Mauritius: Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch

The best part of this Mauritius outing is the speedboat route itself. You move from the jetty at Trou d’Eau Douce across bright lagoons to Ile aux Cerfs, then continue toward the Grand River South East waterfall before returning for a beach BBQ. It packs several east-coast sights into five hours without making you spend the day on a slow ferry.

I like the easy mix of island time and local food. You get white sand, warm turquoise water, a waterfall cruise, grilled fish or chicken, seasonal fruit, and drinks including beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, juice, and water. The staff also received strong praise for their welcome, organization, and care.

The main trade-off is time. One Italian guest felt too much of the outing went to lunch and wanted more time on Ile aux Cerfs. If your priority is a long, quiet beach session, this schedule may feel brisk. If you want several highlights in one morning or afternoon, the pace works better.

Key points to know before you book

• The speedboat is the main attraction: You ride between Trou d’Eau Douce, Ile aux Cerfs, and the waterfall rather than simply taking one transfer to the beach.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you free time: Walk the white sand, enjoy the lagoon, and settle into the island at your own pace before lunch.
• The waterfall is a boat visit: You cruise toward the Grand River South East waterfall and pass by it rather than getting a long land-based visit.
• Lunch is generous for the price: Fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, seasonal fruit, and a broad drinks selection are included.
• Five hours goes quickly: The trip is best for variety, not for spending most of the day on one beach.
• It costs $64 per person: That is solid value when you count the boat transport, two major sights, lunch, and drinks.

Why this east-coast boat trip works

Mauritius has many ways to reach Ile aux Cerfs, but this outing makes the ride part of the day. The speedboat cuts across the lagoon and gives you a faster, more open-air trip than a standard boat transfer. You can expect spray, wind, and sun, so protect your phone and camera before leaving the jetty.

The meeting point is outside Chez Tino Restaurant on B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce. You receive a short briefing about the plan, then walk to the jetty with the guide. French and English are available, which is useful for a quick explanation of the route, lunch, and return time.

The format is simple. You go out by speedboat, spend time at Ile aux Cerfs, cruise toward the Grand River South East waterfall, return to the island for lunch, and then ride back to Trou d’Eau Douce. The order gives you a little sightseeing, a little beach time, and a meal without requiring separate bookings.

I see this as a good choice for a first look at the east coast. You do not need to organize a boat, find a lunch stop, or negotiate several short transfers. The cost of $64 includes the key pieces, so you can judge the value against what you would pay for transport and food on your own.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce by speedboat

The first listed boat ride takes about 20 minutes. That is long enough to make the crossing feel like an activity, but short enough that you reach Ile aux Cerfs without losing half the morning.

Trou d’Eau Douce is the practical starting point for this side of Mauritius. After the briefing, you board at the jetty and head toward the lagoon. The boat gives you a clear sense of the coast and the shallow, bright water around the island.

Do not expect a quiet, slow cruise. A speedboat ride is more active than a covered ferry, and the open seating leaves you exposed to sun and spray. People with back problems should skip this trip, and it is not suited to people with mobility impairments. That is worth taking seriously before booking, since getting on and off a small boat can be awkward.

For everyone else, this first stretch is a lively start. You get moving quickly, and the boat ride helps make the five-hour schedule feel full rather than padded.

Free time on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the center of the experience. Your free time is for walking and taking in the white sand and lagoon. The appeal is not a long guided lecture. It is the chance to get out of the boat, feel the sand, and look across the clear water at your own pace.

This is the point where the schedule matters most. The supplied plan does not give a precise number of minutes for the island walk, so you should listen carefully to the guide’s return instructions. Do not wander far without knowing when the group leaves for the waterfall.

The island is a strong fit for you if you want a short beach break with scenery and water in one stop. You can walk, take photographs, or simply sit with a drink later at lunch. The lagoon is also a good reason to bring swimwear, though the supplied details do not promise a specific swimming or water-sports session.

If your dream is several hours of uninterrupted beach time, you may find this stop too short. One guest specifically preferred more island time and less time at lunch. That is the clearest limitation of the schedule, and it is better to know it before you reserve.

The 45-minute ride toward Grand River South East

After the island visit, you board the speedboat again for a longer ride of about 45 minutes. This is not just a transfer between two points. The route takes you along the coast and inland toward the Grand River South East waterfall.

The river setting changes the feel of the outing. Instead of open lagoon and beach, you see the waterway and lush mangroves around the river mouth. The waterfall is visited by boat, and the plan describes a cruise and a pass by the falls rather than a long stop ashore.

You may also see monkeys around the waterfall area, an unusual detail noted in the experience feedback. Keep your camera ready, but do not count on a close encounter or a long viewing period. The stop is designed to give you a scenic look from the boat before the group heads back toward Ile aux Cerfs.

