5 Islands Tour with BBQ & Snorkeling in Mauritius

Mauritius’s southeast coast is best appreciated from the water: lagoons, island beaches, a waterfall and rocky coastal scenery all fall into one outing. This roughly six-hour boat trip leaves from Trou d’Eau Douce and combines island stops with snorkeling and a barbecue lunch on Ile aux Cerfs.

I like the mix of time on the water and time on shore, so the day is not just a string of boat rides. I also like that snorkeling gear, lunch, snacks and refreshments are included, which makes the advertised price easier to weigh against a day planned on your own.

The main caveat is that the route is not fixed. Weather or capacity can mean skipping a stop, and dolphins are wild animals, not a scheduled attraction. If your heart is set on a particular island or wildlife sighting, keep your expectations flexible.

• Lunch is served on Ile aux Cerfs, making the island stop a proper break as well as a photo opportunity.
• Snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel.
• Dolphins are often seen, but there is no guarantee. The operator estimates a 90 percent chance on a typical day and notes that nature is unpredictable.
• Named stops include Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets and Ile aux Aigrettes, along with the GRSE waterfall and snorkeling locations.
• The meeting-point option starts at $95.39, while pickup packages cost more. The overall tour price is also shown from $126.15, so check the exact option and date before booking.
• The tour runs about six to six and a half hours, with a morning departure and a return around 15:00.

A morning departure from Trou d’Eau Douce

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The trip starts at Tino Boats in Trou d’Eau Douce, at the jetty next to the Mauritius flag. The stated departure window is 08:15 to 08:30, and you are asked to arrive 15 minutes early. That early start gives the boat time to reach the coast’s different stops and leaves a good part of the afternoon free after returning around 15:00.

This is a meeting-point package, so getting to the jetty is your responsibility unless you book one of the pickup options. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the basic package. If you choose a pickup option, provide your hotel name and room number when arranging it.

The tour is described as lasting six hours, while the detailed schedule gives six and a half hours. In practice, plan on most of the day being taken up, including arrival and return. Sea and weather conditions can affect timing, so avoid scheduling a tight appointment immediately afterward.

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Island stops, waterfall views and a changing route

The route takes in several sights along Mauritius’s southeast coast. Ile aux Cerfs is a central stop, and it is also where lunch is served. Its beach setting gives you time to get off the boat, eat and enjoy the island rather than only viewing it from the water.

The GRSE waterfall is another listed stop. Seeing it from the boat gives you a different perspective from a land-based visit, with the coastline and water forming part of the view. The exact time spent at each location is not specified, and the schedule may shift with traffic and weather.

Ile aux Fouquets is also included, and the itinerary refers to Lighthouse Island. The names point to the same southeast-coast stop in the tour details, but the information does not promise a particular landing or a set amount of time there. Ile aux Aigrettes is listed as a stop as well. The tour is sold as a five-island outing, though the precise sequence and which places involve a landing can vary.

That flexibility matters. The operator notes that some attractions may be skipped due to capacity or weather. Think of the day as a coastal route with several planned highlights, not a checklist where every stop is guaranteed. If one location is particularly important to you, ask the operator about the day’s plan before departure.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

Snorkeling is one of the main reasons to choose this trip over a simple coastal cruise. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and stops in clear lagoons, where you may see fish and coral. Water conditions and visibility vary, so the quality of the snorkeling can change from one day to the next.

You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel, but do bring swimwear and a towel. The supplied details do not give a swimming lesson or specify lifeguard arrangements, so if you are unsure in the water, be candid with the crew before getting in. One past participant said the outing suited people who were not strong swimmers, but that is not a substitute for checking what support is available on your departure.

The boat ride and snorkeling together make this a more active day than a beach transfer. You will be moving between stops, getting in and out of the water if you choose, and spending time in the sun. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are practical essentials, not optional extras.

Dolphins are a bonus, not a promise

The tour includes a chance to spot wild dolphins in the lagoon. The operator puts the likelihood at about 90 percent on a typical day, but clearly says sightings cannot be guaranteed. That is the right way to think about wildlife: enjoy a sighting if it happens, but do not book solely because you expect a close encounter.

The same principle applies to the rest of the natural scenery. The coast, lagoon and rock formations are part of the outing, but conditions determine what you see and how long you stay. A flexible attitude helps you enjoy the full day instead of measuring it against a rigid schedule.

