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

The best part of this excursion is how much of southeastern Mauritius you see in one brisk boat outing. You’ll snorkel at Blue Bay, pass old island ruins, watch for monkeys and fruit bats, stop at the Grand River Southeast waterfall, and finish on the famous sands of Ile aux Cerfs.

I like the all-in-one setup, especially the hotel pickup, barbecue lunch, drinks, and boat transport. I also like the mix of nature and history: this is not just a beach day, since Ile de la Passe and Ile au Phare add a useful glimpse into Mauritius’s past.

The main caution is weather. Rain and rough conditions can change the feel of the trip quickly, and the snorkeling stop may seem short if you want a long swim. At $176 per person, this is good value for a full outing, but less so if clouds spoil the boat ride or you prefer a quiet, slow-paced day.

Key things to know before booking

• Blue Bay snorkeling lasts about 30 minutes, with equipment supplied, but the marine life and coral conditions can vary.
• Ile au Phare and Ile de la Passe add historic interest, including old ruins and the lighthouse view.
• The Grand River Southeast waterfall is seen from the boat, not as a long land visit.
• Lunch is served at Ilot Mangenie, on the wilder side of Ile aux Cerfs, with chicken, fish, sausage, garlic bread, salad, fruit, and local drinks.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you about 90 minutes, enough for beach time and some independent exploring.
• Pickup can begin as early as 6:00 a.m., depending on your hotel, while the boat outing starts around 8:00 a.m. in the east.

Blue Bay begins the day with fish and clear water

Your day starts with hotel pickup, then a short speedboat ride of about 15 minutes. The exact pickup time depends on where you stay. Hotels in the east are more convenient, while pickup from places such as Grand Baie, Flic en Flac, Le Morne, or Port Louis can mean an early start.

The first main stop is Blue Bay Marine Park, near Ile aux Aigrettes. You get about 30 minutes to snorkel, and equipment is included. This is one of the most useful parts of the trip because you get straight into the water rather than spending the morning only looking at islands from the boat.

Keep your expectations sensible. Clear water does not guarantee a perfect coral garden. One account described the coral as mostly dead and the fish as more like common reef fish than bright tropical species. Another person wished for an extra hour in the water. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, this may feel like a sampler rather than a full marine outing.

Still, Blue Bay is a good introduction to Mauritius’s coastal waters. You may see tropical fish, and sightings of turtles and dolphins have occurred during the wider boat trip. Bring a swimsuit, and remember that a 30-minute stop includes getting ready and returning to the boat, so the actual time swimming can be shorter.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the islands of old defenses

After snorkeling, the boat passes Ile aux Aigrettes, a small island with a strong place in Mauritius’s natural story. You do not get a long island visit here, but seeing it from the water helps break up the ride and gives the skipper a chance to explain the area.

The next stops are Ile de la Passe and Ile au Phare, also called Lighthouse Island. These islands add something different to the day. Instead of another beach, you see traces of old buildings and hear about their role in the island’s past.

The itinerary describes a visit to the historic lighthouse on Ile au Phare, but much of the sightseeing is from the boat. Confirm with the crew how much time you will spend ashore on the day, since weather and sea conditions affect access. If you enjoy old ruins and coastal stories, these stops make the trip feel more rounded. If you want nonstop swimming, they may seem like pauses between the beach sections.

Fouquets Island is also included as a sightseeing stop. The boat format matters here. You get a broad view of the islands and their position along the coast, but this is not a walking tour with long time on each island.

The GRSE waterfall is a quick but memorable pass

The boat then heads toward the Grand River Southeast waterfall, usually called the GRSE waterfall. You see it while passing by, so do not picture a long hike or a separate waterfall visit.

This stop works well from a speedboat. You get close enough for photographs and a clear look at the water dropping into the river mouth. Monkeys and fruit bats have also been seen during the outing, and one especially good day included monkeys coming near the boat. Those sightings are never guaranteed, but they add a welcome bit of wildlife to the ride.

The waterfall is one of the trip’s short scenic moments, not its central activity. Have your camera ready before arriving, and listen for instructions from the skipper. The boat will not necessarily linger for a long time.

A beach barbecue at Ilot Mangenie

Lunch is served on Ilot Mangenie, the wilder side of the Ile aux Cerfs area. This is a smart choice for the meal. You get your food beside the water, away from the more developed parts of the famous resort island.

The barbecue includes chicken, fish, sausage, garlic bread, salad, and fruit. Local drinks are included, including alcohol. Accounts of the meal describe it as simple and satisfying rather than fancy. You may also have the chance to try sea urchin or lobster, though these items are not listed as part of the standard meal, so do not book expecting them.

I like that lunch is built into the day instead of leaving you to search for food on a crowded island. The beach setting and relaxed group atmosphere are a big part of its appeal. Guide Georges has been singled out for keeping people entertained and upbeat, while the captain is described as making an effort to keep the day enjoyable.

The food may not impress you if you want a polished restaurant meal. It is a beach barbecue, and that is the point. Expect a casual plate, local drinks, and a social hour rather than a long culinary experience.

Ile aux Cerfs gives you the postcard finish

After lunch, you spend about 90 minutes on Ile aux Cerfs. This is the classic beach section of the excursion, with pale sand and clear water. It is the place to slow down after the faster boat ride and the sequence of stops.

