Mauritius: Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch

The best part of this Mauritius outing is the contrast: a fast speedboat ride across the east-coast lagoon, followed by slow hours on white sand with a plate of grilled food in front of you. You also get a look at the Grande Rivière South East waterfall, reached by boat through green mangroves.

I like the two distinct stops: Ile aux Cerfs gives you beach and lagoon time, while the waterfall adds a change of scene. I also like the generous food and drink package, including fish, chicken, salad, pasta, fruit, beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, juice, and water.

The main trade-off is time. This is a five-hour trip, and lunch takes a useful part of the day. If you want the longest possible stretch on Ile aux Cerfs, you may find the meal feels a little long.

What makes this speedboat trip worth considering

• A quick 20-minute ride from Trou d’Eau Douce gets you onto the east-coast lagoon without spending the morning in a slow boat.
• Ile aux Cerfs combines easy beach time with bright turquoise water, making it the main reason to book.
• The Grande Rivière South East waterfall adds a short scenic boat cruise and the chance to see monkeys near the falls.
• The beach BBQ includes a proper mixed meal, not just a snack, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available on request.
• Drinks are included, from water and juice to beer, wine, rum, and soft drinks.
• The $64 price covers the boat, stops, lunch, and drinks, which makes the package useful for a half-day outing.

From Chez Tino to the east-coast lagoon

You meet outside Chez Tino Restaurant on B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce. This is the fixed starting point, so I would allow a little extra time to find the restaurant and gather your group before the briefing.

The driver gives you a short outline of the day, then leads you to the jetty. The tour is offered in French and English, which keeps the practical instructions clear before you board. The speedboat ride to Ile aux Cerfs takes about 20 minutes.

That short crossing matters. You do not spend half the tour getting to the main stop. Instead, the boat gets you quickly into the lagoon, where the water turns turquoise and the coast opens into beaches, mangroves, and small inlets.

A speedboat also changes the feel of the outing. You get wind, spray, and a sharper sense of movement than you would on a large sightseeing boat. If you prefer a completely dry and quiet ride, this may not be your ideal way to reach the island. For most people, though, the boat is part of the fun rather than just transport.

Ile aux Cerfs gives you the classic beach hour

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event. You get free time to walk, feel the sand, and look for a place beside the lagoon. The island is known for its white sandy beaches and clear turquoise water, so this is the portion of the trip to protect if swimming, photos, or simple beach time matter most to you.

I like that the first island stop is not tightly filled with a long list of guided activities. You have room to walk and take in the setting at your own pace. That makes the visit feel less rushed than a stop where every minute is assigned to another attraction.

The limitation is that the tour lasts only five hours, and Ile aux Cerfs shares that time with the waterfall cruise and lunch. You should not book this expecting a full-day beach stay. If your perfect Mauritius outing means lying on the sand for hours, a dedicated island beach day may suit you better.

For a short excursion, though, the balance works well. You see the island, get time to stretch your legs, and still have a meal and a second boat ride ahead. Bring a swimsuit if you want to use the lagoon, plus sun protection and a way to keep small valuables dry. Those are sensible preparations for any open speedboat and beach stop.

The 45-minute ride to Grande Rivière South East

After time on Ile aux Cerfs, the boat takes about 45 minutes toward Grande Rivière South East. This is the longest boat section of the day, and it gives you a broader look at the east side of Mauritius.

The route leads inland toward the GRSE waterfall, passing through the lagoon and green mangrove areas. The falls are not treated as a long land visit here. The boat cruises to the area and passes by, so you should think of this as a scenic water stop rather than a hike or extended waterfall walk.

That distinction helps set expectations. You get a view of one of the area’s best-known natural sights without giving up the whole afternoon to transport. The waterfall also breaks up the beach routine. After sand and open water, the mangrove-lined river feels cooler and more enclosed.

The supplied trip details also note monkeys around the waterfall. Keep your attention on the riverbanks as the boat approaches. Sightings are not something anyone can promise, but the setting gives you another type of nature experience beyond the beach.

The 45-minute ride can feel long if you are eager to return to Ile aux Cerfs, especially since the waterfall is a pass-by stop. On the other hand, it is valuable if you want more than a standard beach transfer. You see how the lagoon connects with the river, rather than viewing Mauritius only from the shore.

A beach BBQ with a full drinks package

After the waterfall cruise, you return to Ile aux Cerfs for lunch. The meal includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request, so you should state your needs when booking rather than waiting until you arrive.

