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

The clever part of this Mauritius outing is its mix of three fast-moving water activities and a relaxed island afternoon. You begin at Belle Mare with parasailing, an underseawalk, and a tube ride, then switch to a speedboat for Grand River South East Waterfall, a beach BBQ, and lagoon time at Ile aux Cerfs.

I like the friendly, careful watersports crew, especially during the underseawalk, and I like that the lunch includes drinks rather than leaving you hunting for a cold bottle on a small island. The main catch is practical: you must get yourself from Belle Mare to Trou d’Eau Douce between the morning and afternoon sections, and the schedule can feel tight if the water activities are busy.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Belle Mare activities come first: Parasailing, underseawalk, and tube riding fill the opening two hours.
• You arrange the transfer between locations: A taxi or rental car is needed from Aquasea Watersports to the speedboat departure point.
• Grand River South East Waterfall is a short scenic stop: The boat moves into the river valley, where monkeys may be seen along the banks.
• Lunch is served on Ile aux Margenie: Expect a three-course BBQ meal with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you beach time: You can swim in the lagoon, browse arts and crafts, or simply sit on the white sand.
• Timing matters: One reported problem involved missing Ile aux Cerfs after delays in the first part, so keep an eye on the clock.

Three water thrills at Belle Mare

Your day begins at Aquasea Watersports Belle Mare, between Long Beach hotel and Emperor Restaurant. This is not a slow start. The first section packs in parasailing, underseawalk, and a tube ride in the clear lagoon, with about two hours set aside for the activities.

Parasailing is the big visual moment. You rise above the water and see the coast from a far better angle than you will from the beach. If this is your first time, the activity is more about height and views than skill. You are attached to the boat and lifted above the lagoon, so the crew does the technical work.

The underseawalk offers a different kind of thrill. You wear equipment that lets you walk below the surface and look around underwater without needing standard scuba gear. It is listed as suitable for children from age nine if they have broad shoulders, but the overall activity is not suitable for children under eight. The crew has been praised for being gentle and helpful, which matters here because a calm briefing can make the difference between nerves and enjoyment.

The tube ride is the most playful of the three. Expect splashes, speed, and a short burst of chaos rather than a quiet look at marine life. You will get wet, so wear swimwear from the start and keep your towel and dry clothes easy to reach.

One point needs attention: the supplied schedule also mentions a banana boat and scuba activity, while the included list names parasailing, underseawalk, and tube riding. I would confirm the exact three activities when you book or check in. The clearest promise is the included list, not the alternate wording in the schedule.

The transfer that can make or break the day

After Belle Mare, the tour changes location. Trou d’Eau Douce is about 15 minutes from Belle Mare by car, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the operator does not provide this transfer as part of the package.

You must hire a taxi or rent a car to reach the second meeting point. This is the most important planning detail in the whole experience. Do not assume you can finish the last morning activity, wander around, and then casually find the speedboat. Allow enough time to dry off, collect your belongings, find your driver, and reach Trou d’Eau Douce.

The schedule also deserves your attention. The complete experience is advertised at six hours, but the morning activities can run behind when several people are waiting their turn. One person missed the Ile aux Cerfs portion after arriving late at the second meeting point. That is a serious loss because the island visit is a major reason to buy this package.

I would treat the transfer as your responsibility from the beginning. Arrange the taxi before the tour, confirm the driver knows both locations, and ask the Belle Mare team what time you must leave. If you are driving, keep the directions and parking plan simple. Your goal is not to squeeze in an extra coffee. Your goal is to make the boat.

Speedboat ride to Grand River South East Waterfall

At Trou d’Eau Douce, you board a speedboat with the crew and head toward Grand River South East Waterfall, also called Cascade Diamamouve. The boat moves through the river valley before getting close to the falls for photos and sightseeing.

This stop is short, about 30 minutes, so think of it as a scenic boat visit rather than a long nature walk. The appeal is the change of setting. After the open lagoon and motorized water sports, you move into a narrower river environment with trees, rock, and falling water.

Look toward the riverbanks for monkeys among the trees. They can be easy to miss, especially if the boat is moving or music is loud. The supplied information specifically points out the monkeys, so keep your camera ready and ask the crew to indicate where to look.

The quality of this stop depends heavily on the boat guide. One account praised the driver’s skill in handling the waterfall route, while another found the ride too loud and received little explanation about the falls or the monkeys. I would enjoy the scenery but not expect a detailed naturalist talk. If you want information, ask direct questions when the boat slows down.

Bring a camera, but protect it from spray. The speedboat can be wet, and the tour instructions warn you to expect wet conditions. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible, though it is not listed as a supplied item.

BBQ lunch on Ile aux Margenie

After the waterfall, the boat continues to Ile aux Margenie, a small island where lunch is served on the beach. This is a welcome pause after the morning’s activity and the speedboat ride.

The meal is described as a three-course BBQ lunch. The food is straightforward rather than fine dining, but that is the right approach for a beach stop. You are there for a filling meal in a memorable setting, not a formal restaurant service. One account called the lunch simple but sufficient, while another found the BBQ meal very good.

