Reviewed · CHAMAREL TOURS

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

★ 4.0 · 12 reviews From $117 Operated by Beguided Tours · Bookable on Viator
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The big draw here is that one full day covers Ile aux Cerfs, GRSE Waterfall, and Trou d’Eau Douce without making you arrange separate transport, meals, or drinks. You travel from your resort or villa in an air-conditioned vehicle, then head onto the water for beaches, a waterfall, monkeys, and a barbecue lunch.

I like the all-inclusive setup, especially the included beer, local rum, cocktails, soft drinks, and lunch. I also like the small maximum group of 15 people, which should feel more manageable than a large party boat. The main consideration is that a speedboat is not guaranteed. Rough seas or rain can mean a larger catamaran replaces it.

Key things to know before booking

All inclusive SPEEDBOAT FULL DAY to ILE AUX CERF & GRSE WATERFALL - Key things to know before booking

  • A full day from 7:30 a.m. includes resort pickup, boat time, sightseeing, lunch, and return transport.
  • Ile aux Cerfs receives about two hours, giving you time for the beach and a relaxed island stop.
  • GRSE Waterfall is a short visit, usually around 20 minutes, with timing shaped by sea conditions and boat traffic.
  • Lunch is included, with a barbecue, smashed potatoes, dessert, and a vegetarian option.
  • Drinks are part of the price, including beer, local rum, cocktails, and soft drinks.
  • The speedboat may be replaced by a catamaran when weather or sea conditions make a smaller boat unsafe.

What the $117.11 price really covers

All inclusive SPEEDBOAT FULL DAY to ILE AUX CERF & GRSE WATERFALL - What the $117.11 price really covers

At $117.11 per person, this is not simply a boat ride. Your price combines private pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a shared water excursion, lunch, drinks, and access to two of the east coast’s best-known stops.

That bundle matters in Mauritius. A resort pickup removes the need to find Trou d’Eau Douce on your own, and you do not need to budget separately for lunch or the usual stream of drinks sold during a long day on the water. The private vehicle is used for your transfer, while the boat portion is shared with other people.

I see the price as reasonable if you want convenience and a social day rather than a quiet, custom charter. It is less attractive if your only goal is to reach Ile aux Cerfs as cheaply as possible. You are paying for transport, food, drinks, coordination, and the chance to see several places in one outing.

The tour is usually booked about 30 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last minute during a busy holiday period. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience has a maximum of 15 people, although the boat size can change.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce for the water

All inclusive SPEEDBOAT FULL DAY to ILE AUX CERF & GRSE WATERFALL - Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce for the water

The day starts at 7:30 a.m. with pickup from a resort or villa anywhere in Mauritius. The air-conditioned vehicle is a useful part of the experience, particularly because the total duration includes both road transport and sailing.

Your driver brings you to Trou d’Eau Douce, the main departure area for boats heading toward Ile aux Cerfs. The trip information says certified drivers provide information along the way, so the road transfer is not just a silent shuttle.

Trou d’Eau Douce itself is worth noticing. It is a working launch point for catamarans and speedboats, as well as a beach area often included in visits to the east coast. You get about 45 minutes here as part of the wider schedule, although the exact rhythm of the day can shift with conditions.

I would treat the stated five to eight hours as a useful range rather than a promise of a precise finish time. Boat movement, weather, sea conditions, and the number of boats at the waterfall can all affect the schedule.

Ile aux Cerfs, the main beach stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the star of the day. This well-known islet sits in the maritime zone of Mauritius and is famous for bright water, sandy beaches, and easy access by boat from Trou d’Eau Douce.

You receive about two hours here, which is enough to enjoy the shore without turning the stop into a rushed photo break. You can use the time to swim if conditions allow, walk along the beach, or simply settle into the island pace.

The attraction is simple. Ile aux Cerfs gives you the classic Mauritius beach setting that many people picture before arriving: warm water, pale sand, and a boat ride across the coast. It is a good counterpoint to the more active waterfall stop.

Still, this is one of the island’s best-known excursions, so you should expect other boats and other people. The trip is not designed as a private escape. Its value comes from fitting a major beach stop, food, drinks, and transport into one day.

Snorkeling equipment is available depending on sea conditions. That final clause matters. Tropical weather can change water conditions, and equipment or snorkeling access is not guaranteed. If you are booking mainly for snorkeling, keep your expectations flexible.

GRSE Waterfall and the monkeys

All inclusive SPEEDBOAT FULL DAY to ILE AUX CERF & GRSE WATERFALL - GRSE Waterfall and the monkeys

The GRSE Waterfall stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is short, but the waterfall is one of Mauritius’s most recognized sights and gives the day a change of pace after the beach.

The waterfall is viewed from the water, and the visit depends on several practical factors. Water levels, dangerous seas, and how many boats are already in the area can all affect how long you remain there. The boat crew may need to shorten or adjust the stop for safety.

The local monkeys are a special part of this visit. They are often present around the waterfall, adding an animal-watching element to what would otherwise be a quick scenic stop. Keep your attention on the natural setting rather than expecting a long wildlife session. The listed stop is only about 20 minutes.

This is also where the experience can feel least predictable. A calm day may allow a pleasant approach and a good look at the falls, while rough conditions can limit access. The operator states that these decisions apply across the area, not just to this company, so a change in timing is a normal safety issue rather than something you can control by choosing another boat.

Lunch, drinks, and the social side

All inclusive SPEEDBOAT FULL DAY to ILE AUX CERF & GRSE WATERFALL - Lunch, drinks, and the social side

The included barbecue lunch is one of the stronger practical features. It includes smashed potatoes and desserts, with a vegetarian option available. Lunch is served either aboard a catamaran or on the islet, depending on the weather.

That flexibility is helpful, but it also means the meal setting is not fixed. If the sea is rough or conditions change, you may eat on the boat rather than on land. The package does not include lobster lunch, so that would not be part of the standard arrangement.

Beer, arranged local rum, cocktails, and soft drinks are included. This makes the experience feel more like a relaxed social outing than a simple transfer between attractions. Music is also part of the boat atmosphere, and the shared setup gives you a chance to meet other people during the day.

I would think carefully about this point before booking. If you like a friendly boat with drinks, music, and conversation, the format should suit you. If you want a quiet ride, a private guide, or a meal away from a group, you may prefer a private charter or a smaller custom excursion.

The description calls the tour all inclusive, but that phrase has limits. It covers the listed lunch and drinks, transport, boat access, and snorkeling equipment when conditions permit. It does not mean every optional food item or every activity on Ile aux Cerfs is covered.

Speedboat promise and weather changes

All inclusive SPEEDBOAT FULL DAY to ILE AUX CERF & GRSE WATERFALL - Speedboat promise and weather changes

The name of the experience puts the speedboat first, so this is the detail I would watch most closely. A speedboat can make the day feel fast and lively, but the operator can use a larger catamaran when rain, waves, coral, or other sea conditions create a safety concern.

That change has caused disappointment for some people who expected a small, fast boat and instead spent the day on a catamaran. The operator’s explanation is straightforward: a larger boat may be used to move people safely toward the island in rough conditions.

You should book this as a weather-dependent east coast boat trip, not as a guaranteed speedboat ride. If the exact vessel matters more to you than the destinations, ask for clarification before confirming. If reaching Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE Waterfall matters most, the alternative boat may be a fair trade for a safer outing.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

How the group size changes the day

All inclusive SPEEDBOAT FULL DAY to ILE AUX CERF & GRSE WATERFALL - How the group size changes the day

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not a private tour, but it is smaller than a large excursion boat and should make boarding, lunch, and stop coordination easier.

Your road transfer is private, while the boat trip is shared. That distinction is important. You get direct pickup from your own resort or villa, but the water portion includes other people and may include a social atmosphere with music and drinks.

The group size can also influence the waterfall timing. The visit depends partly on boat occupancy in the area, so you may have to wait, move through quickly, or adjust the order of stops. This is common for a popular coastal excursion and not a sign that the day has gone wrong.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius excursion

All inclusive SPEEDBOAT FULL DAY to ILE AUX CERF & GRSE WATERFALL - Who will enjoy this Mauritius excursion

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a convenient first look at Mauritius’s east coast. It suits people who prefer one organized day over arranging transfers, boat tickets, lunch, and drinks separately.

It is also a good fit for couples, families, and small groups who want variety. You get beach time, a waterfall, possible monkey sightings, a boat ride, and a meal without having to plan each piece yourself.

The social format will appeal to you if you enjoy meeting other people and having drinks with music on board. The maximum of 15 helps keep the outing from becoming enormous, though it does not make it private.

You may want another option if you require a guaranteed speedboat, a fixed meal location, a long snorkeling session, or a quiet luxury experience. The operator makes several parts of the day conditional on weather and sea conditions, including the vessel, lunch setting, snorkeling, and waterfall access.

Practical advice for making the most of it

Wear clothing that can handle spray, heat, and a wet boat ride. The provided details do not specify changing facilities, so I would bring what you need for swimming and keep valuables protected.

Keep your morning open beyond the basic five-hour estimate. The total day can run from five to eight hours once resort transfers, boat movement, stops, and weather adjustments are included.

Bring patience for the waterfall stop. Twenty minutes is the planned duration, but sea safety and boat traffic can change it. The waterfall is a scenic bonus within a larger outing, not a long standalone visit.

If you are vegetarian, request or confirm the vegetarian barbecue option when booking. It is available, but confirming food needs early is sensible on a shared meal.

The tour is near public transportation, although pickup and drop-off are already offered at resorts and villas. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not provide a detailed accessibility assessment, so ask the operator directly about any mobility needs before booking.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat day?

Book it if you want value through convenience. For $117.11, the package brings together resort transport, a boat excursion, Ile aux Cerfs, GRSE Waterfall, barbecue lunch, drinks, and possible snorkeling. That is a useful mix for a single day in Mauritius.

Go in with the right expectations. The speedboat may become a catamaran, the lunch may be served aboard the boat, snorkeling depends on sea conditions, and the waterfall stop is brief. If those limits are acceptable, this is a practical, lively way to see several east coast highlights without building the day yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The boat portion leaves from Trou d’Eau Douce. Pickup and drop-off are offered at resorts or villas anywhere in Mauritius.

What time does the tour start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The approximate duration is five to eight hours. This includes transportation and sailing time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes a barbecue 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 the boat always a speedboat?

No. Boat size can change with weather and sea conditions. A larger catamaran may be used when conditions make a speedboat unsafe.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling equipment is available depending on sea conditions. Snorkeling itself is not guaranteed because conditions can change in a tropical environment.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

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Where to start on the island

Pick a jetty, a plateau road or a market morning.