Mauritius: Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch

The best part of this outing is the speedboat ride through Mauritius’s east-coast lagoons. You get white sand, clear turquoise water, mangroves, a waterfall, and a beach lunch in one five-hour trip, without spending the day moving between separate tours. I especially like the mix of active sightseeing and easy island time, plus the included BBQ with fish, chicken, salads, fruit, and drinks.

I also like the simple start at Chez Tino Restaurant in Trou d’Eau Douce and the friendly, well-organized feel reported by recent participants. The main drawback is time: one stop gives you free time on Ile aux Cerfs, but lunch takes a large part of the day, so you may wish for longer on the island.

Key points to know

• Three boat legs shape the day: You spend about 20 minutes reaching Ile aux Cerfs, 45 minutes cruising toward Grande Rivière South East, and 20 minutes returning.
• The waterfall visit is a pass-by cruise: You see the GRSE waterfall from the boat rather than taking a long inland walk.
• Lunch is served on the beach: Expect fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, seasonal fruit, and vegetarian or gluten-free food by request.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice are part of the meal stop.
• French and English are available: The guide and driver service is offered in both languages.
• The tour favors able-bodied visitors: It is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments.

Speeding out from Trou d’Eau Douce

Your morning or midday starts outside Chez Tino Restaurant on B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce. This is the central meeting point, where you receive a short briefing before walking to the jetty and boarding the speedboat.

That quick briefing matters. You learn the order of the stops, then move straight into the main event: a fast ride across the east coast. The boat gives you a broad view of the turquoise lagoon and the shore, while the open-air setting keeps the trip feeling like a proper island outing rather than a transfer.

The first ride takes about 20 minutes. That is long enough to enjoy the water and coast, but short enough that you are not stuck on a boat for half the day. If you are prone to discomfort on small boats, this is worth considering. The experience is built around speed and open water, not a slow, sheltered ferry ride.

Ile aux Cerfs and its bright lagoon

Ile aux Cerfs is the main prize for many people booking this trip. The island is known for white sandy beaches, clear water, and broad stretches of shoreline where you can walk without a fixed schedule.

The first visit includes free time and a walk. Use it to get your bearings, feel the sand, and take in the contrast between the pale beach and the turquoise lagoon. You are not rushed through a string of formal sights here. Instead, you get a simple island pause before the next boat section.

That freedom is valuable, but it also creates the tour’s clearest time tradeoff. The full outing lasts five hours, and the day includes two other boat sections, the waterfall cruise, and lunch. If your top priority is swimming or walking on Ile aux Cerfs, you may find the island stop shorter than you hoped.

I would treat the first visit as a taste of the island rather than a full beach day. You can enjoy the setting, take a walk, and spend time by the water, but this is not designed as an all-day stay with hours of unstructured beach time.

The 45-minute ride toward Grande Rivière South East

After time on Ile aux Cerfs, the speedboat runs for about 45 minutes toward Grande Rivière South East. This is the longest ride of the day, and it gives you a chance to see more of the east Mauritius coast from the water.

The route includes turquoise lagoons and lush mangroves. Mangroves may not sound as instantly appealing as a beach, but they add variety to the trip. You see a different side of the coast, with green growth along the waterways and a more sheltered feel than the open beach.

This section is also where the trip feels most like a cruise rather than a beach transfer. You are moving through the water with the boat as the attraction. The payoff is the Grande Rivière South East waterfall, one of the area’s best-known natural sights.

The schedule lists this stop as a boat cruise and pass-by. Set your expectations accordingly. You will see the waterfall from the boat, but the outing does not promise a long walk to a viewpoint or a separate hiking stop. A recent account also noted monkeys around the waterfall, adding a lively touch to the visit, though sightings are not guaranteed.

Seeing the GRSE waterfall from the water

Grande Rivière South East is reached by boat, which makes the visit easy for people who want to see the waterfall without committing to a strenuous route. The boat carries you into the river area, where you can admire the falling water, surrounding greenery, and river setting before turning back.

I like this format for a half-day trip because it keeps the pace moving. You see a major natural feature without spending hours on transport or a trail. On the other hand, photographers and hikers may want more time near the falls than this schedule allows.

The waterfall stop is best understood as a scenic boat visit. Bring a phone or camera that can handle spray, but remember that you are viewing the falls from a moving boat. The route itself is part of the experience, with the river, mangroves, and coast adding context to the waterfall.

A beach BBQ with Mauritian holiday flavor

After the waterfall cruise, the boat returns to Ile aux Cerfs for lunch. This is the social center of the day, and it is more than a quick snack. The meal includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit.

Drinks are included too: beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice. The inclusion of rum gives the meal a distinctly relaxed island character, while water and juice provide nonalcoholic choices. You can sip a drink and eat by the beach rather than leaving the water for an indoor restaurant.

Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available on request. You should make that request when booking or before the day of the tour, since the published meal includes fish and chicken as its main choices.

The meal adds real value to the $64 price. A boat trip, two island visits, a waterfall cruise, lunch, and a broad drink selection would be separate costs if arranged independently. You are not paying only for a ride to the beach. You are buying a compact day package with food and drinks already handled.

Still, lunch takes time. One participant specifically wished for more time on Ile aux Cerfs and less time at the meal. That is useful advice if you care most about swimming, walking, or simply sitting on the sand. The BBQ is a strong feature, but it reduces the hours available for free exploration.

Why the speedboat format matters

A speedboat gives this trip a different rhythm from a standard sightseeing cruise. You move quickly between the island, river, waterfall, and beach, fitting several places into five hours.

The tradeoff is comfort and space. The supplied information does not specify boat size or group size, so you should not assume a private charter or a roomy vessel. You can expect a boat-based excursion with a brisk pace, but the exact seating arrangement is not stated.

The route also depends on water conditions. No detailed weather policy is provided, so it is sensible to keep your plans flexible around the five-hour block. The operator does offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, which helps if your schedule or conditions change before then.

The boat ride is likely to appeal most to you if the journey itself sounds fun. If you want a quiet, slow cruise with long stops, this may feel busy. If you want to connect several east-coast sights in one outing, the speedboat is efficient.

Who will get the most from this five-hour trip

I would recommend this tour to couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Ile aux Cerfs and the east coast. It combines the area’s main visual attractions with a meal, so you do not need to plan several separate bookings.

It also suits people who enjoy variety. You get beach time, a fast ride, a river cruise, mangroves, a waterfall, and a BBQ. No single part lasts the whole day, which keeps the outing lively.

You may want another option if you have back problems or a mobility impairment. Those restrictions are stated clearly, and the combination of a jetty, speedboat, beach, and boat movement may be difficult.

This is also not the best match for someone who wants a full day devoted only to Ile aux Cerfs. The island is important, but the tour divides its time among several stops. You should book it for the combination, not just for the beach.

Guide language, meeting point, and planning tips

The activity is available with French- and English-speaking staff. If language matters to you, choose the option that matches your preference when booking or confirm it before departure.

Arrive at the stated meeting point outside Chez Tino Restaurant, B59, Trou d’Eau Douce. The meeting point is not described as a hotel pickup, so plan to make your own way there unless the operator tells you otherwise.

Wear clothing that can handle water and sun. The information provided does not list equipment or changing facilities, so keep your packing simple and practical. A swimsuit, sun protection, and a secure way to carry your phone are sensible choices, though those items are not supplied by the operator.

Food needs deserve early attention. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request, while the standard menu includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, salad, pasta, and fruit.

The provider is Societe fernand lacour & fils. The activity is rated 4.6 from 158 ratings, and the strongest praise centers on the organization, friendly staff, guide service, food, and care shown during the day. One recent account described the crossing, welcome, beach BBQ, waterfall visit, and return by speedboat as especially well handled. That points to a tour where the basic logistics are a major part of the value.

Is $64 a fair price?

At $64 per person, this is a solid package if you want several included elements. The price covers the speedboat transport, Ile aux Cerfs, the GRSE waterfall visit, lunch, and drinks. You also get a guide and a five-hour schedule that keeps the day organized.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for transport, a boat trip, a meal, and drinks. It is less compelling if you plan to spend most of your time on one beach and do not care about the waterfall or river section.

I would also factor in the meal when comparing prices. Fish, chicken, side dishes, fruit, and a choice of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks can make a noticeable difference to a day’s spending in Mauritius. Here, those costs are built in.

The only value concern is the allocation of time. Since lunch occupies a substantial part of the day, you are paying for a full package rather than maximum beach hours. That is not a flaw, but it is important to match the price to your priorities.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized half-day that combines speedboat travel, beach time, a waterfall, and a BBQ. The included food and drinks make the $64 price reasonable, and the route gives you a useful introduction to east Mauritius without complicated planning.

Think twice if your main goal is several uninterrupted hours on Ile aux Cerfs. You will see the island and have free time to walk, but the waterfall cruise and lunch take up much of the five-hour schedule.

For most visitors who want variety and an easy day, I would book it. Just treat Ile aux Cerfs as one part of a broader east-coast outing, and request any vegetarian or gluten-free meal before you go.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

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

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes Ile aux Cerfs and the Grande Rivière South East waterfall. The waterfall is visited by boat cruise and pass-by.

How long is the first speedboat ride?

The speedboat ride from the starting point to Ile aux Cerfs takes about 20 minutes.

How long is the ride to Grande Rivière South East?

The speedboat ride from Ile aux Cerfs toward Grande Rivière South East takes about 45 minutes.

What food is included?

Lunch includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request.

What drinks are included?

The included drinks are beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.