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

The best part of this Mauritius day is the variety. In about seven hours, you move from a lighthouse and shipwreck area to clear-water snorkeling, a river waterfall, and a beach lunch on Île aux Cerfs. It is a fast, salty, full-day look at the east coast rather than a single-island beach outing.

I like the combination of speedboat travel and several short stops, and I like that lunch, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included. The main thing to watch is group size: this is not automatically a private charter. One booking intended for four people found about 12 people aboard, despite expecting a private trip.

At a glance

• Seven hours from Trou d’Eau Douce: The boat leaves at 7:30 am and returns to the same meeting point.
• Three island settings: Spend time on Île aux Cerfs, visit the Île aux Fouquets lighthouse, and stop at Île aux Aigrettes beach.
• Snorkeling at Eau Bleue: A 40-minute stop gives you time to swim and look for tropical fish.
• BBQ on the sand: Lunch and drinks are served during the Île aux Cerfs stop.
• Small-group speedboat: The maximum is 15 people, though the boat may still feel busy rather than private.
• About three hours on the water: Boat travel takes roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes each way, already included in the seven-hour duration.

Why this east-coast boat trip works

Mauritius has many polished beach excursions, but this one gives you a broad sample of the coast in a single outing. You get open-water views, island stops, a waterfall, snorkeling, and a meal outdoors without having to arrange several separate activities.

The speedboat matters. It lets the day cover more ground than a slow cruise, and the ride itself becomes part of the experience. You should also know that the boat journey takes about half of the total tour time. If you want a quiet beach day with very little movement, this may feel rushed. If you want to see several places in one morning and afternoon, the pace makes sense.

The trip is capped at 15 people, which is smaller than a large sightseeing boat. Still, the published experience does not promise a private boat. Confirm that point before booking if privacy is important to you, especially if you are arranging the outing for a couple or a small family group.

The strongest practical praise is for the running of the day. The trip is described as organized, punctual, and led by a friendly, professional guide. That matters on a schedule with five stops, since delays at the first beach can reduce time later at the waterfall or snorkeling site.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 am

You meet the boat in Trou d’Eau Douce, on the east coast of Mauritius, at 7:30 am. The tour ends back at this same meeting point. Hotel pickup and return are not included, though they can be arranged for an additional charge.

That meeting-point setup keeps the base price lower, but you need to plan your own way to the harbor. The location is near public transportation, according to the tour information, but the exact transport route from your hotel is not provided. Allow enough time to arrive before departure, since a late start can cut into the scheduled island stops.

Wear clothing that can handle spray. You will spend long stretches on the boat, and the water-based parts of the trip are central to the day. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, so expect to board and leave the boat, move around beaches, and take part in the snorkeling stop.

Île aux Cerfs: beach time with lunch and drinks

The main island stop is Île aux Cerfs, where you have about 1 hour and 30 minutes. This is the longest stop and the place where lunch and drinks are served.

The meal is a BBQ served on the sand, with alcoholic and soft drinks included. That makes the price easier to judge: you are not paying only for transport and sightseeing. A meal and beverages are built into the day, so you can settle into the beach without searching for a restaurant during a short stop.

One small point needs clarification. The itinerary details list one hour for Île aux Cerfs, while the overview and full schedule describe roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes. Treat the longer time as the intended visit, but ask the operator for the current timing if the beach stop is your main reason for booking.

You should not expect a full resort day here. The island stop has to fit around a lighthouse visit, snorkeling, the waterfall, and the return ride. Use the time wisely: eat, have a drink, enjoy the beach, and avoid assuming you will have hours for a long swim or extended rest.

Île aux Fouquets and its old lighthouse

The boat then visits Île aux Fouquets, also called Île aux Phare. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, and the skippers explain the island’s history before you spend time near the lighthouse.

This is a change of mood from Île aux Cerfs. Instead of focusing only on sand and swimming, you get a brief look at one of the area’s historic maritime landmarks. The stop is short, so it is best viewed as a scenic and cultural pause rather than a long guided visit.

The tour also includes a small stop at the shipwreck of D’Alblair. The available details do not give a separate duration for this stop, so think of it as an added sight during the boat route rather than a major shore excursion.

If you enjoy photographing old structures and coastal scenery, have your camera ready before the boat arrives. A short stop can pass quickly, especially when the group is boarding and moving on together.

Eau Bleue snorkeling in Vieux Grand Port

At Vieux Grand Port, the boat stops at a natural aquarium known as Eau Bleue. You have about 40 minutes to snorkel in clear water and look for tropical fish.

This is one of the most useful stops for anyone who wants more than sightseeing from the boat. Forty minutes is enough to get into the water, look around, and return without turning the day into a dedicated snorkeling trip. The description does not provide equipment details, so confirm what is supplied before departure if you do not have your own mask and snorkel.

