Five islands, one lagoon day.

This private pontoon boat cruise along Mauritius South East is built for easy comfort: you get a smooth ride, real snorkeling time, and scenic stops without rushing. I especially like the pairing of Grand River South East Waterfall sightseeing with a later swim-and-snorkel session, because it gives you both land views and underwater time in one 6-hour stretch. One thing to consider: there’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll need to get to the meeting point near Shangri-La le Touessrok yourself.

What also matters for planning is the drink timing. Unlimited drinks are included, but alcohol is served after snorkeling, and the crew can cancel snorkeling if alcohol is consumed beforehand. If you want to start the day with cocktails first, this is the one rule that can change your itinerary.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This 5 Islands Tour

• Private pontoon boat with snorkeling gear included, so you’re not scrambling for equipment
• Grand River South East Waterfall stop with photo time and wildlife viewing
• Snorkeling at Eau Bleu, timed before lunch and the aperitif/drink flow
• Multiple island stops focused on views: Île aux Fouquets lighthouse, Îlot Flamants, and Île aux Cerfs
• Lunch onboard at anchor plus unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Boat can carry up to 11 passengers, even though it’s run as a private group

How the Private Pontoon Boat Day Really Feels

This is a South East Lagoon cruise that keeps things simple: you’re on the water, moving between islands and viewpoints, with time to swim and snorkel. The boat is a pontoon-style craft, which generally means a stable, comfortable setup for guests—especially compared with smaller speedboats when the sea is rolling.

Because it’s private, you’re not stuck in a loud cattle-car rhythm. You can usually take your time at stops, and the crew can customize the day (even if you’re still visiting the key locations like the waterfall and the islands). The pontoon can carry up to 11 passengers, so even in a private booking, the experience isn’t enormous and chaotic.

There’s also a very practical advantage: you’re combining several “Mauritius postcard” moments—waterfall, clear lagoon water, white sand beaches, and island scenery—without doing separate transfers and ticket lines all day.

Pointe Maurice Start: The Simple Route to Island Time

The day starts at Pointe Maurice, and you’ll meet just before Shangri-La le Touessrok. The big logistics point here is that hotel pickup/drop-off isn’t included, so plan on your own ride to the meeting spot.

In practice, this often works best if you’re already near the east-coast side of the island or you’re comfortable using a taxi/private car for a single set of transfers. If you’re hoping for a door-to-door hotel handoff, this tour may feel less convenient.

Also note: the timing is built around a 6-hour schedule and a return to Trou d’Eau Douce around 15h30. That late-afternoon return is helpful if you’re planning a dinner out after.

Grand River South East Waterfall: Photos Plus Wildlife Moments

One of the day’s most memorable “land” parts is the Grand River South East Waterfall stop. You’ll get a photo stop plus sightseeing and wildlife viewing time.

This is where you get a taste of Mauritius beyond the beach-and-lagoon story. The waterfall area adds a sense of movement and sound, and it helps break up the day before the sea time starts. It’s also one of those stops where you might spot wildlife—someone on a previous outing even reported seeing monkeys and being close enough to observe them.

If you care about photos, bring your camera and a way to keep it protected from spray. The scenery here is high-contrast: bright lagoon tones plus darker waterfall greens and stone textures.

Ile aux Aigrettes: A Swim-Friendly Break (and It Can Be Flexible)

After the waterfall, you head toward Ile aux Aigrettes. This is a break time stop with aperitif, swimming, and snorkeling on the agenda, plus time to just relax and pass by surrounding scenery.

In other words, it’s not only a sightseeing stop. It’s designed as a reset button: cool off, get in the water, and take in the lagoon before you move toward the lighthouse island and the next big swim/sun stretch.

One practical consideration: the itinerary can be customized. For example, one guest’s day didn’t include the Ile aux Aigrettes stop, so if Aigrettes is a must for you, it’s worth asking the operator how your specific day will be handled.

Île aux Fouquets Lighthouse: Views, Free Time, and Lunch Flow

Next up is Île aux Fouquets Lighthouse. Expect a photo stop and sightseeing, plus free time built into the visit. This is also where lunch can show up as part of the onboard meal flow, depending on timing, because the day is paced around swimming and anchoring.

You’ll also see that the experience is organized for photos. Lighthouse islands tend to give you that layered composition: hard coastline lines, bright sand/shore tones, and the lagoon extending outward.

A previous guest noted that they had enough time to look around comfortably before moving on to snorkeling, which is exactly what you want on a day like this: time to breathe, not just “arrive, pose, leave.”

Eau Bleu Snorkeling: Clear Water, Included Gear, and a Key Timing Rule

The snorkeling highlight is Eau Bleu, described as crystal-clear water with an emphasis on seeing the undersea world. Here’s what’s genuinely valuable for your day: snorkeling equipment is included.

That means you don’t waste time hunting down gear, and you’re more likely to actually snorkel well. The crew provides what you need, and you can focus on watching fish and coral patterns (to the extent conditions allow).

Now for the one rule that matters: unlimited drinks are included, but alcohol is served after snorkeling, and management can cancel the snorkeling activity if alcoholic drinks are consumed before. I like this policy because it keeps the water safety and timing under control—plus it protects the snorkeling schedule so you don’t lose the main activity.

