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

The best part of this outing is the mix of fast open-water boating and easy island time. You get a close look at Grand River South East Waterfall, with a chance to spot monkeys by the river, then eat a beachside BBQ before swimming in the clear lagoon at Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the included beer, wine, juice, soft drinks, water, and local rum, plus the small-group limit of 14 people.

The main caution is organization. The advertised experience is a speedboat tour, but some arrangements may involve confusion between the speedboat and a catamaran. Pickup and return transfers can also run late, so bring patience along with your swimsuit.

Key points to know before you book

• Grand River South East Waterfall: Spend about 30 minutes moving through the river valleys for a close view of the cascade and possible monkey sightings.
• Beach BBQ on Ilot Margenie: Lunch is a three-course BBQ meal, with halal food and vegetarian choices available if requested in advance.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: Allow about two and a half hours for swimming, relaxing, sightseeing, and a look at the arts and crafts market.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, local rum, juice, soft drinks, and water are part of the meal stop.
• Small group, optional pickup: The boat group is limited to 14, while hotel pickup and drop-off depend on the option you select.
• Watersports cost extra: Parasailing and tube riding are available at Ile aux Cerfs but are not included in the $56 price.

Speeding out from Trou D’Eau Douce

Your morning begins at the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant, unless you have selected hotel pickup. The departure point is Trou D’Eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast, a practical base for reaching the offshore islands and river mouth.

A speedboat gives this outing a livelier start than a slow cruise. You feel the wind, get broad views of the coast, and reach the island stops without spending the whole morning on the water. This is also why you should wear secure clothing and leave loose items in a safe place.

The total duration is listed as 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours. That is a useful detail when planning your day. The experience is often described as a full-day outing, but the stated schedule is closer to a long half-day. If you have evening plans, the timing still leaves room for them, though transport delays can affect that.

The boat group is limited to 14 people. That should feel more personal than a large excursion, but the boat can still feel crowded when everyone is seated or moving around. One recent departure was described as having too many people on board, so do not assume that a small group means lots of spare space.

Grand River South East Waterfall and Cascade Diamamouve

The first major stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, also known as Cascade Diamamouve. The boat moves up through the river valleys, bringing you close to the falling water for a short sightseeing and photo stop.

This is a good opening stop because it changes the pace. You begin with sea air and speed, then move into a narrower river setting framed by trees and rocky banks. Look along the riverbank for monkeys among the trees. They are not guaranteed, but the chance of seeing them adds interest to what might otherwise be a quick waterfall photo stop.

Expect roughly 30 minutes here. That is enough for views and photographs, but not a long walk or a wide-ranging nature visit. The approach can also feel busy when several boats arrive at once. If you want a quiet, solitary waterfall experience, this may disappoint. If you value a scenic stop that fits neatly into a boat day, it works well.

Keep your camera ready before the boat reaches the cascade. The most useful views may come during the approach, and wet conditions near the waterfall can make handling phones and cameras awkward. A waterproof bag is a sensible addition to the listed packing advice.

Ilot Margenie: a BBQ lunch on the beach

After the waterfall, the boat heads to Ilot Margenie for lunch. The meal is served on the beach and includes a three-course BBQ. This is one of the strongest parts of the experience because the food stop is not just a quick sandwich break. You have time to sit, eat, and enjoy the setting.

The food is halal. Vegetarian meals are available on request, so make that request before the tour rather than hoping it can be arranged at the beach. The included drinks are generous for this price: water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and local rum are listed. You do not need to budget separately for ordinary drinks during lunch.

The beach setting adds a relaxed feel after the speedboat and waterfall. It also makes the lunch practical for a mixed group. You can eat while others chat or take in the view, without giving up the rest of the island schedule.

Still, lunch timing may depend on how the boats and transfers are managed. A delayed boat can make the meal feel rushed or push the rest of the day later. One reported outing had a pickup arranged for noon but arriving 40 minutes late, which is a useful warning for anyone who values a tightly timed schedule.

Two and a half hours at Ile aux Cerfs

The main beach stop is Ile aux Cerfs, known for its white sand, palm trees, and clear turquoise lagoon. The schedule allows about two and a half hours here, giving you much more than a quick photograph from the boat.

You can swim, sit on the sand, explore the shore, or visit the arts and crafts market. This flexible block is a strong reason to choose the tour. You do not have to fill every minute with an activity. If you have already spent the morning moving between stops, the lagoon gives you time to slow down.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A change of clothes is useful for the return journey, especially after a fast boat ride. Comfortable shoes are also recommended, though you will want easy access to bare feet for the beach and water.

