Mauritius: Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch

The best part of this five-hour outing is the way it packs speedboat rides, Ile aux Cerfs, and the Grand River South East waterfall into one simple trip. You move from open lagoon to white sand, then inland by boat to a waterfall surrounded by mangroves and greenery.

I like the beach BBQ with drinks included, since the meal is more than a quick snack between stops. I also like the straightforward meeting point at Chez Tino Restaurant in Trou d’Eau Douce, which keeps the morning easy to manage.

The main drawback is time. One part of the schedule gives you lunch on Ile aux Cerfs, and some people would prefer less time at the table and more time walking or swimming on the island.

Key points

• A 20-minute speedboat ride starts the adventure from Trou d’Eau Douce.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you free time for white sand, turquoise water, and a walk around the island.
• The Grand River South East waterfall is viewed by boat, with a 45-minute speedboat section before the stop.
• The beach lunch includes fish, chicken, salads, pasta, garlic bread, and seasonal fruit.
• Beer, wine, rum, juice, soft drinks, and water are included with the meal.
• The tour costs $64 per person and lasts five hours, making it a practical half-day choice.

Why this Mauritius speedboat trip works

I see this as a compact introduction to the east coast of Mauritius. It is not a slow, quiet boat journey with hours to linger at every stop. Instead, it gives you a lively ride, a famous waterfall, time at a popular island, and a full meal without asking you to arrange separate transport.

That mix makes sense if you have limited time in Mauritius. You get several of the east coast’s main sights in one outing, and the speedboat keeps the transfers short enough that the trip does not feel like a full day spent getting from one place to another.

The tour begins outside Chez Tino Restaurant on B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce. After a short briefing, you walk to the jetty and board the boat. The guide speaks French and English, so you can expect the basic plan and instructions to be given in either language.

The provider is Societe fernand lacour & fils. The overall rating is 4.6 from 158 ratings, with especially strong comments about the organization, friendly staff, food, and care given during the outing. Those are useful points here because a boat tour depends heavily on timing and coordination.

The first 20 minutes from Trou d’Eau Douce

The first speedboat ride takes about 20 minutes. That is long enough to make the trip feel exciting, but short enough that you reach the first main stop without spending much of your five hours in transit.

You ride from Trou d’Eau Douce toward the east coast lagoon and Ile aux Cerfs. The water is the star during this part of the outing. You can expect broad views of turquoise water, sandy shore, and green coastal growth as the boat moves along the coast.

A speedboat also changes the feel of the day. You are not simply being carried from point to point. The ride itself is one of the activities, with wind, spray, and a quick view of the coast. If you prefer a calm, slow boat with little movement, this may feel too lively. People with back problems should not book, and the experience is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

The briefing before departure matters. Use it to confirm the order of stops, the meeting place for the return, and how much free time you have at Ile aux Cerfs. The schedule includes several boat movements, so knowing the plan helps you relax once you are on the water.

Free time on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop. You have free time to walk and enjoy the island, with white sand and clear turquoise water providing the classic Mauritius setting.

This is the point where you should decide how you want to use your time. You can walk along the beach, sit by the water, or take a swim if conditions and the schedule allow. The description specifically includes time to ride in the lagoons and relax with a drink, so the island is not only a photo stop.

The island is also where you need to watch the clock. The tour includes lunch here, and the meal takes up part of the available time. One person specifically felt the lunch period was too long and wanted more time on Ile aux Cerfs. I think that is a fair warning for anyone who wants maximum beach time.

If your priority is a long, unhurried day on the sand, book a dedicated Ile aux Cerfs beach experience instead. If you want a mix of beach, waterfall, speedboat, and lunch, the shorter island visit is a reasonable trade.

The setting is best enjoyed without trying to force too much into it. You will not have unlimited time to explore every part of the island. Take a walk, get in the water if appropriate, and save some energy for lunch and the return ride.

The Grand River South East waterfall by boat

After time at Ile aux Cerfs, the itinerary includes a 45-minute speedboat section toward the Grand River South East waterfall. The route takes you from the open lagoon toward the river, mangroves, and greener inland scenery.

The waterfall is visited by boat, and the schedule describes the stop as a cruise and pass-by rather than a long shore excursion. That distinction is important. You should expect to see and photograph the falls from the water, not spend a long period hiking around them.

The Grand River South East waterfall is one of the outing’s most interesting changes of scenery. Ile aux Cerfs gives you open beaches and bright water. The river brings narrower channels, mangroves, and a more enclosed natural setting. The contrast makes the boat route feel like more than a transfer.

The supplied details also note monkeys around the waterfall. That adds another memorable touch, though you should treat wildlife as something you may see rather than a guaranteed performance. The visit is brief enough that you will want your camera ready before the boat reaches the falls.

This stop is valuable because it gives you a different side of east Mauritius without requiring a separate river trip. The drawback is the same as with many short boat visits: you see the waterfall, but you do not get a long, independent exploration of the river area.

