Mauritius : Ile Aux Cerfs 3 islands Speed Boat Trip with BBQ

Mauritius packs a lot into one day here: three island stops, a waterfall, a snorkeling break, and a barbecue on the sand. The speedboat makes the trip feel lively, while the route gives you a quick look at the southeast coast rather than keeping you in one beach resort.

I like the mix of scenery and activities, especially the contrast between the old lighthouse island and the clear-water stop at Eau Bleue. I also like that lunch, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included. The main thing to check is the group arrangement: this is not automatically a private boat, and one booking for four people was placed on a shared boat with about 12 people.

Key points at a glance

• Three island settings in one morning and afternoon: Île aux Cerfs, Île aux Fouquets, and a beach stop near Île aux Aigrettes.
• A barbecue lunch on Île aux Cerfs: Food and drinks are included, with about an hour and a half on the island.
• A fast route across the southeast coast: Boat travel takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way.
• Snorkeling at Eau Bleue: You get around 40 minutes at a natural aquarium area near Vieux Grand Port.
• A short stop at Grand River’s waterfall: The visit lasts about 15 minutes, so treat it as a scenic pause rather than a full waterfall outing.
• Small shared group, not guaranteed private: The maximum is 15 people, and hotel pickup is available only for an extra charge.

Why this seven-hour boat trip works

This is a full day on the water, but it is not a slow cruise. You leave Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 am and use a speedboat to link several sights that would be awkward to visit independently in one day.

That pace is the main appeal. You get a taste of Mauritius beyond a single resort beach. The route includes open-water views, a historic lighthouse, a sand-and-sea lunch stop, snorkeling, and a waterfall. None of the individual stops is extremely long, but together they create a varied day.

The tour is priced at $88.81 per person. I see that as reasonable if you plan to use the included lunch, drinks, boat transport, and guided route. You would also avoid arranging separate transport to the islands and waterfall. The value is less convincing if your main goal is several quiet hours on Île aux Cerfs, since the day is built around moving between stops.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 am

The meeting point is in Trou d’Eau Douce, and the activity returns there at the end. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they can be arranged for an extra fee.

That detail matters. If you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius, allow time and money for getting to the starting point. The early departure also means you should plan your morning carefully. The experience lasts about seven hours, and the boat journey alone accounts for roughly three hours of that total, split between the outward and return legs.

A speedboat is useful here because it turns the travel itself into part of the experience. You are not simply being driven from one attraction to another. At the same time, the boat ride can feel like a large part of the day if you prefer long beach stays over coastal sightseeing.

The boat holds up to 15 people. That is small enough to feel more personal than a large excursion boat, but you should not assume privacy. A booking made for four people was filled with about 12 passengers, and the group was refused a refund after discovering the arrangement. If you want an exclusive boat, confirm that directly before paying.

Île aux Cerfs and the sand barbecue

Île aux Cerfs is the main stop, with about an hour and a half on the island. Lunch and drinks are served here, making it the practical center of the day.

The appeal is easy to understand. You get time on one of Mauritius’s best-known island beaches without having to arrange a separate boat transfer. A barbecue meal served by the sand gives the stop a relaxed, social feel, and alcoholic and soft drinks are included.

Do not read the schedule as a full beach day. The time passes quickly once you arrive, find your bearings, eat, and take in the shore. If you want a long swim, extended sunbathing, or a leisurely walk across the island, this schedule may feel tight.

I would treat Île aux Cerfs as the lunch and beach highlight, not the only reason to book. Its value comes from how it fits into the wider route. You get the island, a meal, and time near the water, then continue to less developed and more historical parts of the coast.

The old lighthouse at Île aux Fouquets

The lighthouse stop lasts about 30 minutes. The skippers give a short explanation of the island’s history, followed by time to see Île aux Fouquets, also called Île aux Phare.

This is a good change of pace after the beach. The island’s lighthouse gives the trip a visible link to Mauritius’s maritime past, and the briefing helps you understand why this small offshore site matters. Do not expect a long museum visit or a detailed historical tour. The stop is compact, with the boat route and other activities taking priority.

Half an hour is enough for a quick look and photographs, but not for extended exploration. I like this stop because it adds character to a day that could otherwise become a string of beach visits. If historic sites are your main interest, though, you may want a separate outing with more time at each location.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleue near Vieux Grand Port

The snorkeling stop comes near Vieux Grand Port, at a natural aquarium area known as Eau Bleue. You get around 40 minutes in the water.

This is one of the most useful parts of the day for anyone who wants more than sightseeing from the boat. The clear water is used for viewing tropical fish, so bring your interest in simple reef snorkeling rather than expecting a long, specialist marine excursion.

Forty minutes gives you time to get in, look around, and return to the boat without turning the stop into an all-day water activity. Because the tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, you should be comfortable handling a boat stop and getting into the water. The supplied details do not promise particular snorkeling equipment, so confirm what is provided before departure if that affects your plans.

