Mauritius: Ile aux cerfs, waterfalls and bbq Boat Day

Ile aux Cerfs is the headline here, but the smart part of this day is the mix: white-sand island time, a waterfall stop, and lunch cooked on the beach. For $64, you get speedboat transport, food, and a good range of drinks without having to arrange each piece yourself.

I especially like the generous midday meal and the chance to choose your own pace on Ile aux Cerfs. You can settle on the sand or walk toward Margenie Island before the boat collects you at 12:30. The main drawback is that this is not a quiet, private outing. You also need to bring your own towel, and snorkeling equipment is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• 9:30 am departure from Trou D’eau Douce: Your day begins from the specified meeting point, with return planned for about 3:00 to 3:30 pm.
• Free time on Ile aux Cerfs: You have until 12:30 to relax, swim, or walk toward Margenie Island.
• GRSE waterfall and monkeys: The route includes a stop at the waterfall, with a chance to watch monkeys being fed.
• Beach BBQ with plenty of drinks: The meal includes grilled fish, chicken, potatoes, salad, bread with garlic butter, pineapple, soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and rum.
• Speedboat transport included: The price covers the boat ride to and from Ile aux Cerfs, plus the waterfall transfer.
• Not suitable for wheelchair users: Expect boat transfers, beach conditions, and stops that may be difficult for anyone with limited mobility.

A full island day from Trou D’eau Douce

The schedule starts at 9:30 am from Trou D’eau Douce, a useful departure point for reaching the east coast islands. The speedboat carries you out toward Ile aux Cerfs, so the trip itself becomes part of the day rather than a simple transfer.

You should plan for a fairly active outing, even though there is plenty of time to relax. The boat, beach, waterfall stop, and outdoor lunch create a varied day, but they also mean you will move between several settings rather than stay in one place.

The listed return time is around 3:00 to 3:30 pm. That makes this a manageable day trip if you want to see one of Mauritius’s best-known island stops without committing an entire evening.

Ile aux Cerfs, beaches and time to wander

Ile aux Cerfs gives you the longest free period of the day. After the boat drops you off, you can relax until 12:30, giving you several hours for sand, sea, and sun.

The plan does not force you into a single activity. You can simply sit by the water, take a swim, or walk toward Margenie Island. That flexibility is valuable because people come to Ile aux Cerfs for different reasons. Some want a classic beach break, while others would rather keep moving and see more of the nearby island area.

Keep an eye on the time. The boat will collect you at the same place where the skipper leaves you, so you need to return there for the 12:30 pickup. The walking option toward Margenie Island is a nice touch, but do not let a long stroll make you late.

The tour does not include snorkeling equipment. If snorkeling is important to you, bring your own gear if practical, or treat the island stop mainly as a beach and walking break. The supplied information does not promise a snorkeling session, so this is not the best choice if underwater activities are your main goal.

A towel is also not included. Pack one, along with sun protection and anything you need for a few hours around the water. Those items are small, but forgetting them can make a beach stop less comfortable.

GRSE waterfall and monkeys

After the Ile aux Cerfs stop, the speedboat continues to the GRSE waterfall. This changes the mood of the day. Instead of more open beach, you get a short nature stop with moving water and a chance to see monkeys being fed.

The monkeys are one of the more unusual parts of this itinerary. They give the waterfall visit extra interest, especially if you want more than a standard beach excursion. You can admire the falls and watch the animals before continuing to lunch.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The information provided does not give a long hiking route or an extended visit at the waterfall. Think of it as a scenic stop built into a boat day, not a serious trek or wildlife expedition.

The stop also helps break up the beach time. By the time you leave Ile aux Cerfs, a change of scenery can be welcome, particularly on a hot day. You get a look at another side of Mauritius without adding a separate excursion.

What the BBQ lunch includes

Lunch is a strong part of the value. The meal includes grilled fish, chicken, potatoes, salad, bread with garlic butter, and pineapple. That gives you a proper plate of food rather than a small snack between boat rides.

Drinks are also included: soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and rum. The listing notes that super alcoholic drinks are not included, so the included rum should not be read as an open bar for every type of spirit.

