Speed boat to Ile aux Cerfs: Full day incl Lunch & Transfer

The best part of this Mauritius day trip is the mix of fast boat time and lazy beach time. You race from Trou d’Eau Douce across the east coast lagoon, then have hours to swim, stroll, snorkel, or stretch out on the white sand at Ile aux Cerfs. Later, the boat heads up the Grand River South-East for a waterfall view that feels far removed from the beach crowds.

I like the private pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius, especially if you are staying outside the main resort areas. I also like that lunch is more than a quick sandwich: you get a three-course BBQ meal, drinks, local dessert, and live guitar and jambé music on a private island.

The main consideration is transport at the end of the day. One recent booking had a long wait in the sun and confusion over which group the driver should collect. The guides were described as friendly, but the return transfer may need patience if several hotel runs are being handled at once.

Key points to know before you book

• The speedboat is the star of the day: Expect a lively ride with sharp turns, splashes, and the power of a 150 HP Yamaha or Mercury outboard engine.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you real free time: Swim, sunbathe, walk the beach, snorkel, or pay separately for water sports.
• Grand River South-East Waterfall is seen from the boat: The skipper follows the waterfall canal, with possible monkey and fruit bat sightings along the banks.
• Lunch includes plenty of drinks: Water, soft drinks, red, rosé and white wine, beer, and local rum are included with the three-course meal.
• The day has a friendly island feel: Live guitar and jambé music follows lunch, adding more atmosphere than a standard beach transfer.
• Plan for sun and spray: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a hat, and dry clothes for the ride back.

A full Mauritius day built around the east coast lagoon

At $90 per person, this is a seven-hour outing that combines several costs into one package: private road transport, a guide and driver, a speedboat, lunch, drinks, and two major east coast sights. That makes the price reasonable if you want a planned day rather than arranging a taxi, boat, meal, and beach visit separately.

The day begins with pickup at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. You are met by an English- or French-speaking certified guide, then driven in a fully air-conditioned vehicle to Trou d’Eau Douce, a fishing village on the east coast.

The islandwide pickup is useful, but it also means the drive time depends on where you are staying. Your seven hours refers to the excursion itself, not necessarily every minute from your hotel and back. When booking, give the exact accommodation name and pickup location.

Trou d’Eau Douce is the practical launch point for the boat. Once you board, the character of the day changes at once. The road transfer gives way to open water, moving faster through the east coast lagoon and past views of the shoreline.

The speedboat ride from Trou d’Eau Douce

The ride to Ile aux Cerfs is not just a ferry crossing. The boat is described as a robust speedboat with a 150 HP Yamaha or Mercury engine, and the later ride includes quick acceleration, sharp twists, spins, and plenty of spray.

That will suit you if you enjoy a little excitement with your beach day. It is less suited to anyone wanting a slow, quiet cruise from start to finish. Hold on to loose belongings, protect your phone, and expect to get wet. A dry change of clothes is not a luxury here.

The water around the east coast is a major part of the appeal. The boat passes through clear lagoon water with views of palm trees, pale sand, and the changing shades of the sea. You get the scenery without spending the entire day under an umbrella at one resort beach.

The ride is also one reason this excursion feels different from a standard Ile aux Cerfs transfer. You are not simply dropped at the island and left to make your own plans. The skipper makes the boat itself part of the experience, with a more energetic coastal run later in the afternoon.

Free time on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the day’s main beach stop. As the boat approaches, you see white sand, palm trees, and bright turquoise water. The schedule gives you several hours here, so you are not forced into a rushed swim and a quick photograph.

You can spend the time in different ways:

• Swim in the lagoon
• Walk along the beach
• Snorkel
• Sunbathe
• Join an optional water sport
• Simply sit by the water and enjoy the view

The important detail is that water sports are not included. Parasailing, banana riding, tube riding, undersea walking, and other activities may be available at extra cost, but the $90 price covers the boat trip, beach time, waterfall sightseeing, lunch, drinks, and transport.

I like the free-time structure because it lets you set the pace. You can be active for an hour, then do nothing for the next two. Families and couples who want a flexible beach day will appreciate that freedom.

There is one useful point to keep in mind: the provided plan mentions swimming, snorkeling, and beach time, but it does not promise a separate snorkeling stop. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask about the exact plan before paying. One recent booking specifically wished for a dedicated snorkeling stop.

The island can also be busy, particularly in the middle of the day. This experience includes lunch on a private island rather than simply handing you a meal to eat anywhere, which gives the day a more organized rhythm. Still, do not expect a completely empty beach.

Three-course BBQ lunch with drinks and music

Around noon, you leave the beach area for lunch on a private island. The meal is a three-course BBQ with a local dessert, and vegetarian food can be arranged if you request it at booking.

The included drinks are a real part of the value. You get bottled water on arrival, then access to water, soft drinks, red wine, rosé, white wine, beer, and local rum during lunch. That saves you from adding up every drink purchase while sitting in the sun.

A vegetarian option is available, but you need to say so in advance. The same applies to food allergies or other illness-related dietary concerns. Do not wait until you are seated at the lunch table.

The meal is served feet in the sand, which fits the setting better than a formal restaurant. Recent feedback praised both the taste and the generous portions of the vegetarian meal. That is encouraging if you do not eat meat, though you should still give the provider clear dietary information before the trip.

After lunch comes live guitar and jambé music. This is a small detail, but it changes the feel of the stop. Instead of lunch being a functional break between boat rides, it becomes a social island gathering with music, drinks, and time to linger.

If you want a quiet meal, the music may be more than you had in mind. If you like a warm, informal atmosphere, it is one of the stronger features of the day.

