Mauritius: Ile aux Cerfs Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this Mauritius day out is the change of scene: you race from Trou D’Eau Douce up a green river to Grand River South East Waterfall, then trade the river for white sand, a beach BBQ, and clear lagoon water at Ile aux Cerfs. It gives you several classic east-coast sights in one outing.

I like the all-in lunch and drinks, which include BBQ food, soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. I also like the small-group limit of 14 people, plus the chance to see monkeys along the riverbank rather than simply stopping at a beach and calling it a day.

The weak point is organization. A recent booking described confusion between the promised speedboat and a catamaran, along with waits of about 40 minutes for a boat pickup and the return transfer. The boat can also feel crowded, so confirm your boat and pickup arrangements before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• Three major stops in about five and a half hours: waterfall, BBQ island, and Ile aux Cerfs.
• The lunch setting is a highlight: BBQ is served on the beach at Ilot Margenie, with halal food and vegetarian meals available by request.
• The speedboat is part of the fun: expect wind, spray, and a brisk ride rather than a quiet cruise.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you choice: swim and rest for free, or pay extra for activities such as parasailing and tube riding.
• Pickup is optional: hotel collection and return are available only with the selected option.
• Plan for sun and wet clothes: bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a change of clothes.

From Trou D’Eau Douce to the open water

Your morning begins at Trou D’Eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast. If you are meeting the boat yourself, the stated meeting point is on the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant. If you select pickup, the driver is meant to meet you at your hotel reception or outside your accommodation.

That choice matters. The tour is only about 330 minutes, so a smooth transfer gives you more beach time. At the same time, hotel pickup covers a wide range of districts, including Moka, Rivière Noire, Flacq, Grand Port, Rivière du Rempart, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Savanne, and Pamplemousses. A long drive from the far side of Mauritius can make this feel like a very early and very full day.

Once at the water, you board a speedboat with an English or French speaking guide. The group is limited to 14 people, though the boat used on the day can affect how spacious the ride feels. I would confirm that your booking is for the speedboat, not a different boat type, especially if the ride itself is one of your main reasons for booking.

The speedboat adds energy to the outing. You feel the wind, move quickly along the coast, and get a broad view of the east side of Mauritius. It is less polished than a slow catamaran cruise, but that is part of its appeal. You should expect spray and a wet ride, not a dry, quiet transfer.

Grand River South East Waterfall and Cascade Diamamouve

The first proper stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, also known as Cascade Diamamouve. The boat moves through the river valleys toward the falls, giving you a scenic approach before stopping for about 30 minutes.

This is not a long hike or a full nature walk. The attraction is the boat access and the view from the water. You get close to the waterfall, see the surrounding trees, and have time for photographs. Monkeys may be visible along the riverbanks, which adds a touch of wildlife to what could otherwise be a short photo stop.

I like this opening stop because it breaks up the beach routine. You are not simply being taken straight to Ile aux Cerfs for sun and swimming. The river feels cooler and more enclosed, while the waterfall gives you a short taste of Mauritius beyond the coast.

Keep your expectations sensible. The stop lasts around 30 minutes, and the viewing can feel tightly managed if several boats arrive together. This is a popular sight, so you may have only a short window to take pictures and look for monkeys. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a quiet private visit.

The river is also where the boat ride feels most scenic. The changing view from open water to narrow river channels gives the trip some shape. If you are prone to motion sickness, sitting where the crew advises and keeping your eyes on the horizon may help, though the tour data does not specify seating arrangements.

Beach BBQ on Ilot Margenie

After the waterfall, the boat heads to Ilot Margenie, a small island used for the lunch stop. The meal is served on the beach and is described as a three-course BBQ lunch. This is one of the strongest reasons to consider the tour, since food, drinks, and the setting are included in the basic package.

You can expect a selection of local drinks with lunch: soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. That is useful on a hot day, since you do not have to keep buying drinks at every stop. Food is halal, and vegetarian meals are available if you request them in advance.

I like the way lunch is placed in the middle of the day. You get a chance to sit down after the boat and waterfall, rather than spending the whole outing moving from one sight to another. The beach setting also makes the meal feel more connected to the place than a standard restaurant stop.

The one-hour lunch period is not generous. If the boat arrives late or the serving process takes time, you may have less chance to eat slowly and enjoy the shoreline. Keep an eye on the return time, especially if you want to photograph the beach or walk a little before the group leaves.

There is also a practical point about the lunch arrangement. One recent booking described a pickup that was scheduled for noon but arrived around 12:40. Another reported waiting about 40 minutes for the transfer at the end of the day. These delays may not happen to you, but they show why you should avoid scheduling a tight evening flight, dinner reservation, or other fixed activity afterward.

