Mauritius: Ile aux Cerfs Boat Tour with BBQ Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this Mauritius boat trip is the change of scene: a fast ride from Trou D’eau Douce, a short river trip to Grand River South East Waterfall, then a beach lunch and lagoon time. I especially like the small-group limit of 14 and the fact that beer, wine, soft drinks, juice, water, and local rum are included with lunch.

I also like the easy mix of sightseeing and free time. You get monkeys and a waterfall early on, then white sand and swimming at Ile aux Cerfs. The main caution is organization: pickup and boat arrangements may need patience, and one recent booking involved a late return transfer and confusion over speedboat versus catamaran.

Key points to know

• Grand River South East Waterfall: Spend about 30 minutes near the falls, with a chance to spot monkeys in the trees beside the river.
• Beach BBQ on Ilot Margenie: Enjoy a three-course halal barbecue meal with a broad choice of drinks, including local rum.
• Two different boat experiences: The listed tour is by speedboat, so confirm your transport at pickup if the operator offers more than one boat.
• Ile aux Cerfs free time: You get roughly 2.5 hours for swimming, beach time, sightseeing, and the arts and crafts market.
• Optional hotel transport: Pickup and drop-off are included only with selected options, so check this carefully before booking.
• Good value at $56: The price covers the boat, food, drinks, and possibly transfers, but watersports cost extra.

A fast start from Trou D’eau Douce

The day begins at the beach across from Green Island Restaurant in Trou D’eau Douce, unless you have selected hotel pickup. This east-coast village is the departure point for the speedboat, and the first moments on the water set the tone for the trip.

You will be welcomed by the crew, then head out toward the Grand River South East Waterfall. The ride gives you open coastal views and the simple pleasure of moving quickly across the water. Bring a hat and sunglasses, but hold onto them firmly. A speedboat ride is more exposed than a large sightseeing boat, especially when the water gets choppy.

The group is limited to 14 people, which should make boarding and moving between stops easier than on a large cruise boat. Still, the experience is not entirely private. One booking described the boat as too crowded, so you should treat the small-group size as a useful limit rather than a promise of an empty boat.

If you select hotel transportation, the driver meets you at your hotel reception or outside your accommodation. Pickup areas cover many districts, including Port Louis, Moka, Flacq, Grand Port, Rivière du Rempart, Plaines Wilhems, Rivière Noire, Savanne, Pamplemousses, and the Green Island Beach Restaurant area. Since transfer service is tied to the option you book, do not assume it is included in the basic price.

Grand River South East Waterfall and Cascade Diamamouve

The first stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, also known as Cascade Diamamouve. The boat moves through the river valleys toward the falls, where you get about 30 minutes for photos and views.

This stop is less about a long walk and more about getting close to the water from the boat. The river setting gives you a different view of Mauritius from the beach scenes later in the day. Look toward the trees along the banks, where monkeys may appear. They are not guaranteed on every trip, but spotting them adds a bit of life to the short visit.

You should keep your camera ready, since the stop is brief. The waterfall visit is listed as a photo stop and scenic break, not a full hiking excursion. That makes it suitable if you want several sights without spending the entire morning on one attraction, but it may feel rushed if you prefer quiet time in nature.

The waterfall can also be the most crowded-feeling part of the tour. One booking described the stop as a mass-handling experience, which is useful to keep in mind. The river itself is attractive, but the number of boats and the short timing can affect how peaceful the visit feels.

A beach barbecue on Ilot Margenie

After the waterfall, the speedboat heads to Ilot Margenie for lunch. This small island stop is one of the strongest reasons to consider the tour. The meal is served on the beach, and the package includes a three-course BBQ lunch plus drinks.

The menu details are not specified, but the meal is halal, and vegetarian food is available if requested in advance. That makes the tour easier for a mixed group with different dietary needs. Tell the operator about a vegetarian request before the day of the trip rather than waiting until lunch.

Drinks include soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. This is a useful inclusion at $56, since drinks can quickly add to the cost of a beach outing. The alcohol is part of the meal service, so you can enjoy a beer or wine with lunch, but remember that you still have a boat ride and swimming later in the day.

The setting is the main attraction here. You eat beside the beach instead of stopping at an indoor restaurant, which gives the middle of the tour a relaxed island feel. The meal received the clearest praise in the available feedback, with both the food and the beach setting singled out as highlights. One person also specifically liked that all drinks were included.

Allow about an hour for this stop. That is enough time for lunch, but it is not a long, leisurely beach picnic. The schedule has several moving parts, so delays can affect how much time you get at the next island. If your main goal is an unhurried meal, keep your expectations moderate.

Ile aux Cerfs: white sand and clear lagoon water

After lunch, you continue to Ile aux Cerfs. As you approach, you will see palm trees, white beaches, and bright turquoise water. This is the classic postcard part of the outing, and it is where you get the longest free period, about two and a half hours.

You can swim in the lagoon, relax on the sand, take photos, or look around the arts and crafts market. The tour does not lock you into one activity, so you can choose a slow beach afternoon or keep moving around the island.

The water and sand are the main reason to book this particular route. After a fast boat ride and the short waterfall stop, Ile aux Cerfs gives you time to settle in. I like that the schedule allows substantially more time here than at the waterfall. It lets you enjoy the island rather than merely photograph it from the boat.

You can also pay for watersports such as parasailing and tube riding. These are not included, so budget separately if they interest you. The basic tour already gives you swimming and beach time without an extra charge, which keeps the $56 price fairly clear.

The island can feel busy, especially if several boats arrive at once. The information provided does not promise a quiet or private beach, and the earlier comments about crowding on the boat suggest that this is not designed as a secluded-island experience. You are paying for access, lunch, drinks, and a full route, not solitude.

What the $56 price really covers

At $56 per person, this tour is good value if you want several east-coast highlights in one outing. The price includes the speedboat, the waterfall visit, BBQ lunch, and a wide selection of drinks. Selected packages also include hotel pickup and drop-off, which can make the cost more attractive if you are staying away from Trou D’eau Douce.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise need to arrange separate transport, a boat trip, and lunch. You get a five-and-a-half-hour program, with about 30 minutes at the waterfall, one hour for lunch, and 2.5 hours at Ile aux Cerfs. The remaining time covers boarding, transfers on the water, and the return journey.

It is less compelling if you want a private boat, a quiet nature outing, or a carefully timed luxury experience. The group can reach 14 people, and reports of confusion between catamaran and speedboat show why you should confirm the exact option you purchased. Watersports also cost extra, so the headline price does not cover every possible activity on Ile aux Cerfs.

The food and included drinks help balance those drawbacks. A beach BBQ with beer, wine, water, juice, soft drinks, and local rum would otherwise require extra spending. The meal is also halal, with vegetarian food available by request, which adds practical value for many people.

Timing, transfers, and the details that matter

The listed duration is 330 minutes, or five and a half hours. The tour runs in the morning and returns to Trou D’eau Douce in the afternoon, though the exact starting time depends on availability and the option you select.

Hotel pickup is not automatic. Some packages include it, while others require you to meet the boat across from Green Island Restaurant on the beach. Check the wording of your selected option before paying, especially if your hotel is outside the east coast.

Transfer timing deserves attention. One booking reported a 40-minute wait for the return transfer, while another described a delay when the group was expected to be collected for lunch. That does not mean every trip runs late, but it does suggest that the schedule may not be as precise as a private excursion.

You should also confirm that your booking is for a speedboat. A recent booking involved confusion when the group was directed toward a catamaran after purchasing the speedboat option. Keep your booking details available at the meeting point and ask the crew to confirm the boat before boarding.

English and French are the listed guide languages. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to request a particular guide. The small-group format should allow some contact with the crew, but the exact amount of commentary may vary.

What to pack for a wet, sunny day

Pack as if you will spend much of the day outdoors and close to spray. Comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water, and a camera are all listed as useful items.

A change of clothes matters because the speedboat and swimming stop can both leave you damp. Keep your phone and camera protected when the boat is moving, even if you plan to take pictures throughout the ride.

Pregnant women should not book this activity. The speedboat ride and movement between stops make it unsuitable under the stated conditions. Infants aged 1 to 4 can join free of charge, though the supplied information does not give further details about child equipment or seating.

The tour can be canceled for poor weather. In that case, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility when your plans are still changing.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius boat tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a compact introduction to Mauritius’s east coast. It works well for people who want scenery, a little wildlife, a beach meal, and several hours for swimming without arranging every part independently.

It also suits groups with mixed interests. One person can swim, another can browse the arts and crafts market, and someone else can pay for parasailing or tube riding. The included lunch and drinks make it easier to keep the group together.

Families should note the free price for infants aged 1 to 4, but the experience is not suitable for pregnant women. Anyone sensitive to boat movement should also think carefully about the speedboat format, although no specific motion-sickness guidance is provided.

I would hesitate to recommend it if your priority is a polished, tightly managed schedule. The strongest feedback praises the lunch, setting, and included drinks, while the clearest complaints concern crowding, boat confusion, and transfer delays. That is a fair trade for the price, but you should be comfortable with a little island-day looseness.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs boat tour?

Book this tour if you want good coverage for $56: a speedboat ride, Grand River South East Waterfall, a halal beach BBQ, drinks, and 2.5 hours at Ile aux Cerfs. The lunch and drink package are the best value points, and the route gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a quiet beach, or exact timing from start to finish. Before booking, confirm three things: that your option says speedboat, that hotel pickup is included if you need it, and that vegetarian food is requested in advance. With those checks made, this is a practical, active day out rather than a luxury cruise.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The meeting point is across from Green Island Restaurant on the beach in Trou D’eau Douce. Hotel pickup is available with selected options.

How long does the activity last?

The listed duration is 330 minutes, or five and a half hours. The tour starts in the morning and returns in the afternoon.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included only if you select an option that provides them. The driver meets you at your hotel reception or outside your accommodation.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks include soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Are watersports included at Ile aux Cerfs?

No. Activities such as parasailing and tube riding are not included in the tour price.

Can I request vegetarian food?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available upon request. The food is halal.