Mauritius: Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch

Ile aux Cerfs is Mauritius at its most playful. This five-hour speedboat trip combines white beaches and turquoise lagoons with the Grande Rivière South East waterfall, then adds a beach BBQ with drinks. I like the lively boat ride and the easy mix of sightseeing, swimming, sand, and food.

I also like the strong value at $64 per person, especially with lunch, beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice included. The main trade-off is time: lunch takes a sizable part of the day, so you may wish for more free time on Ile aux Cerfs itself.

Key points to know before you go

• Speedboat access from Trou d’Eau Douce: You spend much of the outing on the water rather than sitting on a slow ferry.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you free time: Walk the white sand, enjoy the lagoon, and set your own pace before lunch.
• The waterfall stop is a scenic boat visit: You cruise toward Grande Rivière South East and pass by the falls rather than spending a long time ashore.
• Beach BBQ and drinks are included: Fish, chicken, garlic bread, salad, pasta, seasonal fruit, and a range of drinks are part of the price.
• The day is praised for its organization: Recent feedback highlights the friendly staff, smooth arrangements, beach meal, rum, and helpful service.
• Plan around physical limits: The trip is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments.

Why this east-coast outing works so well

Mauritius has many ways to reach Ile aux Cerfs, but this option gives the journey real energy. You meet outside Chez Tino Restaurant on B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce, receive a short briefing, and walk to the jetty. From there, the speedboat turns the transfer into one of the main attractions.

The opening ride takes about 20 minutes. That is long enough to feel the speed and see the coast, but not so long that you are stuck on the boat before reaching the island. If you enjoy being on the water, this is a much more exciting start than simply treating transportation as a necessary chore.

The tour has a clear rhythm: boat, island, boat, waterfall area, lunch, then boat back. I like that variety. You are not asked to spend five straight hours on a beach, and you are not pushed through a long list of land stops. The experience stays focused on the east-coast water, Ile aux Cerfs, and a relaxed meal outdoors.

The rating of 4.6 from 158 reviews fits the experience as described. The strongest praise centers on the organization, welcoming staff, boat crossings, food, and care shown by the operators. One recent five-star account singled out the complete combination of the crossing, guide, welcome, meal, waterfall with monkeys, beach BBQ, rum, and return by speedboat.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce by speedboat

Chez Tino Restaurant is the practical meeting point. Look for the guide outside the restaurant on B59, rather than heading straight to an unspecified beach or pier. The tour is conducted in French and English, which helps if you need the schedule or meeting instructions explained clearly.

After the briefing, you head to the jetty and board the boat. The provided details do not specify the boat size or group capacity, so I would not expect a private charter unless that is separately confirmed. The important point is that the ride is shared and built around speed, views, and access to several places in one half-day.

The first 20-minute crossing takes you toward Ile aux Cerfs. Along the way, you ride through the coast and lagoon waters, with the boat itself providing some of the excitement. If you have back trouble, take the warning seriously. A fast boat can make bumps more noticeable, and the operator specifically says the activity is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments.

Bring a practical beach kit. You will want swimwear, sun protection, and something comfortable for walking on sand. The supplied information does not state that towels or snorkeling equipment are provided, so do not count on those extras unless you confirm them before booking.

Free time on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the center of the day. You get time to walk and enjoy the island, rather than simply seeing it from the boat. The main appeal is easy to understand: broad white sand, clear turquoise water, and a lagoon setting that invites you to slow down.

I like the freedom here. There is no required activity listed beyond walking and enjoying the surroundings. You can use the time for a beach stroll, sit near the water, or take a swim if conditions and the schedule allow. The tour description also emphasizes relaxation, so the island stop is not meant to feel like a race from one sight to the next.

That said, free time is limited by the overall five-hour schedule. The most useful criticism in the feedback is that too much time can be spent at lunch, leaving less time on the island. If Ile aux Cerfs is your main reason for booking, pay close attention to how the guide divides the day.

This is a good example of a tour that offers variety at the cost of depth. You see the island, the waterfall area, and the coast, but you do not get an entire day to settle into one beach. I think that is a fair exchange for visitors who want a broad taste of the east coast in one outing.

The Grande Rivière South East waterfall by boat

After the island visit, the boat ride continues for about 45 minutes toward the Grande Rivière South East waterfall. This is the longest single transfer in the schedule, so it becomes an important part of the experience rather than a quick hop between stops.

The route takes you through lagoon waters and toward the river mouth. The setting includes green mangroves, water channels, and the changing scenery of the east coast. The waterfall is a famous local sight, but the schedule describes this as a boat cruise and pass-by. You should expect to view the falls from the water, not spend a long period walking around the site.