I like the range here because it covers a simple family meal as well as a more social beach lunch. You can choose food and drinks that suit you without paying separately for every basic item. The garlic bread, grilled food, and pineapple keep the menu straightforward and fitting for a day outdoors.

Lunch is served after the waterfall visit, and then you have another period to relax before the speedboat comes to collect you. That second rest period means the day is not one nonstop sequence of stops. You get time to eat, sit, and enjoy the setting before the return trip.

The exact serving arrangement and seating details are not specified, so do not book this expecting a formal restaurant meal. The appeal is the simple BBQ setup, outdoor setting, and the fact that food and drinks are already covered in the price.

Is $64 good value?

At $64 per person, this is good value if you want a ready-made day with transport, sightseeing, lunch, and drinks. Buying those parts separately could take more planning and may not give you the same simple flow from island to waterfall to meal.

The strongest value comes from what is included. You receive the speedboat journey to and from Ile aux Cerfs, the waterfall visit, the monkey-feeding stop, BBQ lunch, and a broad drink selection. You are paying for a full outing, not just a short boat transfer.

The price is less attractive if you only want time on Ile aux Cerfs. In that case, a shorter transfer or beach visit might be enough, though no alternative price is provided here. This outing makes the most sense when you want the full combination.

A verified booking from Nico in Germany received a top rating and described the value for money as excellent. That matches the structure of the day: the food, beverages, boat transfers, and several stops are bundled into one price.

What the boat schedule means for you

The timetable is clear enough to plan around. You leave Trou D’eau Douce at 9:30 am, return to the pickup point at Ile aux Cerfs at 12:30, continue to the GRSE waterfall, eat lunch, relax again, and return around 3:00 to 3:30 pm.

You should treat those times as the working shape of the day. The tour information does not give exact travel times between each stop, so the island walk and lunch break need to fit around the stated pickups.

The speedboat is useful because it links the different locations without asking you to arrange separate transport. It also makes the outing feel more like a day on the water than a standard road excursion.

The provider is Saeta speedboat ile aux cerfs. No individual skipper or guide name is supplied, so you should not expect to book this around a particular guide. The experience is centered on the route, boat crew, island time, and included meal.

Who should book this day

I would recommend this for couples, families, and small groups who want a simple all-in-one outing. It suits people who like a mix of beach time and sightseeing, with lunch and drinks handled as part of the day.

It is also a good fit if you prefer some freedom rather than a tightly directed walking tour. Your Ile aux Cerfs time is largely your own, and you can decide how much of it goes to relaxing or walking toward Margenie Island.

You may want another option if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also less suitable if snorkeling is your top priority, because gear is not included and no dedicated snorkeling activity is promised.

Bring a towel, and consider packing only what you need for the beach and boat. The tour includes food and drinks, so you do not need to plan around buying lunch, water, or basic refreshments during the day.

Booking flexibility and practical details

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging the rest of your Mauritius plans.

The activity runs every day, with the stated departure at 9:30 am. Availability should still be checked for your chosen date, since the booking information says starting times depend on availability.

The description says you can skip the ticket line, though the main practical issue is getting to the departure point in Trou D’eau Douce on time. Since the day depends on boat pickups, arriving late could mean missing the beginning of the outing.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs boat day?

Book it if you want one organized day that combines Mauritius beach scenery, a speedboat ride, a waterfall and monkey stop, and a substantial BBQ lunch. At $64, the included food, drinks, and transport give the trip a strong value-for-money case.

Skip it if you want a private or quiet beach day, need wheelchair access, or mainly want snorkeling. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see Ile aux Cerfs without giving up the chance to sample another part of the island.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Trou D’eau Douce at 9:30 am.

How long does the activity last?

It is a full-day activity, beginning at 9:30 am and returning around 3:00 to 3:30 pm.

Is speedboat transport included?

Yes. The price includes the speedboat going to and returning from Ile aux Cerfs.

How much free time do I get on Ile aux Cerfs?

You can stay on Ile aux Cerfs until 12:30. During that time, you can relax or walk toward Margenie Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes grilled fish, chicken, potatoes, salad, bread with garlic butter, and pineapple.

What drinks are included?

Soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and rum are included. Super alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users.