Mauritius: 3 Activities + Ile aux Cerfs Boat tour w/ BBQ

Mauritius packs a lot into this six-hour outing: three water activities at Belle Mare, a fast boat ride up Grand River South East, a beach BBQ, and time on Ile aux Cerfs. The undersea walk is the unusual part, while parasailing gives you the best broad view of the coast.

I like the mix of adrenaline and easy beach time. You can start with a tube ride and parasailing, then slow down over lunch and a swim. I also like the waterfall stop, where monkeys may be visible in the trees along the riverbanks. The main drawback is the split meeting point: after Belle Mare, you must arrange your own taxi or rental car to Trou D’eau Douce, and a rushed first half could affect the island visit.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Belle Mare activities: Parasailing, undersea walking, and a tube ride take place in the clear lagoon.
• Two separate starting points: You meet first at Aquasea Watersports, then make your own way to Trou D’eau Douce for the boat.
• A scenic waterfall stop: The speedboat reaches Grand River South East Waterfall, also called Cascade Diamamouve.
• Beach BBQ included: Lunch on Ile aux Margenie comes with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.
• Ile aux Cerfs is your swimming stop: Expect white sand, turquoise lagoon water, free time, and an arts and crafts market.
• Timing matters: The water sports can become busy, so keep a close eye on the time before transferring to the boat departure point.

Belle Mare begins with three very different water activities

Your morning starts at the Aquasea Watersports office, between Long Beach hotel and Emperror Restaurant. The first section lasts about two hours and uses the lagoon at Belle Mare, a good setting for water sports because the water is described as clear and calm enough for several different activities.

Parasailing gives you a quiet view once you are up in the air. The boat and beach become small below you, and the coast opens out around you. It is the least physically demanding of the three activities, although you should still be comfortable being lifted above the water.

The tube ride supplies the speed and splash. You are pulled behind a boat, so this is the part most likely to feel loud, wet, and playful. Wear swimwear and expect to need a towel and a change of clothes afterward.

Undersea walking is the most distinctive activity in the package. You wear equipment that lets you walk below the surface rather than simply swim across it. The stated minimum is age nine, with broad shoulders needed for the equipment to fit properly. Children under eight are not accepted on the tour.

The activity staff receive the strongest praise in the available feedback. One visitor specifically noted how gentle and helpful the undersea-walk guide was, while another described the staff as friendly and professional across all three activities. That matters here, since calm instruction makes a first parasailing or undersea-walking attempt much easier.

There is one practical catch: Belle Mare can be busy. One account described queues and a lack of clear timing during the morning activities. I would arrive ready to move between activities and ask the staff when you must finish. The afternoon boat section is not at the same place, so you cannot treat the first two hours as open-ended beach time.

The transfer to Trou D’eau Douce is your responsibility

After Belle Mare, you must get from Point A to Point B on your own. The tour does not include hotel pickup, drop-off, or the transfer from Aquasea Watersports to Trou D’eau Douce.

This is the most important detail to understand before paying. Arrange a taxi or rental car in advance, leave a sensible buffer, and confirm the speedboat meeting time before the morning begins. The package price covers the activities and boat outing, but not this connecting ride.

The distance is described as about 15 minutes by car from Belle Mare to Trou D’eau Douce. That sounds simple, but a short road transfer can still become a problem if the water sports run late or you are waiting for transport. One disappointing account resulted from arriving late for the second part and missing the Ile aux Cerfs visit. The lesson is plain: the afternoon departure is a hard point in your day, not a flexible suggestion.

The speedboat ride adds a more scenic side to the day

At Trou D’eau Douce, you board the speedboat and meet the crew. The boat ride gives the day a different pace after the organized water sports. You move through the river and coastal water toward Grand River South East Waterfall, with the boat itself providing part of the fun.

The boat section can be wet, so keep your camera protected and avoid carrying anything you do not want splashed. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel are useful. The supplied information describes music on one boat and limited explanation during the ride, so you should not expect a long guided talk about every sight.

That may matter to you if you want local context. The natural scenery is the main attraction, but the guide’s explanation can shape how much you notice. Ask about the waterfall and monkeys if the crew does not point them out.

Grand River South East Waterfall is short but worthwhile

The waterfall visit lasts about 30 minutes. The speedboat moves into the river and through the surrounding valleys, bringing you close to Grand River South East Waterfall, known locally as Cascade Diamamouve.

This is a photo stop and scenic boat cruise rather than a long walk or extended nature visit. You see the waterfall from the water, take pictures, and look along the riverbanks. Monkeys may be sitting among the trees, so keep watching the vegetation rather than focusing only on the falls.

The stop works well because it breaks up the beach portion of the day. You get a glimpse of an inland river setting before returning to open water and the islands. Just keep your expectations in check. Thirty minutes is enough for the main view, but not enough for a relaxed exploration of the river area.

The quality of the boat guidance may vary. One account praised the driver’s skill in handling the waterfall route, while another found the ride light on explanation. I would treat this as a visual stop with a boat maneuver, not as a detailed cultural or nature tour.

