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

The best part of this day is the speedboat route from Trou d’Eau Douce to Ile aux Cerfs, where bright lagoon water, palm trees, and broad white beaches arrive almost at once. I like the simple mix of beach time and a waterfall cruise, and I like that private island lunch includes wine, beer, rum, soft drinks, and water. The possible catch is that optional water sports cost extra, and the return transfer may need firm coordination.

I also like the unhurried shape of the day. You have time to swim, stroll, sunbathe, or simply sit by the lagoon instead of racing through a string of stops. Plan carefully for sun and wet clothes, and tell the operator about vegetarian meals, allergies, or a child seat before pickup.

Key points at a glance

• Trou d’Eau Douce departure: Begin with private, air-conditioned transport from any accommodation in Mauritius before boarding the speedboat on the east coast.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: Swim, stroll, snorkel, or relax on the island’s white sand, with optional water sports available for an extra charge.
• Three-course island lunch: Eat a BBQ meal on a private island with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, local dessert, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Music after lunch: Live guitar and jambé create a casual Mauritian atmosphere rather than a silent beach picnic.
• Grand River South-East Waterfalls: Cruise through the river channel toward the falls, with possible views of monkeys and fruit bats.
• Private islandwide transfers: Pickup and drop-off are included, though one recent return-transfer problem shows why clear communication at the end matters.

From your hotel to Trou d’Eau Douce

Your day begins with pickup at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. A certified guide and driver take you in a fully air-conditioned vehicle to Trou d’Eau Douce, a fishing village on the island’s east coast.

That private transfer is a real part of the value here. Mauritius is compact, but the drive to the east coast can still take time depending on where you are staying. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the boat launch, and you can return to the same accommodation afterward.

The tour requires at least two people per booking. Infants aged one to three are free, but you need to request an infant or child seat when booking. The host service is offered in English and French, so specify your preferred language if that matters to you.

At Trou d’Eau Douce, you board the speedboat. This is not a quiet ferry ride. The boat is intended to make the crossing enjoyable, with a powerful 150-horsepower Yamaha or Mercury outboard engine used for fast runs, sharp turns, and plenty of spray.

Bring sunglasses and a hat, but do not expect them to stay perfectly dry. A change of clothes and a towel are sensible. Keep phones and cameras protected in a waterproof pouch, since the boat’s wet-and-wild style is part of the experience.

Speeding across the east coast lagoon

The route from Trou d’Eau Douce to Ile aux Cerfs gives you a quick look at the east coast from the water. The lagoon is clear, and the view opens toward pale beaches, palms, and turquoise shallows.

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop, and you get free time rather than a tightly scripted walk. You can swim, sunbathe, take a stroll, snorkel, or find a patch of sand and do very little. That flexibility suits the setting.

The island also offers optional activities such as parasailing, banana rides, tube rides, undersea walks, and snorkeling. These are not part of the $90 price, so ask about the cost before signing up. If you want a calm beach day, you can simply skip them.

The strongest appeal here is not a long list of activities. It is the chance to enjoy the water and sand at your own speed after the energetic boat ride. I would treat the optional sports as extras, not as a reason to book the whole trip, since the included program already fills the day.

The tour information does not promise a dedicated snorkeling stop. Snorkeling is listed as something you can do during free time at Ile aux Cerfs. If snorkeling is your main goal, ask the operator how much time and equipment access you will have before paying.

A three-course BBQ lunch with local drinks

Around noon, the group heads to a private island for a three-course lunch served with your feet in the sand. The meal includes BBQ food, a local dessert, and both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Vegetarian food needs to be requested in advance. This matters because the meal is arranged for the group, rather than chosen from a large restaurant menu on the spot. You should also report food allergies or illness when booking.

The included drink selection is unusually broad for a day cruise. It covers bottled water, soft drinks, red, rosé, and white wine, beer, and local rum. That makes the price easier to assess, especially if you would otherwise spend extra on lunch and drinks at a beach restaurant.

Still, unlimited alcohol does not mean you need to use it. The boat ride includes speed and tight turns, and the sun can catch up with you quickly. I would eat first, drink water often, and save the rum for a small taste rather than treating the afternoon like a floating bar crawl.

The lunch is one of the most praised parts of the experience. The portions are described as ample, and the vegetarian meal has been found satisfying and well prepared. The setting adds something important: this is not just a boxed meal between stops, but a relaxed break with sand underfoot and music nearby.

Guitar, jambé, and a relaxed island pause

After lunch, live guitar and jambé music provide the entertainment. Jambé is a hand drum, and its steady beat gives the meal a more local, social feel than a standard excursion buffet.

This part of the day is useful because it gives you a proper pause. The morning includes transport, boarding, and a lively boat crossing. After lunch, you can sit, listen, and let the pace drop before heading back onto the water.

The program does not describe a formal performance schedule or a named musician, so treat the music as a casual live session rather than a concert. If you prefer a quiet meal, the sound may be more noticeable than expected.

Cruising into Grand River South-East Waterfalls

After several hours around the island and lunch, the skipper takes the boat toward Grand River South-East Waterfalls, often shortened to GRSE Waterfalls. The boat travels along the waterfall’s river channel, where the river meets the sea.

The approach is best understood as a viewpoint from the water. You remain on the boat while it cruises through the canal for views of the falls and the surrounding trees. The setting is more wooded and enclosed than the open beach and lagoon.

You might see monkeys moving through the older trees beside the river. Mauritian fruit bats may be perched high above the banks. These sightings are not guaranteed, so keep your expectations sensible, but the boat gives you a good way to see the river edges without turning the stop into a long hike.

