Speed boat to Ile aux Cerfs: Full day incl Lunch & Transfer

The best part of this Mauritius day trip is the speedboat route itself. You cross the east coast lagoon with white beaches, palm trees, and clear water sliding past the hull, then reach Ile aux Cerfs for swimming, sun, and a three-course barbecue lunch served with drinks. The waterfall stop adds a welcome change from beach time.

I like the relaxed pace and the fact that lunch, drinks, and private transport are included. I also like the live guitar and jambé show, which gives the midday meal a distinctly Mauritian feel. The main point to consider is that water sports cost extra, and the return transfer may need patience: one recent booking involved a 30-minute wait in strong sun while the driver sorted out another pickup.

• Trou d’Eau Douce departure: Board a speedboat from a fishing village on Mauritius’s east coast.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: Swim, snorkel, stroll, sunbathe, or add optional water sports at your own expense.
• Three-course island lunch: Eat barbecue-style food with unlimited water, soft drinks, wine, beer, and local rum.
• Grand River South-East Waterfalls: Cruise up the waterfall canal, with possible views of monkeys and fruit bats.
• Live music after lunch: Guitar and jambé create a friendly, informal break before the boat ride back.
• Private island-wide transfers: Pickup and drop-off are provided at hotels and accommodations across Mauritius.

Why the Speedboat Route Is the Main Attraction

I would choose this excursion for the time spent on the water, not simply for the name Ile aux Cerfs. The speedboat gives you a brisk ride from Trou d’Eau Douce through the east coast lagoon, where the scenery changes from village waterfront to open turquoise water and bright sand.

The boat ride is more than basic transportation. You get broad views of the coast, palm trees near the island, and the chance to feel the boat pick up speed across open stretches. Later, the skipper adds sharp turns, fast runs, and broad splashes using a 150-horsepower Yamaha or Mercury outboard engine.

That final ride can be thrilling, but it is not gentle sightseeing. You may get wet, and you should hold on. If you prefer a quiet cruise all day, this outing has more energy than you may want. If you like a little speed mixed with beach time, the boat makes the day feel varied.

The day lasts about seven hours, with pickup available anywhere on Mauritius. That matters because the island is spread out, and arranging a separate taxi to the east coast can add both cost and hassle. You travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a certified guide or driver before reaching the boat.

From Your Hotel to Trou d’Eau Douce

Your day begins with pickup at your accommodation. The provider asks for your hotel or pickup location when you book, and the service covers hotels and other accommodations around the island.

You then ride to Trou d’Eau Douce, a fishing village on the east coast. This is the launch point for the speedboat, so the road transfer and boat ride work as one organized trip rather than two separate bookings.

I like this setup for couples, families, and small groups who do not want to negotiate local transport before breakfast. It also makes the trip practical if you are staying away from the east coast. The tradeoff is that pickup timing can vary depending on where you are staying and how many transfers the driver is handling.

Bring a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and a dry change of clothes. A waterproof bag is also sensible for phones and wallets, especially during the faster return ride, though it is not specifically listed among the required items.

Reaching Ile aux Cerfs by Speedboat

At Trou d’Eau Douce, you board the speedboat and head toward Ile aux Cerfs. The approach is the visual high point for many people: white sand, swaying palms, and luminous lagoon water appear ahead of you.

Once you arrive, you have free time rather than a tightly scripted beach schedule. You can swim, walk along the sand, snorkel, or simply lie back and enjoy the coast. The island also offers optional activities such as parasailing, banana riding, tube riding, an undersea walk, and other water sports.

Those extras are not included in the $90 price, so budget separately if one catches your eye. The included portion already gives you a full beach stop, but the trip becomes more expensive if you add several paid activities.

I appreciate the free time here. You are not rushed from one photo stop to another, and the day allows you to choose your own pace. A recent booking particularly praised the relaxed schedule and ample vegetarian food, which suggests this is a good fit if you would rather enjoy one main island at a comfortable speed than squeeze in many short stops.

The snorkeling element needs a small qualification. You can snorkel during your free time, but a dedicated snorkeling stop is not promised. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask about current conditions and equipment before you commit. One person specifically wished there had been a separate snorkeling stop.

A Feet-in-the-Sand Lunch With Drinks

Around noon, you leave the main beach area for a private island lunch. The meal is a three-course barbecue with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. If you need a vegetarian meal, tell the provider when booking rather than waiting until the morning of the trip.

Drinks are included during lunch. The selection covers bottled water, soft drinks, red, rosé, and white wine, beer, and local rum. That is a useful inclusion because beach restaurants and island drinks can quickly push up the cost of a day out.

The meal finishes with a local dessert. The setting is informal and outdoors, with your feet in the sand rather than sitting in a polished hotel dining room. I see that as part of the appeal. You are eating close to the lagoon, with the boat and beach still part of the scene.

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip at its price. At $90 per person, you are not paying only for a boat transfer. You also receive private transport, a certified guide or driver, a full lunch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, the waterfall cruise, and the beach stop.

Still, do not mistake unlimited drinks for a formal dining experience. This is a casual barbecue day by the water. If you want a quiet, refined restaurant meal, another excursion may suit you better. If you want a generous lunch in a sandy island setting, this package makes financial sense.

Guitar, Jambé, and a Mauritian Midday Break

After lunch, live guitar and jambé music provide entertainment before the later boat ride. This is a small detail, but it changes the feel of the day. Instead of eating quickly and being pushed back onto the boat, you get time to sit, listen, and let the afternoon slow down.

The show is likely to appeal most if you enjoy informal local music and a social atmosphere. It is not described as a large staged performance, so you should expect a friendly live music session rather than a concert production.

