Mauritius: 3 Activities + Ile aux Cerfs Boat tour w/ BBQ

Fast water fun, then a beach lunch. This Mauritius package combines parasailing, underseawalk, and a tube ride at Belle Mare with a speedboat trip from Trou D’eau Douce to Grand River South East Waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs. I like the variety: you get a lively morning on the lagoon and a slower afternoon of scenery, swimming, and food. I also like that the beach barbecue includes local drinks, beer, wine, and rum. The main catch is logistics, since you must arrange your own transfer between the two meeting points, and the afternoon schedule can feel tight.

The experience costs about $124 per person and lasts roughly six hours. That is fair value if you want several paid activities in one day, especially with lunch, drinks, the boat ride, and island stops included. I would not choose it for a quiet beach day, though. The first part is active, and the second part depends on reaching the boat departure point on time.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Belle Mare water activities: The package includes parasailing, underseawalk, and a tube ride in the clear lagoon, with the activity block lasting about two hours.
• Two separate starting points: Begin at Aquasea Watersports near Belle Mare, then make your own way to Trou D’eau Douce for the speedboat.
• Grand River South East Waterfall: The boat reaches the waterfall through the river valleys, with a chance to spot monkeys in the trees.
• Beach barbecue on Ile aux Margenie: The three-course lunch comes with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.
• Free time at Ile aux Cerfs: You get time for swimming, beach relaxation, sightseeing, and a visit to the arts and crafts market.
• Timing deserves attention: One French-language booking described the afternoon as rushed, while another reported missing Ile aux Cerfs after arriving late at the second meeting point.

Belle Mare starts the day with three different thrills

Your day begins at the Aquasea Watersports office between Long Beach hotel and Emperror Restaurant. The morning activity session at Belle Mare is planned for around two hours, so arrive ready to move from one water activity to the next.

Parasailing gives you the biggest view. Once lifted above the lagoon, you can look down across the pale water and the eastern coast. It is the calmest of the three activities once you are in the air, though the launch and landing can feel more exciting than the ride itself.

The underseawalk is the unusual part of the package. You wear the equipment provided for the activity and walk beneath the surface rather than simply floating above it. The supplied safety information says it is suitable for children from age nine if they have broad shoulders, but the general package is not suitable for children under eight.

I like the range here. Parasailing gives you height, underseawalk gives you a close look at the water below, and the tube ride brings the speed. You do not spend the whole morning repeating one activity, which makes the $124 price easier to justify.

The tube ride is the most playful option. You are pulled across the lagoon while holding onto the inflatable, so expect splashes and wet clothing. The crew received strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and professional. One account specifically noted how gentle and helpful the underseawalk guide was, which matters when you are trying an unfamiliar activity.

The schedule may not be perfectly rigid. One person reported that no clear activity timings were given and that queues caused trouble later in the day. I would ask the Aquasea team at the start how long each activity may take and exactly when you need to leave for Trou D’eau Douce.

The transfer between Belle Mare and Trou D’eau Douce matters

After the water activities, you must get from Point A at Belle Mare to Point B at Trou D’eau Douce. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so arrange a taxi or rent a car before the day begins.

The drive is described as about 15 minutes from Belle Mare to Trou D’eau Douce. That sounds simple, but it becomes important if the morning activities run late or if the water sports area is busy. You do not want to finish the tube ride, search for transport, and then discover that the speedboat has already left.

This is the biggest practical weakness in the package. The activities are sold together, but the two parts do not begin in the same place. I would arrange the taxi in advance and give yourself extra time. Also confirm the exact boat meeting point at Trou D’eau Douce, since the booking information only clearly names Aquasea Watersports for the first stop.

The total duration is listed as six hours, although the description also calls it a full-day experience. Plan around six hours rather than assuming an entire morning-to-evening outing. The afternoon return is to the Belle Mare area, but your own transport remains your responsibility.

Grand River South East Waterfall adds a scenic pause

At Trou D’eau Douce, you board a speedboat with the crew and head toward Grand River South East Waterfall, also called Cascade Diamamouve. This is a short stop of about 30 minutes, including the boat ride, views, and time near the falls.

The waterfall is reached through the river valleys, where the boat moves inland from the coast. The setting changes quickly from open lagoon to river scenery, making this a useful contrast after the high-energy morning.

Keep an eye on the riverbanks for monkeys. They can be seen among the trees, but sightings are not guaranteed. The information is easy to miss during the boat ride, so ask the crew to point them out if you want a chance to see them.

The quality of the guiding may vary. One highly positive account praised the boat guide’s skill near the waterfall. Another said the speedboat driver offered little explanation and played music loudly. I would treat this as a transport and photo stop rather than a detailed nature talk. You are mainly paying for access to the river scenery and the boat approach.

Thirty minutes is enough for photographs and a close look, but not enough for a long walk or a slow exploration. If waterfalls are your main interest, this stop may feel brief. As part of a mixed water-and-island day, it works well.

Ile aux Margenie is the lunch stop worth looking forward to

After the waterfall, the speedboat continues to Ile aux Margenie, a small island where lunch is served on the beach. The meal is described as a three-course barbecue, with local drinks included.

The drink selection is unusually generous for a day tour. You can expect soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. That makes the lunch feel more like a proper island stop than a quick sandwich break.

