All inclusive SPEEDBOAT FULL DAY to ILE AUX CERF & GRSE WATERFALL

Mauritius’ east coast is made for a boat day, and this outing packs its best-known stops into one long morning and afternoon. You’ll travel from your resort to Trou d’Eau Douce, then head toward Ile aux Cerfs and the monkey-filled GRSE Waterfall.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which saves you from arranging a taxi across the island. I also like the generous package: BBQ lunch, beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, transport, and a small boat group are all included. The catch is that the advertised speedboat is not guaranteed. Rough seas or rain may mean a larger boat or catamaran instead.

Key points at a glance

• Ile aux Cerfs gets about two hours, giving you time for the beach and clear coastal water without rushing straight back to shore.
• GRSE Waterfall is a short but memorable stop, with wild monkeys near the falls and access dependent on sea conditions.
• The boat group is limited to 15 people, though the vehicle transfer to the port is private.
• Lunch is a BBQ with vegetarian food available, plus smashed potatoes and dessert. Lobster costs extra.
• Drinks are part of the package, including beer, arranged local rum, cocktails, and soft drinks.
• The speedboat can be replaced by a larger boat or catamaran when weather or waves make the smaller craft unsafe.

What the $117.11 price really covers

At about $117.11 per person, this is priced as an all-day coastal outing rather than a simple boat transfer. Your fare covers a private air-conditioned vehicle, pickup and return to your resort or villa, the boat trip, BBQ lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, access to GRSE Waterfall, and snorkeling equipment when conditions allow.

That bundle can be good value if you want a full day without adding up taxis, lunch, drinks, and a separate boat trip. The private road transfer matters in Mauritius, where reaching Trou d’Eau Douce from another part of the island can take time and require careful planning.

Still, all inclusive does not mean every extra is covered. Lobster lunch is specifically excluded, and snorkeling is conditional on the sea. The price also buys convenience more than luxury. You share the boat experience, and the advertised speedboat may be replaced by a catamaran or larger vessel.

The overall rating is 3.9 from 12 ratings, so I would treat this as a useful, weather-sensitive package rather than a polished luxury cruise. The strongest value comes when you want one booking to handle transport, food, drinks, and the main east-coast sights.

Leaving your resort for Trou d’Eau Douce

The day begins at 7:30 a.m. with pickup from a resort or villa anywhere in Mauritius. The road portion is described as private and air-conditioned, with certified drivers who can provide information along the way.

That early start makes sense. Ile aux Cerfs is one of the island’s most popular coastal stops, and the port at Trou d’Eau Douce handles boats heading there throughout the day. Starting early gives the excursion enough time for transport, the island, the waterfall, lunch, and the return journey.

Trou d’Eau Douce is more than a departure point. It is one of the main gateways to Ile aux Cerfs, and the local beach is described as worth seeing in its own right. You have about 45 minutes connected with this part of the experience, although the total timing includes sailing and road transport rather than only time spent on the beach.

Expect the schedule to remain flexible. The advertised length is about five to eight hours, and the final duration depends on your pickup location, sea conditions, boat movements, and how the stops are managed that day.

Two hours on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event for most people booking this trip. The islet is famous for its beach and bright coastal water, and the plan allows roughly two hours there.

That is enough time to enjoy the shoreline, take photos, sit in the sand, and get into the water if conditions are suitable. It is not enough for an unhurried full-island exploration, so keep your expectations realistic. This is a scenic stop within a larger boat day, not a private beach escape with unlimited time.

The appeal is easy to understand. You get the classic Mauritius combination of soft beach, shallow-looking tropical water, and an island setting without having to arrange a separate transfer. The boat ride also gives the day a sense of movement instead of leaving you at one resort beach all day.

The tradeoff is that Ile aux Cerfs is a well-known stop. The experience is shared, and the island may feel busy depending on the date and boat traffic. Your time there is also tied to the wider schedule, so do not wander too far from the meeting point.

Lunch may be served aboard a catamaran or on the islet, depending on the weather. The included meal is a BBQ with smashed potatoes and dessert, with a vegetarian option available. If you want lobster, you will pay separately.

One important point: the package information does not promise a formal three-course meal. A complaint about receiving lunch at the back of a catamaran rather than the expected meal shows why it is best to think of this as a casual BBQ lunch, not a restaurant-style dining experience.

GRSE Waterfall and its monkey audience

GRSE Waterfall, also known as the Grand River South East Waterfall, is reached by boat. The stop is planned for about 20 minutes, although the actual visit can change with water levels, rough seas, and the number of boats in the area.

The waterfall is known for its setting and for the monkeys found nearby. That makes it a fun stop for anyone who enjoys wildlife, but keep your distance and do not treat the animals like pets. The short visit works best as a quick natural highlight between the beach and the boat ride.

Do not expect a long walk or a quiet half-day beside the falls. Twenty minutes is enough for photographs and a look at the water, but the stop is dependent on access by boat. If waves are too strong or the area is crowded with boats, the visit may be shortened or handled differently.

This is one of the tour’s more distinctive details. Ile aux Cerfs gives you the postcard beach; GRSE Waterfall adds scenery and monkeys. Together, they create more variety than a simple beach transfer.

The speedboat promise and the weather rule

The experience is marketed around a shared speedboat, but the boat type can change. The operator explains that on rainy days or when the sea is dangerous, a larger boat may be used, especially around coral and bigger waves.

That policy is sensible from a safety point of view, but it matters if the fast ride is your main reason for booking. One customer expected a speedboat and instead ended up on a catamaran, with lunch served aboard. The operator’s response was that the captain had explained the change and that the larger boat was used to avoid dangerous conditions.

In practical terms, you should book this for the destinations and the all-in package, not for a guaranteed high-speed ride. The sea decides. Mauritius is tropical, and snorkeling, boat size, waterfall access, and even the lunch location can all shift with the weather.

The small-group limit is listed as a maximum of 15 people. That should make the boat portion more manageable than a large commercial cruise, although the exact craft may change. It is worth asking for clarification before departure if the speedboat format is essential to you.

What lunch and drinks are really like

The food is straightforward and suited to a day on the water. You receive BBQ lunch, smashed potatoes, and dessert, with vegetarian food available. Depending on weather, lunch may be served on the catamaran or on Ile aux Cerfs.

Beer, arranged local rum, cocktails, and soft drinks are included. This is a useful saving for anyone who otherwise would buy drinks at a beach stop or on a boat. It also helps turn the outing into a social day, with music and a shared meal among the group.

I would not choose this tour for a refined food experience. The supplied information supports a casual BBQ, not a three-course restaurant lunch. Lobster is excluded, so check the cost before agreeing to that upgrade.

The drinks package is generous, but pace yourself. You still have boat transfers, sun, heat, and water activities ahead. A long day in the tropical sun can catch up with you quickly.

Snorkeling depends on the sea

Snorkeling equipment is available when sea conditions permit. That wording is important. The tour does not guarantee a dedicated snorkeling stop or calm water.

Mauritius has excellent coastal water, but conditions change. Wind, waves, visibility, and safety decisions can affect whether equipment is handed out. If snorkeling is the single activity you care about most, this trip may feel uncertain. If you see it as an optional bonus alongside the waterfall and island, the arrangement is more reasonable.

Bring your normal beach essentials, including sun protection and anything you need to stay comfortable during a wet boat day. The provided details confirm equipment availability in suitable conditions, but they do not specify what personal items are supplied.

The practical drawbacks to consider

The main issue is expectation management. The name promises a full-day speedboat excursion, but weather can change the boat, the lunch location, the snorkeling, and the waterfall visit.

A second concern is timing. The total duration runs from about five to eight hours, and the day starts at 7:30 a.m. Pickup from a distant resort could make the morning early and the return time difficult to predict. You should avoid booking an evening commitment that depends on arriving back at an exact hour.

There has also been confusion around availability and refunds during the busy New Year period. One booking problem involved payment being taken before availability was clear. The operator stated that the money was refunded and that the issue was linked to holiday-period confusion. To protect yourself, check the confirmation email and make sure the booking is actually confirmed before building your plans around it.

The cancellation terms are friendly if you plan ahead. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius boat day?

I would recommend it to you if you want the east coast’s major boat sights in one package and prefer not to arrange separate transport. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value included food and drinks more than a private boat.

It is also a good match for anyone who wants variety. You get a beach islet, a waterfall, monkeys, a boat ride, lunch, and possible snorkeling in one outing. The maximum group size of 15 keeps the experience smaller than a large cruise, at least in principle.

I would be more cautious if you want a guaranteed speedboat, a quiet beach, a formal meal, or a firm return time. The package is weather-dependent, and the provider may use a larger boat when conditions are unsafe.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if convenience matters and you want to combine Ile aux Cerfs, GRSE Waterfall, lunch, drinks, and resort transportation without managing several separate reservations. At $117.11, the inclusions can add up to fair value, especially with private road transport and an included drinks package.

Skip it if the speedboat itself is the main attraction or if you would be disappointed by a catamaran. The safest approach is to view the boat as a means of reaching the east coast sights, with the exact craft determined by the sea.

Before paying, confirm availability, ask how the day is expected to operate for your date, and remember that snorkeling and waterfall access depend on conditions. For a flexible visitor who wants a busy, social day on the water, this is a practical choice. For a precise, luxury-style excursion, look elsewhere.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 7:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is approximately five to eight hours, including transportation and sailing.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered at resorts or villas anywhere in Mauritius using an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is the boat definitely a speedboat?

No. The boat type can change with weather and sea conditions. A larger boat or catamaran may be used when waves or rain make a speedboat unsafe.

What food is included?

The package includes BBQ lunch with smashed potatoes and dessert. A vegetarian option is available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, arranged local rum, cocktails, and soft drinks are included.

Is lobster included?

No. Lobster lunch is not included in the package.

Is snorkeling guaranteed?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available depending on sea conditions, and the activity may not operate when conditions are unsuitable.