Mauritius : Ile Aux Cerfs 3 islands Speed Boat Trip with BBQ

The best part of this Mauritius day out is the variety. In about seven hours, you move from a speedboat ride along the southeast coast to a lighthouse island, a sandy lunch stop, a snorkeling site, a waterfall, and a final beach break. It gives you a broad taste of the area without making you choose just one excursion.

I like the included BBQ lunch and drinks, which save you from arranging food on a remote island, and I like the small maximum group of 15 people. One point needs care: this is not automatically a private charter. A group of four was once surprised to find about 12 people aboard, so confirm the booking type before you pay if privacy matters.

Key points at a glance

• Seven hours on the water: The schedule includes about three hours of boat travel in total, with the rest split between islands, snorkeling, lunch, and sightseeing.
• Five distinct stops: You visit Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets lighthouse, Ile aux Aigrettes beach, Eau Bleue at Vieux Grand Port, and Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall.
• Lunch on Ile aux Cerfs: A BBQ meal, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included in the price.
• A maximum of 15 people: This keeps the outing smaller than a large cruise, though it does not guarantee a private boat.
• Early start from Trou d’Eau Douce: Departure is at 7:30 am, and the tour returns to the same meeting point.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this speedboat day covers so much of Mauritius

Mauritius is easy to picture as beaches and palm trees, but the southeast coast adds old lighthouses, river mouths, reefs, and small offshore islands. This trip is built around that mix. You get a quick look at several places rather than spending the full day at one beach.

That makes the tour a good choice if your time in Mauritius is short, or if you want an introduction before choosing where to return on your own. You will spend meaningful time on Ile aux Cerfs, but the day is not designed as a slow beach holiday. The speedboat keeps the route moving.

The boat ride itself takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way. That travel time is part of the seven-hour schedule, so you should not expect seven full hours of sightseeing. I see this as a fair trade if you enjoy being on the water, but less appealing if you want long, quiet stretches on land.

The maximum group size is 15. That is small enough to make the outing feel more personal than a packed excursion boat, yet the group may still be full. If you are booking for a couple or a family and want the whole boat to yourselves, ask Sam Tours directly whether a private option is available and what it costs.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 am

The day begins at Trou d’Eau Douce, with the return to the same meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, although they can be arranged for an additional charge. You will need to plan your own way to the start unless you add that service.

The early departure is useful. It gives you time to reach the islands, fit in the snorkeling stop, and still have lunch and a waterfall visit without pushing everything late into the day. It also means you should check your transport plans the night before, especially if your accommodation is some distance from Trou d’Eau Douce.

Wear clothing that can handle spray and bring sun protection. The information supplied does not specify changing facilities, luggage storage, or a detailed list of what to bring, so keep your personal items compact. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended, which is sensible for boarding a speedboat, walking on beaches, and taking part in snorkeling.

Ile aux Cerfs: the main beach and BBQ stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the longest stop, with about 1 hour and 30 minutes scheduled there. This is where lunch and drinks are served, and it is the part of the day most likely to feel like a classic Mauritius escape.

The island gives you time to get off the boat, enjoy the sand, and take a break from the open water. The BBQ is included, along with soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. That adds real value to the $88.81 price because you do not have to find a restaurant or carry a full meal for the day.

Still, 90 minutes is not a huge amount of time. You will need to balance eating, sitting on the beach, and any walk you want to take. Think of this as a well-timed lunch and beach pause, not an all-day stay. If your main goal is to spend hours doing nothing on Ile aux Cerfs, a dedicated island visit may suit you better.

The food details are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu. If you have dietary restrictions, contact the operator before departure. Drinks are included, but the supplied information does not explain which alcoholic drinks are offered or how much is served.

Ile aux Fouquets and its historic lighthouse

The lighthouse stop at Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile aux Phare, lasts about 30 minutes. The skippers provide an explanation of the island’s past, giving the stop more purpose than a quick photo from the boat.

The lighthouse is one of the trip’s most distinctive sights. Offshore nature is easy to find in Mauritius, but a small lighthouse island gives you a different view of the coast and the island’s maritime setting. The short visit works well as part of a varied route.

Do not expect a long guided tour. Thirty minutes is enough for a brief visit and an introduction from the skipper, but not for a slow examination of every detail. The experience depends partly on sea conditions and how close the boat can get. This is a compact sightseeing stop, not a museum visit.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleue in Vieux Grand Port

At Vieux Grand Port, the boat stops at a natural aquarium known as Eau Bleue. You have around 40 minutes for snorkeling in clear water and looking for tropical fish.

This is one of the most active parts of the day. Forty minutes gives you enough time to get into the water and enjoy a proper swim, while keeping the schedule moving. If you like seeing marine life but do not want to commit to a full snorkeling cruise, this is a useful middle ground.

The tour information does not say whether masks, snorkels, fins, or flotation equipment are supplied. Ask before you go if you do not have your own gear. It also does not promise a particular number of fish or guarantee perfect visibility. Water conditions can change, and the quality of the stop will depend on the weather.

A moderate fitness level is advised, and you should be comfortable entering the water from the boat or shore as directed by the crew. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask what support is available before booking. The description confirms a snorkeling stop, but it does not provide a separate beginner lesson.

Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall from the water

After Ile aux Cerfs, the boat travels to Grande Riviere Sud Est, described as the second-longest waterfall in Mauritius. The visit lasts about 15 minutes.

The short stop is a good example of the tour’s style. You see a natural feature as part of a moving coastal route rather than spending half a day on a waterfall excursion. It breaks up the beach time and gives you a glimpse of the river meeting the sea.

Fifteen minutes will feel brief, particularly if you enjoy photographing waterfalls. You should treat it as a scenic stop from the boat, unless the skipper gives different instructions on the day. The supplied details do not say that you hike to the base, so do not assume a long walk or a land-based waterfall visit.

Ile aux Aigrettes is a beach stop, not a reserve tour

Ile aux Aigrettes can cause some confusion because the name is linked with a nature reserve. On this outing, the stop is specifically on the beach, for about 30 minutes, with a final drink before returning.

That distinction matters. You are not promised entry to a reserve, a wildlife walk, or a conservation tour. The value here is a last pause on the sand and a chance to enjoy another angle of the coast before the boat ride back.

Thirty minutes is enough for a short rest and a drink, but it is not enough for a long beach session. I like this as a closing stop because it gives you one more chance to step ashore after the busier parts of the route. If you want nature interpretation or wildlife viewing, you should choose a separate reserve experience.

What the $88.81 price really includes

At $88.81 per person, the cost is reasonable if you use most of the included elements. You are paying for a full-day speedboat outing, several separate stops, a BBQ lunch, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks. The group size is capped at 15, which is another useful part of the value.

The price does not include hotel transport. That extra cost can affect the final total, especially if you are staying far from Trou d’Eau Douce. You should compare the added transfer price with the cost and effort of arranging your own transport.

The trip is also a practical way to combine activities. Booking separate outings for Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling, the lighthouse, and the waterfall would likely take more planning and more time. The compromise is that each place receives a short visit, and the boat travel takes roughly three hours of the day.

I would choose this tour for variety, convenience, and a social boat atmosphere. I would not choose it if I wanted a private guide, a long snorkeling session, or several unhurried hours on one island.

The group size and private-trip warning

The listed maximum is 15 people, but that does not mean your booking is private. A group of four was surprised to board a speedboat carrying about 12 people and was refused a refund after raising the issue. The same outing was still described as enjoyable, but the mismatch between expectation and reality caused a clear problem.

This is the most important booking tip. If you see wording that suggests a private trip, ask the operator to confirm in writing whether you are paying for exclusive use of the boat or simply reserving places on a shared departure.

For most people, a shared boat is part of the fun. You will have company during the ride, and a smaller group can make the day feel friendly without the scale of a large vessel. But privacy matters for some couples, families, and special occasions. Do not leave that detail unclear.

The most positive assessment of the day focused on good organization, punctual timing, professional service, and a friendly, cool guide. No guide name is supplied, so I cannot tell you who will lead your departure. The quality of the skipper matters here because the same person may handle safety, route timing, and the short explanations at the islands.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

This is a weather-dependent activity. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The operator also requires a minimum number of participants, so a departure can be changed or canceled if that number is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Mauritius time, so check the clock carefully if you are arranging plans from abroad.

The meeting time is 7:30 am, and confirmation is provided when you book. The meeting point is near public transportation, but the exact transport advice is not included in the supplied details. Hotel pickup is available at an extra cost, not as part of the standard fare.

Plan for a full day outdoors. The schedule involves water, sun, a speedboat, beach stops, and movement between several locations. Keep valuables to a minimum, and ask the operator about equipment and storage before departure because those details are not specified.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius boat trip most

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several southeast-coast highlights in one day and prefer an active schedule. It suits couples, families with older children, and independent visitors who can reach Trou d’Eau Douce on time.

It is also a strong choice for a first visit. You can sample Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling, a lighthouse, a waterfall, and Ile aux Aigrettes beach, then decide which place deserves more time later. The included meal and drinks keep the day simple.

You may want another option if you need a private boat, have limited mobility, dislike boat spray, or want long periods of quiet beach time. The route is busy by design, and the 1 hour and 30 minutes of travel each way is a major part of the experience.

The average booking lead time is 11 days, so you do not necessarily need to reserve far ahead. Still, I would avoid leaving it until the last minute if your holiday dates are fixed. The maximum group size is limited, and bad weather can affect the schedule.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat trip?

Book it if you value variety over long stays and want lunch, drinks, snorkeling, islands, a lighthouse, and a waterfall handled in one day. At $88.81, the package offers solid value when you count the boat, meal, drinks, and multiple stops.

Before paying, settle one question: is your booking shared or private? That single detail can change your satisfaction more than anything else. If you are happy with a shared speedboat and can manage an early start, this is an energetic and practical introduction to Mauritius’ southeast coast.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius, at 7:30 am. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately seven hours. About 1 hour and 30 minutes of boat travel each way is included in that total.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price, but they may be arranged for an additional cost.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is included, served as a BBQ on Ile aux Cerfs. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are also included.

Which islands and locations does the tour visit?

The route includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets lighthouse, Ile aux Aigrettes beach, Eau Bleue at Vieux Grand Port, and Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall.

Is the boat trip private?

The maximum group size is 15 people, but the standard experience is not guaranteed to be private. Confirm directly with Sam Tours if you require exclusive use of the boat.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes the activity to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. A full refund is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.