A beach BBQ with fish, chicken, and rum

Lunch takes place on Ile aux Cerfs, with a beach BBQ and drinks. The menu includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available on request, so state your needs when booking rather than waiting until the meal begins.

I like the menu because it gives you a proper range of food after time in the sun and on the water. Fish and chicken cover the main choices, while salad, pasta, garlic bread, and fruit make the meal more substantial than a single grilled item.

Drinks include beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice. That is a useful inclusion at a beach lunch, since buying drinks separately at a scenic stop can quickly add to the cost. You can sit with a beer or a soft drink and take in the island setting before the return trip.

The lunch is also the part of the day most likely to divide opinions. Some people will enjoy a relaxed BBQ and social meal. Others will see the meal as eating into their limited island time. I would choose this tour if I value convenience and a complete outing. I would choose another option if I want to spend nearly every minute swimming or walking.

The food is served as part of the group schedule, so you should not expect a private restaurant meal or a long menu. This is a practical beach lunch designed to keep the day moving.

The final 20-minute ride back

After lunch and the remaining island time, you board the speedboat for the 20-minute return to Trou d’Eau Douce. The tour ends back at Chez Tino Restaurant, the same place where you started.

That shared beginning and ending makes the outing easy to fit around other plans in the area. You do not need to arrange a second pickup point or work out how to return from the island on your own.

The return ride is also a good time to enjoy the coast without having to think about directions. By this point, you have seen the beach, river, waterfall, and lagoon. The boat ride brings the day back to its starting point in a clean five-hour loop.

Timing can vary in feel depending on how much time is spent at each stop, but the published schedule gives you a clear structure: 20 minutes by speedboat, Ile aux Cerfs, 45 minutes toward the waterfall, the river visit, lunch on Ile aux Cerfs, and a final 20-minute boat ride.

Is $64 good value?

At $64 per person, this is good value if you want several east coast experiences bundled together. The price includes transport by speedboat, the Ile aux Cerfs visit, the Grand River South East waterfall, lunch, and a broad selection of drinks.

Buying those parts separately could involve more planning and extra transport costs. You also avoid having to find a restaurant after spending time on the water. For a five-hour outing, the price is especially practical for someone who wants a clear half-day plan.

The value is less obvious if you only care about beach time. Part of the schedule is spent moving by boat, part is used for the waterfall visit, and lunch takes a meaningful share of the day. You are paying for variety, not an all-day stay on Ile aux Cerfs.

The strong points are organization and convenience. The outing has a known meeting point, a guide, planned boat movements, a meal, and drinks. Previous booking feedback gives particular credit to the staff, welcome, organization, and food. Those details matter more than a low headline price because they affect how much effort you need to put into the day.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want an active, social half-day with several sights. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone staying near Trou d’Eau Douce who wants to see the east coast without arranging separate boat trips.

It also fits a first visit to Mauritius. You get the postcard beach, the lagoon, a river waterfall, mangroves, and a local-style BBQ in one short experience. The speedboat adds energy, while the lunch and drinks keep the practical side simple.

You should think twice if you have back problems or limited mobility. The tour involves reaching a jetty, boarding a speedboat, and moving between boat and beach settings. The activity is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

This is also not the best match for a person who wants a quiet, private, or very flexible day. The route and meal are organized around a set schedule. You can enjoy free time at Ile aux Cerfs, but you cannot reshape the whole outing around your own pace.

French and English speakers are well served. The guide and driver operate in both languages, so you should be able to follow the main instructions and schedule.

What to bring and how to use your time

Wear clothes that can handle sun, water, and a little spray. The activity centers on a speedboat, beaches, lagoons, and a waterfall, so comfort matters more than dressing up.

Bring anything you normally need for a beach day, but keep your belongings manageable. You will move between the jetty, boat, beach, and lunch area during a five-hour program.

I would also plan your island time before you arrive. Decide if you care most about swimming, walking, photos, or simply sitting with a drink. The time passes quickly once lunch is included, and a little planning helps you avoid leaving the island feeling that you missed your main goal.

Ask for a vegetarian or gluten-free meal when you reserve. The option is available on request, but it should be arranged ahead of time.

The cancellation policy is useful for uncertain plans: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps the booking flexible.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a lively five-hour sampler of east Mauritius with transport, a waterfall visit, beach time, BBQ lunch, and drinks included. The organization, friendly staff, food, and well-planned route are its strongest features.

Skip it if you want a long, quiet stay on Ile aux Cerfs or dislike fixed meal schedules. The most useful question is simple: do you want one beautiful beach for most of the day, or several east coast highlights in one outing? If you choose variety, $64 is a sensible price.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide outside Chez Tino Restaurant on B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What languages are available?

The driver and guide speak French and English.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit.

Are drinks included?

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

Can I request a vegetarian or gluten-free meal?

Yes. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available on request.

Is the tour suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.