This is an important expectation to set. If you want to hike to a waterfall or spend a large part of the day at the river, this is not that kind of excursion. You get a coastal boat ride, a river approach, and a view of the falls within a compact program.

A beach BBQ with a broad drinks menu

Lunch takes place on Ile aux Cerfs, with the beach as your setting. The meal includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian and gluten-free food is available on request, so mention your needs when booking rather than waiting until you sit down.

Drinks are part of the package. You can have beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice. That makes the $64 price more appealing, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, bottled water, and a couple of drinks near a major beach attraction.

The meal is also where the schedule may feel less generous. The food is a real part of the outing, not a quick snack between boat rides. If you enjoy a relaxed BBQ with a drink and a view, this is a plus. If you would rather trade a long lunch for another hour on the beach, you may feel the balance is off.

The best approach is to treat lunch as one of the planned highlights, not an interruption. The food list is substantial, and the inclusion of local rum gives the meal a distinctly Mauritius feel. Drink responsibly, since you still have a speedboat ride back.

What the staff and organization add

The strongest praise centers on the way the day is handled. The welcome, boat crossings, guide, meal, and general organization were all singled out as working well. That matters on an outing with several moving parts. A late boat, unclear meeting point, or poorly timed lunch could easily eat into your short island visit.

The provider is Societe fernand lacour & fils. Guides speak French and English, and the meeting point is specific: outside Chez Tino Restaurant, B59, Trou d’Eau Douce. Arriving at the named restaurant is simpler than searching for an unnamed beach or jetty.

You should still arrive ready for a short briefing and follow the guide’s timing closely. The program moves from restaurant to jetty, island, river, island, and back to the restaurant. Good organization helps, but you are responsible for staying with the group and returning to the boat on time.

The feedback also points to friendly staff who take care of the group. That is especially useful if you are unsure about the route or need to confirm a vegetarian or gluten-free meal. There are no guide names provided, so do not expect to request a particular person.

Is $64 a good value?

For five hours, $64 per person is a fair package price. You are paying for speedboat transport, access to Ile aux Cerfs, the Grand River South East waterfall visit, a full BBQ lunch, and drinks. Adding those items separately could cost more and would require extra planning.

The value is strongest if you want variety. In a single half-day, you get a beach island, lagoon views, a river and waterfall cruise, food, and a return boat ride. You also avoid the hassle of arranging an independent boat and then finding lunch near the island.

The value is weaker if you measure a trip by beach time alone. The island stop is only one part of the five-hour schedule, and the meal takes a meaningful portion of the day. A cheaper beach transfer with your own lunch might suit you better if you want to choose exactly how long you stay on the sand.

The overall rating of 4.6 from 158 reviews supports the idea that the package delivers what it promises, but the 4 out of 5 feedback about lunch timing is useful. High marks do not erase the basic compromise: you get breadth instead of a slow, empty afternoon.

Who should choose this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want an active introduction to Mauritius’s east coast and prefer one organized outing over several separate arrangements. Couples, families with older children, and short-stay visitors can all benefit from the compact route, provided everyone is comfortable on a speedboat.

It suits you particularly well if you enjoy:

• Boat travel as much as beach time
• A mix of coast, lagoon, river, and waterfall scenery
• A prepared meal with drinks included
• A half-day plan that leaves other time for sightseeing
• French or English guidance
• A fixed price with the main costs already covered

I would think twice if you have back trouble, limited mobility, or a strong dislike of boat spray and fast crossings. I would also choose another plan if your main goal is to spend most of the day alone on Ile aux Cerfs.

Bring sun protection, a towel, swimwear if you plan to use the lagoon, and a waterproof pouch for electronics. These are practical choices for an open speedboat and a beach-based lunch, even though the supplied details do not specify equipment rentals or changing facilities.

Booking details that affect your choice

The trip lasts five hours, but starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. The stated meeting point is outside Chez Tino Restaurant in Trou d’Eau Douce, not directly at a general hotel pickup area.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you flexibility while your Mauritius plans are still taking shape.

Be clear about dietary needs when reserving. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request, while the standard meal includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, salad, pasta, and fruit.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a well-packed five-hour sampler of Mauritius’s east coast. The speedboat ride, island walk, Grand River South East waterfall, beach BBQ, and included drinks make $64 a sensible price for a broad experience.

Skip it if you want a slow beach day, need easy access for mobility reasons, or dislike the idea of giving lunch a large share of your island time. For most people who value variety and simple planning, this is a practical way to see several east-coast highlights in one outing. Just go in expecting a brisk schedule, not an all-day stay on Ile aux Cerfs.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Which languages are available?

The driver or guide speaks French and English.

What places does the speedboat visit?

The route includes Ile aux Cerfs and the Grand River South East waterfall. The waterfall portion is a boat cruise and pass-by visit.

What food is included?

Lunch includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruits. Vegetarian and gluten-free food is available on request.

Which drinks are included?

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

Is cancellation available?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments.