Mauritius: Ile aux Cerfs Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this Mauritius outing is the change of pace: one minute you are racing across the east coast, and the next you are easing up a river toward Grand River South East Waterfall, where monkeys may be visible in the trees. I like the small-group size of up to 14 people and the simple pleasure of a beach BBQ with beer, wine, juice, water, and local rum included.

I also like that you get real time at Ile aux Cerfs, not just a quick photo stop. The main caution is organization. The speedboat, transfers, and island stops may not always run to the exact schedule, and a few hours of beach time can feel crowded when other boats arrive.

Key points to know before booking

• A five-and-a-half-hour east-coast outing: The listed duration is 330 minutes, with a morning departure and afternoon return.
• Two very different boat stops: You visit the river waterfall first, then cross to the beaches and lagoon around Ile aux Cerfs.
• Lunch is served on Ilot Margenie: Expect a three-course BBQ meal with halal food and vegetarian choices available by request.
• Drinks are part of the package: Soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum are included with lunch.
• Watersports cost extra: Parasailing and tube riding may be available at Ile aux Cerfs, but they are not included in the $56 price.
• Pickup is optional: You can meet across from Green Island Restaurant, or select hotel pickup and drop-off where offered.

Speeding out from Trou D’eau Douce

This trip begins on the east coast of Mauritius at Trou D’eau Douce. The meeting point is on the beach across from Green Island Restaurant. If you select transportation, the driver meets you at your hotel reception or outside your accommodation, with pickup listed across districts including Moka, Flacq, Grand Port, Port Louis, Plaines Wilhems, Savanne, and Pamplemousses.

The exact departure time depends on the date and option you choose. I would allow extra time before the start, especially if you are using hotel pickup. The tour lasts 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours, so this is best viewed as a focused morning-to-afternoon excursion rather than an all-day expedition.

Once aboard, the speedboat is the attraction in its own right. You feel the wind, see the Mauritian coast from the water, and cover ground quickly. A small group of no more than 14 people should make boarding and moving between stops easier than on a large cruise boat, though the size of the boat itself is not specified.

Bring sunglasses and a hat. The open water gives you little shade, and sunscreen is essential. A camera is useful, but protect it from spray. Comfortable shoes are also listed, though you will want swimwear, a towel, and dry clothes for the beach stops.

Grand River South East Waterfall and Cascade Diamamouve

The first major stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, also known as Cascade Diamamouve. The boat moves through the river valleys and gets close to the falling water, giving you a scenic photo stop that feels quite different from the open-sea ride that follows.

This section is short, around 30 minutes in the stated schedule. That makes it a pleasant introduction rather than a long nature visit. You should expect a compact stop for sightseeing, photographs, and views along the riverbanks.

Look into the trees. Monkeys may be seen along the banks, adding a bit of wildlife interest to the waterfall visit. They are not guaranteed, so keep your camera ready without treating the stop as a formal animal-watching trip.

The main practical point is timing. If you want a quiet, slow visit, this may feel rushed. The stop is designed to show you the waterfall from the boat and nearby water, then get you moving toward lunch. Some people will love the efficient pace; others may wish for more time in the river valley.

Beach BBQ on Ilot Margenie

After the waterfall, the boat heads to Ilot Margenie, a smaller island used for the lunch stop. The meal is served on the beach, which is a far more appealing setting than eating inside a restaurant while you are already out on the water.

The package includes a three-course BBQ lunch. Food is halal, and vegetarian meals are available if requested in advance. I would make that request during booking rather than waiting until you arrive, since the information only confirms availability by request.

Drinks are one of the strongest parts of the price. You get soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. This means you do not need to budget separately for the basic drinks served with the meal, though the tour details do not specify how much of each is offered.

The lunch setting has received the clearest praise in the available feedback. The food and the beach location were singled out as especially good, and the included drinks were also appreciated. That matters because a beach lunch can either feel like a proper part of the outing or like a quick refueling stop. Here, it is intended to be one of the central moments.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. You are eating outdoors on a small island, not at a formal dining room. The exact three courses and BBQ menu are not listed, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish.

Ile aux Cerfs, white sand, and turquoise water

The main beach stop is Ile aux Cerfs, one of the best-known island outings near Mauritius. As the boat approaches, you will see palm trees, white sand, and clear turquoise water. This is the part of the tour built for swimming and easy relaxation.

You have about two and a half hours here according to the schedule. That is enough time to swim in the lagoon, sit on the beach, walk around, and visit the arts and crafts market. It is also long enough to add a paid water activity if you want more action.

The lagoon is the reason to bring proper swimwear and a towel. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay on the sand or explore the market. The stop gives you a choice between doing very little and filling the time with activities, which helps suit mixed groups.

The island is not presented as a deserted beach. Other boats use this popular stop, and the atmosphere can become busy. A note from one booking described the waterfall visit as crowded and the boat as carrying too many people. The tour itself is capped at 14 participants, but the island is shared with other groups, so the small-group limit does not guarantee solitude.

Watersports are optional, not included

Parasailing and tube riding are available at Ile aux Cerfs, but they are not part of the $56 price. This is important when comparing the tour with other Mauritius boat trips. The advertised cost covers the speedboat ride, waterfall visit, lunch, drinks, and the listed beach time. Add-on activities require a separate budget.

I like this arrangement because you are not forced to pay for an activity you do not want. You can swim while someone else chooses a faster ride, or you can simply enjoy the sand and water. On the other hand, the package price can look less complete if you arrive expecting every water activity to be included.

Ask about the current price and availability of any watersport before committing. The supplied details confirm the activities but do not give their fees or operating conditions.

How the timing affects the day

The schedule is straightforward:

• Morning departure from Trou D’eau Douce or hotel pickup
• Around 30 minutes at Grand River South East Waterfall
• BBQ lunch and drinks on Ilot Margenie
• About 2.5 hours at Ile aux Cerfs
• Afternoon return to Trou D’eau Douce or your selected drop-off point

The stop lengths are useful, but boat tours are dependent on weather and water conditions. The operator states that a cancellation caused by poor weather leads to another date or a full refund.

I would also leave some flexibility after the scheduled return. One booking had a 40-minute wait for the return transfer, and another described confusion over boat arrangements and a delayed pickup for lunch. These are not reasons to dismiss the tour, but they are good reasons not to schedule a flight, spa appointment, or tightly timed dinner immediately afterward.

The experience provider is Atlantis Tours Mauritius. Guides speak English and French. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to select a particular guide when booking.

Is $56 a fair price?

At $56 per person, the outing offers a lot in one package. You receive a speedboat tour, a waterfall visit, beach time at Ile aux Cerfs, BBQ lunch, a range of drinks, and hotel transport if you choose an option that includes pickup and drop-off.

The value is strongest if you want an easy bundle. Booking transport, a boat, lunch, and a beach visit separately could take more planning, especially if you are staying away from Trou D’eau Douce. The included beer, wine, and local rum also reduce the number of small expenses during the day.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet beach. Ile aux Cerfs is a popular stop, and this format includes several scheduled movements rather than giving you a full day in one place. It is also not the right price comparison for someone planning to parasail or ride a tube, since those activities cost extra.

I would call the price fair for an active, meal-included island trip, with the best return coming from the lunch, drinks, and two distinct settings: the river waterfall and the beach lagoon.

Crowds, transfers, and the points to watch

The experience has a 3.9 rating from 103 bookings, which suggests a generally worthwhile outing with some uneven execution. The strongest praise centers on the BBQ, the attractive lunch setting, and the fact that all the listed drinks are included.

The main weakness is coordination. One booking described being directed toward a catamaran despite purchasing a speedboat option, a lunch pickup arriving 40 minutes late, and another 40-minute wait for the return transfer. Another booking noted too many people on the boat and a rushed, mass-market feel at the waterfall.

I would confirm your boat type at pickup. If your confirmation says speedboat, make sure the crew knows that is the option you selected. I would also keep your phone available in case the driver or crew needs to coordinate a meeting point.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women. Infants aged one to four are free, according to the booking information. No special accessibility details are provided, so you should ask the operator directly if you have mobility or boarding concerns.

What to pack for the water and beach

Pack light, but bring the things that make a wet day easier:

• Swimwear and a towel
• A change of clothes
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• Comfortable shoes
• Water
• A camera or phone in a waterproof case

The tour information specifically recommends bringing water even though water is included with lunch. That is sensible, since you may want something to drink between stops.

I would wear clothes that dry quickly and keep valuables to a minimum. There is no stated storage arrangement on the boat, so do not assume that larger bags will be convenient.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several east-coast sights in one outing without arranging each part yourself. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who like a mix of speed, scenery, food, swimming, and free time.

It is also a good fit if you want drinks included and prefer a beach lunch to a restaurant meal. The English and French guiding makes the trip accessible to a broad range of visitors.

I would hesitate if you dislike fixed schedules, crowded island stops, or the possibility of transfer delays. You may prefer a slower private boat outing if your main goal is peace and quiet. And if you are pregnant, this activity is specifically listed as unsuitable.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-priced east-coast sampler with a waterfall, a halal BBQ, included drinks, and a substantial stop at Ile aux Cerfs. The strongest reasons to go are the beach lunch and the chance to combine river scenery with lagoon swimming in roughly five and a half hours.

Before booking, confirm whether your option includes hotel transport, request a vegetarian meal if needed, and check that the boat type is the speedboat you selected. Leave room in your schedule for delays, and budget separately for parasailing or tube riding.

For an active first look at Mauritius’s east coast, I think the $56 price is sensible. Just choose it for variety and convenience, not for a perfectly quiet beach day or clockwork timing.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs boat tour last?

The tour lasts 330 minutes, which is about five and a half hours. It starts in the morning and returns in the afternoon.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is on the beach across from Green Island Restaurant in Trou D’eau Douce.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select an option that offers them. The driver meets you at your hotel reception or outside your accommodation.

What food is included?

A three-course BBQ lunch is included and served on Ilot Margenie. The food is halal, and vegetarian options are available by request.

Which drinks are included?

Soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum are included with the tour.

Are watersports included in the price?

No. Parasailing and tube riding at Ile aux Cerfs are optional activities and are not included.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. You can swim in the clear lagoon at Ile aux Cerfs. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.