Full-Day At Ile Aux Cerf: Speed Boat, GRSE, Lunch On A Private Island & Transfer

Mauritius saves its best tricks for the water. This full-day trip combines a fast speedboat ride, free time on Ile aux Cerfs, a three-course Mauritian BBQ lunch, and a cruise to Grand River South East Waterfalls. I like the easy hotel pickup and the generous lunch drinks, including beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and local rum. I also like that the group is capped at 12 people, at least in principle.

The main caution is consistency. Some departures run smoothly, with kind drivers, good food, and a terrific skipper. Others have faced late boats, loud music, crowded conditions, or limited English interpretation. Sunbeds may also cost extra, even though chairs and parasols are described as available, so confirm that point before you go.

The five things to know before booking

• The speedboat is the star: You travel between Trou d’Eau Douce, Ile aux Cerfs, and the GRSE waterfall by boat, with quick turns and open-water cruising.
• Lunch includes unlimited drinks: The meal includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices, dessert, beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and local rum.
• You get several hours on Ile aux Cerfs: Use your time for swimming, snorkeling, walking, sunbathing, or paid water sports.
• The group limit is 12 people: This should feel more personal than a large coach-and-boat outing, though the island itself can be crowded in peak season.
• Water sports cost extra: Parasailing and tube riding are not included in the $110.38 price.
• Weather matters: A cyclone or torrential rain can cancel the trip, with a full refund from the operator.

From your hotel to Trou d’Eau Douce

The day begins around 9 a.m. with pickup from your hotel or accommodation in Mauritius. The vehicle is fully air-conditioned, and the package includes a qualified guide or driver. Pickup time can vary by location, so do not treat 9 a.m. as a guaranteed door knock.

You first head to Trou d’Eau Douce, a fishing village on Mauritius’ east coast. The drive from your accommodation is not fixed, but the listed village stop itself is about 15 minutes. This part matters because it keeps the morning simple: you do not have to find a marina, arrange a taxi, or negotiate a boat transfer after breakfast.

The vehicle transfer is one of the practical strengths here. If you are staying somewhere away from Trou d’Eau Douce, the private air-conditioned ride adds real value to the price. One particularly positive account praised the driver for safe driving, local knowledge, and even buying local food to try. That suggests the road portion can become more than a basic transfer, although the quality depends on the assigned driver.

There is one timing issue to keep in mind. A late start can shorten your time on the water, and one departure was delayed by around 30 minutes at the return stage. If you are arriving from a cruise ship, be especially careful: a missed pickup time may be treated as your responsibility. The operator has indicated that a delayed cruise arrival once pushed the start back by two hours.

The speedboat crossing to Ile aux Cerfs

At Trou d’Eau Douce, you board the speedboat for Ile aux Cerfs. The ride takes you across the east coast lagoon, where the water shifts between clear blue and turquoise tones. Palm trees and pale sand come into view as you approach the island.

The boat is not merely a shuttle. It is a major part of the experience. The return portion is described as a high-speed coastal ride with sharp turns, sudden splashes, and the power of a 150-horsepower Yamaha or Mercury engine. If you enjoy a bit of motion, this is the part you are most likely to remember.

That same energy will not suit everyone. A speedboat can be wet, loud, and bumpy, especially when the skipper opens the throttle. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and spare clothes. The tour specifically advises you to bring your own towels and another change of clothing, which is sensible advice rather than a minor footnote.

The quality of the boat crew matters. One highly praised skipper created a lively day and even fed monkeys near the waterfall, while another departure was criticized for loud music containing profanity. If you prefer a quiet ride, tell the operator or skipper early. The boat atmosphere can shape the whole day.

Five hours on Ile aux Cerfs

You have roughly five hours around Ile aux Cerfs, making this more than a quick photo stop. The island gives you a choice of pace. You can stretch out on the sand, swim in the lagoon, walk along the shore, snorkel, or pay for an additional water sport.

The white beach and shallow-looking lagoon are the obvious draw, but the free time is just as important as the scenery. Many island excursions keep you moving from one stop to another. Here, you have room to slow down. I like that flexibility, especially for couples or families who do not all want the same activity.

Chairs and parasols are listed among the provided comforts, but a complaint specifically concerned sunbeds being charged separately. Treat this as something to verify rather than assuming every lounger is included. You may find a basic place to sit is available while premium sunbeds carry a fee.

Water sports are optional and not included. Parasailing and tube riding have additional charges. The tour information also refers to snorkeling and other beach activities, but equipment details are not fully specified, so ask what is supplied before you leave the dock.

The island itself may not feel private during the busiest periods. The excursion uses a private-island lunch setting, but Ile aux Cerfs is a popular destination, and peak-season crowds can affect the shoreline, boat loading, and return schedule. If you want an empty beach, this is not the safest choice. If you want a scenic island day with transport and food handled for you, it makes more sense.

A Mauritian BBQ lunch with drinks included

Around noon, you leave the beach area for a private island lunch. The meal is a three-course Mauritian BBQ, followed by a local dessert. Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it when booking. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance.

The included drinks are a strong part of the package. You receive unlimited water, soft drinks, red, rosé, and white wine, beer, and local rum during lunch. For a full-day island trip, that removes the worry of buying every drink separately, though you should not confuse unlimited lunch drinks with an all-day bar.

