Mauritius: 3 Activities + Ile aux Cerfs Boat tour w/ BBQ

Fast water fun meets island scenery. This six-hour Mauritius outing pairs parasailing, undersea walking, and a tube ride at Belle Mare with a speedboat trip to Grand River South East Waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs. I like the strong mix of thrills and quiet beach time, plus the BBQ lunch and drinks served on Ile aux Margenie. The main catch is the split meeting points: you must arrange your own taxi or rental car between Belle Mare and Trou D’eau Douce.

I also like that the morning activities are easy to sample without committing to a full day at sea. The waterfall stop adds a welcome change of pace, and the friendly Aquasea team has earned especially warm praise, including for gentle help during the undersea walk. Timing, however, needs attention. One group missed Ile aux Cerfs after the first part ran late, so you should ask for a clear schedule before setting off.

Key points at a glance

• Three Belle Mare water activities: Parasailing, undersea walking, and a tube ride are the core morning thrills.
• A separate transfer is required: After Belle Mare, you need your own taxi or rental car to Trou D’eau Douce.
• Grand River South East Waterfall by speedboat: The 30-minute stop includes a close look at Cascade Diamamouve and possible monkey spotting.
• Beach BBQ on Ile aux Margenie: Lunch comes with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.
• Free time at Ile aux Cerfs: Swim in the lagoon, relax on white sand, and browse the arts and crafts market.
• Good value for active visitors: At $124 per person, the package combines several paid activities, boat transport, food, and drinks, but personal transfers are extra.

Belle Mare starts the day with three different thrills

Your morning begins at the Aquasea Watersports office at Belle Mare, located between Long Beach hotel and Emperror Restaurant. The activity portion lasts about two hours, giving you a compact run of water sports before the island cruise later in the day.

The three featured activities are parasailing, undersea walking, and a tube ride. Each offers a different kind of fun. Parasailing gives you a high view over the lagoon, while the tube ride keeps you close to the water and adds a faster, more playful jolt. Undersea walking is the unusual one, since you can look below the surface without needing standard scuba equipment.

The undersea walk has been one of the most praised parts of the experience. The Aquasea crew is described as patient and gentle, which matters when you are trying an unfamiliar activity. It is suitable for children from age nine if they have broad shoulders, but the overall package is not suitable for children under eight.

You should expect to get wet. Wear swimwear, carry a towel and change of clothes, and protect your phone and camera from spray. Comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for water activities are sensible, and you will want extra sunscreen for reapplication.

The tour information also lists scuba diving and a banana boat ride in the Belle Mare schedule, but the stated inclusions identify parasailing, undersea walking, and the tube ride. If one of the other activities is important to you, confirm the exact morning program before paying.

The transfer between Belle Mare and Trou D’eau Douce matters

This is the most important practical detail in the whole package. The day uses two locations, and transport between them is not included.

After the Belle Mare activities, you must hire a taxi or rent a car to reach the second meeting point at Trou D’eau Douce. The drive is described as about 15 minutes from Belle Mare, but the short distance does not remove the need for planning. You need enough time to finish the water sports, collect your belongings, dry off, and reach the boat departure point.

Ask the activity team for precise timing at the start of the morning. One disappointing experience came from a late arrival at the second meeting point, after the guests said they had not been given a clear timetable. They missed Ile aux Cerfs, which was a major part of what they had paid for.

That warning does not mean the day is poorly organized for everyone. Several people praised the staff as professional, cheerful, and helpful. It does mean you should take control of the connection. Arrange a taxi in advance if possible, keep the driver’s details close, and do not assume the speedboat will wait.

A speedboat run to Grand River South East Waterfall

At Trou D’eau Douce, you board a speedboat for the afternoon section. The boat ride brings a welcome change from the fixed watersports area, with open views along the east coast and a closer feel to the water.

The first stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, also called Cascade Diamamouve. The boat moves through the river valleys toward the falls, with about 30 minutes set aside for sightseeing, photographs, and a close look at the natural setting.

The waterfall itself is not the only attraction. Look into the trees along the riverbanks for monkeys. They may not appear on command, so keep your camera ready, but the possibility adds a bit of wildlife interest to what could otherwise be a quick photo stop.

The quality of the explanation can vary. One account praised the boat handling during the waterfall visit, while another found the speedboat ride too loud and received little information about the falls or the monkeys. If your captain is quiet, ask questions. You will get more from the stop if you know what you are looking for instead of simply pointing a camera at the water.

The speedboat can also mean spray, so keep sunglasses secure and be ready for wet conditions. A hat, sunscreen, and a camera are useful, but carry electronics with care.

Ile aux Margenie brings lunch, drinks, and a beach setting

After the waterfall, the boat heads to Ile aux Margenie, a small island used for the beach meal. This stop lasts about an hour and a half when lunch and time on the sand are counted together.

The advertised meal is a three-course BBQ lunch, served outdoors by the beach. The food is described as simple and sufficient rather than elaborate. One German booking praised the lunch as basic but adequate, especially in such a pleasant island setting. A French comment felt that the meal amounted to only one dish, so you should keep your expectations at the casual beach cookout level rather than a restaurant meal.

