Reviewed · ILE AUX CERFS TOURS
Full Day Shared Speed Boat in Ile Aux Cerfs Lunch & Transfer incl
The best part of this outing is that the trip to Île aux Cerfs is part of the fun. Instead of treating the boat as a plain transfer, you race across the Indian Ocean with open views of the Mauritian coast. I like the included hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius, and I like that lunch includes halal meat, vegetarian choices, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The main drawback is organization: one booking had a late start and trouble confirming the pickup point, so clear communication matters.
The tour is also sold as a shared outing, with as many as 30 people. That keeps the price at $88.47 per person, but it means you should not expect a private island cruise or a quiet beach day from start to finish.
Key points at a glance

- Speedboat ride to Île aux Cerfs: The crossing adds wind, movement, and broad sea views instead of feeling like a simple ferry transfer.
- Three-course halal BBQ lunch: You receive a proper meal with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
- Unlimited drinks at lunch: Locally sourced alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included.
- Snorkeling and island time: The day combines water activities with white sand and time to relax.
- Pickup across Mauritius: Transport to and from your accommodation is included, a useful saving if you are not staying near the departure area.
- Shared group of up to 30: The price is reasonable for the inclusions, but the experience is not private.
Why Île aux Cerfs works well for a one-day escape

Île aux Cerfs is known for pale sand, clear water, and green coastal scenery. The island gives you the classic tropical Mauritius setting without requiring a separate overnight stay. You can swim, stretch out on the beach, take part in snorkeling, or simply enjoy the change from the mainland.
I like this kind of day trip because it gives you several ways to spend your time. You are not locked into a single activity. The speedboat provides the excitement, snorkeling adds something active, and the island gives you room to slow down.
The setting is especially useful if your Mauritius plans are already based around Port Louis or another mainland accommodation. A full day at the island would be harder to arrange on your own if you also needed to organize ground transport, a boat, food, and drinks. Here, those main pieces are bundled together.
Still, Île aux Cerfs can feel busy when several boat groups arrive at once. This is a popular day-trip destination, not a private strip of sand. Go for the combination of beach, boat, food, and activity rather than expecting complete solitude.
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The 8:30 am pickup and the first practical test

The scheduled start is 8:30 am, and pickup is offered from any accommodation around Mauritius. That is one of the strongest practical features of the package. You do not need to find your own way to a marina or arrange a separate taxi before sunrise.
The trade-off is that a pickup service covering the whole island can involve a long collection route. Your exact pickup time may depend on where you are staying and who else is being collected. Keep your phone available on the morning of the tour and make sure the pickup location is written clearly.
One booking had an especially frustrating start: the pickup and drop-off worked once the guest made direct contact with the driver, but earlier requests to confirm the pickup point had gone unanswered. That is useful advice, not a reason to reject the trip. If your hotel, guesthouse, or cruise-port pickup is unusual, confirm the exact meeting spot before the day of travel. Do not assume that a general accommodation address is enough.
The tour accepts mobile tickets, and confirmation is provided at booking. The operator is Cozy Trip and Tours. Since the service is shared, allow some flexibility around the published start time, especially if you are connecting this outing with another paid activity later in the day.
The speedboat crossing is part of the attraction
Once you reach the water, the day changes pace. A speedboat crossing gives you a direct view of the Mauritian coast and the surrounding water. You feel the motion of the boat, catch the wind, and see the route from a much lower angle than you would from a road.
That is the key difference between this outing and a basic island transfer. The ride itself becomes a memorable part of the schedule. If you enjoy a little motion and sea spray, this is a strong reason to choose the tour.
You should also pack with the boat in mind. Keep your phone and other valuables protected from water, and bring sun protection. The supplied information does not specify the exact boat layout, boarding point, or travel time, so I would not plan around a precise arrival hour.
The speedboat is not ideal for everyone. If you dislike fast boat rides or are sensitive to movement, the crossing may be the least comfortable part of the day. The group size can reach 30, so do not expect the personal space or flexible routing of a private charter.
One of the supplied accounts describes an outing to Île aux Cerfs and waterfalls using a catamaran, with speedboat sections on some parts of the route. The main tour description focuses on a speedboat transfer, so you should confirm the exact boat plan if the vessel type matters to you. The important point is that the water transport is a central part of the experience, not just a minor connection.
Snorkeling and free time on the island
The tour includes snorkeling, giving you a chance to see the water from below rather than only admire it from the boat. The supplied details do not state how long the snorkeling stop lasts or what equipment is provided, so ask the operator if you need to know those points before booking.
I would treat snorkeling as one part of the day, not the sole reason to reserve this excursion. Conditions can change with weather, and the tour requires good weather to operate. If the sea is calm and clear, the activity can add a welcome break from beach time. If conditions are less suitable, the island and lunch still form the main structure of the day.
Île aux Cerfs is well suited to unhurried time. You can explore the shoreline, look for a comfortable patch of sand, or spend time in the clear water. The island’s appeal is simple: bright beaches, tropical greenery, and a setting that feels far removed from the mainland.
The word explore should be kept in proportion. This is a day excursion, not an extended nature program. The information provided does not promise a guided walk, a detailed island tour, or a visit to specific natural sites. You will have the chance to enjoy the island, but the exact balance of guided activity and free time may depend on the day’s operation.
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A three-course BBQ lunch with halal choices