You can relax on the beach or take part in other activities available on the island. The exact activities are not specified, so check current options and prices locally if you want to do more than swim or sunbathe. Your included time is limited, so I would use it for the beach unless you already know there is a particular activity you want.

Ile aux Cerfs is beautiful, but it is also the most familiar and busiest-feeling part of the trip. The value here comes from pairing it with the less developed Ilot Mangenie, the waterfall, and the historic islands. If you only want Ile aux Cerfs, a dedicated island visit may give you more unhurried beach time.

The return speedboat ride takes about 15 minutes before transport brings you back to your accommodation. The full activity is advertised as six hours, though the early pickup and final drive can make the total day longer, especially for hotels far from the east coast.

Speedboat travel makes the route efficient

The speedboat is the engine of this excursion. It lets you connect Blue Bay, the offshore islands, the waterfall, Ilot Mangenie, and Ile aux Cerfs without changing vehicles or arranging separate boat trips.

You should also know that speed means motion. On a calm day, the ride is exciting and efficient. In rain or rougher conditions, it can become tiring. One poor-weather outing continued during an official storm and rain warning, leaving the group wet for more than three hours. That experience also felt crowded with 17 people.

The advertised group limit is 15 participants, which is small enough for a more personal day than a large cruise boat. Still, group size may affect comfort, especially when everyone is wet, carrying bags, or trying to find shade. Ask about the expected group size if that matters to you.

Weather deserves serious attention. One of the most positive days included dolphins, turtles, and excellent scenery, while a rainy day weakened the whole experience. Check the forecast before you go, and pack a light waterproof layer even if the morning begins sunny.

What the $176 price really covers

At $176 per person, the price is not cheap for a six-hour outing. It becomes easier to justify when you count the included hotel pickup and drop-off, speedboat transport, snorkeling gear, lunch, local drinks, and alcohol.

You are paying for convenience as much as for sightseeing. Booking separate transport, a Blue Bay boat, a waterfall visit, lunch, and an Ile aux Cerfs transfer could take more time and involve more coordination. Here, one crew handles the route and meals.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a busy highlight day and is staying outside the southeast. It is weaker for someone staying close to Ile aux Cerfs, who could arrange a simpler beach trip, or for someone who wants a long snorkeling session.

The excursion also works well for a first visit to Mauritius. You see several signature sights in one day and get a taste of the coast, history, wildlife, and beach life. The tradeoff is pace. This is a sampler with many stops, not a slow exploration of one island.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend it to you if you want variety and prefer having the practical details handled. Families and couples who like boat rides, beach time, and a casual group meal should find the structure easy to follow.

It also suits people who want to see more than the resort coast. The old lighthouse, island ruins, waterfall, and possible wildlife sightings give the day more character than a straight transfer to Ile aux Cerfs.

You may want another option if you are pregnant, since the activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women. It may also disappoint you if you need long snorkeling time, dislike speedboats, or want complete control over the day’s pace.

The languages are English and French. That makes the tour accessible to a broad range of visitors, and a lively guide such as Georges can make the boat sections feel less like transport and more like part of the experience.

Booking details that affect your day

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included across a wide range of Mauritius locations, including Blue Bay, Mahebourg, Belle Mare, Trou d’Eau Douce, Grand Baie, Flic en Flac, Le Morne, Tamarin, Port Louis, and Rivière Noire. You must provide the name of your hotel, bed-and-breakfast, or apartment.

Pickup usually falls between 6:00 and 7:30 a.m., with the east-coast boat outing beginning at about 8:00 a.m. Ask for the confirmed pickup time after booking, especially if you are staying on the west or north coast.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity runs for about six hours and has live guiding in English and French.

Should you book the five-island trip?

Book this excursion if you want one energetic day that combines snorkeling, island history, wildlife, a barbecue, and Ile aux Cerfs. The hotel transport and included meal remove much of the usual holiday planning, and the route gives you a useful first look at Mauritius’s southeast and east coasts.

Think twice if your priority is coral snorkeling or long, quiet beach time. The snorkeling stop is short, the waterfall and historic islands are mostly viewed from the boat, and bad weather can turn the speedboat ride into a wet and uncomfortable stretch.

For most visitors, I see this as a strong choice when the forecast is good and you value variety. Book it for the route and convenience, not just for Ile aux Cerfs. The mix of old lighthouse ruins, possible dolphins or monkeys, a simple beach barbecue, and a final hour and a half on white sand is what makes the $176 price easier to defend.

FAQ

How long does the excursion last?

The activity lasts about six hours, not including the possible extra time spent on hotel pickup and drop-off.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup usually takes place between 6:00 and 7:30 a.m., depending on where you are staying. The boat activity begins at approximately 8:00 a.m. in the east.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and apartments across Mauritius. You need to provide your accommodation details.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided for the stop at Blue Bay Marine Park.

How long is the snorkeling stop?

The planned snorkeling stop lasts about 30 minutes.

What food is served for lunch?

The barbecue includes chicken, fish, sausage, garlic bread, salad, and fruit.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Local drinks are included, including alcoholic drinks.

How much time do you get on Ile aux Cerfs?

The planned visit to Ile aux Cerfs lasts about 1.5 hours.

Which languages are spoken?

The live tour guide service is offered in English and French.

Can pregnant women join the excursion?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women.