5 islands tour: New Private OCÉANE Speedboat

Mauritius is at its best from the water, and this private speedboat trip gives you far more freedom than a standard catamaran cruise. You can race across the lagoon, pause for snorkeling, look for monkeys at the GRSE waterfall, and spend lunch on a quiet beach at Ile aux Cerfs. The chance of seeing dolphins adds a welcome bit of luck.

I like the flexible pace, especially for families or couples who do not want to follow a large group. I also like the combination of a fast, modern boat and a proper BBQ lunch served on a private beach, rather than eating on board with a crowd.

The main drawback is the price: $842 for up to two people is a serious splurge. The ride can also be rough, and this trip is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat, not a crowded cruise: Your group has the speedboat to itself, with space for up to eight passengers.
• A real mix of stops: The day includes the GRSE waterfall, snorkeling near Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Phares lighthouse, Îlot Flamants, and Ile aux Cerfs.
• Lunch on La Flibuste: A BBQ is served in a quiet corner of a private beach, with time to swim and sunbathe.
• Skippers can shape the day: Angelo and Brian have led groups with a relaxed, accommodating approach and flexible stop times.
• Drinks come after snorkeling: Alcohol is served only after the water activity, and snorkeling can be canceled if alcohol is consumed beforehand.
• Best for small groups who value privacy: The cost makes more sense when shared by several people, though the advertised price covers up to two.

Why this private speedboat feels different

The big choice here is speedboat versus catamaran. A catamaran gives you a broad, steady deck and usually a more social atmosphere. This boat gives you speed, spray, and a much closer feel to the sea. You will feel the boat rise and fall over the waves, especially when the skipper opens up the throttle.

That is the fun, but it is also the trade-off. This is not the calmest possible way to see Mauritius. If you want to stretch out, sip drinks slowly, and barely notice the motion of the sea, a catamaran may suit you better. If you like the sensation of moving quickly between islands, the speedboat is the more exciting choice.

The tour is private, so you are not tied to strangers’ preferences. A group can spend longer at a favorite swimming spot, stop briefly at a lighthouse, or ask to avoid busy areas when conditions allow. That freedom is one of the clearest reasons to consider the higher price.

The boat can carry up to eight people, but the advertised price is for a group of up to two. Larger parties should check the booking terms carefully before assuming the same per-person value. For a couple, the cost is high. For a small family or group splitting the expense, the private format becomes easier to justify.

Starting at Pointe Maurice Jetty

The day begins at Pointe Maurice Jetty near Trou d’Eau Douce. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point. Plan extra time to arrive calmly, since a speedboat departure is not something you want to chase at the last moment.

Wear swimwear beneath light clothing and bring a towel, change of clothes, sunglasses, flip-flops, a hat or cap, and high-SPF sunscreen. A camera is useful, but protect it from spray. Smoking is not allowed on the boat.

The listed duration is 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. The route finishes back at Pointe Maurice at about 3:30 PM, giving you most of the day without turning the outing into an exhausting late-night commitment.

English and French are available. If you have preferences about pace, swimming, or how long you want to spend at a stop, explain them early. That is where a private trip earns its keep.

GRSE waterfall and the cheeky monkeys

The first major stop is Grand River South East, usually called GRSE. You get a photo stop, sightseeing, and a chance to watch the surrounding tropical forest and monkeys. The waterfall is best understood as a scenic opening to the day rather than a long land excursion.

The monkeys are part of the appeal. They add movement and character to what could otherwise be a quick viewpoint stop. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a full wildlife program. The stop is listed at about 30 minutes, enough to see the falls, watch for activity in the trees, and take photos.

This is also a good early test of how the boat handles. The trip moves from river scenery into open lagoon travel, so you get a quick change of mood: shaded forest first, then broad water and island views.

Ile aux Aigrettes and the southeast lagoon

After GRSE, the boat heads toward the southeast and passes Ile aux Aigrettes. This part of the route is mainly scenic, with roughly 20 minutes listed for sightseeing and passage. The island and surrounding waters give you a sense of the coastline’s shape, with mountains framing the lagoon.

The snorkeling session takes place near Ile aux Aigrettes. Expect time in clear water, a chance to look for marine life, and a break from the boat’s speed. Snorkeling conditions can vary with weather and sea conditions, so the exact quality of the water is not guaranteed on every departure.

Bring your own confidence level into the water. The information provided does not state whether flotation equipment is supplied, so ask the operator if you need any particular gear. The practical rule is simple: snorkel first, drink later. Alcoholic drinks are served only after snorkeling, and management can cancel the snorkeling activity if alcohol has been consumed beforehand.

That rule is sensible. It protects both the water activity and the people taking part. Save the cold drink for after you are back on board and finished in the water.

Ile aux Phares and Îlot Flamants

The route then reaches the southeast islands, including Ile aux Fouquets, better known as Ile aux Phares because of its lighthouse. This is one of the more distinctive photo stops. The lighthouse gives the outing a strong visual marker and a brief chance to see an island from close range.

The schedule allows a visit and sightseeing here, but it does not promise a long guided walk. Think of it as a short island stop mixed with boat views. Your skipper can help set expectations on the day, depending on sea conditions and timing.

Îlot Flamants follows as another scenic island stop or pass-by. This section is less about ticking off a long list of activities and more about seeing the southeast from several angles. The private boat helps because you can enjoy the view without being packed into a large deck of people.