That distinction matters. One account enjoyed seeing the waterfall along with monkeys, but the formal plan does not promise an extended land visit or a specific wildlife encounter. You might see monkeys in the area, but treat that as a possibility, not a guaranteed part of the tour.

The 45-minute ride can be rewarding if you enjoy boat scenery. It may feel long if you are focused only on beach time. I would choose this outing because the waterfall adds a second setting to the day, not because it offers a detailed waterfall visit.

BBQ lunch on the beach

Lunch is served back at Ile aux Cerfs, giving the middle of the tour a relaxed beach setting. The meal includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request, so you should state your needs when booking rather than waiting until the meal begins.

Drinks are also included: beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice. That makes the $64 price more attractive, since you are not paying separately for the main meal and basic refreshments. The rum is part of the local holiday feel, but you can also choose water, juice, or a soft drink.

The meal seems to be one of the best-liked parts of the experience. The most enthusiastic feedback praises the BBQ on the beach, rum, and attentive service. That tells you what kind of lunch to expect: informal, social, and built around the setting rather than a formal restaurant meal.

Still, lunch is the tour’s main time concern. One four-star assessment felt the meal took too long and would have preferred additional time on Ile aux Cerfs. I would not book this tour expecting a quick sandwich followed by hours of swimming. The food is part of the attraction, and the schedule gives it real weight.

What $64 includes, and what it does not

At $64 per person, the price is reasonable for a five-hour east-coast outing if you want several elements bundled together. You receive speedboat transport, the Ile aux Cerfs visit, the GRSE waterfall cruise, BBQ lunch, and drinks. You also avoid the hassle of arranging separate transport between the island and waterfall area.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want a compact introduction to this part of Mauritius. You get water views, beach time, a well-known natural sight, and a meal without building the day yourself. The included drinks add useful value, especially if you would otherwise buy beer or soft drinks at a beach venue.

The value is less clear if you want a quiet, unstructured beach day. In that case, the fixed schedule and group meal may feel restrictive. You are paying for variety and coordination, not simply for access to a beach.

The operator is Societe fernand lacour & fils. Recent feedback gives particular credit to the staff and organization, including a five-star assessment that described the crossing, guide, welcome, meal, and care from the organizers as excellent. A separate four-star assessment also described the day as well organized and the staff as friendly.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an active half-day with several changes of scene. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a planned outing to piecing together boat transport and lunch independently.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy a little speed and movement. The boat ride is not just a transfer, and the lagoon route gives the day a sense of motion. You get time to relax, but the tour does not leave you sitting in one place from start to finish.

This may not suit you if you have back problems or reduced mobility. The operator specifically excludes people with those conditions, and the combination of a jetty, speedboat, beach, and walking can be physically demanding.

You should also think about your priorities. Pick this tour if you want to combine Ile aux Cerfs with the GRSE waterfall and a BBQ. Choose a longer island stay instead if your top goal is maximum beach time.

Timing, language, and simple planning advice

The advertised duration is five hours, but the start time depends on availability. Check the schedule before booking, especially if you have a hotel transfer, another excursion, or a flight-related commitment later in the day.

The meeting point is specific: outside Chez Tino Restaurant, B59, Trou d’Eau Douce. Arrive with enough time to find the guide and hear the briefing. The tour is offered in French and English, so tell the staff which language you prefer.

The cancellation terms are useful if your plans are not fixed. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those policies do not change the experience itself, but they reduce the risk of committing too early.

I would also confirm dietary needs in advance. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available on request, but the key words are on request. The standard lunch includes fish and chicken, so do not assume an alternative will appear automatically.

My verdict on the five-hour speedboat day

You should book this tour if you want an efficient, good-value taste of Mauritius’s east coast. The winning combination is the fast boat ride, free time on Ile aux Cerfs, a scenic pass by the GRSE waterfall, and a full beach BBQ with drinks included.

You should skip it if you want most of the day on one beach or if boat movement and sandy access are difficult for you. The clearest weakness is the balance between lunch and island time, so beach-focused visitors may feel shortchanged.

For everyone else, $64 buys a well-packed half-day with friendly service and several memorable settings. Keep your expectations clear: this is a lively sightseeing-and-lunch outing, not a slow private beach escape.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is outside Chez Tino Restaurant on B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

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

What places does the tour visit?

The experience includes Ile aux Cerfs and the Grande Rivière South East waterfall area.

How do you reach Ile aux Cerfs?

You travel by speedboat from the jetty near Trou d’Eau Douce. The first speedboat ride takes about 20 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The included BBQ lunch features fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice.

Are vegetarian or gluten-free meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian and gluten-free food is available on request.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments and people with back problems.