The food is simple rather than formal. One account called the lunch basic but sufficient, while also praising the beautiful island setting. Another specifically described the meal as very good and the barbecue team as welcoming. That is the right expectation: you are getting a beach BBQ in a scenic place, not a restaurant tasting menu.

I like the way lunch breaks up the day. You have already done three active water activities and a boat trip, so a meal on the sand gives you time to dry off and slow down. Bring a change of clothes, since the morning activities and speedboat can leave you wet.

The timing at this stop is about 1.5 hours. That should allow time to eat and enjoy the setting, but it may not feel leisurely if the earlier schedule slips. If lunch is important to you, keep an eye on the clock and listen carefully for departure instructions.

Ile aux Cerfs brings the white sand and clear lagoon

The final major stop is Ile aux Cerfs, reached by speedboat from Ile aux Margenie. The island is known for white sand, palm trees, and clear turquoise water. The planned visit lasts about 1.5 hours, including free time for swimming, sightseeing, and the arts and crafts market.

This is the classic postcard part of the day. You can swim in the lagoon, sit on the beach, walk around, or browse local crafts. The water is the main attraction, so pack your swimsuit where you can reach it easily rather than burying it in a dry bag or vehicle luggage.

I would not expect complete solitude. Ile aux Cerfs is one of the best-known island stops on Mauritius, and the short visit is designed to give you a taste rather than a full beach day. Still, the combination of palm-lined sand and shallow-looking lagoon water makes it a rewarding final stop after the river and barbecue.

The timing issue is serious here. One person was very happy with the morning activities and lunch but missed Ile aux Cerfs after a late arrival at the second meeting point. Because the island is a central part of the package, confirm your afternoon departure time at Trou D’eau Douce and leave Belle Mare promptly.

What the $124 price really covers

At $124 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. It is a bundle of three organized water activities, a speedboat tour, a waterfall visit, a three-course BBQ, drinks, and time on Ile aux Cerfs.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for parasailing, an underseawalk, and a tube ride. The lunch and drinks also reduce the number of extra costs during the day. You still need to budget for personal expenses and your taxi or rental car between the two locations.

The package also saves planning time. Instead of arranging Belle Mare water sports, a river boat, an island lunch, and an Ile aux Cerfs visit separately, you handle them as one booking. That convenience is worth something, especially if your Mauritius schedule is short.

The value drops if you mainly want to swim and sit on the beach. In that case, you are paying for three activities you may not care about and a schedule that moves quickly. I would choose it for variety, not for a slow island escape.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend the tour to active couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want several eastern Mauritius highlights in one outing. It suits you if you enjoy trying new water activities and do not mind changing locations during the day.

It is also a good fit if you want a social, easy-to-follow package with English or French-speaking hosts. The strongest praise has focused on the Aquasea crew, especially their friendliness, energy, and care during the underseawalk.

I would hesitate if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, have had recent surgery, or have a low level of fitness. Those restrictions are stated clearly, and the combination of towing, boat movement, and water equipment is not suited to everyone.

Children under eight are not permitted. Underseawalk may be practical from age nine for children with broad shoulders, but the crew should assess suitability. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that work around water, and bring sunglasses, a hat, towel, camera, sunscreen, water, swimwear, and dry clothes.

How to make the day run better

Ask for the full timing at Aquasea before starting. You need to know when the water activities finish and when you must be at Trou D’eau Douce.

Arrange your taxi before the morning begins. The short drive is not the problem; finding a car at the right moment is. Tell the driver you have a speedboat departure to catch.

Use extra sunscreen. You will spend time on open water, above the lagoon, on the boat, and on the beach. Reapply it after the water activities rather than relying on one application at breakfast.

Keep your camera protected. The speedboat can get wet, and the tube ride is designed to make you splash. A waterproof pouch is sensible, although the supplied information only requires a camera, not special equipment.

Expect some variation in the afternoon commentary. The waterfall stop may come with useful guidance, but you might also receive little explanation from the boat driver. If you want to know about the river, the waterfall, or the monkeys, ask directly.

Bad weather can change the plan. If an activity is cancelled because of weather, the information says it will be handled with a partial refund. The policy also allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience, with a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Should you book the Belle Mare and Ile aux Cerfs package?

Book it if you want a packed six-hour day with three water activities, a speedboat, a waterfall, lunch, and beach time. The crew’s friendly service and the underseawalk are the strongest reasons to choose it, while the included drinks and BBQ make the price reasonable.

Skip it if you want a quiet, unhurried day or if arranging your own transfer sounds stressful. The key to enjoying this package is simple: organize transport between Belle Mare and Trou D’eau Douce, confirm the times, and leave no room for a late start. Do that, and you get a lively introduction to Mauritius’ eastern coast in one well-filled outing.

FAQ

Where does the experience start?

Meet the team at the Aquasea Watersports office between Long Beach hotel and Emperror Restaurant in Belle Mare.

Do I need to arrange hotel pickup?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point and between Belle Mare and Trou D’eau Douce.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. A three-course BBQ lunch is included, along with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

What water activities are included?

The package includes parasailing, underseawalk, and a tube ride at Belle Mare.

Is the experience suitable for young children?

Children under eight are not suitable for the tour. Underseawalk may be practical for children from age nine if they have broad shoulders.

What happens if bad weather cancels an activity?

Any activity cancelled because of bad weather is handled with a partial refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.