Speedboat islands plus reef snorkeling, all in one day. This 5-island East Coast circuit from Blue Bay to Ile aux Cerfs mixes underwater time, island hopping, and a beach lunch day with hotel pickup across Mauritius.

I love the Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling, with crystal-clear water (about 5.5 meters deep) and lots of coral variety. I also love the Margenie Islet BBQ lunch setup on the beach, with live sega music and banana flambé during the meal.

One thing to plan around: the schedule is weather dependent, and Ile de la Passe depends on sea tide, so you may not see every stop exactly as expected.

Key highlights at a glance

• Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling with provided gear and excellent visibility in a reef park
• Shipwreck stop at Pointe d’Esny (Dalbair/Alblair) for context before you get into the water
• Ile aux Aigrettes natural swimming pool plus a cocktail break
• GRSE waterfall canal cruise where monkeys and fruit bats are possible
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time followed by BBQ lunch on Margenie Islet, with drinks and live music

From Pickup to Blue Bay: the day’s rhythm starts early

This full-day tour runs about 8 to 9 hours, starting at 8:00 am. You get pickup and drop-off from your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius, then you’ll travel to Blue Bay, where the speedboat day begins.

The tour is capped at 15 travelers, and there’s a fully qualified certified guide/driver (plus a boat captain once you’re on the water). In real-world feedback I saw guide names like Chris and Nelson, and captain names like Emmanuel and Joel, which suggests the crew can be a mix of lively and informative depending on who’s working that day.

The pace here is intentionally “sea-day fast.” That’s great if you want variety without spending the whole trip on one beach. It can feel like a lot if you’re hoping for long, slow hangs at every stop.

Blue Bay Marine Park snorkeling: clear water, real reef variety

Your first real water time is at the Blue Bay Marine Park, with about 1 hour on-site for snorkeling. Conditions are described as ideal, with crystal-clear visibility and an average depth around 5.5 meters, which matters because it makes it easier to see coral and fish even if you’re not a hardcore snorkeler.

What I like about this stop is the way it’s structured. You’re not thrown straight in with no time to find your balance. You’re guided to the reef area, and you get the chance to snorkel where the water transparency helps you actually enjoy what you came for.

This park is said to have more than 50 species of corals, so it’s not just “a few fish and rocks.” If you care about the underwater look, this is the best early payoff on the itinerary.

Pointe d’Esny shipwreck stop: the Dalbair/Alblair story on the reef

After the marine park, you head to the coral reef area at Pointe d’Esny for the shipwreck stop, about 30 minutes. The tour focuses on the Dalbair (also spelled Alblair/Alblair in the details you’ll receive), a wreck from 1902 with a controversial history.

Why this works: you get context right before your shallow-water snorkeling time. Even if you only care about the sea, having the “what am I looking at?” story turns a random wreck sight into something you’ll remember.

If you’re sensitive to crowds or sound, note that shipwreck areas can attract multiple boats. You’ll still likely get your chance to swim, but manage expectations about total quiet.

Ile aux Aigrettes natural swimming pool: cocktail, lagoon, and starfishes

Next up is Ile aux Aigrettes, a nature reserve stop with about 40 minutes. You’ll enjoy a cocktail and get a chance to swim in the lagoon, including time in a natural swimming pool.

One of the specific details here is that the natural pool is described as having starfishes. Even if you don’t plan to treat this as a “wildlife safari,” it’s a fun change from the more open-water snorkeling you do earlier.

The tradeoff is time. This is not a long beach day here. It’s a short, scenic reset between bigger snorkeling stops and the larger island highlights.

Ile aux Phare lighthouse ruins and Ile de la Passe defenses

You’ll visit Ile aux Phare (also called Ile du Phare) for about 45 minutes. This is the lighthouse island, with time to walk around and see the ancient lighthouse ruin. The lighthouse built in 1864 is noted for guiding ships to Mahebourg, and it’s tied to the Battle of Grand Port between the French and the British.

Then there’s Ile de la Passe for about 30 minutes, and this stop depends on sea tide. The details you’ll get mention colonial-era defenses and ruins, with references to old buildings and a prison site.

These two stops are small, but they add variety. Up until now, you’ve mostly been in water and reef zones. Here you get a sense of how this part of the island functioned in the colonial era, and you’ll also get viewpoints over the sea.

If you get sea-sick, remember these segments can involve more time on land looking at shorelines and ruins than moving constantly. Bring what you use for motion sickness.

Ilot Flamants sandbar, then the GRSE waterfall canal cruise

Between the historical stops and the main beach, you’ll pass by Ilot Vacoas and then go to Ile aux Flamants (Ilot Flamants). You’ll spend about 30 minutes at this white-sand island in a crystal-clear lagoon, with a snorkeling session described as taking place in the turquoise lagoon.

Then comes the Grand River South East (GRSE) Waterfalls stop for about 30 minutes. This is described as a place where sea and river meet. The speedboat route includes sailing along the canal for views of the falls, plus chances to spot monkeys near the trees and fruit bats resting high in the canopy as you approach.

