Reviewed · SPEEDBOAT TRIPS
All inclusive SPEEDBOAT FULL DAY to ILE AUX CERF & GRSE WATERFALL
Island water, hot barbecue, and a waterfall full of monkeys. This all-inclusive Mauritius excursion packs a lot into one day, linking Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE Waterfall by boat from Trou d’Eau Douce. I like the included hotel pickup and drop-off, and I like that beer, local rum, soft drinks, lunch, and snorkeling equipment are part of the price.
The main caution is simple: this is sold as a speedboat trip, but weather and sea conditions can change the boat. On rough or rainy days, you could be moved to a larger catamaran for safety. That is sensible, but it may disappoint you if the fast open-water ride is the main reason you booked.
- Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop: You get about two hours at one of Mauritius’ best-known islets.
- GRSE Waterfall includes a monkey sighting: Local monkeys gather around this popular waterfall, although the boat visit can be shortened by sea conditions.
- The price covers more than transport: At about $117.11 per person, you receive private vehicle transfers, boat transport, BBQ lunch, drinks, and access to the waterfall.
- Pickup is available anywhere in Mauritius: The early 7:30 a.m. start helps make a long island transfer possible.
- Lunch may be on the catamaran or the islet: Weather decides the setting, not your preference.
- The group is capped at 15 people: This is a shared outing, but it is smaller than a large party boat.
In This Review
- What the $117.11 Price Really Covers
- Leaving from Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 a.m.
- Ile aux Cerfs, Two Hours on Mauritius’ Famous Islet
- GRSE Waterfall and Its Monkey Audience
- Snorkeling Depends on the Sea
- Speedboat Promise, Catamaran Reality
- Lunch, Drinks, Music, and the Social Mood
- Weather Rules and Day-to-Day Flexibility
- Who Will Like This Mauritius Boat Day
- Should You Book the Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE Trip?
- FAQ
- Where does the boat trip depart?
- What time does the tour start?
- How long does the full experience last?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Is lunch included?
- Are drinks included?
- Is the speedboat guaranteed?
- Is snorkeling guaranteed?
What the $117.11 Price Really Covers

At first glance, $117.11 may seem high for a beach day. The value improves when you count everything included. Your day begins with pickup at your resort or villa in an air-conditioned private vehicle, followed by transport to Trou d’Eau Douce. The boat trip, lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, waterfall access, and return transfer are all included.
You are not paying only for a seat on a speedboat. You are paying for a full-day package that removes several small costs and decisions. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the east coast, find a restaurant on Ile aux Cerfs, or budget separately for beer and rum.
The package includes BBQ lunch with smashed potatoes and dessert. A vegetarian choice is available, which is useful if you do not eat meat. Lobster is not included, so be careful if you see seafood-focused descriptions elsewhere. This price does not cover a lobster meal.
The drinks package includes beer, arranged local rum, cocktails, and soft drinks. That makes the outing feel more like a social boat day than a simple island transfer. Still, the all-inclusive label should not be read as luxury dining. Expect a practical BBQ meal rather than a formal three-course restaurant lunch.
Leaving from Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 a.m.

The stated start time is 7:30 a.m., with pickup from any resort or villa in Mauritius. Because the pickup area can cover the whole island, your exact collection time and drive length may vary. The total outing lasts about five to eight hours, and that figure includes road transport and sailing.
Trou d’Eau Douce is the launch point for boats heading toward Ile aux Cerfs. The coastal village is closely tied to these island trips, so this is not just a random departure point. Once you reach the port, the main water portion of the day begins.
The air-conditioned vehicle matters in Mauritius. A long drive in tropical heat can take the shine off a beach excursion, so a private vehicle is a real comfort. The transport is private, but the boat experience is shared, with a maximum group size of 15 people.
Your driver also provides information during the journey. That can make the road portion more useful, particularly if you are staying far from the east coast and want some orientation before reaching the water.
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Ile aux Cerfs, Two Hours on Mauritius’ Famous Islet
Ile aux Cerfs is the centerpiece of the trip. You get about two hours here, enough time to enjoy the beach, walk around, swim if conditions allow, or simply settle into the island atmosphere.
The islet is known for bright water and sandy beaches. The appeal is easy to understand: after the vehicle ride and boat transfer, you have a clear block of time to relax instead of rushing through a short photo stop.
I like the two-hour allocation because it gives you a little freedom. Some excursions treat the islet as a quick landing point. Here, you have enough time to make your own choice between swimming, sitting with a drink, taking photographs, or exploring on foot.
The tradeoff is that Ile aux Cerfs is one of the most popular stops in Mauritius. You should expect other boats and people, especially during busy periods. The experience is built around a social beach visit, not a quiet private-island escape.
The boat operator may serve lunch on the islet or aboard the catamaran. Weather conditions decide the arrangement. If you want a particular lunch setting, this trip cannot guarantee it.
GRSE Waterfall and Its Monkey Audience

GRSE Waterfall is a short but memorable part of the day. The planned visit lasts about 20 minutes, and local monkeys are one of the main attractions. They add an unexpected bit of energy to what might otherwise be a quick coastal waterfall stop.
The waterfall is well known in Mauritius and frequently photographed. From the boat, you get a different view than you would from a road-based sightseeing stop. The visit is short, so I would treat it as a scenic interlude rather than a long nature walk.
There is an important practical limit here. The time at the waterfall depends on water level, sea conditions, and how many boats are using the area. If the sea becomes dangerous, or the water level makes access difficult, the stop may be reduced.
Do not plan the day around a guaranteed close approach to the waterfall. The operator states that these rules apply to all companies, not just this one. Safety and boat traffic determine how long you remain there.
The monkeys are wild animals, even if they are accustomed to boats and people. Enjoy watching them, but keep food and belongings secure. The supplied details do not promise a wildlife encounter every time, so think of the monkeys as a strong possibility rather than a guaranteed performance.
Snorkeling Depends on the Sea

