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

Three islands, one fast-moving day. This Mauritius speedboat trip packs Ile aux Cerfs, Lighthouse Island, and Ile aux Aigrettes into about seven hours, with snorkeling, a waterfall stop, a beach barbecue, and drinks included. I like the mix of scenery and activities, especially the chance to reach places that would be awkward to visit in one day on your own. I also like that the group is limited to 15 people.

The main catch is the boat arrangement. One booking party expected a private ride for four but found a speedboat carrying about 12 people. The day still proved enjoyable, but you should book this as a shared excursion unless private use is clearly confirmed in writing.

Key points to know before booking

• Three island stops in one day: You visit Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, and the beach at Ile aux Aigrettes.
• A fast boat with a long ride: Boat travel takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way, so roughly three hours of the day are spent getting to and from the sights.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a barbecue meal on Ile aux Cerfs, plus alcoholic and soft drinks.
• Snorkeling is part of the plan: The Eau Bleue area near Vieux Grand Port is used as a natural aquarium stop.
• A small group, not necessarily a private charter: The maximum is 15 people, but the boat may still be shared with other bookings.
• Early start at Trou d’Eau Douce: You meet at 7:30 am and return to the same meeting point.

Why this speedboat day works well in Mauritius

Mauritius has a long list of beaches, islands, reefs, rivers, and viewpoints. The problem is fitting them together without spending your whole holiday arranging boats and transfers. This outing gives you a practical answer: start at Trou d’Eau Douce, board a speedboat, and let the crew link several eastern-coast sights into one day.

I like the variety here. You are not asked to spend seven hours on one beach. You get open-water views, a historic lighthouse, a waterfall, a snorkel stop, and time for lunch on Ile aux Cerfs. Each stop is fairly short, so the day feels active rather than slow.

The pace also explains the price of $88.81 per person. That is not simply a beach transfer. The cost includes the boat, lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and several stops. Hotel pickup is not included, so you must arrange your own way to Trou d’Eau Douce or pay extra for a pickup if that option is available.

I would judge the price as fair for someone who wants a full day on the water and would otherwise need to book several separate activities. It is less attractive if your main goal is a quiet beach day, since the long boat journey and scheduled stops take up a good part of your time.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 am

The day begins at Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 am. That early start matters because the route includes several islands and a return journey of about 1 hour and 30 minutes by boat. You are not simply heading to the nearest beach and coming back before lunch.

The meeting point is near public transportation, but hotel transfers are not part of the standard price. I would check your route carefully the night before, especially if you are staying far from Trou d’Eau Douce. A late arrival would be a poor way to begin a boat trip with a fixed departure time.

The operator confirms the booking at the time of reservation. Since the experience depends on good weather and a minimum number of bookings, keep your schedule a little flexible. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive another date or a full refund.

The long speedboat ride to the islands

Speedboats make this route feel much more direct than a slow cruise, but the boat ride is still a major part of the day. The stated travel time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way. That gives you plenty of time to look out across the water, but it also means you should be comfortable with several hours of boat travel.

The maximum group size is 15. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large sightseeing vessel, and it should make boarding and moving between stops fairly simple. Still, do not confuse the group limit with a private charter. One party of four expected a private trip and discovered at boarding that around 12 people were sharing the speedboat.

That misunderstanding is the clearest warning attached to this experience. If privacy matters to you, ask specifically if the boat is private, how many people will be aboard, and whether the answer applies to your booking date. If you are happy to share, the group size looks manageable.

The operator received especially strong praise for being organized, on time, and professional, with a friendly guide helping make the day enjoyable. Those qualities matter on a route with multiple stops. A late departure or unclear timing could easily cut into your time at Ile aux Cerfs.

Ile aux Cerfs: barbecue, drinks, and beach time

Ile aux Cerfs is the central stop, with about 1 hour and 30 minutes set aside for the island. Lunch and drinks are served here, and this is where the trip shifts from sightseeing to a relaxed beach break.

The included barbecue is a useful part of the value. You do not need to find a restaurant between boat departures, and the meal is built into the schedule. Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are also included, which makes the lunch stop feel like part of the experience rather than an extra expense.

The time limit is worth noting. Ninety minutes is enough for lunch and some time on the sand, but it is not a full afternoon. If you want hours of swimming, reading, or wandering, this visit may feel brief. If you prefer a day with several different sights, the short stop keeps things moving.

I would treat Ile aux Cerfs as the social and relaxing portion of the trip. The lighthouse offers a different kind of stop, the waterfall adds an inland view, and snorkeling gives you time in the water. Here, the appeal is simple: sit on the beach, eat, have a drink, and enjoy the setting before getting back on the boat.

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse and its coastal story

The stop at Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile aux Phare, lasts about 30 minutes. The skippers give a short explanation of the island’s past, then allow time to visit the lighthouse area.

Half an hour is enough for a focused look, but not for a long exploration. You should expect an introduction and a brief visit rather than a formal museum-style tour. The stop works best for people who enjoy adding a little context to the scenery.

The lighthouse gives the day a strong visual change. After open water and beach time, you are looking at a distinct island landmark with a story connected to Mauritius’s coast. I like this inclusion because it prevents the trip from becoming only a sequence of swimming stops.

Keep your expectations measured. The supplied details do not promise extended access to every part of the lighthouse or a long guided walk. The value is in seeing the island from the boat and hearing the skipper explain its role, all without needing to plan a separate visit.