Lunch on Ile aux Margenie keeps the middle of the day simple

After the waterfall, the boat heads to Ile aux Margenie for a beach BBQ. The meal is described as a three-course lunch, with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum included.

The setting is the real appeal. Eating on a small island gives you a break from restaurants and hotel dining rooms, and the included drinks make lunch easy. One firsthand account called the meal simple but sufficient and praised the island setting. Another account was less satisfied with the food description, suggesting that expectations should remain modest.

I would think of this as a practical beach lunch, not a gourmet event. You are paying for the combination of food, drinks, boat travel, and access to the islands. The meal should refuel you before swimming, but it is wise not to book this package mainly for cuisine.

The BBQ team receives positive marks for its welcome, and the local rum gives the meal a distinctly Mauritian touch. Pace yourself with alcohol, especially if you plan to swim afterward or are prone to motion sickness on the return boat.

Ile aux Cerfs offers the classic Mauritius postcard hour

The final major stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you get about 90 minutes for sightseeing, swimming, free time, and a possible visit to the arts and crafts market.

This is the most polished beach scene of the day: white sand, palm trees, and bright lagoon water. You can swim, sit on the beach, or browse the market instead of chasing another activity. After the noisy morning, that slower stretch is welcome.

The time is useful but not generous. You can enjoy a swim and take photographs, but you may not have time to explore every part of the island. The tour description calls for a visit to Ile aux Cerfs after lunch, but one account shows why keeping to schedule matters: missing the island means losing one of the package’s main rewards.

Bring a small amount of money if you want to look at the arts and crafts market, although personal expenses are not included. Keep your valuables limited, since this is a wet day with boat travel and swimming.

Is $124 a fair price for this combination?

At $124 per person, the value depends on how much of the day you would otherwise book separately. The price includes three water activities, a speedboat tour, the waterfall stop, a three-course BBQ, local drinks, Ile aux Margenie, and Ile aux Cerfs.

That is a strong bundle if you want variety and do not want to arrange each activity yourself. Parasailing, undersea walking, and a tube ride could easily fill a morning on their own. Adding a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and two island stops makes the package convenient once you are at the correct meeting points.

The value drops if you prefer slow travel. The schedule is tight, the transfer between locations is not included, and the Ile aux Cerfs visit can be lost if the timing goes wrong. You are also paying for activities you may not all want. Someone who only wants a quiet beach day could spend less and have a calmer experience.

I see this as a good price for an active first look at the east coast, provided you budget separately for the taxi or rental car and protect the afternoon departure time.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius day most?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and friends who want a busy day with several highlights. The activities suit people who are comfortable getting wet, moving between boats, and following a schedule.

The undersea walk is suitable for children from age nine if they have broad enough shoulders for the equipment. Children under eight are not accepted. Pregnant people, anyone with back or heart problems, people with recent surgery, and those with a low fitness level should not book this activity.

It is also a good match for first-time visitors with limited time in Mauritius. You see Belle Mare, Grand River South East Waterfall, Ile aux Margenie, and Ile aux Cerfs in one outing. The tradeoff is that none of those places receives a long, unhurried visit.

What to bring and how to keep the day comfortable

Wear swimwear beneath comfortable clothes and use shoes suitable for water activities. Pack a towel, spare clothes, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, water, and a camera.

Apply sunscreen again during the day. The boat, beach, and water sports all increase your exposure, and a single morning application will not be enough. Protect your phone and camera from spray during the speedboat ride.

The tour is offered in English and French. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. If bad weather cancels an activity, the information provided says a partial refund will be handled.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want maximum variety in a compact day and you are happy to organize your own transfer between Belle Mare and Trou D’eau Douce. The water sports receive the clearest praise, especially the undersea walk, tube ride, parasailing, and helpful activity staff.

Think twice if you want detailed guiding, generous time at every stop, or a relaxed island schedule. Confirm the boat departure time, arrange transport before the morning starts, and treat lunch as a pleasant beach BBQ rather than a major culinary event. With those expectations, this is a lively and fairly priced way to combine Mauritius water sports with its best-known east coast island scenery.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is six hours. The schedule includes about two hours of Belle Mare water sports, a 30-minute waterfall visit, about 90 minutes for lunch, and about 90 minutes at Ile aux Cerfs, plus the transfer between the two starting locations.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at the Aquasea Watersports office in Belle Mare, located between Long Beach hotel and Emperror Restaurant.

Do I need to arrange transport during the tour?

Yes. After the three Belle Mare activities, you must arrange your own taxi or rental car to Trou D’eau Douce for the speedboat portion. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What activities are included at Belle Mare?

The package includes parasailing, undersea walking, and a tube ride. The itinerary also lists scuba diving and a banana boat ride, but the included-activities section specifically identifies parasailing, underseawalk, and tube ride.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course BBQ lunch is included on Ile aux Margenie, along with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

What age is required for the undersea walk?

The undersea walk is suitable for children from age nine if they have broad shoulders for the equipment. The overall tour is not suitable for children under eight.

What happens if bad weather cancels an activity?

Any activity cancelled because of bad weather is handled with a partial refund. You can also cancel the booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.