A day on Mauritius you feel in your bones. This speed boat trip strings together three island experiences plus snorkeling and a waterfall stop, all timed around a full morning departure and a long sea ride. I love the mix, island beaches and clear-water snorkel, then a real on-island lunch and drinks. I also like the pace, you get multiple highlights without spending your whole day changing plans. The main drawback to plan for is that it is not a private outing, the boat can be about a dozen people, so go in expecting a small group, not a quiet charter.

If you are into beaches, the names do not matter as much as what they deliver: sand time, water time, and enough variety to keep the day from feeling repetitive. You will also have a briefing and short stops that help you connect the scenery to Mauritius geography, not just locations on a map. One more consideration: the schedule includes a lot of movement, including about 1.5 hours each way by boat, so bring your sea-day comfort mindset.

Key things to know before you go

• A small-group speed boat day (max 15) so you will meet fellow beach lovers, not have the boat to yourself
• Île aux Cerfs first with about 1.5 hours on the island, lunch and drinks included
• Snorkel time at Eau Bleue for fish in calmer, clear-water conditions
• Short but scenic stops including the lighthouse island, Île aux Aigrettes beach, and a shipwreck pause
• Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall as a quick add-on, not a long hike

The overall value: what you really get for $88.81

At $88.81 per person, this trip is priced like a proper day out, not a cheap boat ride. The value comes from the bundle: a full day speed boat tour, lunch plus drinks, and multiple stops that would take you hours and multiple tickets to stitch together on your own.

Here is how the day adds up in practical terms. You are not just hopping onto one beach. You are combining a popular island beach visit, a lighthouse island cultural stop, a nature reserve beach stop, snorkeling at Eau Bleue, and then a waterfall photo stop. The time on the water is also doing work for you, because the boat transfers you between islands without you needing to coordinate private transport.

One point to keep you grounded: hotel pickup and drop-off is not included. You start from Trou d’Eau Douce and return there, with hotel transfers available at extra cost. If you are far from the meeting point, factor in that extra transport expense. If you are already near Trou d’Eau Douce, the price starts to feel like a bargain for what you pack in.

Starting from Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 am

The meeting point is Trou d’Eau Douce, and the start time is 7:30 am. That early departure matters because it helps you get your island time and snorkeling in while the day is still running smoothly.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. So you are planning a true day round-trip, not a drop somewhere else. There is also a mobile ticket, which keeps you from juggling paper vouchers.

Also note the pace. The tour includes travel time by boat of around 1.5 hours each way, and that travel time is part of the 7 hours total. You are on the water a lot, so if you know you get motion sick easily, plan for that before you go.

Speed boat comfort and group size, not private charter vibes

The trip runs with a maximum of 15 travelers. That is small enough to feel personal, but large enough that you should not expect a private boat experience.

One review note that matters for your decision: some people arrived expecting a private outing for a small party and learned on boarding it was not. The refund request was refused, and the person still found the trip enjoyable. The lesson for you is simple. If you want a private charter, do not count on it here, even if you booked for a small group size.

For many people, that is exactly what makes the day fun. You share the ride, the snorkel vibe, and the lunch table energy. Just go in with clear expectations so the day feels like it matches the promise.

Stop 1: Île aux Cerfs for beach time, lunch, and drinks

The day’s anchor stop is Île aux Cerfs. You get about 1 hour 30 minutes there. That is enough time to do the big beach experience without feeling rushed, especially because lunch is served on the island along with drinks.

This is usually where you decide what kind of day you want. Do you want to settle into swim-and-sand mode, or do you want to wander a bit and enjoy the view? With lunch on-site, you are not burning time looking for food, and with drinks included, you can keep your day relaxed.

A practical tip: pick your spot early. Once you have eaten, you may not want to pack up and move, and the best beach spots can be taken. Also remember that this is the longest stop of the day, so use it like your main event.

The lighthouse island, Île aux Fouqets, and why the brief matters

Next you head to Île aux Fouqets, also called Île aux Phare. You spend about 30 minutes there. This stop includes a skipper briefing on the island’s history, plus time to visit.

Thirty minutes is short, so the value is in having someone point out what you are looking at. Instead of only seeing a coastline and a viewpoint, you get context that helps the stop feel meaningful. It is the kind of add-on that turns photos into memories with a story attached.

What to expect: you will not have time for a long walk or lingering like you would on a dedicated island day. Treat it as a quick cultural and scenic break, get your photos, listen to the briefing, then move on.

Île aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve: beach-only stop

On the return, you stop at Île aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve for about 30 minutes, with beach time. The key word here is beach-only. You are not signing up for a full nature walk in this package, so manage expectations if you want trails or extended exploring.

This brief pause is still worth it because it gives you one more shoreline moment before the final ride back. It also serves a simple rhythm check for the day, you get a stretch, cool down by the water, and then settle again for the next segment.

