Mauritius: 3 Activities + Ile aux Cerfs Boat tour w/ BBQ

The best part of this Mauritius outing is the contrast: three fast-paced water activities at Belle Mare in the morning, followed by a quieter speedboat ride, waterfall stop, beach BBQ, and lagoon time. You get a lively sample of the east coast in about six hours, but the day is split between two meeting points.

I like the gentle, helpful staff during the undersea walk, especially for first-timers, and I like that the BBQ includes local drinks rather than leaving you to buy every refreshment. The main drawback is the transfer from Belle Mare to Trou D’eau Douce. You must arrange your own taxi or rental car, and poor timing can cut short or even threaten the afternoon boat section.

Quick take: what makes this outing useful

• Three Belle Mare activities in one morning: Try parasailing, an undersea walk, and a tube ride in the clear lagoon.
• A real east-coast change of scene: Move from the resort beach at Belle Mare to the river, small islands, and lagoon around Trou D’eau Douce.
• Grand River South East Waterfall by speedboat: The boat gets close to the falls, with a chance to spot monkeys in the trees along the banks.
• BBQ on Ile aux Margenie: Expect a three-course meal with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.
• Free time at Ile aux Cerfs: Swim, relax on white sand, browse the arts and crafts market, and enjoy the lagoon.
• The important catch: Hotel transfers are not included, and the two-part schedule requires careful planning.

Three water activities at Belle Mare

Your day begins at the Aquasea Watersports office, between Long Beach hotel and Emperror Restaurant. This is the first of two separate locations, so arrive ready to get wet and with your transport plan for later already settled.

The morning combines parasailing, an undersea walk, and a tube ride. Each gives you a different way to experience the lagoon. Parasailing offers the broadest views, while the tube ride supplies the most obvious rush. The undersea walk is the more unusual choice, since it lets you move below the surface without needing conventional scuba equipment.

The undersea walk deserves special attention if you are nervous around water. The staff are described as gentle and attentive, and the activity is suitable for children from age nine if they have broad shoulders. That age and body-size condition matters, so do not assume every young child can take part.

You should expect some waiting if several groups are using the equipment at the same time. The schedule does not provide a detailed time for each activity, and one disappointing experience came from a participant arriving late to the second meeting point after the morning ran long. Build in a generous buffer instead of treating the morning as a perfectly timed relay.

Wear swimwear from the start. Bring a towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The sun reflects strongly off the water, and you will want to reapply sunscreen rather than rely on one application before breakfast.

The transfer that can make or break the afternoon

After Belle Mare, you must travel to Trou D’eau Douce, about 15 minutes away by car according to the tour information. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the operator does not provide this transfer as part of the package.

This is the least polished part of the arrangement. You need to hire a taxi or rent a car, then reach the second point on time for the speedboat. Ask for the exact meeting details when you book, and allow extra time for finding the location, changing clothes, and dealing with traffic.

I would not schedule an independent activity immediately afterward. The morning water sports may involve queues, and the afternoon boat departure is the part you do not want to miss. If your accommodation is near Belle Mare, the transfer is fairly short, but you still need to organize it yourself.

The operator says an activity cancelled because of bad weather may lead to a partial refund. That is different from a full refund for cancelling the entire booking in advance, so ask how the adjustment works if sea conditions affect only one section.

Speedboat ride to Grand River South East Waterfall

At Trou D’eau Douce, you board a speedboat and head toward Grand River South East Waterfall, also known as Cascade Diamamouve. The ride changes the mood of the day. Instead of the equipment and noise of the beach activities, you get a moving view of the east coast and the river valleys.

The boat can approach the waterfall closely enough for photographs. The falls are not just a quick backdrop for a selfie. The route through the river gives you a look at the surrounding banks, and monkeys may be visible in the trees.

Do keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray. The boat may be wet, and you should expect water conditions rather than a dry sightseeing cruise. A waterproof phone pouch is a sensible extra, although it is not on the official packing list.

The guiding during this section may be fairly light. One account describes a skilled boat guide handling the waterfall approach, but another found the driver offered little explanation and played music loudly. If you want to understand what you are seeing, ask questions directly and do not count on a long naturalist talk.

That balance is important. The speedboat makes the visit exciting and efficient, but this is a short stop of about 30 minutes, not a long river excursion. You get scenery, photographs, and a chance to spot wildlife, then move on.

A beach BBQ on Ile aux Margenie

The next stop is Ile aux Margenie, a small island used for lunch. Here the setting does much of the work. You eat by the beach, with the water and islands around you rather than sitting in a conventional restaurant.

The meal is described as a three-course BBQ, with local drinks included. The drink selection covers soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. That makes the price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise be buying lunch and drinks separately during a busy beach day.

Keep your expectations sensible. One account described the meal as simple but adequate, while another praised the food. The clearest practical reading is that you should expect a straightforward beach BBQ, not a formal restaurant feast. It fills the gap well and gives you time to sit down after the morning’s activities.

The lunch period lasts about 1.5 hours when combined with the stop details. That sounds generous, but the day has several moving parts. If the boat arrives late or service takes time, your relaxed meal may feel shorter. Enjoy the setting, but keep an eye on the schedule if you want a full swim at Ile aux Cerfs afterward.

