Mauritius: Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch

Ile aux Cerfs is the star here, but the speedboat ride gives this half-day trip its spark. You race from Trou d’Eau Douce across bright lagoons, pause for the Grande Rivière South East waterfall, then settle onto white sand for lunch. The waterfall visit is by boat, so you see it from the water rather than taking a long inland walk.

I like the mix of beach time and scenery. You get a proper stretch of free time on Ile aux Cerfs, along with a cruise through mangroves and the chance to spot monkeys near the cascade. I also like the generous meal and drink setup: fish, chicken, garlic bread, salads, pasta, fruit, beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice.

The main trade-off is time. With five hours total, lunch takes a sizable part of the day, and one traveler specifically wished for more time on Ile aux Cerfs. If your priority is lying on the beach for hours, this schedule may feel rushed.

Key points to know before you book

• The tour begins outside Chez Tino Restaurant: Meet at B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce, then walk to the nearby jetty after a short briefing.
• The speedboat covers the main transfers: Expect about 20 minutes to Ile aux Cerfs, 45 minutes for the wider boat outing toward the waterfall, and 20 minutes back.
• The waterfall is a boat stop, not a hike: You cruise past Grande Rivière South East and view the cascade from the water.
• Lunch is served on Ile aux Cerfs: The barbecue includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, seasonal fruit, and drinks.
• The tour offers both French and English service: Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available if requested ahead of time.
• The $64 price includes the major extras: Transport by speedboat, island access, waterfall visit, food, and a broad drink selection are all part of the package.

Why the speedboat makes this Mauritius trip worthwhile

Many island outings ask you to choose between a beach day and a boat trip. This one gives you both, though neither gets unlimited time. You spend the morning or afternoon moving through the east coast’s lagoons, then get a beach meal and free time on Ile aux Cerfs.

The speedboat matters because it keeps the trip moving. You are not spending the whole day on a slow ferry. The ride from Trou d’Eau Douce to Ile aux Cerfs takes about 20 minutes, followed later by a longer 45-minute boat section toward Grande Rivière South East. That means you see more water and shoreline in a short period.

I would choose this outing if you want a lively introduction to east Mauritius. It gives you a taste of the island’s famous sand, lagoons, river mouth, and boat culture without asking you to plan separate transport, lunch, and drinks.

The boat ride is also part of the scenery, not just a way to get from point A to point B. You pass through turquoise water and along a coast marked by green mangroves. The pace can be exciting, but it also means you should expect spray, movement, and a less peaceful ride than you would get on a larger covered boat.

Starting at Chez Tino Restaurant in Trou d’Eau Douce

Your meeting point is outside Chez Tino Restaurant on B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce. The guide gives you a short briefing about the day before taking you to the jetty.

This simple arrangement is useful if you are staying in or around Trou d’Eau Douce, since you know exactly where to begin. Still, I would allow extra time to find the restaurant and get settled. The meeting point is not described as a hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way there.

The briefing should help you understand the order of the stops, the boat ride, and the lunch plan. Since the day includes both a moving boat and time on foot at Ile aux Cerfs, listen carefully to any instructions about where and when to meet back up.

French and English are the listed languages. No individual guide names are provided, but the service is offered in both languages, which is helpful for mixed-language groups.

The first 20 minutes to Ile aux Cerfs

Once aboard, the speedboat takes about 20 minutes to reach Ile aux Cerfs. This opening ride is short enough that you get to the island quickly, but long enough to begin seeing the east coast from the water.

Ile aux Cerfs is known for its white sand and clear turquoise water. Your free time here is the most flexible part of the trip. You can walk along the beach, feel the sand underfoot, and look across the lagoon. The information provided does not promise water sports or a particular swimming area, so think of this section as beach time and island exploration rather than a scheduled activity list.

The island can be the emotional high point for anyone seeking classic Mauritius scenery. The color contrast is strong: pale sand, clear water, and green vegetation. I would bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and footwear that is comfortable for walking on sand.

The catch is that this is not an all-day beach stay. You also have a waterfall cruise and a long lunch stop ahead. If you want the maximum amount of free time, keep your walk focused and do not expect to inspect every part of the island.

Cruising toward Grande Rivière South East

After your time on Ile aux Cerfs, the boat makes a longer run of about 45 minutes toward Grande Rivière South East. This is the more scenic transport section of the day.

Grande Rivière South East is known for its waterfall, and the boat cruise lets you approach the area from the water. You pass through a setting of green mangroves and river scenery before viewing the cascade. The waterfall stop is not described as a shore excursion, so you should not expect a long walk to the base or a separate hiking section.

That limitation is worth understanding before booking. The cruise gives you a different view of the waterfall and keeps the day comfortable for people who prefer not to hike. On the other hand, anyone hoping to stand beside the falls will find this visit brief.

The cascade is also associated with monkeys in the surrounding area. You might see them near the waterfall, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Keep your camera ready, but do not let the possibility of monkeys distract you from the main experience, which is the boat approach through the river and mangroves.

Beach barbecue on Ile aux Cerfs

The boat returns to Ile aux Cerfs for lunch. This is not a quick sandwich eaten between stops. The schedule gives lunch a substantial place in the day, which explains why one traveler wanted more island time and less time at the meal.

The food is a practical barbecue spread:

• Fish
• Chicken
• Garlic bread
• Mixed salad
• Pasta
• Seasonal fruit

Drinks include beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice. The inclusion of rum gives the meal a distinctly island feel, while water and juice make the offering suitable for people who do not drink alcohol.

Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request. I would make that request before the day of the trip rather than waiting until lunch. The standard menu includes fish and chicken, so anyone with dietary needs should not assume a suitable substitute will appear automatically.

A beach barbecue can be one of the best parts of a Mauritius outing because the setting does much of the work. You eat with the sand and lagoon nearby instead of sitting in an enclosed restaurant. At the same time, this is a shared tour meal, not a private dining experience. The value comes from convenience, setting, and the broad menu rather than a fine-dining presentation.

Several specific parts of the operation receive especially strong praise: the organization, friendly staff, welcome, meal, and attention to the group. That combination matters. A good beach meal depends as much on timing and service as it does on the food, and this experience appears designed to make lunch easy after the boat outings.

How much beach time will you really get?

The honest answer is: enough to enjoy Ile aux Cerfs, but not enough for a full lazy beach day. The total experience lasts five hours, and that time includes the opening transfer, the island visit, the 45-minute boat cruise, lunch, and the ride back to Trou d’Eau Douce.

The schedule gives you two island periods. The first is listed as free time for walking. The second is centered on lunch and drinks. You may have some time around the meal to sit by the lagoon or return to the beach, but the precise amount of unstructured time is not stated.

This is where your priorities matter. If you want several hours of uninterrupted swimming and sun, choose a longer beach-focused outing. If you want to combine the island with a waterfall and a meal, the compact schedule makes sense.

I would also think about the season and your energy level. Five hours on a speedboat, walking on sand, sitting outdoors for lunch, and moving between locations can feel full even though the tour is only half a day. It is a good length for fitting another activity into your Mauritius plans, but it is not a quiet resort afternoon.

The value of $64 per person

At $64 per person, the price is reasonable for what is included. You are paying for the speedboat transportation, time on Ile aux Cerfs, the Grande Rivière South East cruise, a full barbecue lunch, and a wide range of drinks.

The drink inclusion is especially useful. Beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, juice, and water can add up quickly if purchased separately at a beach destination. The meal also covers several food types, so the cost is not simply for a basic boat transfer.

The price becomes less attractive only if you mainly want unstructured beach time. In that case, part of what you pay supports the waterfall cruise and organized lunch, even if those are not your top interests.

For a first visit to east Mauritius, I think the package works well. You get several signature sights in a single five-hour outing, and you do not need to arrange a boat, island visit, meal, and river cruise on your own. The strongest value is the combination, not any single stop.

Comfort, mobility, and what to bring

This is an active boat-and-beach outing, not a fully accessible sightseeing cruise. It is listed as unsuitable for people with back problems and mobility impairments. Boarding a speedboat, riding over open water, walking on sand, and moving around a jetty can be demanding.

If you have a back condition, the motion of the boat is an important concern. Ask a medical professional before booking if you are unsure. The same applies to anyone who needs step-free access or assistance transferring between land and boat.

For everyone else, pack lightly but sensibly:

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Towel
• Secure footwear for the beach and jetty
• Waterproof protection for your phone and camera
• Extra water if you prefer to carry your own, even though water is included

You should also expect the boat ride to be part of the physical experience. Hold on as instructed and keep loose items secure. The provided information does not specify a boat size, shade arrangement, or storage space, so avoid bringing bulky luggage.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, and anyone with limited time who wants a broad sample of east Mauritius. The mix of speed, sand, food, and river scenery keeps the day varied.

It also suits you if you like organized travel but do not want every minute spent inside a coach. Most of the movement happens by boat, and the beach lunch gives the day an easy social rhythm.

You may want a different plan if your main goal is serious swimming, long beach reading, or a slow private meal. The scheduled waterfall cruise and barbecue take time away from the beach, and the short duration means the program has a firm pace.

The experience is also less suitable for anyone with mobility limitations, back problems, or a strong dislike of boat motion. The speedboat is central to the outing, not a minor transfer.

Booking details and flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, according to the stated terms. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful while you settle other Mauritius plans.

Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. The activity provider is Societe fernand lacour & fils. No hotel pickup is listed, so plan to reach Chez Tino Restaurant in Trou d’Eau Douce independently.

Do not forget to request a vegetarian or gluten-free meal in advance if needed. The standard barbecue is generous, but dietary substitutions depend on making that request ahead of time.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a lively, well-packed introduction to the east coast, especially if your ideal day includes turquoise water, a white-sand island, a waterfall viewed by boat, and a relaxed barbecue with drinks. The organization, friendly service, meal, and smooth combination of stops are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if you want Ile aux Cerfs to be the entire day. The main weakness is the limited free time compared with a dedicated beach excursion. For $64, though, the inclusion of transport, food, drinks, and both major sights makes this a solid choice for a first taste of the area.

My practical advice is simple: book this tour when variety matters more than lingering. Request any special meal early, arrive at Chez Tino Restaurant with time to spare, and think of the speedboat ride as one of the day’s main attractions rather than just transport.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Meet outside Chez Tino Restaurant at B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. From there, you receive a short briefing and go to the jetty.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts five hours. The listed boat sections take about 20 minutes to reach Ile aux Cerfs, 45 minutes for the cruise toward Grande Rivière South East, and 20 minutes to return.

Is lunch included?

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

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice.

Is the Grande Rivière South East waterfall visit a hike?

No. The waterfall portion is described as a boat cruise and pass-by, so you view Grande Rivière South East from the boat.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with back problems and mobility impairments.