Drinks are a strong part of the package. You receive soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. That makes the $124 price more attractive, since you are not paying separately for every drink while sitting on the island.

The setting does much of the work here. You can eat close to the beach, take in the island views, and slow down after the morning’s activities. The meal is less about fine dining and more about keeping you fed during a long active day.

If you do not drink alcohol, the nonalcoholic options are clearly included. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify special menus, so ask before booking rather than assuming the BBQ can be changed.

Ile aux Cerfs is the relaxed finish

The final island stop is Ile aux Cerfs, one of the best-known beach and lagoon settings on Mauritius. You get about an hour and a half for a visit, free time, swimming, sightseeing, and a look at the arts and crafts market.

The first thing you notice is the contrast between white sand and clear turquoise water. Palm trees frame the shore, and the lagoon is the main reason to bring swimwear even if you were already in the water at Belle Mare.

This is your chance to stop rushing. Swim, sit on the beach, browse the market, or simply enjoy the view before returning by boat to Trou D’eau Douce. The time is useful but not generous. If you want a long beach day, this package may feel hurried. It is designed to give you a taste of several east coast highlights in one outing.

The French feedback that described the waterfall and island visits as rushed is worth keeping in mind. The schedule works best if you enjoy variety and movement. It is less suitable if you want two or three unhurried hours in one place.

How the $124 price measures up

At $124 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer, but it covers a lot. You get three water activities, a speedboat tour, the waterfall visit, a BBQ lunch, a broad selection of drinks, and time at Ile aux Cerfs.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise book parasailing, undersea walking, and a boat trip separately. The package also removes the need to negotiate several activity bookings once you are there. The food and drinks add real value, especially for a six-hour day.

The price is less attractive if you only want Ile aux Cerfs or only want one water activity. You also need to add the cost of getting from Belle Mare to Trou D’eau Douce, because hotel pickup, drop-off, and the inter-location transfer are not included.

The package is best viewed as a busy sampler of the east coast. You pay for breadth, not slow travel. That can be a good deal for a first visit to Mauritius, especially if your time is limited.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this outing to active couples, first-time visitors, families with older children, and anyone who wants several highlights without arranging each part alone.

It suits people who like a little adrenaline in the morning and a beach afternoon afterward. The undersea walk is particularly useful for someone curious about underwater sights but not ready for scuba equipment.

You should think twice if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, have had recent surgery, or have a low level of fitness. The tour is also not suitable for children under eight. Undersea walking is practical from age nine for children with broad shoulders, but the operator’s restrictions should guide your choice.

This is not the right pick if you need a fully private, quiet day. The schedule includes several activities and public stops, and the speedboat experience may include loud music and limited commentary. It is also not ideal if missing one island stop would ruin the day, unless you can secure clear transfer times.

What to pack and how to protect your time

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, sunscreen, water, and a camera. Extra sunscreen is important because the day combines open water, beach time, and outdoor activity.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can handle water. Expect the speedboat to spray you, even if the weather is fine.

Before the first activity, confirm four details:

• What time the Belle Mare activities finish
• When you must arrive at Trou D’eau Douce
• How much time you have for the transfer
• What happens if weather delays one part of the day

Bad weather can lead to a partial refund if an activity is cancelled. That is different from receiving a full refund for a day that feels rushed, so ask how the operator handles changes before departure.

The team speaks English and French. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Belle Mare and Ile aux Cerfs combination?

Book it if you want a high-energy introduction to Mauritius’s east coast, especially if parasailing, undersea walking, and a tube ride all appeal to you. The friendly watersports team, island BBQ, included drinks, waterfall stop, and lagoon swimming make the $124 price fair for a packed six-hour program.

I would book with one condition: sort out the Belle Mare to Trou D’eau Douce transfer before the morning begins. Ask for a written or clearly stated timetable, leave a safety margin, and remember that the schedule favors variety over lingering.

If your priority is a calm beach day, choose a simpler Ile aux Cerfs trip. If you want several first-time thrills in one outing and can manage the transfer, this package gives you a lot to do for the money.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about six hours, with starting times available based on the selected date.

Where does the day begin?

You meet the team at the Aquasea Watersports office at Belle Mare, between Long Beach hotel and Emperror Restaurant.

What water activities are included?

The stated inclusions are parasailing, undersea walking, and a tube ride.

Is transport between the two activity locations included?

No. You must arrange a taxi or rent a car to travel from Belle Mare to Trou D’eau Douce after the morning activities.

What food and drinks are included?

A three-course BBQ lunch is included, along with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Does the tour visit Grand River South East Waterfall?

Yes. The speedboat stops at Grand River South East Waterfall, also known as Cascade Diamamouve, for sightseeing and photographs.

Is Ile aux Cerfs included?

Yes. The tour includes a visit to Ile aux Cerfs, with free time for swimming, sightseeing, relaxing on the beach, and visiting the arts and crafts market.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, a camera, sunscreen, and water. You should also be ready for wet conditions on the speedboat.