares (Lighthouse Island)

This stop is known for the Ile aux Phares area, including the lighthouse connection. Lighthouse islands tend to give you that classic tropical “small island detail” feeling, where you can take photos and walk around if you feel like it.

Keep expectations simple: it’s an island stop where scenery and water time matter more than structured activities.

Ile de la Passe

Ile de la Passe is another island in the mix, part of the chain that makes this itinerary feel like an East Lagoon sampler. You’re looking for lagoon calm, swimming opportunities, and a chance to break up the day between snorkeling stops.

If you’re the type who likes to get your bearings fast, this kind of routing helps. You build confidence with each stop, then your later snorkeling feels easier.

Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes is often where the day becomes more “island explorer” than “only swim and snorkel.” Even if you don’t do much beyond relaxing, it gives you the change of scenery that keeps a long boat day from feeling repetitive.

The overall pattern here is useful: you can snorkel, then step onto land for a breather, then go right back into the water again.

The Aquarium Snorkeling Stop: Colorful Fish Time from a Speed Boat

The itinerary includes snorkeling at the Aquarium. This is one of the moments you should treat like the headline event, because it’s built around underwater time, not just beach time.

What I like about this setup is the practicality. With gear included, you’re not losing momentum. You get into the water and you can spend your attention on what you’re actually seeing: fish, coral edges near the snorkel area, and that clear-lagoon feeling.

Just remember a basic truth: sea life and water clarity can change day to day. If your snorkel window feels less active, don’t panic. The rest of the day still has plenty of swimming and island wandering.

BBQ Lunch on Ile Aux Margenie: What’s Included and Why It Matters

Lunch is served on Ile Aux Margenie, and it’s a BBQ that you don’t just watch from the boat. You meet the chefs onboard, and then you eat as part of the cruise flow.

The BBQ menu is spelled out clearly:

• Garlic breads
• Mix salads
• Sausages
• Chicken
• Fish filets
• Dessert, either flaming bananas or local Ananas

Drinks are included too, with options like bottled water and juice on the softer side, plus alcohol such as white wine, rose wine, and rhum during the meal. There’s also an ice box onboard stocked with soft drinks, bottled water, local beers, and wines.

This is a value piece. Many boat tours give you snacks and call it lunch. Here, the meal is a real BBQ spread, and it keeps the whole day comfortable because you’re not hunting for food once you’re off the boat.

Grand River South East Waterfall Swim and Monkey Watching

Midday on this cruise centers on the Grand River South East Waterfall, where you can both visit and swim.

This stop is also tied to wildlife viewing. You may see monkeys in their natural habitat. One especially memorable detail from this outing is seeing macaques and fruit bats. Fruit bats are described as sleeping upside down in trees, which is a great example of why this stop feels different from a standard beach-and-snorkel day.

The waterfall area also changes the tempo. You go from bright lagoon water to a more “nature and small jungle” feel. If you like contrast in a single day, this is the part that gives it to you.

Ile aux Cerfs Island Stop: Beach Time, But Manage Expectations

You end up at Ile aux Cerfs Island, and this is where you’ll likely spend time for beach relaxing, strolling, and more swimming opportunities.

Here’s the balanced bit. One downside that can show up at Ile aux Cerfs is that the area can feel dirty with trash, and that can ruin the experience if you were hoping for a pristine beach. Another reported issue is that this is where the stop can run longest, yet snorkeling might not be possible in the way you hoped.

On the flip side, this island is still part of why people choose this itinerary in the first place. It’s gorgeous enough to be worth the visit, and if your priority is time on the sand and lagoon, you’ll still get your money’s worth of relaxation.

My advice: go in with two minds. Enjoy the island and the beach experience, but don’t treat Ile aux Cerfs as a guaranteed “best snorkeling every minute” stop.

Boat Comfort and Motion: Speed, Atmosphere, and What to Expect from the CataSpeed

This is a speed boat day, even though the name includes CataSpeed. The good news is the boats are described as modern and comfortable. The skipper can also create a lively atmosphere, which makes waiting between stops feel less like downtime and more like part of the fun.

The caution is about motion. If you expect a super quiet, slow ride, this outing may feel more energetic. There’s even a reported adrenaline factor when the skipper handles waves at speed. If you’re prone to seasickness, plan smart. If you handle boat motion fine, you’ll likely enjoy the ride.

Food and Drinks Included: Why This Pricing Can Make Sense

The price is $170 per person, and it’s worth judging based on what’s actually included, not just the headline number.

You’re getting:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A private full-day charter experience
• Five island stops across the East Lagoon circuit
• Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins) plus life jackets sized by age
• A full BBQ lunch with a defined menu
• Drinks, including soft drinks, bottled water, local beers, wines, and meal-time alcohol such as white wine, rose wine, and rhum
• An ice box onboard stocked during the cruise

When a tour includes gear plus meals plus drinks, the cost becomes easier to justify. Without those, you’d usually pay extra for rentals and food, and it’s the transfers that really push the convenience value up.

Also, the private charter part matters. Splitting the experience among a small party often feels far more natural than squeezing into a larger group schedule.

Who This East Lagoon Cruise Fits Best

This outing fits best if you want a water-focused day with choices. I’d point it toward:

• Families who want snorkeling gear and life jackets handled
• Couples who want a private boat day with island variety
• Anyone who likes animal sightings as a bonus, especially monkeys and the possibility of dolphins
• People who would rather spend time in the lagoon than only looking from shore

It’s also a strong match if you want to mix calm beach time with at least one meaningful snorkeling session.

When You Might Want a Different Tour Plan

You might rethink this one if:

• You need a quiet, slow-moving boat experience. This is more about speed and motion, and that can be a deal-breaker for some people.
• Snorkeling quality is your single top priority for every stop. Ile aux Cerfs may not deliver the same snorkeling access you’ll get at the Aquarium stop.
• You’re sensitive to the possibility of cleanliness issues at Ile aux Cerfs. If that would ruin your day, plan mentally for that risk.

Should You Book This East Lagoon CataSpeed Cruise?

If you like the idea of a private, full-day East Coast water circuit, I think this is a smart booking. The strongest reasons are practical: snorkeling gear included, BBQ lunch with drinks included, and a private boat that stays with you so your day feels flexible.

I’d only hesitate if you are extremely picky about boat calmness or if your plan depends on perfect, consistent snorkeling at every single island stop. If you can accept that some locations are better for beach relaxing than for snorkeling, you’ll likely enjoy the best parts of the day.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the driver pick me up?

The driver picks you up at 07:00 a.m. from your hotel or another given location and transfers you to the cruise harbor.

When does the cruise start and when do we return?

The cruise starts at 08:30 a.m. and you return around 16H00. The driver drops you back at your pickup location.

How many islands are included in the cruise?

The cruise includes stops at five islands: Ile aux Flamants, Ile aux Phares, Ile de la Passe, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Ile aux Cerfs Island.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. The tour provides snorkeling equipment including mask, snorkel, and fins, plus life jackets for infants, children, and adults.

Where is snorkeling offered?

Snorkeling is included at the Aquarium snorkeling site as well as during the day’s island time.

What is included for lunch?

Lunch is a BBQ on Ile Aux Margenie. It includes garlic breads, mix salads, sausages, chicken, fish filets, and dessert (flaming bananas or local Ananas).

What drinks are included?

You get drinks on the cruise, including bottled water, juice, soft drinks, local beers, wines, and also wine options plus rhum during the meal.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes, it runs rain or shine.

What languages are spoken?

French and English.

Can I cancel or change plans?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and there is a reserve & pay later option mentioned as well.