Grand River South-East Waterfall from the water

After the beach and lunch, the skipper takes the boat toward Grand River South-East Waterfall. The waterfall is viewed from the boat as it travels along the river canal, where fresh water and sea meet.

This is not a long hike to a lookout. You remain on the speedboat, which moves through the water for views of the falls and the surrounding riverbanks. That makes the stop easy to fit into a beach-focused itinerary, though it also means you will not explore the area on foot.

The river banks are lined with old trees and wild plant life. Monkeys may be seen jumping through the branches, and Mauritian fruit bats can sometimes be spotted resting high in the trees. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they add a little wildlife interest to what could otherwise be a quick waterfall photo stop.

I would treat the waterfall as a scenic change of pace rather than the main event. The beach and boat ride are the strongest reasons to book. The waterfall adds variety and gives you a look at a different side of the east coast, where the river channel feels more enclosed and natural than the open lagoon.

The timing also helps. Seeing the waterfall after lunch breaks up the day and keeps you from spending seven straight hours in one beach setting.

The afternoon speedboat run

At about 3:30 p.m., you board again for the final coastal cruise. This is the most active part of the day, with full-throttle runs, sudden turns, spins, and water splashing over the boat.

You should know what kind of ride you are choosing. This is not a gentle sunset cruise. The boat accelerates hard and stops with a splash, creating the wet and wild finish promised by the experience.

For many people, this will be the highlight. It gives the return journey some energy and makes good use of the speedboat rather than treating it only as transportation. For others, especially anyone prone to motion sickness, it may be the least comfortable section.

Keep your sunglasses secure and use a hat that will not blow away. Bring a towel and a complete change of clothes. The combination of lagoon spray, swimming, and the afternoon boat run means you should not plan to remain dry.

The schedule says you return to your hotel later for dinner. Since the excursion lasts seven hours, the exact return time will depend on your pickup location and road conditions. The activity is best treated as a full daytime commitment.

Private transport, guides, and the return journey

Private transport is one of the more useful inclusions. You are not expected to find your way to Trou d’Eau Douce, and the air-conditioned vehicle matters after a hot day on the beach.

The guide and driver speak English or French and meet you at your accommodation. That makes this an easy choice if you prefer having the road portion arranged for you. It also helps if you are unfamiliar with Mauritius or staying far from the east coast.

The weak point is coordination on the way home. A recent booking involved a 30-minute wait in direct sun, followed by confusion when the driver tried to combine two hotel groups. The situation was eventually sorted out with the central office, but it was not a smooth finish.

That issue does not cancel out the benefit of included private transport, but you should plan sensibly. Keep water with you after leaving the boat, stay near the agreed pickup point, and have the operator’s contact details available. If the return collection is delayed, contact the provider rather than assuming the vehicle is simply about to arrive.

The minimum booking is two people. Infants aged one to three are free, but you must request a child or infant seat when booking. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Mauritius plans may change.

What to bring for the beach and boat

Pack for sun, water, and spray rather than for a sightseeing bus.

• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Change of clothes
• Water protection for valuables

You receive bottled water on arrival, and drinks are included with lunch, but carrying what you need during the day is still sensible. Tell the operator about food allergies, illness, or vegetarian requirements when you book.

The boat ride can be lively, so avoid bringing anything you cannot afford to get wet. A sealed pouch for your phone and documents is practical, even though one is not supplied as part of the tour.

Who will get the most from this $90 excursion

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a single, organized east coast day that covers beaches, a waterfall, lunch, and transport without constant planning. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like a mix of relaxation and excitement.

It is especially good for people who want time on Ile aux Cerfs but do not want to arrange a separate boat, taxi, restaurant, and return ride. The included drinks and substantial lunch improve the value, particularly if you would otherwise buy food and wine near a major beach attraction.

You should think twice if you want a very quiet boat trip, a dedicated snorkeling program, or a tightly timed private transfer with no chance of delay. The speedboat ride is energetic, the water sports cost extra, and the return transport has had at least one coordination problem.

The overall rating is 4.2 out of 5 from 59 bookings, with the strongest praise centered on the meal, friendly guides, relaxed pace, and warm music-filled atmosphere. That matches the structure of the day: it is less about checking off many stops and more about enjoying a few well-chosen experiences without being hurried.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a good-value beach day with a lively boat ride and a proper lunch included. The combination of Ile aux Cerfs, Grand River South-East Waterfall, unlimited lunch drinks, and island music gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer.

I would choose this tour over a bare-bones boat trip if you value convenience and a relaxed schedule. I would skip it only if your top priority is snorkeling, complete solitude, or a guaranteed trouble-free hotel transfer. For most visitors who want to see the east coast in one day, $90 is a fair price, provided you pack for the sun, confirm dietary needs, and accept that the ride home may not run perfectly.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat experience last?

The experience lasts seven hours. Pickup and drop-off are included, but the total time from your hotel may vary based on where you stay in Mauritius.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Private pickup and drop-off are provided at hotels and accommodations anywhere in Mauritius. Give your exact pickup location or hotel name when booking.

What food is included?

You receive a three-course BBQ lunch with a local dessert. Vegetarian meals are available if requested in advance.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Lunch includes water, soft drinks, red wine, rosé, white wine, beer, and local rum.

Is the Grand River South-East Waterfall visit by boat?

Yes. The speedboat cruises along the waterfall canal for sightseeing. The experience does not describe a land walk to the waterfall.

Are water sports included in the price?

No. Activities such as parasailing, banana riding, tube riding, snorkeling, and undersea walking are optional and not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.