This is a practical meal for a beach outing. Fish and chicken give you a choice of main dish, while salad, pasta, bread, and fruit make it more substantial than a quick plate of grilled meat. You can eat while taking in the beach, which is one of the pleasures of the tour.

Drinks are also included: beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice. That adds real value to the $64 price, especially because you are not left to arrange lunch and refreshments separately during a short excursion.

There is one point to consider. Lunch takes time away from the island itself. One recent booking rated the outing four out of five and specifically wished for more time on Ile aux Cerfs because too much of the visit went to lunch. I think that is a fair warning, not a serious flaw. A beach BBQ is one of the included experiences, but you need to decide what matters more to you: a relaxed meal with drinks or extra unstructured beach time.

If you want both, move efficiently during the free period before lunch. Walk first, take your main photos early, and save a little time for the water after eating if the schedule allows. The exact division of time can vary, so do not assume the whole island visit is available before the meal.

What the $64 price really covers

At $64 per person, this is priced as an all-in half-day outing rather than a simple boat transfer. You are paying for the speedboat, access to Ile aux Cerfs, the GRSE waterfall cruise, lunch, and drinks.

That package is strongest for you if you want variety without organizing several separate arrangements. A boat, island stop, river cruise, meal, and drinks would be awkward to assemble independently in one morning. Here, the route is set and the practical details are handled after you reach Chez Tino.

The value is less clear if you only want a long beach session. Part of your fare supports the waterfall detour and the BBQ, so you are paying for a mixed experience. Someone who does not care about the river cruise or included meal may prefer a simpler island transfer.

I also like the flexible booking terms. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. That helps if you are arranging several Mauritius outings and do not yet want to lock in every payment.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would point this tour toward you if you want to see several east-coast highlights in one compact trip. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like a little motion, a scenic stop, and a meal included in the price.

It is especially useful for a first visit to this part of Mauritius. You get the island beach that most people come to see, a waterfall cruise, and a taste of the surrounding lagoon without needing a full day.

The tour is less suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments, as stated in the activity information. A speedboat, jetty, beach, and boat boarding can be physically demanding, and the outing does not promise an accessible route.

It also may not suit you if you dislike fixed schedules. The beach time, waterfall ride, lunch, and return crossing all fit into five hours. You will have freedom to walk on Ile aux Cerfs, but this is not an entirely independent island day.

Small details that improve the day

I would keep the meeting point details close at hand: outside Chez Tino Restaurant, B59, Trou d’Eau Douce. The driver speaks French and English, and the short briefing takes place before you walk to the jetty.

Expect the speedboat crossings to be a real part of the experience. The first takes about 20 minutes, the route toward the waterfall takes about 45 minutes, and the final return to Trou d’Eau Douce takes about 20 minutes. The longer middle ride is worth remembering when you compare this with a beach-only excursion.

I would also request a vegetarian or gluten-free lunch in advance if needed. The meal includes alcohol and nonalcoholic drinks, but you should choose what suits you rather than feeling obliged to accept everything offered.

The organizers have been praised for friendly service, smooth arrangements, the welcome, the meal, and the attention given throughout the outing. One particularly positive account described the waterfall, monkeys, beach BBQ, rum, and return speedboat as a very good value combination. That matches the strongest feature of this trip: it gives you a lot of Mauritius in a short time.

Should you book this Mauritius speedboat tour?

Book it if you want Ile aux Cerfs plus the GRSE waterfall in one five-hour package, and you like the ease of having lunch and drinks included. The fast boat, turquoise lagoon, beach walk, river cruise, and BBQ create a well-rounded east-coast sampler.

Skip it if your only goal is maximum time on Ile aux Cerfs. The 45-minute waterfall cruise and the lunch stop reduce the hours available on the sand, and one recent booking found the meal longer than ideal.

For most visitors who want variety, the $64 price is sensible. You get transportation, two scenic settings, a substantial meal, and drinks without having to coordinate each part yourself. Just arrive ready for a busy half-day rather than a lazy full-day beach escape.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet outside Chez Tino Restaurant on B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts five hours.

Which languages are available?

The driver speaks French and English.

What food is included?

Lunch includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruits.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks include beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice.

Can I request vegetarian or gluten-free food?

Yes. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available on request.

Can I cancel the booking or pay later?

You can reserve now and pay later. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.