Pack like it is a beach day: water-friendly footwear if you like it, sunscreen that holds up to sun and splashes, and a small bag for wet items.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleue and the shipwreck pause

You will have a snorkeling stop at Vieux Grand Port, described as a natural aquarium called Eau Bleue. The snorkeling time is about 40 minutes. This is one of the best parts of the schedule because snorkeling adds a different sensory experience than beach time.

Clear water helps you see tropical fish, and Eau Bleue is positioned in the plan as a place where that can happen. In other words, you are not just wearing a snorkel for the fun of it. You are timing it for a water setting that is meant for seeing fish.

The itinerary also includes a small stop at the shipwreck of D’Alblair. The time here is not specified as a separate minutes block, but the point is that you get a quick look at something visually different, a break from the usual sandy view.

If you snorkel, keep it simple and comfortable. You do not need a complicated routine. Focus on steady breathing, and pay attention to where the group is in relation to you, since speed boats and multiple stops can make it easy to drift away.

Grande Riviere Sud Est: waterfall stop for photos and a change of scenery

After Île aux Cerfs, you are taken to Grande Riviere Sud Est, which is described as the second longest waterfall in Mauritius. The stop time is about 15 minutes.

Fifteen minutes sounds like a cameo, and that is what it is. This is not a long hike, it is a quick viewpoint stop built to give you a memorable landmark. Think of it as a photo and perspective moment, not a full nature break.

What I like about including a waterfall in a sea-and-beach day is it breaks up the sameness. After hours of water and sand, a waterfall gives your eyes something vertical, something moving, and it turns the day from purely coastal into a more complete snapshot of Mauritius.

What’s included, and why it changes the economics of the day

Included in the price:

• Full day speed boat tour
• Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks
• Lunch

Not included:

• Hotel pick up and drop off (available at extra cost)

This matters because a day like this has hidden costs if you do it on your own. Boat transfers can be pricey, lunch on islands is not always cheap, and drinks add up. By bundling lunch and drinks, the tour keeps you from spending your time budgeting and hunting food.

If you enjoy a drink with your meal and a relaxed beach rhythm, this package is set up for that. If you do not drink alcohol, the soft drinks still reduce the number of separate purchases you have to think about.

Timing and pace: a 7-hour day with long boat segments

The total duration is about 7 hours. A major share goes to travel, with boat time around 1 hour 30 minutes each way included in the schedule.

That means the day has a clear structure: morning departure, island and snorkel blocks, then return. It is not a stop-and-shop itinerary with long wander time. It is a guided day plan built around sea travel efficiency.

If you like your trips to feel active and well-paced, you will probably enjoy this. If you want hours of free exploration with no schedule, you might find the stops feel brief. The sweet spot is people who want a highlight-packed day without planning.

Weather and conditions: how to think about risk

This experience requires good weather. If weather is poor, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is a common reality for sea trips in Mauritius and it is worth treating seriously.

Also, the tour asks for a moderate physical fitness level. That does not automatically mean hard hiking, but it does signal that you should be comfortable handling boat travel and stepping around island areas during short stops.

If you have never been on a speed boat, choose your mindset early. You are going for views, fish time, and sand time, not a slow scenic cruise.

Who this trip fits best

This trip is a great match if:

• You want to hit multiple Mauritius highlights in one day
• You like beach time but also want at least one real activity, snorkeling
• You are okay with a small group boat and short stops
• You want lunch and drinks handled for you

It may be less ideal if:

• You were hoping for a private charter or quiet boat experience
• You dislike being on the water for about 1.5 hours at a stretch
• You want lots of hiking or extended exploration at every stop

For most people balancing vacation time, this is a practical way to get a broad taste of Mauritius without turning the day into a logistics project.

So, should you book Île aux Cerfs speed boat with BBQ?

I would book it if you want a fast, organized day built around islands, snorkeling, and a proper on-island meal. The value is strongest because lunch and drinks are included, and the schedule gives you variety: Île aux Cerfs for your main beach block, a lighthouse island context stop, a nature reserve beach pause, snorkeling at Eau Bleue, and a quick waterfall viewpoint.

I would pause if you are expecting privacy, because this is a small group speed boat day, not a private outing. Also think about whether you will be comfortable with long boat rides and short stop durations.

If you are the type who likes seeing several places in one day and then having energy left for dinner and an easy evening, this one is a solid pick. If you want slow travel and unstructured wandering, you may prefer a more relaxed island-focused plan.

FAQ

How long is the speed boat trip?

The tour lasts about 7 hours, and it includes around 1 hour 30 minutes of travel time by boat each way.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius at 7:30 am and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with alcoholic drinks and soft drinks.

Is hotel pick up and drop off included?

Hotel pick up and drop off are not included, but they can be provided at extra cost.

What islands and activities are included during the trip?

You will visit Île aux Cerfs, Île aux Fouqets (Île aux Phare), and Île aux Aigrettes (beach only). You will also snorkel at Eau Bleue, have a small stop at the shipwreck of D’Alblair, and stop at Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall.

What happens if weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.