Mauritius : Ile Aux Cerfs 3 islands Speed Boat Trip with BBQ

Mauritius packs a lot into this 7-hour speedboat trip. In one morning and afternoon, you’ll reach Ile aux Cerfs, the old lighthouse island of Ile aux Fouquets, a beach on Ile aux Aigrettes, a snorkeling spot at Eau Bleue, and the Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall. I like that the route gives you both sea time and a glimpse of the island’s eastern coast.

I also like the BBQ and drinks served on Ile aux Cerfs, since lunch is built into the day rather than treated as an extra chore. The small group limit of 15 keeps the outing more personal than a large sightseeing boat, and the crew gives a short explanation of the lighthouse island before you look around.

The main point to check before booking is the group arrangement. This is not automatically a private boat. One party of four expected a private trip and found about 12 people aboard, so ask about the boat setup if privacy matters to you. You should also expect about 1 hour and 30 minutes of boat travel each way.

Key points to know before you book

• Several famous eastern-coast sights in one day: The route links Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets, Ile aux Aigrettes, Eau Bleue, and Grande Riviere Sud Est.
• Lunch is part of the island stop: A BBQ, alcoholic drinks, and soft drinks are included at Ile aux Cerfs.
• Snorkeling lasts about 40 minutes: The stop is at Eau Bleue near Vieux Grand Port, described as a natural aquarium.
• The boat ride takes real time: About 1 hour and 30 minutes each way is included in the seven-hour schedule.
• The group can be larger than expected: The maximum is 15 people, and the trip is not guaranteed to be private.
• Early start, simple meeting point: You meet at Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 am and return there at the end.

A fast start from Trou d’Eau Douce

Your day begins at 7:30 am in Trou d’Eau Douce, a practical starting point for the eastern islands and the Grand River coast. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, although they can be arranged for an extra charge. That matters if you are staying far from Trou d’Eau Douce, since you will need to organize your own way to the meeting point or pay for the added service.

The speedboat is a good fit for this route because the sights are spread across the coast and offshore islands. You are not simply being carried to one beach and back. The boat ride itself takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way, so expect movement, spray, and a fairly active day rather than a slow cruise.

I would wear swim clothes under something light and bring sun protection. The tour involves getting on and off the boat, walking on beaches, spending time in the water, and moving between several stops. The stated requirement is a moderate level of fitness, which is a useful warning for anyone who finds repeated boat transfers or beach access tiring.

Ile aux Cerfs, the main island stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the heart of the outing. You spend about an hour to an hour and a half here, depending on how the timing is handled, with lunch and drinks served on the island. The schedule lists about one hour for the stop, while the wider description gives roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes, so you should treat the timing as approximate.

The appeal is simple: this is your main chance to enjoy a beach setting without rushing straight back onto the boat. The BBQ is served with alcoholic drinks and soft drinks, giving the day a relaxed middle section after the morning ride and sightseeing.

Do not think of this as a long, unstructured beach holiday. The trip has several more stops to cover, so your time on Ile aux Cerfs is limited. You can eat, have a drink, take in the beach, and enjoy a short break, but you probably will not have hours for a slow beach day.

The food arrangement adds real value to the price. At $88.81 per person, the cost includes the boat trip, lunch, alcoholic drinks, and soft drinks. A comparable day built from separate boat transport, lunch, and drinks could easily become more complicated, even before adding the other stops. The tradeoff is that you give up control over how long you stay and where you eat.

Ile aux Fouquets and its old lighthouse

After the main island visit, the boat heads toward Ile aux Fouquets, also known as Ile aux Phare or Lighthouse Island. The stop lasts about 30 minutes. The skippers provide some background about the island and its past, then give you time to visit the site.

This is one of the more distinctive parts of the route. Beaches can begin to blur together on an island holiday, but an old lighthouse gives the day a stronger sense of place. You are not only looking at sand and water. You are seeing a small landmark tied to the coast’s maritime story.

The short stop also sets clear limits. Thirty minutes is enough for a brief look and some photographs, but not for a long, detailed visit. The available information does not promise an extended guided tour or entry into every structure, so plan on a concise stop led by the skipper’s explanation.

I like this part because it breaks up the beach-and-snorkel pattern. If you enjoy small historical details and coastal landmarks, it may be one of the most memorable stops. If your main goal is uninterrupted time in the water, the lighthouse visit uses part of the day that could otherwise go toward swimming.

Eau Bleue snorkeling near Vieux Grand Port

The snorkeling stop takes place near Vieux Grand Port, at a natural aquarium called Eau Bleue. You have about 40 minutes in the water. The clear conditions are intended to let you see tropical fish, making this the main underwater portion of the trip.

Forty minutes is a useful amount of time for a casual snorkel. You can get comfortable, look around, and enjoy the water without the stop taking over the entire day. Still, conditions at sea can affect visibility, and the experience depends on the weather and the water on the day you go.

This is not presented as a specialist snorkeling expedition. You are visiting one scenic point within a wider island circuit. That makes it suitable if you want a taste of Mauritius’s marine life, but less suitable if snorkeling is your central holiday goal and you want a long session with detailed instruction.

