Mauritius: Ile aux cerfs, waterfalls and bbq Boat Day

Ile aux Cerfs is the main attraction here, but the speedboat day gives you more than a beach stop. You begin with sea, sun, and sand, then move to the GRSE waterfall before settling down to a grilled lunch on the beach.

I like the easy mix of scenery and downtime. You get several hours to relax or walk toward Margenie Island, and the lunch includes fish, chicken, potatoes, salad, bread with garlic butter, fruit, soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and rum. At $64 per person, the package offers strong value. The main drawback is that the day is not ideal if you want long, quiet time at just one beach, since the schedule moves on at 12:30.

Key points at a glance

• 9:30 am departure from Trou D’eau Douce: Your day starts from the launch point on Mauritius’s east coast.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time until 12:30: Swim, sunbathe, or walk toward Margenie Island before the boat collects you.
• GRSE waterfall and monkeys: The waterfall stop adds a nature break and a chance to see monkeys being fed.
• Beach BBQ with drinks included: Fish, chicken, potatoes, salad, bread, pineapple, beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, juice, and water are served.
• Return around 3 to 3:30 pm: You still have part of the afternoon free after the boat ride back.
• Good value at $64: Transport, sightseeing, food, and drinks are bundled into one straightforward day.

Starting at Trou D’eau Douce at 9:30 am

The meeting point is Trou D’eau Douce, and departure is scheduled for 9:30 am every day. That early start matters because the excursion packs three different parts of Mauritius into a half-day-style schedule: Ile aux Cerfs, the GRSE waterfall, and the beach BBQ.

You travel by speedboat, with the ride to and from Ile aux Cerfs included. I like this setup because the boat is not merely a transfer between attractions. It gives the outing a quick, open-water feel and avoids turning the day into a series of road transfers.

The exact group size is not provided, so you should not book expecting a private boat unless that is confirmed separately. The provider is Saeta speedboat ile aux cerfs. No individual skipper or guide names are supplied, so the experience is best understood as a boat-led day rather than a highly guided historical tour.

Ile aux Cerfs, your longest stop of the day

Ile aux Cerfs is where you get the most free time. After arriving, you can settle into the beach atmosphere until 12:30. That leaves room for a swim, a walk, sunbathing, or simply sitting near the water with no formal activity to follow.

You can also walk toward Margenie Island. This is a useful option if you like to explore on foot rather than spend every minute in one patch of sand. The walk gives your beach stop a little more purpose, though the schedule means you need to keep an eye on the time.

At 12:30, return to the same place where the skipper dropped you off. This detail is important. You are not being collected at an unspecified point, but you do need to remember the meeting place and arrive on time. A late return could affect the waterfall visit and lunch schedule.

I would treat Ile aux Cerfs as a relaxed beach stop, not as a full-day island expedition. The available information does not promise water sports, guided walks, or a long snorkeling session. Snorkeling and snorkeling equipment are specifically excluded, so bring your own expectations as well as your swimsuit.

GRSE waterfall and monkeys

After Ile aux Cerfs, the speedboat takes you to the GRSE waterfall. This stop changes the pace nicely. You move from open beach and bright water to a more sheltered freshwater setting, with the added attraction of monkeys.

The monkeys may be fed during the visit. That can make the stop especially appealing to families and anyone who enjoys wildlife encounters. Still, you should think of this as a short sightseeing visit rather than a wildlife tour. The available details do not promise a long walk, a nature guide, or a specific length of time at the waterfall.

The waterfall is also a practical reason to bring something dry to change into if you plan to get wet during the beach portion. A towel is not included, and a k-way is also excluded, so pack both if they are useful to you. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, which is another important point to consider before booking.

A grilled lunch on the beach

The BBQ is one of the strongest parts of the package because it covers a full range of food and drinks rather than just a basic sandwich. The meal includes grilled fish, chicken, potatoes, salad, bread with garlic butter, and pineapple.

Drinks include soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and rum. Super alcoholic drinks are not included, so you should not assume that every type of spirit is covered. The included rum is specifically listed, while stronger or premium alcoholic options are not.

I like the practical value here. A day near popular beaches can become expensive once you add lunch and drinks. At $64, having the main meal and a broad selection of drinks already included makes it easier to control your spending.

The meal is served after the waterfall visit. That means you may be ready for a substantial lunch by the time you sit down. After eating, you get another period to relax before the speedboat returns for the trip back.