Ile aux Cerfs: two and a half hours by the lagoon

The longest stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you have about two and a half hours for sightseeing, swimming, beach time, and a visit to an arts and crafts market. This is the part of the trip most people picture when they imagine a Mauritius boat day: palm trees, pale sand, and bright turquoise water.

The lagoon is the main attraction. You can swim in the clear water, stretch out on the beach, or simply enjoy the view after lunch. If you prefer a relaxed afternoon, there is no need to pay for an extra activity. Bring your towel, sunscreen, hat, and a dry change of clothes, then use the time at your own pace.

The island also offers paid watersports, including parasailing and tube riding. These activities are not included, so budget separately if you want them. The tour price covers the boat, lunch, drinks, and selected transfers, not every activity available on the island.

Two and a half hours is a useful amount of time. It is long enough for a swim and some rest without turning the day into a full beach holiday. It is also short enough that you will not have much time for a long walk, a slow meal, several paid activities, and extensive shopping all at once. Pick your priority before you arrive.

The arts and crafts market gives the stop a little more variety. If you have already had enough sun, you can browse there instead of sitting on the sand. Still, the island can feel busy, and the beauty is not likely to be yours alone. People who want a quiet, isolated beach should consider that this is a popular stop with organized groups.

What the $56 price really covers

At $56 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want several east-coast experiences in one package. The price includes the speedboat, the waterfall stop, the beach BBQ, a wide selection of drinks, and time at Ile aux Cerfs. If you would otherwise pay separately for transport, lunch, and a boat trip, the package is convenient.

The included drinks improve the value. Beer, wine, juice, soft drinks, water, and local rum can add up quickly at a resort or beach restaurant. A halal meal and vegetarian option by request also make the food arrangement useful for a mixed group.

The calculation changes if you mainly want a calm beach day. In that case, the waterfall and speedboat may feel like extra stops, and the time spent loading, transferring, or waiting may reduce the value. The same is true if you plan to pay for several watersports. The activities at Ile aux Cerfs are extra, so the final cost can rise.

Optional hotel pickup is another factor. It saves you the trouble of reaching Trou D’Eau Douce, but the full pickup area covers much of Mauritius. Ask how early you will be collected and how long the return normally takes for your district. The tour lasts 330 minutes, but door-to-door time can be longer.

Handling the boat, weather, and timing

This is an outdoor trip, and weather matters. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is useful protection, but you should still avoid placing this trip on the final day before an important departure.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women. Infants aged 1 to 4 can join free of charge. The available information does not specify child seating, so families should ask about arrangements before booking if that is important to them.

Wear comfortable shoes for boarding and walking on the island. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water, a camera, and a spare set of clothes. A waterproof bag would be sensible for phones and cameras, although it is not listed as a required item. The speedboat ride can mean spray even before the swimming stop.

Do not treat the word small group as a guarantee of a roomy boat. The group limit is 14, but boat capacity and the day’s operating plan can affect comfort. One booking described the boat as too crowded and the waterfall visit as rushed. Ask the provider, Atlantis Tours Mauritius, exactly what boat you will board and where the group will meet.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius boat tour?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want variety and a straightforward way to see the east coast. It works well for people who want a waterfall, a boat ride, an included lunch, and a famous beach island without arranging separate bookings.

It also suits social groups. The beach meal, shared boat, and optional watersports give you several ways to spend the day. The English and French guide service makes it accessible to a wider range of visitors.

You may want another option if you dislike fixed schedules or crowded sights. The waterfall visit is short, the lunch slot is limited, and the island can be busy. You also need to tolerate some uncertainty around transfers, based on reports of delays and confusion over boat types.

For a quieter day, a private boat would likely give you more control, though that is not what this experience provides. For a first look at the east coast, the tradeoff is reasonable: you cover a lot in one half-day and keep the planning simple.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if value and variety matter more to you than perfect timing. The included BBQ and drinks are the most convincing part of the deal, while Ile aux Cerfs provides the classic swimming and beach time you came for.

Before paying, confirm three details: that your selected option uses a speedboat, that your hotel pickup is included if needed, and that vegetarian food is noted in advance. Leave spare time after the tour in case transfers run late.

I would skip it if you want a private, quiet island experience or if you need strict transport timing. For everyone else, $56 buys a lively introduction to Mauritius’s east coast, with good food, attractive scenery, and enough free time to enjoy the lagoon.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is on the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant in Trou D’Eau Douce. Hotel pickup is available only if you select an option that includes it.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours. Starting times depend on availability and the option selected.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included only with the appropriate selected option. The driver meets you at your hotel reception or outside your accommodation.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a three-course BBQ lunch served on Ilot Margenie. The food is halal, and vegetarian meals are available on request.

Which drinks are included?

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

Are Ile aux Cerfs watersports included?

No. Activities such as parasailing and tube riding are available at Ile aux Cerfs but cost extra.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.