One benefit of the speedboat is that these island sections do not feel like a single long transfer. You move between points quickly, with the sea itself becoming part of the attraction.

The private beach at La Flibuste

Lunch is served at La Flibuste, on a quiet corner of a private beach near Ile aux Cerfs. This is the emotional center of the day. After the motion and spray of the boat, you get sand, swimming time, sunbathing, and a proper meal beside the water.

The BBQ is included, and the food is described as a highlight of the outing. The important detail is not only what you eat, but where you eat it. A beach lunch in a quieter corner feels more personal than a meal at a busy waterfront restaurant or a buffet on a crowded vessel.

You should still set your expectations correctly. This is not a private island reserved entirely for your group. The experience provides a quiet private beach setting for lunch, with time to swim and relax. Conditions and beach activity can change, so the word private should not be read as total isolation.

I like the balance here. The day is not just a high-speed sightseeing circuit. You have a proper pause in the middle, and Ile aux Cerfs gives you time to enjoy the water instead of simply photographing it.

The beach is also where the trip works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can get in the water, while someone who prefers to sit in the shade can enjoy lunch and the views. Families with older children have a good mix of excitement and downtime. The boat ride appealed to children aged 10 and 15 on one outing, though the operator still excludes people with certain medical and mobility concerns.

Returning through Trou d’Eau Douce

After lunch and beach time, you return by boat toward Trou d’Eau Douce, with scenic views along the way. The final cruise gives you another chance to enjoy the speed, although you may be ready for a quieter ride after six hours outside.

The tour returns to Pointe Maurice Jetty at approximately 3:30 PM. Since the meeting and return point are the same, you do not need to arrange a second marina transfer. You do need to handle your own hotel transportation, since pickup and drop-off are not included.

The return route is part of the experience rather than dead time. You have already seen the major stops, so the final stretch can be used for photographs, drinks after snorkeling, and simply watching the water change color around the islands.

The skipper matters more than the boat

A private speedboat is only as good as the person driving it. Angelo and Brian are names connected with this route, and both have been described as attentive, entertaining, and willing to adjust the day around the group.

That flexibility can be especially useful if you have children, different swimming abilities, or a strong preference for either sightseeing or beach time. One group was even allowed to spend time near dolphins after an unexpected sighting, while another had a skipper find quieter snorkeling water.

No skipper can promise dolphins, empty water, perfect sea conditions, or a specific amount of time at each stop. Wildlife sightings are luck, and the route can change with safety conditions. Still, the private format gives the crew more room to respond than a large scheduled cruise.

If you have particular hopes, say so before departure. Ask about the plan for snorkeling, the likely beach time, and the pace of the return. A clear conversation at the jetty can make the day feel more personal.

Does $842 offer good value?

At $842 for up to two people, this is expensive by Mauritius excursion standards. You are paying for privacy, a newer speedboat, a six-and-a-half-hour route, snorkeling, lunch, and the ability to avoid the fixed rhythm of a large cruise.

The value depends on what you would otherwise book. If you are comparing this with a low-cost shared boat, the difference is hard to ignore. A shared trip may cover similar waters for much less. If you are comparing it with a private charter split among four to eight people, the price becomes easier to defend.

The strongest value is not the number of islands alone. It is the control over the day. You can ask to linger at a scenic spot, spend time in quieter snorkeling water, and enjoy lunch away from the main crowd. For a special occasion, a family holiday, or a final day in Mauritius, that control may matter more than saving money.

The inclusion of a BBQ and post-snorkeling alcoholic drinks also helps, though you should not book this solely for the meal. The sea route, private boat, and skipper-led flexibility are the main reasons to pay more.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families with older children, and small groups who want a private day on the water. It suits people who enjoy speed and do not want to spend the day on a large shared deck.

It is also a good fit if you want several different Mauritius experiences in one outing: a waterfall, monkeys, island scenery, snorkeling, a lighthouse, beach time, BBQ food, and the possibility of dolphin sightings.

I would think twice if you have back problems, limited mobility, or are pregnant. I would also choose another style of cruise if you dislike boat motion, spray, or fast travel across open water. There is no shame in that. The speed is a feature for some people and a nuisance for others.

Bring the practical kit listed by the operator, especially sunscreen, a towel, dry clothing, and a hat. Pack light, but protect anything valuable from seawater.

Should you book the private five-island speedboat?

Book it if you want a fast, flexible, private day and can share the cost with at least one other person. The combination of southeast islands, snorkeling, a lighthouse, GRSE waterfall, and a beach BBQ gives you a fuller day than a simple boat transfer.

Skip it if your main goal is the cheapest possible way to see Ile aux Cerfs, or if you prefer a slow and steady catamaran ride. The price is high, but for the right group, the private boat, adaptable skipper, and quiet beach lunch make it a worthwhile splurge.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start and finish?

The tour starts and returns at Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. The return to Pointe Maurice is expected at about 3:30 PM.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The activity is for a private group, and the speedboat can carry up to eight passengers.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transportation to and from Pointe Maurice Jetty.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the private speedboat trip, a snorkeling session, BBQ lunch, and alcoholic drinks served after snorkeling.

When are alcoholic drinks served?

Alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling. If alcohol is consumed beforehand, management may cancel the snorkeling activity.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, flip-flops, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat or cap, and a camera.

Who should not take this tour?

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or people with mobility impairments. Smoking is not allowed.