Lunch is more substantial than a snack stop. You receive a three-course BBQ meal at Île aux Cerfs, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. Halal food is included, which makes the package easier for Muslim visitors who need a clearly suitable meal while away from their accommodation.
The meal also includes a broad selection of locally sourced drinks. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available without an additional charge during lunch. That can make a meaningful difference to the value, especially on a warm day when you would otherwise be buying water, soft drinks, or beer separately.
The food is one of the tour’s better practical inclusions, but keep your expectations sensible. This is an island BBQ served as part of a shared excursion, not a restaurant meal with an extensive menu. The supplied information does not give the individual courses, drink brands, or serving format.
If you have dietary needs beyond vegetarian or halal food, check ahead. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are specifically listed, but other requirements are not described. It is better to confirm before departure than to rely on improvisation at the island.
Lunch also creates a natural pause in the day. After the boat ride and snorkeling, you get time to sit, eat, and enjoy a drink before returning to the beach or continuing with the scheduled program.
What $88.47 really covers

At $88.47 per person, the price needs to be judged as a package. You are paying for transportation from your accommodation, the boat experience, island access through the excursion, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. For a seven-hour outing, that is a fair price if you use most of the inclusions.
The pickup and drop-off may be the biggest saving. A self-arranged version would require transport to the departure area, a boat ticket, food, and drinks. The package also removes some of the uncertainty that comes with arranging separate connections.
The shared format keeps the price below what you would expect from a private boat day. That is good value for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who want a planned outing without paying for an entire vessel.
The calculation changes if you mainly want a quiet beach day. You may find the group schedule and boat transfers less appealing than a simpler beach visit. The tour earns its price through variety: speed, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and transport in one day.
The tour is booked around 24 days ahead on average, which suggests that you should not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed. The maximum group size is 30, so reserving early may also help if you want a particular day.
Timing, group size, and the risk of a late day
The advertised duration is about seven hours. That is long enough to make Île aux Cerfs feel like a proper day trip, while still leaving your evening open. You should not schedule an important appointment immediately afterward, though. Island transport, pickup routes, and weather can all affect the day.
A group of up to 30 is large enough to create energy and keep the shared price reasonable. It can also mean more waiting at pickup, boarding, lunch, or the transition between activities. If you want a personal guide, quiet seating, or the freedom to leave whenever you choose, this is not the best match.
The operational feedback is mixed. One account described a fun, well-organized trip with friendly and helpful staff, a good lunch, and a route involving Île aux Cerfs and waterfalls. Another described the experience as overbooked, expensive for what was delivered, and late, although the direct driver contact solved the pickup and drop-off problem.
That contrast tells you how to approach the booking. The core ingredients are appealing, but the quality of the day depends heavily on timing and coordination. Confirm your pickup details, keep your schedule flexible, and think of the outing as a shared excursion rather than a tightly timed private tour.
Who should book this Mauritius boat trip
I would recommend this outing to you if you want several classic Mauritius experiences in one reservation. It suits people who enjoy a fast boat ride, like having transport arranged, and want a beach day with food and drinks already covered.
It is also a practical choice for:
- Couples who want an active day away from their resort
- Families and mixed-age groups who need both beach time and a planned meal
- Solo visitors who do not want to arrange several separate transfers
- People looking for halal lunch options
- Anyone who prefers a shared price to a private charter
You may want another option if you need guaranteed punctuality, a small group, or a fully private schedule. It may also be a poor fit if you dislike speedboats or want a quiet, uncrowded beach with no group coordination.
The lack of a guide’s name and the limited detail about the exact route mean you should not book this for a highly specific itinerary. Book it for the broad experience: boat, island, snorkeling, BBQ lunch, drinks, and return transport.
Should you book the Île aux Cerfs speedboat tour?
I would book it if you value convenience and variety more than perfect control. The included transport, halal BBQ lunch, unlimited drinks, and snorkeling give the $88.47 price real substance, and the speedboat crossing makes the journey more memorable than a plain transfer.
Before paying, confirm your pickup point directly, especially if you are staying at a small property or meeting the vehicle at a cruise port. Also ask about the precise boat arrangement if you specifically want a speedboat rather than a catamaran section.
This is a good shared day out, but it is not a luxury charter. Expect a popular island, a group that may reach 30, and some flexibility around timing. If that sounds acceptable, Île aux Cerfs offers an easy, lively taste of Mauritius by land, sea, and beach.
FAQ
How long does the Île aux Cerfs speedboat tour last?
The experience lasts about seven hours.
What time does the tour start?
The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.
Is pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are provided at accommodation anywhere around Mauritius.
Is lunch included?
Yes. The tour includes a three-course BBQ lunch at Île aux Cerfs, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
Is halal food available?
Yes. The included lunch is described as halal.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Lunch includes unlimited locally sourced alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refundable. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.
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