Barbecue lunch and included refreshments

Lunch is served on Ile aux Cerfs, and lunch, snacks and refreshments are included. This is useful value on an outing that keeps you away from your hotel for much of the day. You can spend less time arranging food in advance and more time enjoying the island stop.

The details do not specify the menu, dietary options or whether drinks include alcohol. A past participant described having alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, but if you have dietary needs or want to confirm what is served, ask the operator before booking. Do not assume a particular dish or beverage is guaranteed.

A beach lunch also gives the schedule a welcome pause. The day has several transitions between boat, water and shore, so time to eat and sit down helps keep the outing from feeling like a race between photo stops.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The meeting-point package is shown from $95.39, while the overall tour is also advertised from $126.15. These are different starting prices in the supplied options, so check the total for your chosen date and package rather than treating either figure as a fixed universal fare. The stated pickup options start at $140.25 for the North, East and Southeast, and $151.49 for the West and South. A private boat option starts at $768.59.

The basic package includes lunch, refreshments, snacks and snorkeling equipment, plus visits to Ile aux Cerfs, the GRSE waterfall, Ile aux Fouquets and Ile aux Aigrettes. For a full day on the coast, that bundle can represent solid value, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, food and a boat trip. The meeting-point price is the most budget-conscious choice if you can reach Trou d’Eau Douce easily.

Hotel transfers and personal expenses are not included in the meeting-point option, and tips are also excluded. Factor in the cost and time of reaching the jetty when comparing it with a pickup package. A lower fare is not always the cheaper choice if you need to arrange a long or costly transfer yourself.

Who will get the most from this trip

This outing suits you if you want a single day that combines boat scenery, island time, snorkeling and lunch without arranging each part separately. It is especially appealing if you are staying near the east or southeast coast, or if you have already planned transport to Trou d’Eau Douce.

It can also work for a mixed group with different priorities. Strong swimmers can make the most of the snorkeling, while others can enjoy the boat trip, beaches and scenery. Still, anyone who cannot swim comfortably should check directly with the operator about water conditions and assistance before booking.

Families should count infants and children in the passenger headcount, even though children aged zero to three travel free. The tour’s broad mix of stops may suit families who like being outdoors, but the supplied details do not give age limits, child-specific equipment or facilities. Confirm any needs with the operator rather than assuming they are provided.

The operator is Societe Fernand lacour & Fils, and Tino Boats is the meeting point. Crew can vary. Danilo and Morish are names associated with past trips, but you should not expect either person to be assigned to your departure.

Useful details before you book

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel and a camera or phone. Arrive at the jetty 15 minutes before departure, and look for the Mauritius flag beside the meeting point. Your voucher is valid only for the specified date and time.

Weather can alter the plan, and the operator may cancel in extreme conditions or unforeseen events. In that case, you can reschedule or request a full refund, subject to the stated terms and availability. For changes or refund requests, contact the operator at [email protected].

Should you book the five-island tour?

I would consider this a strong choice if you want a full southeast-coast day with several kinds of activity folded into one price. The combination of Ile aux Cerfs, waterfall scenery, snorkeling and a beach barbecue gives you more variety than a straight boat transfer, and the included food and gear make planning simpler.

Book it with room for changes. The exact route can shift, dolphins are never certain, and the tour does not guarantee that every attraction will be visited. If you are happy to treat the islands and wildlife as part of a flexible day out, rather than a list of must-see stops, the meeting-point package offers the clearest value. If transport to Trou d’Eau Douce is awkward, compare the pickup price before deciding.

FAQ

How long is the five-island tour?

The tour is described as six hours, while the detailed schedule gives six hours and thirty minutes. It departs in the morning and is scheduled to return around 15:00.

Where does the tour depart from?

Meet at Tino Boats in Trou d’Eau Douce, at the jetty next to the Mauritius flag. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

Not in the meeting-point package. Pickup and drop-off options are available at separate starting prices for different regions.

What is included in the tour?

Lunch, refreshments, snacks and snorkeling gear are included. The tour also lists visits to Ile aux Cerfs, the GRSE waterfall, Ile aux Fouquets and Ile aux Aigrettes, as well as snorkeling.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The operator estimates about a 90 percent chance of seeing wild dolphins on a typical day but cannot guarantee a sighting.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel and a camera or phone.

Do children aged zero to three need a ticket?

Children aged zero to three are free, but infants and children must still be included in the passenger headcount.

Can the route change?

Yes. Weather, traffic and capacity can affect the schedule, and some attractions may be skipped.