White sand and lagoon time at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the most postcard-like stop. Palm trees, white sand, and clear turquoise water form the classic Mauritius scene. You get about 1.5 hours for the island visit, free time, swimming, sightseeing, and a possible browse through the arts and crafts market.

This is where you can slow down. The morning is built around motion and the waterfall visit is brief, so the lagoon provides a needed pause. Bring your towel from the start and keep your camera close, but remember that sand and saltwater are hard on electronics.

The island is not only a swimming stop. If you prefer staying dry, use the time for the beach, views, or market. If swimming is your priority, change quickly after lunch and head straight for the water. The schedule is compact enough that trying to do everything may leave you feeling rushed.

The afternoon boat returns to Trou D’eau Douce, and the experience ends back at the Belle Mare watersports office. That return arrangement makes the day easier if you left belongings or a car near the first meeting point, but it also reinforces the need to plan the taxi connection carefully.

What the $124 price really covers

At $124 per person, this is not a cheap beach add-on. It is a bundle of three watersports, a speedboat tour, a waterfall visit, lunch, drinks, and access to Ile aux Cerfs. If you want to pack several east-coast highlights into one day, the price can be good value.

The strongest value comes from the included activities and drinks. Parasailing alone can be costly at resort beaches, and adding the undersea walk and tube ride gives the morning real substance. Lunch with beer, wine, rum, juice, water, and soft drinks also limits surprise spending.

The weak point is transport. Because you must arrange the move between Belle Mare and Trou D’eau Douce, the final cost is higher than the advertised price once you add a taxi. A couple or family should calculate that transfer before booking.

I would compare this with the cost of arranging each activity separately. If you only want a calm day at Ile aux Cerfs, this package may feel too busy. If you want three water activities plus a boat trip and meal, combining them can save planning time and possibly money.

Who should book this day

This outing suits you if you like variety and do not mind a quick pace. It is particularly useful for a short Mauritius stay, when you want to sample the east coast without devoting separate days to Belle Mare, Grand River South East, and Ile aux Cerfs.

It also suits first-time participants in parasailing or an undersea walk. The staff are reported to be especially helpful during the undersea activity, which can make a difference when you are trying something new.

You should think twice if you need a slow, carefully explained excursion. The waterfall stop is brief, the boat commentary may be limited, and the afternoon depends on your own transfer. It is not a good fit for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, anyone recovering from recent surgery, or people with a low level of fitness.

Children under eight are not suitable for the activity. The undersea walk is practical from age nine for children with broad shoulders, but the operator’s restrictions should guide your decision.

Practical ways to have a better day

• Plan both meeting points before leaving your hotel. The first is Aquasea Watersports at Belle Mare, and the second is in Trou D’eau Douce.
• Leave a time cushion after the morning activities. Queues can happen, and missing the speedboat may mean losing the Ile aux Cerfs section.
• Bring two sets of clothes. A dry change is useful after the lagoon activities and speedboat.
• Protect your phone and camera. The speedboat can be wet, and the waterfall stop is best enjoyed with equipment you can safely carry.
• Reapply sunscreen. Water, sun, and a long beach lunch make a second application essential.
• Ask questions on the river. The waterfall commentary may be brief, so ask about the falls, river, and monkeys if your crew does not explain them.
• Keep lunch expectations simple. It is a beach BBQ with drinks, not a formal dining experience.
• Use Ile aux Cerfs for your priority activity. Choose swimming, beach time, or the market rather than trying to squeeze in everything.

Final call: a good bundle with one serious logistical flaw

I would book this tour if I wanted a busy, fun east-coast day and was comfortable arranging my own short transfer. The parasailing, undersea walk, and tube ride receive the strongest praise, and the helpful watersports staff are a real plus for beginners. The BBQ and included drinks also give the package solid value.

I would not book it casually if Ile aux Cerfs is the one part I care about most. The two-location setup, lack of hotel transfers, possible queues, and limited timing information mean you must take responsibility for getting to Trou D’eau Douce on time.

For active visitors who pack carefully and plan the transfer, this is an efficient way to fit a lot of Mauritius into six hours. For a relaxed island day, choose something slower.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the Aquasea Watersports office at Belle Mare, between Long Beach hotel and Emperror Restaurant.

Where does the boat portion start?

The speedboat portion starts at Trou D’eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius.

How do I get between the two locations?

You must hire a taxi or rent a car to travel from Belle Mare to Trou D’eau Douce after the three morning activities.

How long does the whole experience last?

The stated duration is six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which water activities are included?

The package includes parasailing, an undersea walk, and a tube ride.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course BBQ lunch is included on Ile aux Margenie.

Which drinks are included with lunch?

Included drinks are soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Does the tour visit Grand River South East Waterfall?

Yes. The speedboat visits Grand River South East Waterfall, also called Cascade Diamamouve, for sightseeing and photographs.

Can I swim at Ile aux Cerfs?

Yes. The Ile aux Cerfs stop includes free time for swimming in the lagoon and relaxing on the beach.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under eight, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with recent surgeries, or people with a low level of fitness.