The water may be clear, but conditions depend on the weather. The tour requires good weather, and rough conditions can affect both comfort and visibility. You also need a moderate level of fitness for the water activity. If you are not confident in open-water snorkeling, ask the operator what support is available before booking, since the supplied information does not specify flotation aids or supervision.

I would treat this as a pleasant nature stop, not a specialist marine excursion. The trip promises a chance to see tropical fish, but it does not promise particular species, coral formations, or ideal visibility on every departure.

Grande Rivière Sud Est waterfall

After Île aux Cerfs, the boat travels to the Grande Rivière Sud Est waterfall. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, making it the shortest scheduled visit of the day.

The waterfall adds a welcome inland touch to an otherwise coastal route. You see the river meeting the sea and get a quick look at one of Mauritius’s notable waterfalls without giving up most of the day to a land excursion.

Fifteen minutes is enough for a view and a few photographs, but not for a long walk or a relaxed waterfall visit. Keep your expectations in line with the schedule. This is a scenic stop from the boat, not a hike.

Île aux Aigrettes beach and the last drink

On the return journey, the boat stops for about 30 minutes at Île aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, specifically on the beach. The tour does not describe a reserve tour or wildlife walk. You should expect beach time only, followed by a final drink.

That distinction matters. The name may suggest a land-based nature visit, but this excursion gives you access to the beach rather than a guided exploration of the reserve. It works as a final pause before the long ride back to Trou d’Eau Douce.

The stop also breaks up the return journey. Since the boat ride takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way, a last swim or drink can make the afternoon ride feel more manageable.

The speedboat ride and group-size question

The boat is the backbone of this outing. You spend roughly three hours in transit across the day, linking islands and coastal sights that would be difficult to combine on foot.

A speedboat offers a lively ride and quick transfers, but it is not the same as a quiet sailing trip. You should expect motion, spray, and limited personal space. If you are prone to seasickness, consider practical precautions before departure, although the tour information does not provide specific advice or onboard facilities.

The maximum group size is 15. That is small enough to keep the outing more personal than a large cruise, but not small enough to assume a private experience. A booking party of four was placed on a boat with about 12 people and was disappointed because the trip had been understood as private. The operator refused a refund in that case.

This is the single most important booking point. Ask in writing whether your departure is shared and what the maximum group size will be. The advertised format supports a shared speedboat, and you should book it on that basis unless a separate private option is clearly confirmed.

What the $88.81 price includes

At $88.81 per person, the value depends on how much you use the full package. You receive a full-day speedboat outing, lunch, alcoholic drinks, and soft drinks. You also get several sightseeing stops and a snorkeling opportunity.

That is a fair structure for someone who wants one organized day rather than separate boat hire, meals, and island transport. The inclusion of drinks is especially useful at Île aux Cerfs, where buying food and refreshments separately could make a beach day cost more than expected.

The price does not include hotel transportation. You either need to reach Trou d’Eau Douce yourself or pay extra for pickup and drop-off. Add that cost before comparing this trip with an excursion that includes transfers.

The experience is best value for you if you want variety and convenience. It is less compelling if your priority is private space, long beach time, or a specialist snorkeling program. You are paying for a packed route, not for one unhurried island.

Who should book this day

I would recommend this trip to you if you enjoy active sightseeing and want a quick introduction to several east-coast highlights. It suits couples, friends, and families who are comfortable with a full day on a speedboat and do not mind sharing the ride.

It also works well for a first visit to Mauritius when time is limited. You can sample Île aux Cerfs, the lighthouse, a waterfall, and snorkeling without building a complicated independent plan.

You may want another kind of outing if you need a private boat, dislike long rides, or want guaranteed time in the water. The itinerary is full, and each stop has a set window. The beach and waterfall visits are scenic, but brief compared with a dedicated beach or waterfall tour.

The guide service appears to be one of the stronger parts of the day. The operation is described as punctual and well organized, with a friendly and professional guide. No guide name is provided, so you cannot request a particular guide in advance.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity uses a mobile ticket. Keep the booking available on your phone when you arrive at Trou d’Eau Douce.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 7:30 am start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The local time at the destination controls the cutoff.

Weather matters here because the experience depends on a speedboat, snorkeling, and beach stops. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of bookings. If that minimum is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

My verdict on this Mauritius island trip

I would book this trip if I wanted a busy, varied day on the east coast and was happy to share a speedboat. The route covers more than a standard beach excursion, and the included BBQ, drinks, snorkeling, lighthouse, waterfall, and island stops give the $88.81 price solid value.

I would not book it without confirming the shared versus private setup. The 15-person maximum is clear, but private use is not guaranteed. If you accept that limitation, this is a well-packed way to see several sides of Mauritius in one day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 7:30 am.

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about seven hours, including approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes of boat travel each way.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price, but they may be provided for an additional cost.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is included, along with alcoholic drinks and soft drinks. The lunch is described as a BBQ served on Île aux Cerfs.

How many people can join the speedboat?

The maximum group size is 15 people. The trip should not be treated as automatically private.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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