The water activities at Ile aux Cerfs are separate purchases. Parasailing and tube riding are available, but neither is included in the $56 price. If you want a day built around paid watersports, check the extra cost before you commit. If your plan is simply to swim and enjoy the beach, the included schedule gives you plenty to do without adding expense.

The island can also feel busy. White sand and clear water are the main draw, so this is not a private-island escape. You should expect other people, activity operators, and a market area. The appeal is easy access to a photogenic beach, not solitude.

What the $56 price really covers

At $56 per person, this is a good-value package if you use the main inclusions. You get the speedboat, the waterfall stop, BBQ lunch, a broad drinks selection, and substantial time at Ile aux Cerfs. A comparable day can become expensive when transport, food, and drinks are priced separately, so the bundled format is useful.

The value is strongest for a first visit to Mauritius when you want several east-coast highlights in one outing. You can see a waterfall, eat on a small island, and spend time at one of the country’s best-known beach areas without arranging each piece yourself.

The value is weaker if you dislike fixed schedules or crowded boats. You are moving through several stops, and the waterfall visit is short. Optional hotel pickup may also add convenience without guaranteeing perfect timing. Pickup is offered from a wide range of districts, including Moka, Rivière Noire, Flacq, Grand Port, Rivière du Rempart, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Savanne, Pamplemousses, and the Green Island Beach Restaurant area. Confirm your selected pickup option carefully.

The strongest praise has been for the BBQ and the fact that all listed drinks are included. That matters because lunch is not an afterthought here. The main criticism concerns coordination, especially delays and confusion about the boat type. I would book for the food, scenery, and beach time, but I would not choose it for military-precise timing.

Speedboat comfort, group size, and practical concerns

A speedboat ride is more exposed than a catamaran cruise. Wind, spray, and a lively ride are part of the appeal, but they can be tiring for anyone who prefers calm transport. Pregnant women should not book this activity, as it is specifically listed as unsuitable.

The tour is guided in English or French. No individual guide names are provided, so you should expect a crew-led outing rather than a tour built around one named specialist. The small-group format should make it easier to hear basic explanations and ask practical questions, though the quality of the day can still depend on boat coordination.

The most important detail to confirm at the start is your actual transport. The experience is sold as a speedboat tour, yet one outing involved an attempt to place passengers on a catamaran instead. If the boat type matters to you, ask the crew before leaving the meeting point.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional. If included in your choice, the driver meets you at your hotel reception or outside your accommodation. Allow extra time around both ends of the trip. One return transfer took about 40 minutes longer than expected, so avoid scheduling a flight, dinner reservation, or other fixed appointment immediately afterward.

Infants aged one to four are free. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is useful if your Mauritius plans are not fully settled.

What to pack for this east-coast outing

Pack lightly, but bring the items that protect you from sun and water:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Dry change of clothes
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes
• Camera or phone in a waterproof pouch
• Drinking water

The tour includes water and other drinks, but carrying your own water is still sensible for the boat and beach portions. A waterproof pouch is not listed as required, but it is a smart safeguard around spray, wet hands, and the waterfall.

If you want a vegetarian BBQ, arrange it in advance. The food is halal, which makes the lunch suitable for many dietary needs, but the supplied information does not give a full menu. Anyone with strict allergies should ask what can be accommodated before booking.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a straightforward introduction to Mauritius’s east coast. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who like a mix of movement and downtime. The combination of boat scenery, waterfall, beach lunch, and lagoon swimming gives you a lot in five and a half hours.

It is also a good choice if you want drinks and lunch settled in advance. The BBQ and included beer, wine, juice, soft drinks, water, and local rum remove much of the small spending that can make beach days awkward.

I would hesitate if you need quiet, exact timing, or a fully controlled itinerary. The waterfall stop is brief, Ile aux Cerfs can be busy, and transport arrangements may not always run to the stated time. You should also skip it if you are pregnant or do not enjoy exposed boat rides.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs tour?

Book it if you want a good-value mix of Mauritius highlights rather than a private or highly polished cruise. The BBQ lunch, included drinks, clear lagoon, and long beach stop are the real strengths. At $56, the package covers enough to make the price attractive, especially with optional hotel pickup.

Do not book it expecting perfect coordination or an empty beach. Confirm that you are getting the speedboat option, request vegetarian food ahead of time if needed, and leave space in your schedule for a late return. With those expectations, this is a practical way to see the waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs in one energetic day.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs boat tour last?

The stated duration is 330 minutes, which is about five and a half hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is on the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant in Trou D’Eau Douce. Hotel pickup is available only if you select that option.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course BBQ lunch is served on Ilot Margenie. The food is halal, and vegetarian options are available on request.

Which drinks are included?

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

Are watersports included at Ile aux Cerfs?

No. Parasailing and tube riding are available at Ile aux Cerfs, but they cost extra.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.