So if you’re a “one sip before I get in” person, adjust your plan. Save the celebratory drinks for after you’re back onboard and settled.

Îlot Flamants and Île aux Cerfs: Beach Scenery and Dessert Time

Between major stops, you’ll get passes and photo moments that keep the scenery rolling. Îlot Flamants is listed as a photo stop and pass-by—think quick “look and shoot” visuals rather than a long shore excursion.

Then comes Île aux Cerfs, which is one of the best-known lagoon icons in the area. For your day, it’s framed as dessert plus sightseeing and pass-by time, with scenic views on the approach.

One guest’s experience stood out here: they had about an hour alone at Île aux Cerfs and felt they could enjoy the location at a relaxed pace. That kind of unhurried time is what makes a lagoon cruise feel like a vacation, not a conveyor belt.

If you want beach time, this portion is your main “just hang out” window after snorkeling. Keep your towel and sunscreen reachable.

Lunch On Board (and Sometimes Beach BBQ)

Lunch is served cold onboard at anchor after swimming and relaxing in the sun. That’s a smart setup. You snorkel, you cool down, and then you eat without needing to scramble for a restaurant.

In one reported outing, the day also included a BBQ waiting on a private beach after sailing, which added a special “chef-on-the-water” feel to the afternoon. Coffee was mentioned as an extra purchase in that case, and only one drink was free with the BBQ.

Since those details aren’t guaranteed as part of every day, think of it this way: the reliable part is lunch onboard plus unlimited drinks, and the beach BBQ-style moment may be a bonus depending on the day’s flow.

Return to Trou d’Eau Douce: What You Do After Matters

You’ll head back and arrive at Trou d’Eau Douce for your return around 15h30, then continue back to Pointe Maurice.

That timing is good because you’re not left with an empty late afternoon. You’ll likely still have energy for:

• a relaxed shower and change clothes,
• a swim or dip if your schedule allows,
• and a dinner plan closer to the evening.

If you’re staying in the area, this “back by mid-afternoon” schedule can keep your day from feeling stolen by transfers.

Price and Value: Is $871 Worth It for a Private Group?

The price is $871 per group, up to 2 people. Duration is 6 hours, and it’s a private New Océane pontoon experience.

Here’s how to judge value without hand-waving. You’re paying for a bundle that adds up quickly if you were to piece it together:

• a private pontoon boat setup,
• snorkeling equipment,
• lunch onboard,
• and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

For couples, friends, or anyone who wants a relaxed day without crowds, that can feel like good value—because you’re buying time and convenience as much as you’re buying the boat. Also, private cruising is one of those categories where “per person” can look steep until you remember you’re effectively covering the whole experience for your group.

One caution: because the tour is priced per group up to 2, the real value improves most if you’re actually two people splitting the cost. If you’re traveling with a larger group and can’t split well, you may want to compare with other shared or larger-group lagoon cruises.

What to Bring (So You Don’t Waste a Great Day)

The tour has a clear packing list, and I’d follow it closely. Bring:

• swimwear (plan for it early),
• sunglasses,
• a towel,
• high SPF sunscreen,
• flip-flops,
• a hat or cap,
• and a camera.

Also pack a change of clothes, because you’ll be in and out of the water. Your future self will thank you during the ride back.

Don’t plan on smoking onboard. Smoking isn’t allowed, and honestly, you don’t want to breathe that kind of atmosphere while you’re trying to enjoy sea air and lunch.

Who This 5 Islands Pontoon Cruise Suits Best

This tour fits best if you want:

• a private, lagoon-first day without complicated planning,
• a mix of water views and underwater time,
• and a schedule that has built-in breaks (waterfall stop, island viewing, snorkeling session, lunch at anchor).

You’ll likely enjoy it if you’re traveling as a couple or small group and you’re happy to follow simple rules like the alcohol timing for snorkeling.

If you’re the type who hates snorkeling or gets seasick easily, this might not be your best match—because the day’s main activity is clearly centered on getting into the water. Also, if you’re expecting a long shore excursion on every island, adjust your mindset: some stops are photo-and-pass-by moments, not full beach stays.

Should You Book This New Océane Private Pontoon Cruise?

I’d book this if your top priorities are easy snorkeling, scenic island stops, and a smooth, private-feeling schedule in Mauritius’ South East Lagoon. The value is strongest for small groups, and the included snorkel gear plus lunch plus drinks make it a straightforward day to plan.

Pass or compare if you really need hotel pickup, or if you want to start drinking immediately before any water time. Also double-check the exact day’s stop sequence if a specific island matters most to you, since the itinerary can be customized.

If you like your Mauritius days calm, scenic, and centered on real water time, this one is built for you.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the 5 Islands tour?

You meet just before the Shangri-La le Touessrok hotel.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included, so you’ll need your own way to the meeting point.

How long is the cruise?

The total duration is 6 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Included are the private pontoon boat trip, snorkeling equipment, lunch on board, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

When are alcoholic drinks served?

Alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling. The crew can cancel snorkeling if alcohol is consumed beforehand.

Where do you snorkel?

You snorkel at Eau Bleu.

How many people can the pontoon boat carry?

The pontoon boat can carry up to 11 passengers.

What should I bring and what is not allowed?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, change of clothes, towel, sunscreen, flip-flops, and a hat/cap (plus a camera). Smoking isn’t allowed.