Drinks are part of the package, which adds real value. You get soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. The exact way drinks are served is not specified, so do not expect an unlimited bar unless the crew explains that on the day. Still, having water and a selection of local drinks included means fewer surprise costs.

I like this part because it gives the day some balance. The morning is organized around adrenaline and equipment. Lunch gives you time to sit, eat, and look out over the island setting. You should still bring water and sunscreen, since the instructions advise both, and reapply sunscreen after the morning activities.

White sand and lagoon time at Ile aux Cerfs

The final island stop is Ile aux Cerfs, the postcard section of the trip. You approach by boat and see white sand, palm trees, and clear turquoise water. The visit lasts about an hour and a half, including free time, swimming, sightseeing, and a possible stop at the arts and crafts market.

This is where you slow down. Swim in the lagoon, walk along the beach, or find a shady place to sit. After parasailing, the underseawalk, the tube ride, and the boat trip, doing very little can feel like the best activity of the afternoon.

The island is not a private wilderness experience. It is a popular stop, and your time there is limited. If you want to swim, do that first. Shopping and photos can wait, but the boat will not. The same tight timing that affects the transfer can shorten this section.

You should also keep your expectations in check. The package gives you an introduction to Ile aux Cerfs, not a full day at the island. That makes it useful for a first visit or for someone trying to sample several Mauritius highlights in one outing. If your main aim is beach time, a dedicated Ile aux Cerfs day may suit you better.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $124 per person, the package is best judged as a bundle. You receive three water activities, a speedboat tour, a waterfall visit, lunch, drinks, and time at Ile aux Cerfs. Paying separately for each piece could take more planning and may cost more, though the exact individual prices are not provided.

The drinks and BBQ matter when you compare value. A beach lunch with beer, wine, juice, water, and local rum saves you from buying food and refreshments on the island. The speedboat also links several east-coast sights in one day.

The weak point is the missing transfer between Belle Mare and Trou d’Eau Douce. Since you must pay for a taxi or rental car, the listed price is not the final door-to-door cost. Add that expense before deciding if the package fits your budget.

I would call the price reasonable for an active visitor who truly wants all the included elements. It is less attractive if you only want a quiet beach day, or if you are likely to skip one of the water activities.

Who will enjoy this experience most

This outing suits you if you want variety and do not mind changing pace. You get physical activity, a river visit, a meal, a speedboat ride, and beach time in roughly six hours.

It is especially suitable for:

• Couples trying parasailing or underseawalking for the first time
• Families with older children who meet the age and physical requirements
• Active visitors who want several east-coast highlights in one booking
• People staying near Belle Mare who can arrange the transfer to Trou d’Eau Douce
• Anyone who prefers a planned day to organizing separate water sports and boat trips

It is not a good choice for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people recovering from recent surgery, or anyone with a low level of fitness. Children under eight cannot take part, and underseawalk participants should be at least nine with broad shoulders.

The day can also be tiring. You will be in swimwear, sun, moving water, and a speedboat for much of it. Comfortable clothing, water-friendly shoes, a hat, sunglasses, towel, sunscreen, spare clothes, and a camera are all useful. Leave valuables at the hotel unless you know how they will be stored.

Weather, cancellations, and language

The host or greeter speaks English and French. The crew’s manner appears to be a strong part of the experience, particularly during the underseawalk and BBQ. Still, the level of explanation during the waterfall ride can vary, so ask questions if you want more context.

Weather can affect the water activities and boat trip. If an activity is cancelled because of bad weather, the information provided says it will be handled with a partial refund. That is different from cancelling the whole booking yourself. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible.

Do not plan this outing around a narrow connection or an important evening reservation. The day’s two-part structure and possible delays make a little breathing room wise.

My verdict: book it if variety matters more than a slow day

I would book this tour if I wanted a high-energy introduction to Mauritius’s east coast and was happy to arrange my own short taxi transfer. The best parts are the friendly watersports team, the memorable mix of parasailing, underseawalk, and tube riding, the included BBQ and drinks, and the chance to see both Grand River South East Waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs.

I would skip it if I wanted a calm, unhurried island day or if missing one stop would ruin the experience. Before paying, confirm the exact morning activities and arrange the Belle Mare to Trou d’Eau Douce transfer in advance. With that planning, the $124 price offers a lot in six hours. Without it, the schedule can become a race, and the afternoon island time is the part most at risk.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is six hours. The day includes the Belle Mare activities, the transfer to the second location, the speedboat trip, the waterfall visit, lunch, and Ile aux Cerfs.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the Aquasea Watersports office in Belle Mare, between Long Beach hotel and Emperor Restaurant.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How do I get from Belle Mare to the speedboat?

You must hire a taxi or rent a car to travel from the Belle Mare activity location to Trou d’Eau Douce for the speedboat.

Which water activities are included?

The included activities are parasailing, underseawalk, and a tube ride.

Is the underseawalk suitable for children?

The underseawalk is described as suitable for children from age nine who have broad shoulders. The overall tour is not suitable for children under eight.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course BBQ lunch is included and is served on Ile aux Margenie.

Which drinks are included?

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

What can I do at Ile aux Cerfs?

You can visit the island, swim in the lagoon, enjoy free time, see the scenery, and visit the arts and crafts market.

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.