Snorkeling equipment is available, but use of it depends on sea conditions. That qualification matters in Mauritius, where wind, waves, and visibility can change the plan.
You should bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel if you plan to get in the water. The package specifically includes access to beaches and snorkeling equipment when conditions make snorkeling suitable, but it does not promise a dedicated snorkeling session or a particular reef site.
This is best understood as a flexible water day. If the sea is calm, you may have the chance to snorkel. If the water is rough, the captain may limit water activities and adjust the boat plan.
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Speedboat Promise, Catamaran Reality

The name of the experience puts the speedboat first, and that creates a clear expectation. A fast boat can make the transfer exciting, with more open-water movement and less of the slow, lounge-style rhythm associated with a catamaran.
Yet the operating information allows boat sizes to change with weather and sea conditions. On rainy days or when the sea is dangerous, a larger boat may be used to transfer people safely. One reported problem involved a person expecting a speedboat but ending up on a catamaran with lunch served at the back of the boat.
That mismatch is the most important issue to understand before booking. You may receive the advertised route and inclusions, but not always the exact boat style shown in the title. Safety takes priority, and the captain may give a briefing before changing the plan.
I would book this for the destinations and all-inclusive structure, not solely for the speedboat. If the fast ride is nonnegotiable, ask the operator about the forecast and boat assignment shortly before departure. Even then, weather can overrule the plan.
Lunch, Drinks, Music, and the Social Mood

The trip is designed to keep the day moving. Food, drinks, music, and shared boat time create a friendly group setting. You may meet people from several resorts, and the maximum group size of 15 keeps it from becoming a huge excursion.
The BBQ lunch includes smashed potatoes and dessert, with a vegetarian option. Depending on the weather, the meal is served aboard a catamaran or on the islet. This gives the operator room to adjust without canceling the food portion of the day.
Beer, local rum, cocktails, and soft drinks are included. That is a strong value point if you expect to have several drinks during a full-day outing. It also means you should pace yourself, especially under the Mauritius sun and during a boat ride.
The social side will suit you if you enjoy music, shared meals, and casual conversation. It may not suit you if you want silence, a private guide, or a slow, romantic cruise. This is an active group excursion with a cheerful party element.
Weather Rules and Day-to-Day Flexibility

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.
That policy is useful, but the weather issue goes beyond cancellation. A day can be safe enough to operate while still being too rough for snorkeling, too wet for an ideal beach lunch, or unsuitable for the smaller speedboat.
I would avoid scheduling this on the last possible day of your Mauritius stay. Give yourself room to move the excursion if weather interrupts it. The same advice applies to anyone who has a tight flight schedule or another fixed booking.
Booking confirmation is provided at the time of booking. If your plans fall during a busy period such as New Year, check your confirmation and email details carefully. A payment and availability problem was reported around that holiday period, with the operator stating that the booking was refunded and that it had not received payment. The practical lesson is to keep all confirmation messages and verify the final pickup details before the morning of the trip.
Who Will Like This Mauritius Boat Day

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several east-coast highlights in one booking. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value convenience and want lunch, drinks, transport, and sightseeing handled together.
It is also a good fit if you are staying away from Trou d’Eau Douce. Pickup from your resort or villa saves you from arranging a separate transfer, and the air-conditioned vehicle makes the road journey easier.
The trip may suit you less if you want a private boat, a guaranteed speedboat, a quiet beach, or a long snorkeling session. It is also not the right choice if a lobster lunch is central to your plans, since lobster costs extra and is not part of the package.
Because the outing lasts five to eight hours, you should be comfortable with an early start and a day that combines driving, boat travel, swimming, food, and social activity. The short waterfall visit means you are sampling several places rather than spending a full day at one.
Should You Book the Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE Trip?
I would book it if you want convenience and variety more than a perfectly controlled itinerary. The included resort pickup, BBQ meal, drinks, beach time, waterfall stop, and return transport make the $117.11 price reasonable for a full day.
Before paying, make sure you accept three conditions: the speedboat can be replaced by a catamaran, snorkeling depends on the sea, and lunch may be served on the boat instead of the islet. If those changes would ruin the day for you, choose a trip with a guaranteed private boat or a more specific water-activity plan.
For most people, the strongest reason to book is the simple package. You see Ile aux Cerfs, get a chance to visit GRSE Waterfall and its monkeys, eat a BBQ lunch, and spend the day on the water without managing each detail yourself. Just treat the exact boat and stop timing as weather-dependent, and you will have a fair picture of what you are buying.
FAQ
Where does the boat trip depart?
The excursion departs from Trou d’Eau Douce, where catamarans and speedboats leave for Ile aux Cerfs.
What time does the tour start?
The stated start time is 7:30 a.m. Pickup is offered from resorts and villas in Mauritius.
How long does the full experience last?
The total duration is approximately five to eight hours. This includes transportation by road and time sailing.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included at any given resort or villa location in Mauritius, using an air-conditioned vehicle and private transportation.
Is lunch included?
Yes. The package includes a BBQ lunch with smashed potatoes and dessert. A vegetarian option is available.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Beer, arranged local rum, cocktails, and soft drinks are included.
Is the speedboat guaranteed?
No. Boat size can change according to weather and sea conditions. On rainy or rough days, a larger catamaran may be used for safety.
Is snorkeling guaranteed?
No. Snorkeling equipment is available depending on sea conditions. The operator may limit snorkeling when the sea is unsuitable.
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