Food quality appears to vary by departure. Several accounts describe the lunch as very good, while one unhappy customer received a sausage without a bun and felt the meal did not match expectations. That criticism may reflect an isolated serving problem, but it is a reminder to keep expectations realistic. This is a beach BBQ, not a polished restaurant meal.

The vegetarian option is useful, particularly because island excursions often offer little choice once you are away from the mainland. Still, tell the provider before the day begins. Do not assume the kitchen can improvise a special meal at the last minute.

Lunch lasts about an hour. That is enough time to eat and enjoy the setting, but not so long that it takes over the beach portion of the day. The combination of food, dessert, and drinks is where the $110.38 cost begins to look reasonable, particularly if you would otherwise pay for transport, a boat, lunch, and drinks separately.

Cruising to Grand River South East Waterfalls

After the island time and lunch, the boat heads toward Grand River South East Waterfalls, usually called GRSE. The waterfall is reached by following the river channel inland, where fresh water and sea water meet.

The approach is scenic rather than strenuous. You remain on the speedboat as it moves through the canal toward the falls, surrounded by trees and wild plant life. Monkeys may appear along the riverbanks, and fruit bats can sometimes be seen resting high in the trees.

This stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a close look and photographs, but it is not a long nature walk. The appeal comes from the contrast: after bright beach and open lagoon, you enter a shaded river setting with animals and thick vegetation close to the water.

Animal encounters are not guaranteed, and you should not expect a wildlife show. The monkeys are accustomed to people, but feeding them is not something you should count on or encourage. One skipper reportedly made the stop especially memorable by feeding monkeys, but that should be viewed as a personal choice, not a standard feature to demand.

Music and skipper behavior can also affect this part of the trip. One complaint described overly loud music at the waterfall, including profanity. That is worth considering if you are traveling with children or want a calm nature stop. The waterfall itself is attractive, but the boat crew controls the tone.

The return ride and the timing puzzle

The published schedule places the return toward Trou d’Eau Douce around 3:30 p.m. The final ride is intended to be the most exciting: fast runs, tight turns, and plenty of spray before you return to the dock.

The full outing lasts about seven to eight hours, so the day should finish in the late afternoon. The description also refers to returning to your hotel for dinner, but dinner is not included. The included meal is lunch, so plan your evening food separately.

Boat delays are the biggest practical concern. One account described waiting roughly 30 minutes beyond the scheduled return time, and another complaint cited an unpunctual start. Delays can happen when boats are loading, when the island is crowded, or when weather changes. Keep the rest of your evening flexible, especially if you have a reservation or airport transfer.

What $110.38 gets you

At $110.38 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Ile aux Cerfs. You are paying for hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, a certified guide or driver, round-trip boat transport, the waterfall cruise, lunch, and unlimited drinks.

That bundle can offer good value if you want a no-hassle day. A self-arranged version would require transport to Trou d’Eau Douce, a boat booking, food, drinks, and decisions about how to reach GRSE. The package also gives you a small-group limit of 12, which is more appealing than a large coach excursion.

The value drops if you mainly want beach time and do not drink alcohol, or if you plan to add several paid water sports. It also drops if the group is not truly small on your departure or if delays cut into the island time. Since the rating is 4 out of 5 from 20 reviews, the overall picture is positive but not perfectly uniform.

The best parts receive repeated praise: the skipper, the speedboat, the BBQ lunch, and the organization on good days. The weaker points are also clear: language mismatches, boat delays, extra charges for some seating or activities, and uneven service.

Who should book this Ile aux Cerfs trip?

I would choose this outing if you want to see several east-coast sights in one day without planning every transfer yourself. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like mixing beach time with a lively boat ride and a short wildlife stop.

It is also a good match for you if you enjoy choosing your own pace. You are not locked into one beach activity, and you can spend your island hours swimming, snorkeling, walking, or simply resting under a parasol.

I would hesitate if you need a quiet, highly polished excursion. The speedboat is active, the island can be crowded, and the atmosphere may include loud music. English-language service should also be confirmed in advance if that matters to you. One departure had mostly French-speaking participants and only limited English interpretation, despite an English-language request.

Before booking, confirm four details: the pickup time at your accommodation, the language of the guide, whether sunbeds or parasols cost extra, and what snorkeling equipment is supplied. Those quick questions can prevent the main sources of disappointment.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather, a cyclone, or torrential rain causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want speed, scenery, food, and convenience in one package. The boat ride and GRSE stop add more variety than a simple beach transfer, while the included BBQ and drinks make the price easier to justify.

Skip it if you want guaranteed quiet, guaranteed punctuality, or a fully English-speaking group. The strongest departures sound like memorable Mauritius days, but the weaker ones show that the operator does not deliver the same polish every time. Ask the key questions before paying, bring dry clothes, and leave your evening open. For an active island day with a little unpredictability, this is a fair choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is offered from hotels or accommodations in Mauritius. The listed start time is 9 a.m., but the exact pickup time can vary by location.

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a three-course Mauritian BBQ lunch with a local dessert. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals are available.

What drinks are included with lunch?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, red, rosé, and white wine, beer, and local rum are included during lunch.

Are parasailing and tube riding included?

No. Parasailing and tube riding require an additional payment.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of a cyclone or torrential rainfall, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.