The contrast with Ile aux Cerfs makes this stop worthwhile. The island gives you open sand and bright lagoon water. GRSE gives you river scenery, trees, and a closer look at how fresh water reaches the coast. It is a short sightseeing cruise, not a full waterfall walk.

If you want long periods of swimming, the waterfall stop takes time away from the beach. I think the change of scene improves the day, but someone seeking nothing except sand and sun may prefer more time at Ile aux Cerfs.

The return ride is part of the entertainment

Around 3:30 p.m., you board the speedboat again for the return coastal cruise. The description promises fast acceleration, sharp turns, and splashing stops, so this is the most active portion of the day.

The ride can be thrilling, but it is not ideal for everyone. You should be comfortable with speed, spray, and sudden changes in direction. If you have back problems, motion sensitivity, or simply want a gentle cruise, tell the crew before the boat sets off.

Keep your hat secured and your valuables protected. Swimwear is practical for the entire day, and a dry change of clothes will make the final road transfer more comfortable.

The boat experience is a key reason this tour feels different from a standard coach trip to a beach. You are not only being transported between points. The ride itself is one of the main activities, with the east coast lagoon providing the setting.

Is $90 a fair price?

At $90 per person, this is a solid package if you will use most of what is included. The price covers private pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius, an air-conditioned vehicle, a certified guide and driver, the speedboat, Ile aux Cerfs, GRSE Waterfalls, a three-course lunch, and a broad range of drinks.

Buying those pieces separately could become expensive and inconvenient. You would need to arrange transport to Trou d’Eau Douce, find a boat, organize a waterfall visit, and pay for food and drinks. The private transfer is especially useful if your accommodation is far from the east coast.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a short boat crossing and a few hours on the beach. Optional water sports are extra, and the day includes a fairly long return drive after the boat program. You are paying for an all-day combination of transport, meals, drinks, and guiding, not only entry to the island.

A simple way to judge the value is to ask yourself three questions:

• Do you want a fast, energetic boat ride rather than a slow cruise?
• Will you eat the included BBQ lunch and use some of the included drinks?
• Do you value private hotel transport more than the freedom to arrange each part yourself?

If you answer yes to all three, the price is reasonable. If your answer is no, a simpler beach transfer may suit you better.

What to bring for a seven-hour day

You need very little, but the right items make this trip much easier.

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Change of clothes
• Waterproof protection for phones and cameras
• Sunscreen, although sunscreen is not specifically listed by the operator

The last item is practical advice for any long day in open sun. You will spend time on bright sand and exposed water, and the boat ride can make the breeze feel cooler than it really is.

Wear footwear that can handle wet conditions. The lunch setting is feet-in-the-sand, and the boat may leave you splashed. Keep bags small and easy to carry.

Tell the operator about allergies, illness, vegetarian meals, and child-seat needs before the date of the trip. The vegetarian option is available, but advance notice is required.

Timing, transfers, and the one weak spot

The activity lasts about seven hours, with pickup and drop-off included. Starting times depend on availability, so confirm the exact pickup time for your accommodation.

The private vehicle is a strong feature, but the return process deserves attention. One recent booking had a delay of about 30 minutes in the sun, followed by confusion when the driver tried to coordinate another group. The driver was described as friendly, but the problem was too many transfer duties at once.

This does not mean every return will be difficult. It does mean you should keep your phone available, confirm the meeting point, and make sure the driver knows your accommodation before leaving the boat. If you are catching a flight or have a fixed evening plan, do not schedule it too tightly after the tour.

The description mentions returning to the hotel for dinner, but dinner is not included in the tour. Plan your evening meal separately.

Who will enjoy this Ile aux Cerfs trip?

I think this excursion suits you best if you want several Mauritius highlights in one day without arranging separate transport. It works well for couples, families, and small groups who like a mix of swimming, scenery, food, and music.

It is also a good choice if you want a lively boat ride. The speedboat has quick runs and sharp turns, so the crossing is part of the fun rather than a plain transfer.

You may prefer another option if you want a quiet sailing day, a serious snorkeling program, or a long guided walk. This experience offers snorkeling as free-time activity, but it does not promise a dedicated snorkeling stop. It also does not include the optional water sports in the base price.

The day suits mixed groups because not everyone has to do the same thing at Ile aux Cerfs. One person can swim, another can stroll, and another can sit in the shade or prepare for lunch. The waterfall cruise then brings everyone back together.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want an easy, full-day east coast outing with private transport, an energetic speedboat, beach time, GRSE Waterfalls, and a generous lunch with drinks. The food, relaxed music, and friendly guiding make the day feel social without packing in too many stops.

Before booking, check the weather forecast and understand that poor conditions can cancel the activity. You can then choose another date or receive a full refund. Also confirm vegetarian meals, allergies, child seats, pickup details, and the price of any water sports you want.

I would book it for the all-in-one value and the variety. I would not book it solely for snorkeling or a quiet boat ride. Keep those distinctions clear, and this is an enjoyable way to see Mauritius from both its white-sand coast and its river waters.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation are included.

Is hotel pickup included anywhere in Mauritius?

Yes. Private pickup and drop-off are provided at hotels or other accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. You need to provide the accommodation name or pickup location when booking.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter service is available in English and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course BBQ lunch is included, with a local dessert and vegetarian or non-vegetarian meal options.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks cover water, soft drinks, red, rosé, and white wine, beer, and local rum.

Can I request a vegetarian meal?

Yes. You need to request the vegetarian option when booking. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance.

Are water sports included in the price?

No. Activities such as parasailing, banana rides, tube rides, undersea walks, and other water sports are optional and cost extra.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a change of clothes, and a towel. A waterproof pouch for personal electronics is also practical for the speedboat ride.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

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