Why I’d prioritize this: it’s a different kind of “wow” than coral and beaches. You get nature theater, plus wildlife odds that feel genuinely plausible in the described setting.

If weather is rough, waterfall access and how close the boat can get may change. The tour states it requires good weather, so keep a flexible mindset on the day.

Ile aux Cerfs beach time plus Margenie Islet BBQ lunch

Now you reach the big signature stop: Ile aux Cerfs. You get about 2 hours here, with free time to swim in the lagoon, snorkel, stroll, and relax on the beach. Water sports are mentioned as optional and at an additional cost, so treat your included time as beach and swim focus rather than an action-packed program of paid activities.

What makes this day feel complete is the lunch plan at Margenie Islet, around noon. Lunch is a 3-course BBQ meal described as Chicken BBQ and Fish BBQ with sides and salads, including garlic bread. There’s also a note that halal food is available.

If you’re vegetarian, you need to inform the operator in advance so they can arrange BBQ veg. This is one of those “don’t assume” situations, because the base BBQ menu is fish and chicken.

During lunch you’ll also get complimentary drinks and live entertainment, including sega dance and live music. Banana flambé is prepared during the meal. It’s also described as having an open bar with unlimited drinks onboard, which can be fun if you’re into that vibe.

A heads-up for decision-making: some people felt the boat atmosphere leaned into drinking and party energy. If you want calm, family-focused cruising, I’d ask the operator directly what the onboard vibe is like on your date.

Drinks, pace, and practical tips for a smooth sea-day

The tour includes unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks onboard in the details provided, and a cocktail drink at Ile aux Aigrettes. In practice, I’d still treat drinks as “included comfort,” not as a guarantee of premium service or perfect temperature, because sea days can be chaotic.

The bigger practical factor is sun and time in open air. One participant tip was simple: bring sunscreen, and wear sun factor clothing, because you can sit in strong sun. Another practical note was to carry a few snacks so you’re not starving between snorkeling slots and lunch.

Since snorkeling equipment is provided, you don’t need to pack your own gear. Still, do pack smart: wear reef-safe style protection if that’s your habit, and bring a dry bag for phone and essentials so you’re not juggling wet stuff.

Plan to walk some uneven island ground. You’ll go from boat to sand, to lighthouse ruins, to lagoon edges. Comfortable footwear helps even if you’re mostly in flip-flops.

If you’re planning this as a family day, remember the schedule is tight, and the boat part is high-energy speed cruising. That can be a blast for kids who like motion and sun, but it can be a lot for anyone who prefers slower, calmer days.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

At $151.21 per person, you’re paying for a bundle: hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned vehicle transfer, a speedboat circuit with multiple stops, snorkeling gear, a cocktail, BBQ lunch at Margenie Islet, and unlimited drinks onboard plus live entertainment.

That’s real value when you add it up yourself, because transport alone can be expensive when you’re not driving. The snorkeling equipment included also helps, since rentals and guided setups can tack on costs quickly elsewhere.

The main value tradeoffs to understand are:

• The day is fixed and time-limited at each stop, so you’re not choosing your own pace.
• Optional water sports cost extra (listed as 40 EUR in the details), so if you want parasailing or similar activities, budget for it.
• Weather and tide can alter what you see, like the Ile de la Passe timing.

Given the inclusions, this price feels fair if you want a high variety day in one go. If you’d rather linger at one beach and do slow snorkeling, you may prefer a more relaxed half-day or point-to-point plan.

Should you book this 5-island speedboat tour to Ile aux Cerfs?

Book it if you want a single day that checks several boxes: reef snorkeling, a shipwreck stop, a nature reserve swim moment, a waterfall canal cruise, and a true beach payoff at Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ lunch and entertainment.

Skip it or choose another style if you want quiet touring, lots of slow time, or you’re very sensitive to schedule changes from weather and tide. The tour is built for motion and sunlight, so you’ll have the best experience if you’re ready to stay active and flexible.

If you do book, do three things before the morning: confirm your pickup time clearly with the operator, pack sun protection and a small snack backup, and have a realistic expectation that the “perfect itinerary” depends on conditions at sea.

FAQ

How long is the full day tour?

The tour runs about 8 to 9 hours.

Where do I get picked up and when does it start?

Pickup and drop-off are offered from your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. The start time is 8:00 am.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you snorkel at Blue Bay Marine Park and at the Eau Bleu crystal clear lagoon during the island stops.

What food is included for lunch?

Lunch is a 3-course BBQ served at Margenie Islet. The menu is typically Chicken BBQ and Fish BBQ with sides and salads, and vegetarian BBQ can be arranged if you inform the operator in advance. Halal food is available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. There’s a selection of unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks onboard, plus a cocktail drink at Ile aux Aigrettes.

Are water sports included?

No. Water sports are optional and have an additional cost (listed as 40 EUR).

Which stops depend on conditions?

Ile de la Passe depends on sea tide, and the overall experience requires good weather.

What happens if the weather is bad or I cancel?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If you cancel up to 24 hours in advance, you get a full refund.