The route’s range is the strength here. In a single outing, you can snorkel, eat beside the beach, see a lighthouse, watch a waterfall, and visit several islands. You will not spend all day at any one site, but you will come away with a broader picture of the eastern side of Mauritius.

The Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall

The boat also takes you along the Grand River to Grande Riviere Sud Est, described as the second-longest waterfall in Mauritius. The stop itself lasts about 15 minutes. That is short, but the setting provides a change from open sea and sandy islands.

The waterfall stop is mainly a viewing pause. Fifteen minutes gives you time to take in the scene and photograph it, but not to explore the surrounding area at length. Keep your expectations matched to the schedule: this is a scenic addition, not a full waterfall walk.

I think this stop works well because it adds a freshwater feature to a trip otherwise built around the coast. It also shows why the boat is useful here. The river route brings you close to a sight that would feel disconnected from the island stops if you tried to plan the day without a boat.

Ile aux Aigrettes, a final beach pause

On the return journey, you stop for about 30 minutes on the beach of Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve. The trip description specifies a beach stop and a final drink. Do not assume this includes access to the full nature reserve or a guided wildlife visit. The stated experience is focused on the beach.

This is a pleasant way to close the island portion of the day. You can step back onto sand, have a last drink, and enjoy a shorter pause before the return ride. After snorkeling and several boat movements, that brief stop may feel more welcome than another packed activity.

The short duration also keeps the day moving. You are not asked to choose between a long visit here and the waterfall or lighthouse. Instead, you get a sample of each place, which is the basic design of this experience.

What the speedboat format means for you

A speedboat makes the route possible within one day, but it changes the feel of the outing. You get from point to point quickly, with more open-water exposure than you would have on a larger, slower vessel. The ride can be exciting, though it may feel tiring if you prefer calm transport.

The boat has a maximum of 15 people. That is small enough to avoid the feel of a large excursion vessel, but it does not mean you will have the boat to yourself. A group of around 12 has been used, and a party that expected a private trip was disappointed on boarding.

For that reason, I would treat the experience as a small-group shared trip, not a private charter. If you are booking for a couple, family, or group of friends, ask for clear confirmation about the boat arrangement before paying. The published price is per person, which also points to a shared format rather than an exclusive boat hire.

The skippers brief the group about Ile aux Fouquets and manage the route between the stops. The feedback available gives strong praise to the organization, punctuality, and guide’s friendly manner, though no guide name is provided. That positive practical point matters on a day with several timed stops. A late start or poor coordination would cut into the beach, snorkeling, and waterfall visits.

Is $88.81 a fair price?

At $88.81 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want variety. Your payment covers a full-day speedboat outing, lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and access to a route that includes several well-known sights. You are also paying for the convenience of having the day arranged as one continuous trip.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise spend time comparing separate boat operators, restaurants, and island transfers. The trip combines transport and meals in one price, and the BBQ removes the need to stop and find lunch during a tightly planned day.

The value is weaker if you want privacy or long stays at one beach. A private boat would give you more control, while a single-island visit might suit you better if your priority is relaxing rather than collecting sights. The shared speedboat format is the important condition behind the price.

Hotel transport costs extra, so include that in your budget. You also need to reach Trou d’Eau Douce for the morning start. The trip ends back at the same meeting point, which is useful if you arrange your own transport and want a clear return location.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius boat day?

I would recommend it to you if you want a busy introduction to Mauritius’s eastern coast and prefer seeing several places in one outing. Couples, friends, and families with a moderate fitness level should appreciate the mix of beaches, snorkeling, a lighthouse, a waterfall, and a meal.

It also suits people who like a social group atmosphere and do not mind sharing the boat. The crew’s friendly manner and the organized schedule are important strengths, particularly when the day includes several transfers.

You may want a different plan if you need a private boat, dislike early starts, or want a long, quiet beach stay. The 7:30 am meeting time and 1 hour and 30 minutes of boat travel in each direction make this a full day in every sense. It is active, not lazy.

Weather is another practical factor. The activity needs good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being locked into an unsafe or unsuitable sea day, but it also means your schedule may need some flexibility.

My booking advice

Book this trip if you want a strong mix of Mauritius highlights and you are happy with a shared speedboat. The BBQ, drinks, snorkeling, lighthouse stop, waterfall visit, and beach pauses make the $88.81 fare reasonable for a packed day.

Before booking, confirm two things: how many people are expected on your boat and how you will reach Trou d’Eau Douce. If you accept those limits, this is an efficient way to see much of the island’s eastern side without arranging every piece yourself.

FAQ

Where does the trip start?

The activity starts at Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the trip begin?

The stated start time is 7:30 am.

Where does the trip end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but they can be provided for an extra cost.

How much boat travel should I expect?

Boat travel takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way, and that time is included in the total duration.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with a BBQ served during the Ile aux Cerfs stop.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are included.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum of 15 people. It is not guaranteed to be a private trip.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If bad weather or an insufficient number of bookings causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.