Afternoon relaxation and the return boat

The final beach break is intentionally unhurried. You can relax after lunch until the speedboat collects you. The return is expected around 3 to 3:30 pm, giving the day a clear endpoint without using your entire evening.

This timing suits you if you want a packed island outing but still hope to have dinner or other plans later. It also makes the excursion manageable for people who do not want a long, exhausting day on the water.

The schedule is fixed enough that you should not treat the afternoon as completely open-ended. Ile aux Cerfs has a 12:30 pickup, and the later speedboat collection follows lunch. The experience works best when you enjoy the rhythm of moving between stops rather than choosing your own pace all day.

What the $64 price really covers

At $64 per person, this is a solid bundle for someone who wants a simple day with transport, food, drinks, and several sights. The price includes the speedboat journey to and from Ile aux Cerfs, the waterfall visit, the monkey-feeding stop, and the BBQ meal.

The food and drink list is unusually useful when judging value. Fish, chicken, side dishes, bread, fruit, and several alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are included. You are not paying $64 merely for a boat ride and a short beach visit.

The exclusions are sensible but worth noting. Snorkeling and equipment are not included, nor are towels, k-ways, or super alcoholic drinks. If you need any of those, plan to bring or pay for them separately, though no separate prices are provided.

A verified booking by Nico from Germany rated the value highly, with the short assessment Preis Leistung Top, meaning the price-to-quality balance was considered very good. That matches the structure of the day: the tour is strongest for people who want several included elements rather than a private, customized itinerary.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want to see several popular Mauritius sights without arranging separate transport. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who like a clear schedule and a mixture of beach time, wildlife, scenery, and food.

It is also a good fit if you prefer active relaxation. You can walk toward Margenie Island, visit the waterfall, and take a speedboat ride, but there is still plenty of time to sit by the water.

You may want another type of outing if you want serious snorkeling, a private boat, a long wildlife session, or a highly detailed guided tour. Those features are not included in the stated package. The fixed pickup times may also feel restrictive if you prefer to leave the beach only when you are ready.

Practical things to bring and remember

Bring a towel because one is not supplied. A k-way is also not included, and it could be useful for changing weather or spray from the boat.

If you want to snorkel, bring your own equipment only if the operator permits it, since snorkeling and gear are excluded from the package. Do not count on super alcoholic drinks being available, although beer, wine, and rum are included with the meal.

Keep the 12:30 collection time in mind at Ile aux Cerfs. The skipper drops you at a meeting point and collects you from that same place, so remember where you started.

The outing is not suitable for wheelchair users. If mobility is a concern, ask the provider for current access details before paying, since the stated information does not offer an alternative arrangement.

Booking flexibility and final decision

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is helpful if your Mauritius plans are still changing. Starting times should be checked when you select your date, even though the regular departure is listed as 9:30 am.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs BBQ boat day?

Book it if you want a well-priced, full outing with speedboat transport, beach time, a waterfall, monkeys, and a generous BBQ lunch. The food and drink inclusions make the $64 price particularly appealing.

Skip it if your priority is snorkeling, privacy, wheelchair access, or a slow day spent in one place. For everyone else, this is a practical way to combine several east-coast highlights without managing separate boats, meals, and transfers.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

The activity starts at Trou D’eau Douce in Mauritius.

What time does the boat leave?

Departure is at 9:30 am.

How long does the activity last?

The day runs until approximately 3 to 3:30 pm.

Is transport to Ile aux Cerfs included?

Yes. The speedboat trip going to and returning from Ile aux Cerfs is included.

How long do I have at Ile aux Cerfs?

You can stay at Ile aux Cerfs until 12:30, when the skipper collects you from the same place where you were dropped off.

Can I walk to Margenie Island?

Yes. You can use your free time at Ile aux Cerfs to walk toward Margenie Island.

Does the activity visit a waterfall?

Yes. The itinerary includes a visit to the GRSE waterfall.

Can I see monkeys?

Yes. The waterfall visit includes the chance to see monkeys being fed.

What food and drinks are included?

The BBQ includes fish, chicken, potatoes, salad, bread with garlic butter, and pineapple. Drinks include soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and rum.

Is snorkeling included?

No. Snorkeling and snorkeling equipment are not included.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included, so you should bring your own.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I pay later?

Yes. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.