The 5 islands tour is one of the most popular day trips in Mauritius: a speedboat ride along the south-east coast, stopping at small islands, a waterfall and the famous beach of Île aux Cerfs. It combines swimming, snorkelling and a bit of history, and it is an easy way to see a part of the coast most visitors only pass by.
The route
Itineraries vary by operator, but most trips leave from Trou d’Eau Douce, Mahébourg or Blue Bay and include these stops:
Île aux Cerfs
The best-known island in Mauritius, with long white beaches, a calm lagoon, restaurants and water sports. Lunch is often served here or on a quieter islet nearby. The island also has an 18-hole golf course.
Grand River South East waterfall
The boat goes up the mouth of the Grand River South East, the longest river in Mauritius, to a waterfall surrounded by forest. Look out for macaque monkeys on the rocks.
Île aux Flamants
A small sandy islet, usually a stop for swimming or a short walk.
Île aux Phares (Île aux Fouquets)
A rocky island with the ruins of an old lighthouse, at the entrance to Grand Port bay.
Île de la Passe
A small island with the remains of fortifications. It played a part in the Battle of Grand Port in 1810, when the French defeated a British squadron in the bay, a few months before Britain took the island.
Île aux Aigrettes
A nature reserve off Mahébourg, home to rare native plants, pink pigeons and giant tortoises. Speedboat tours usually stop for a swim nearby. To visit the island itself, you need to book a guided tour with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.
Practical information
- Duration: a full day, usually six to eight hours including transfers.
- Price: shared tours with lunch typically cost around €70 to €150 per adult, depending on the operator and what is included. Private boats cost considerably more but follow your pace.
- Included: check whether lunch, drinks, snorkelling gear and hotel transfers are in the price.
- Operators: many companies run the tour from Trou d’Eau Douce and the south-east, including Tino Boats and Summer Wings Cruise. Compare recent reviews and the size of the boat.
When to go
You can do the tour all year. The calmest seas are usually from October to December and from March to May. From June to September, the trade winds can make the east coast choppy, so morning departures are best. Tours are cancelled in rough weather and during cyclone warnings.
What to bring
- Swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes.
- Reef-safe sun cream, a hat and sunglasses. There is little shade on a speedboat.
- Water shoes for rocky landings.
- A waterproof bag for your phone and camera.
- Cash for drinks and extras on Île aux Cerfs.
Tips
- Speedboats can be bumpy. If you have back problems, are pregnant or travel with small children, sit at the back or consider a catamaran instead. See catamaran or speedboat?
- Do not touch or stand on coral, and do not feed the fish or the monkeys.
- Take all your rubbish back to the boat.
