Speed boat to Ile aux Cerfs: Full day incl Lunch & Transfer

The best part of this seven-hour east-coast outing is the mix of speed, sand, and scenery. You race from Trou d’Eau Douce across clear lagoon water to Ile aux Cerfs, then slow down for a beach stop, a three-course BBQ lunch, music, and the Grand River South-East Waterfalls.

I like the all-island hotel pickup, which saves you from arranging a taxi to the coast. I also like the generous lunch package: water, soft drinks, wine, beer, and local rum are included, followed by live guitar and jambé music.

The main drawback is that the day depends on weather and transport timing. One recent booking involved a long wait in the hot sun for the return driver, so keep a little patience in reserve. Snorkeling is not listed as a planned stop, either, although you can swim and arrange water sports separately.

Key points to know before booking

• A full-speed route to Ile aux Cerfs: Travel by speedboat from Trou d’Eau Douce through the east-coast lagoons.
• Waterfall sightseeing by boat: Cruise along the Grand River South-East channel, with chances to see monkeys and fruit bats.
• Three-course BBQ lunch on a private island: Vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals are available, with advance notice for vegetarian food.
• Drinks are included: Water, soft drinks, red, rosé and white wine, beer, and local rum are served with lunch.
• Music after the meal: Live guitar and jambé add a distinctly Mauritian touch to the lunch stop.
• Pickup across Mauritius: A fully air-conditioned vehicle collects and returns you to your hotel or accommodation.

From your hotel to Trou d’Eau Douce

Your day begins with pickup at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. A certified guide and driver meet you, then take you in a fully air-conditioned vehicle toward Trou d’Eau Douce, a fishing village on the east coast.

The transfer matters more than it may first appear. Ile aux Cerfs is reached by boat, not by road, so arranging your own way to the departure point can add cost and hassle. With pickup included, you can leave the driving to someone else and focus on the day ahead.

The exact pickup time depends on the availability shown when you book. The whole outing lasts about seven hours, so this is a substantial day rather than a quick beach transfer. Bring a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and dry clothes for the ride home.

English and French are the listed guide languages. If you have a food allergy or another illness that the operator should know about, tell them before the day begins. A minimum of two people is required per booking, while children aged one to three are free, provided you request a child or infant seat in advance.

Speeding across the east-coast lagoon

At Trou d’Eau Douce, you board the speedboat for the ride to Ile aux Cerfs. This is not simply a practical crossing. The route takes you through clear lagoon water, with palm-fringed shores and broad views across the east coast.

The boat uses a 150-horsepower Yamaha or Mercury outboard engine. You can expect fast runs, sharp turns, and plenty of spray, particularly during the more energetic part of the trip. If you want a calm, quiet cruise, this may feel too lively. If you enjoy a little speed, the boat ride becomes one of the day’s main attractions.

Keep your hat secure and protect your phone from water. The supplied packing advice includes a change of clothes for good reason. Even if you spend most of the day on dry sand, a speedboat ride can leave you wet.

The scenery is best enjoyed from the water. The pale beaches and turquoise lagoon look different from the deck than they do from shore, and the boat gives you a quick sense of how the island sits off Mauritius’ east coast.

Beach time on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop. Once you arrive, you have free time to swim, walk along the white sand, snorkel on your own, or simply stretch out in the sun.

This open block of time is a real strength. You are not rushed from one photo stop to another, and you can choose how active you want to be. Some people will head for the water at once. Others will be happy to find a patch of sand and do very little for an hour or two.

The island also offers optional water sports, including parasailing, banana rides, tube rides, an undersea walk, snorkeling, and swimming. These activities are not included in the $90 price, so budget extra if you want to add them. The tour itself gives you the setting and beach time, but not every activity.

One useful point is that a dedicated snorkeling stop is not part of the stated route. You can snorkel during your free time, but anyone booking mainly for reef viewing should ask about conditions and equipment before paying for the trip.

For families, couples, and anyone who wants a classic Mauritius beach day, this section is likely to be the most appealing. It offers freedom without requiring you to plan every minute yourself.

The private-island BBQ lunch

Around noon, the group heads to a private island for a three-course lunch served with your feet in the sand. The meal includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, and the vegetarian option should be requested at the time of booking.

The menu details are not specified, so do not book expecting a particular meat, fish, or dessert. You can expect a three-course BBQ meal ending with a local dessert, but the exact dishes may vary.

The drink package adds real value. Included choices are bottled water, soft drinks, red wine, rosé, white wine, beer, and local rum. That is useful in Mauritius, where buying drinks separately at a beach location can quickly raise the cost of a day out.

The setting is informal and social. This is not a polished restaurant lunch. It is a meal by the water, with sand underfoot and a relaxed island feel. For many people, that makes the food more memorable than a formal dining room would.

Lunch is also where the outing’s relaxed pace pays off. You are not eating hurriedly before the next bus departure. The schedule allows time for the meal and the entertainment that follows.

Tell the operator about allergies before the tour. The same advice applies if you need a vegetarian meal. The operator specifically asks for this information in advance, and last-minute changes may not be possible.

Guitar, jambé, and a slower hour

After lunch, live guitar and jambé music provide the entertainment. The combination gives the meal a local cultural flavor without turning the stop into a formal performance that you must sit through in silence.

If you like music and social meals, this can be one of the day’s nicest touches. It also breaks up the sun and swimming, giving you a chance to sit down and enjoy the setting.