The mix of beach, food, drinks, and percussion gives the excursion a stronger sense of place than a basic transfer to Ile aux Cerfs. You are still on a popular island outing, but the music and local rum add a Mauritian touch.

Cruising the Grand River South-East Waterfalls

After several hours around the island, the skipper takes the boat toward the Grand River South-East Waterfalls. The boat enters the waterfall canal, where fresh water and sea meet around the river mouth.

This stop is viewed from the boat rather than described as a land walk. You cruise along the channel for views of the falls and the thick plant growth beside the riverbanks. If conditions and timing cooperate, you may see monkeys moving through the old trees and Mauritian fruit bats resting high above the river.

The waterfall is not a huge inland cascade reached by a long hike. Its appeal comes from the way the river, forest, and sea connect. You get a close boat-level view without giving up much of your beach day.

Wildlife sightings are possible, not guaranteed. I would treat the monkeys and bats as a bonus rather than the reason to book. The scenery is worthwhile even if the animals stay out of sight.

This part also gives the day a useful change of rhythm. After sun and sand, the river feels cooler and more enclosed. It is a short nature stop that prevents the excursion from becoming only a beach-and-lunch outing.

The Fast Ride Back to Shore

Around 3:30 p.m., you return to the speedboat for the final coastal cruise. The boat may make fast runs, tight turns, and sudden stops that send spray over the sides.

This is the wet-and-wild part of the day. Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep a dry change handy. Sunglasses can help with glare, but you should protect them from flying water, and keep your phone secured.

The 150-horsepower engine gives the ride real punch. I would not recommend it to anyone who dislikes speed, abrupt turns, or getting splashed. For everyone else, it is a memorable finish and a clear contrast with the slow lunch and quiet waterfall channel.

The advertised trip lasts seven hours, so the exact return time depends on pickup location and the day’s schedule. The boat portion ends with a return to the mainland, followed by transport back to your accommodation.

How the $90 Price Holds Up

At $90 per person, this is a mid-range full-day outing rather than a bare-bones boat transfer. The value comes from the number of separate costs folded into one booking:

• Private air-conditioned transport to and from your accommodation
• A certified guide or driver
• Speedboat transportation
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time
• Grand River South-East Waterfalls sightseeing
• Three-course lunch
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Live guitar and jambé entertainment

If you planned to arrange a taxi, boat trip, lunch, drinks, and waterfall visit separately, the package could be easier and possibly cheaper. It also removes much of the coordination work.

The price does not include optional water sports. Those can change the total quickly, so ask about current prices if parasailing, banana riding, tube riding, or the undersea walk is important to you.

The strongest value comes for someone who wants a complete day with few extra decisions. The weakest value comes for someone who only wants a short boat ride and a quiet beach. That person may pay for lunch, drinks, music, and transfers they do not need.

Practical Points That Matter

A minimum of two people is required per booking. Infants aged one to three are free, but you must request a child or infant seat when booking.

The activity is weather dependent. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is important for a boat outing, since wind and rough water can affect both comfort and safety.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still shifting.

English and French are supported. Tell the provider about food allergies, illness, or dietary needs in advance. Vegetarian meals are available, and the meal has been described as generous and good-tasting, but advance notice remains important.

One practical warning concerns the return transfer. A recent booking had to wait about 30 minutes in direct sun while the driver searched for another group and tried to combine pickups. The issue was eventually sorted out, but it shows why you should keep some flexibility after the scheduled end of the trip. Bring water, a hat, and patience.

Who Should Book This Ile aux Cerfs Trip

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want a full east coast day without arranging separate transport. It suits people who value a relaxed beach stop, a substantial lunch, drinks, music, and a bit of speed.

It is especially useful for:

• Couples seeking a simple all-in-one island day
• Families who want private hotel pickup
• Small groups interested in beach time and optional water sports
• People who enjoy boat rides and do not mind getting wet
• Anyone wanting both the waterfalls and Ile aux Cerfs in one outing
• Vegetarians who notify the provider ahead of time

I would think twice if your top priority is snorkeling, since a dedicated snorkeling stop is not guaranteed. I would also look elsewhere if you dislike fast boats, sudden turns, outdoor meals, or uncertain return-transfer timing.

Should You Book It?

Book this trip if you want Mauritius in a compact package: white sand, a speedboat, a river waterfall, barbecue lunch, drinks, and live local-style music. The strongest elements are the relaxed schedule, the included food and drinks, and the private pickup across the island.

Before booking, confirm your pickup point, request any vegetarian or child seating needs, and ask about optional water-sport prices. Pack for sun and spray, and leave a little room in your schedule for the ride back.

For $90, I think the outing offers solid value for a complete day on the east coast. It is not a quiet luxury cruise, and it is not a dedicated snorkeling tour. It is a cheerful, active beach day with enough variety to keep the pace moving.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat trip last?

The full experience lasts about seven hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat trips, beach time, lunch, waterfall sightseeing, and the return journey.

Is hotel pickup included anywhere in Mauritius?

Yes. Private pickup and drop-off are provided at hotels and other accommodations across Mauritius. You need to give the provider your pickup location or hotel name when booking.

What food is included?

You receive a three-course barbecue lunch with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Request a vegetarian meal in advance.

Are drinks included with lunch?

Yes. Included drinks include bottled water, soft drinks, red, rosé, and white wine, beer, and local rum.

Are water sports included in the price?

No. Activities such as parasailing, banana riding, tube riding, snorkeling, and the undersea walk are optional and cost extra.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a change of clothes, and a towel. A secure waterproof container for personal items is also practical for the speedboat ride.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.