Weather matters here. Calm, clear conditions make any snorkeling stop more enjoyable, and this activity may be canceled if poor weather makes the trip unsuitable. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The short visit to Grand River’s waterfall

After Île aux Cerfs, the boat heads to Grande Rivière Sud Est, home to the Grand River waterfall. The stop lasts about 15 minutes.

That is enough for a quick scenic pause and photographs. It is not enough for a long walk, a separate viewpoint circuit, or a relaxed waterfall visit. Think of this as one attractive piece of a broad coastal route.

The waterfall adds variety to the day. You move from open sea and sandy islands to a river setting without needing another vehicle. I would keep your expectations in proportion to the timing. The attraction is the change of scenery and the chance to see the waterfall from the tour route, not a lengthy nature stop.

The final beach drink at Île aux Aigrettes

On the return journey, the boat stops for about 30 minutes at the beach of Île aux Aigrettes. The schedule describes this as a final drink stop rather than a full visit to the nature reserve itself.

That distinction is important. You are getting beach access near the reserve, not a detailed wildlife or conservation tour. The short stop works as a final pause before the boat heads back to Trou d’Eau Douce.

After a busy day, half an hour on the beach can be welcome. You can have the last included drink, enjoy the shore, and gather yourself before the return journey. If you hoped to explore the reserve, ask for clarification before booking, since the advertised stop is specifically on the beach.

What the shared boat setup means

The maximum group size is 15 people, which keeps the outing smaller than a large party boat. Still, the experience can be shared with other bookings, and the available information does not promise a private charter.

This is the most important point to settle before you go. A shared speedboat can be fun, especially when the guide is organized and friendly. One highly positive account praised the trip for being on time, well run, and led by a particularly pleasant guide. That kind of guide can make a busy day feel easy.

But group size affects comfort. You may have less control over how long the boat pauses, where you sit, or how much quiet time you get. If your booking is for a couple or a small family and you want privacy, ask Sam Tours whether the departure is shared and what the private option would cost.

The tour has an average rating of 4.5 from six ratings, with praise for the organization and guide as well as a clear complaint about the private-trip misunderstanding. That gives you a fair picture: the basic day can be very enjoyable, but expectations about the boat need to be clear.

Food, drinks, and what to plan for

Lunch is included, along with alcoholic drinks and soft drinks. The barbecue on Île aux Cerfs is a useful part of the price because you do not need to find a restaurant during the island stop.

You should still plan for a long day outdoors. The schedule moves between boat travel, beach time, snorkeling, and short sightseeing stops. Pack practical beach clothing and anything you need for time in the sun, but the supplied information does not specify a full equipment list, so ask the operator about snorkeling gear and other inclusions.

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. That does not mean you need to be an athlete, but you should be ready for a full day on a boat and an active water stop. If you have mobility concerns, contact Sam Tours before booking rather than assuming the boat and beaches will be easy to manage.

Who will get the most from this Mauritius excursion

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a broad first look at Mauritius’s southeast coast. It suits people who like variety and do not mind a schedule that keeps moving.

It is also a good choice for couples, friends, and families who want lunch included and prefer a guided day over arranging several separate transfers. The small maximum group size, if the boat is not full, may also feel more relaxed than a large organized excursion.

You may want another option if you want a private boat, a slow day on one beach, or long visits at historical and natural sites. The 15-minute waterfall stop and 30-minute lighthouse visit are brief by design. This is a sampler of several places, not an in-depth tour of any one of them.

The $88.81 price makes the most sense when you value convenience. You are paying for a full-day route, speedboat transport, lunch, drinks, and several stops. Hotel transfers cost extra, and the long boat journey means the outing is not seven hours of sightseeing on land. Factor in your transport to Trou d’Eau Douce and decide whether the complete package matches your plans.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the tour is near public transportation. The activity requires a minimum number of people, so it can be canceled if that number is not reached. In that case, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Mauritius time.

The weather rule is worth noting for a boat day. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. I would avoid scheduling this as your only possible island day if your wider Mauritius plans are very tight.

Should you book the Île aux Cerfs speedboat trip?

Book it if you want many highlights in one day: islands, a lighthouse, snorkeling, a waterfall, a barbecue, and drinks. The organized route saves planning time, and the guide’s timing and attitude can make the long day run smoothly.

Book with care if a private boat is important to you. The group can be shared, despite one party expecting a private trip, so confirm that point with Sam Tours before payment. Also remember that Île aux Cerfs receives about an hour and a half, while several other stops are short.

For a first taste of the southeast coast, I think this is a strong-value outing at $88.81. For a quiet beach day or a private charter, choose something more focused.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius, at 7:30 am. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. Around 1 hour and 30 minutes of travel by boat is included in the total time each way.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price, but they can be arranged for an additional cost.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Île aux Cerfs, Île aux Fouquets lighthouse island, and a beach stop at Île aux Aigrettes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served during the Île aux Cerfs stop. Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are also included.

How much time is available for snorkeling?

The snorkeling stop at Eau Bleue near Vieux Grand Port lasts about 40 minutes.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size may also result in an alternative date or a full refund.