The atmosphere is likely to be livelier than at a quiet beach picnic. If you prefer complete peace, the music may not be your favorite part. Still, it is a modest addition to a lunch that already includes drinks and dessert, and it helps make the stop feel like more than a standard island transfer.

Seeing Grand River South-East Waterfalls by boat

After several hours around Ile aux Cerfs, the skipper takes you through the lagoon toward Grand River South-East Waterfalls. The speedboat enters the waterfall channel, allowing you to view the falls where the river meets the sea.

This is a scenic stop rather than a long walk to a viewpoint. You remain on the boat and see the falls from the water, surrounded by thick plant growth along the riverbanks.

The area is also known for monkeys moving through the older trees. Mauritian fruit bats may be perched high above the river as the boat approaches. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the chance to watch wildlife from the boat adds interest to the short waterfall cruise.

The water route makes the stop easy and efficient. You do not need hiking shoes or a long climb, but you also should not expect a large land-based waterfall visit. The appeal is the combination of river, forest, wildlife, and boat movement in one compact stop.

Bring your camera, but keep it protected from spray. The boat may be moving quickly as it approaches and leaves the waterfall area.

The final high-speed coastal run

Around 3:30 p.m., you board the speedboat again for a more forceful coastal ride. The description promises fast acceleration, tight turns, and splashes, using the power of a 150-horsepower engine.

This part is aimed at people who enjoy a thrill. The boat may blast off quickly and slow with a splash, making the ride feel more like a short water adventure than a simple return crossing.

I would not choose this outing for someone who gets motion sick or dislikes sudden turns. The operator describes the ride as wet and wild, so expect movement and spray rather than a gentle cruise.

Your change of clothes becomes especially useful here. A towel, sunglasses, and a hat also belong in your day bag, although you should secure loose items before the boat accelerates.

What the $90 price really covers

At $90 per person, the value depends on how many parts of the day you would otherwise arrange separately. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned ground transport, a certified guide and driver, speedboat travel, waterfall sightseeing, lunch, dessert, bottled water, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

That is a strong package for anyone who wants a managed day on the water. The included transfers alone can make a difference if your accommodation is far from Trou d’Eau Douce. Lunch and drinks also remove the need to carry much cash for the main meal.

The price does not include water sports. Parasailing, banana rides, tube rides, and the undersea walk are optional extras, so the final cost can rise if you add several activities.

You also pay for convenience and structure. You do not need to find the boat departure point, organize a return ride, or decide where to eat. In exchange, you give up some control over the schedule and may share the day with other bookings.

The booking terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. The tour requires suitable weather. If poor conditions cancel the day, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Transport timing deserves attention

Most of the day sounds well planned, but return transport is the one part I would watch closely. One booking involved a half-hour wait in full sun while the driver searched for another group, then tried to combine multiple drop-offs.

The situation was eventually sorted out, but it shows why you should keep your phone charged and allow extra time after the scheduled return. If you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another timed activity, do not place it too close to the tour’s expected finish.

This is not a reason to reject the trip, but it is a practical point. The operator covers pickups and drop-offs across Mauritius, which is helpful, yet wide-ranging transfers can create delays when several groups are involved.

Who should book this Mauritius boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple way to combine Ile aux Cerfs, a waterfall visit, lunch, drinks, and a speedboat ride in one day. It suits couples, families with older children, and friends who want both beach time and a little action.

It is also a good match if you value food and atmosphere as much as sightseeing. The three-course meal, drinks, live guitar, and jambé show give the middle of the day a social feel that a basic boat transfer would not provide.

You may want another option if your main goal is serious snorkeling, quiet sailing, or a long visit to one beach. The schedule includes snorkeling as a possible activity, but not a dedicated snorkeling stop, and the speedboat ride is intentionally energetic.

People with mobility or health concerns should ask the operator for details before booking. The provided information confirms boat boarding, beach time, and high-speed turns, but it does not give specific accessibility arrangements.

What to pack for the seven-hour outing

Keep your day bag light and practical:

• Swimsuit and a complete change of clothes
• Towel
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Phone or camera in a waterproof case
• Any required medication
• Details of food allergies or dietary needs shared in advance

Bottled water is provided upon arrival, and drinks are included with lunch. You should still bring the basics that help you stay comfortable between stops.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a well-rounded Mauritius day with speedboat thrills, white sand, and a generous lunch package. The combination is easy to appreciate: hotel pickup, Ile aux Cerfs beach time, a private-island BBQ, included drinks, music, and a boat ride to Grand River South-East Waterfalls.

Think twice if you want a tightly timed private charter, a dedicated snorkeling session, or a completely quiet boat day. The return transfer may run late, and optional water sports cost extra.

For most visitors who want to see the east coast without arranging several separate activities, the $90 price is fair. Go prepared for sun, spray, shared transport, and a lively ride, and this should give you a satisfying taste of Mauritius by water.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. Starting times depend on availability when you book.

Is hotel pickup included anywhere in Mauritius?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided at hotels or other accommodations across Mauritius. You should provide your hotel or accommodation details when booking.

What food is included?

The tour includes a three-course BBQ lunch with a local dessert. Vegetarian meals are available if you request one when booking.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Lunch includes water, soft drinks, red, rosé and white wine, beer, and local rum.

Are water sports included in the price?

No. Activities such as parasailing, banana rides, tube rides, snorkeling, and the undersea walk are optional and not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.