Eau Bleue at Vieux Grand Port for snorkeling

The snorkeling stop takes place at a natural aquarium known as Eau Bleue near Vieux Grand Port. About 40 minutes are allocated for this part of the day.

This is one of the more active sections of the trip. You can snorkel in clear water and look for tropical fish, so bring your interest in getting wet and moving around in the sea. The experience requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and that applies most clearly here, as well as to boarding and leaving the speedboat.

Forty minutes gives you a useful taste of the water rather than a long reef session. I would see this as a chance to swim and observe marine life, not as a specialist snorkeling excursion. If snorkeling is your main reason for visiting Mauritius, you may want a more dedicated trip. If you want it as one part of a varied day, the timing is sensible.

The stop also breaks up the sightseeing. After the beach and lighthouse, getting into the water gives you something active to do before the later island stop and the return ride.

Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall

After Ile aux Cerfs, the boat takes you to Grande Riviere Sud Est, described as the second-longest waterfall in Mauritius. The stop itself is listed at about 15 minutes.

That is a quick pause, so I would expect a view and photographs rather than a hike or a long visit. The short timing is not necessarily a weakness. From the boat, the waterfall adds a completely different scene to the day without requiring a long inland transfer.

The river setting also helps you see more than the beach side of eastern Mauritius. You get a glimpse of water moving from the interior toward the coast, then return to the sea route. For me, this is a small but worthwhile stop because it gives the day more range.

Do not book this trip mainly for waterfall time. Fifteen minutes is enough to appreciate the sight, but not enough to explore the river area in detail.

Ile aux Aigrettes: a final beach drink

On the return, the boat stops at Ile aux Aigrettes for about 30 minutes. The visit is limited to the beach, with a final drink before the journey back.

This is a gentle end to the sightseeing portion. You have already had lunch, visited the lighthouse, snorkeled, and seen the waterfall. A final beach stop lets you slow down before the long ride to Trou d’Eau Douce.

The name can cause confusion because Ile aux Aigrettes is associated with a nature reserve, but this activity specifies a beach stop. You should not assume that a reserve tour or wildlife visit is included. The planned experience here is a short beach break and drink.

I like the order of this stop. It gives you one last chance to enjoy the coast without adding another demanding activity. At the same time, anyone hoping for an extended nature-reserve visit should choose a different experience or confirm exactly what access is offered.

What the $88.81 price really covers

At $88.81 per person, the package includes the full-day speedboat trip, lunch, alcoholic drinks, and soft drinks. It also links several sights that would be difficult to combine without a boat operator.

The strongest value comes from the number of elements packed into one day:

• Boat transport between the eastern islands
• Time on Ile aux Cerfs
• Barbecue lunch
• Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
• Lighthouse Island
• Snorkeling at Eau Bleue
• Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall
• Ile aux Aigrettes beach

Hotel pickup and drop-off are excluded. That is the main extra cost to consider. You also need to account for your own transport to the 7:30 am meeting point.

I would book this for convenience and variety, not luxury. The speedboat is a practical way to connect the stops, and the included food and drinks make the price easier to understand. The shared-boat issue means I would not pay this amount expecting a private charter unless that arrangement is clearly confirmed.

Who will enjoy this day most

I think this tour suits you if you want to see several sides of Mauritius in one outing. It works particularly well if you enjoy a busy schedule, short scenic stops, swimming, and a casual meal outdoors.

It is also a good fit if you are staying near Trou d’Eau Douce and can reach the meeting point without trouble. The early start and return to the same location keep the plan straightforward.

You may want another option if you dislike long boat rides, need a very relaxed schedule, or want to spend most of the day on one beach. The 1 hour and 30 minute boat journey each way is significant. You should also choose carefully if you need a private boat, since the standard experience can be shared.

A moderate fitness level is recommended. You should be comfortable boarding a speedboat, spending time on the water, and taking part in a snorkeling stop. The details do not specify equipment arrangements, so ask the operator if you need to know what snorkeling gear is supplied.

Practical booking advice for Sam Tours

Sam Tours runs this experience, with a maximum of 15 people. The strongest service points are punctuality, organization, professionalism, and a friendly guide. Those qualities are particularly useful here because the day has several timed stops and a long return journey.

Before paying, I would confirm four things:

• Is your booking for a shared or private boat?
• How many people are expected on your departure date?
• Is hotel pickup available for an extra charge?
• What snorkeling equipment, if any, is included?

These questions do not change the basic value of the tour, but they help prevent the one major misunderstanding reported about the experience.

The cancellation terms are generous if you plan ahead. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and bad weather or too few bookings can also lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat trip?

I would book it if you want a full eastern-coast day with several island stops, a barbecue, drinks, snorkeling, and a waterfall view. The route offers much more variety than a simple transfer to Ile aux Cerfs, and the included food and drinks make the price reasonable.

I would skip it if you want a private boat, long beach time, or a slow, quiet outing. The smart approach is to treat this as an active shared excursion with a fixed schedule. Confirm the boat arrangement before booking, arrive ready for a long ride, and you will know exactly what kind of day you are buying.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:30 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $88.81 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Which islands are included?

The day includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, and a beach stop at Ile aux Aigrettes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served during the Ile aux Cerfs stop.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are included.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The boat stops near Vieux Grand Port at Eau Bleue, described as a natural aquarium, for snorkeling.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people. This does not necessarily mean the boat is private.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund.