Mauritius: Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs & BBQ

Mauritius looks best from the water. This seven-hour speedboat trip packs reef snorkeling, a shipwreck, the old lighthouse, Grand River South East waterfall, Île aux Cerfs, and a beach BBQ into one lively day. I especially like the small-boat feel and the way the trip mixes active stops with time to swim, eat, and simply sit on the sand.

I also like that soft drinks, local beer, and rum are included throughout the day, rather than treated as extras. Guides such as Hans, Giovanni, Nathaniel, and Ashley are frequently praised for their humor, local stories, and careful attention to safety. The main trade-off is price: at $147 per person, this costs more than a basic shared boat trip, and a speedboat offers less room than a catamaran.

Key points before you book

• Fast, full-day route: You cover several southeastern highlights in about seven hours, with departure around 9:30 AM and return around 4:00 to 4:30 PM.
• Small-boat advantage: The speedboat can reach more places quickly and feels less crowded than many larger catamarans, though the seating area is tighter.
• Snorkeling is included: Equipment is supplied, and the stop usually lasts about 30 minutes in clear lagoon water with coral and tropical fish.
• The BBQ is a real feature: Grilled chicken and fish are served on Île aux Cerfs, with a vegetarian meal available if requested in advance.
• A lively crew makes the difference: Music, local rum, practical help, and stories about Mauritius give the day a social, informal feel.
• Weather matters: The date or route may change with the forecast, and swimming and snorkeling depend on sea conditions.

Why the speedboat changes the day

The boat is the heart of this outing. A speedboat gives you more range than a slow lagoon cruise, so the day can include a wreck, lighthouse island, river waterfall, several beaches, and snorkeling without feeling like you are spending all day in transit.

There is a trade-off. The ride is more exposed to sun, wind, and spray, and seating is tighter than on a catamaran. Hold your drink firmly when the boat accelerates. One useful tip from the trip itself: wear your swimsuit from the start, since the first water stop comes fairly soon after departure.

The boat has been described as modern, clean, comfortable, and spacious for a speedboat. That does not mean spacious in the cruise-ship sense. If you want room to stretch out, a catamaran may suit you better. If you want speed, movement, and the chance to see several parts of the coast in one day, this is the better format.

Starting at Shandrani Beach around 9:30 AM

The main meeting point is on the beach at Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa. For parking, use the small rocky road on the left side of the hotel. Pickup can also be arranged from accommodation or a designated point anywhere in Mauritius, but you should confirm the time and location with the operator.

The day normally starts with a safety briefing of about 15 minutes. That is useful here, not just formal housekeeping. You need to understand where to sit, how to move around the boat, and what to do before the crew increases speed.

If you are staying on the west coast, allow plenty of time for the road transfer to the southeast. A transfer is available as an option, and one particularly useful detail is that pickup may cover locations across the island when arranged with the provider. Confirm this rather than relying only on the booking screen.

Snorkeling in the Grand Port lagoon

The first major stop is a swim and snorkeling session in clear lagoon water. You receive snorkeling equipment, and the stop is intended for viewing coral and brightly colored tropical fish rather than for a long guided marine biology lesson.

I like this early placement. You can get into the water before the day becomes hot, and wearing your swimsuit from the beginning saves a change of clothes on the boat. Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A dry change of clothing is also sensible, especially if the boat ride is windy.

Keep expectations measured. Mauritius has lovely water and coral, but snorkeling quality can vary by location and conditions. One past participant found the snorkeling fairly ordinary, while many others considered the clear water and marine life a major highlight. The honest answer is that this is a pleasant reef stop, not a specialist snorkeling expedition.

The D’Alblair wreck and old lighthouse

The boat continues toward the D’Alblair shipwreck, dating from 1902, positioned on the coral barrier. Seeing a wreck from the boat gives the route a little more character than a simple beach-hopping cruise. You may be able to photograph it, but the supplied schedule does not promise a swim at the wreck.

Next comes a short stop at Île aux Fouquets, often called Lighthouse Island. The old lighthouse is a striking sight against the open water, and the stop allows time for photos and a brief visit. It is not a long historical tour, so think of it as a scenic stop with some explanation from the guide.

This is where the crew matters. Guides including Hans, Giovanni, Nathaniel, and others have been praised for explaining the places along the route without turning the day into a lecture. The best moments come when the information is mixed with local humor and easy conversation.

Up the Grand River South East to the waterfall

The boat then leaves the open coast and travels along the Grand River South East, described as the longest river in Mauritius. The river section changes the rhythm of the day. After salt water, wind, and speed, you get a calmer ride through the river toward the waterfall.

The waterfall stop lasts about 30 minutes. It is a scenic visit rather than a long hike. Depending on conditions and the exact stopping point, you may see monkeys around the waterfall area. Some outings have also included playful moments such as jumping from rocks into the water, but you should follow the crew’s instructions and never assume every group will have the same conditions.

This stop is one reason the tour offers better value than a basic Île aux Cerfs transfer. You are not only being taken to a famous beach. You are also seeing a river, a waterfall, and a different side of the southeastern coast.

The Île aux Cerfs BBQ and beach time

The longest stop is Île aux Cerfs, with about 90 minutes for lunch and free time. A BBQ of grilled chicken and fish is served on the beach, and vegetarian food is possible if you request it ahead of time.

The setting does much of the work. You eat close to the sand and water, then have time for a swim or a quiet break. Several accounts describe the lunch as generous and surprisingly good, with the BBQ receiving especially warm praise. One useful point is that the food is not treated as a quick sandwich stop. You get time to sit down and enjoy it.

Île aux Cerfs is famous, so do not expect total solitude all day. Still, the boat crew may choose a quieter section of beach for lunch, and smaller groups can feel much more relaxed than large organized excursions. One group of four described the boat as intimate and manageable, while another appreciated not being packed in alongside the many crowded boats nearby.

The 90-minute stop is long enough to make the island worthwhile, but not long enough for every possible activity. Some outings have included parasailing, although it is not listed as an included feature. Treat it as a possible add-on or seasonal extra, not part of the guaranteed price.

Île aux Aigrettes and the final swim

The last water stop is at Île aux Aigrettes, where you can enjoy a drink and swim in a natural pool with starfish. This is a gentler finish after the speed, snorkeling, river ride, and BBQ.

The starfish are the special detail here. Look, do not handle them unless the crew clearly says it is safe and appropriate. The stop is designed for a final swim and a close look at the shallow marine setting, not for a long island visit.

The day returns to the beach at Shandrani around 4:00 to 4:30 PM. The exact sequence can shift with weather and sea conditions, so do not build a tight evening reservation immediately afterward.

Drinks, music, and the crew

Soft drinks include water, Coca-Cola, and Orangina. Local beer and rum are also available on board throughout the day. This adds real value to the $147 price, especially because you are out in the sun for seven hours and do not need to keep buying refreshments at each stop.

The rum is part of the social style of the trip. Guides have prepared rum drinks, played music, and kept the atmosphere relaxed and playful. That can be a lot of fun for couples, friends, and families with older children. It may feel too lively if you want a silent nature tour.

Several named guides receive strong praise for being friendly, funny, attentive, and informative. Hans and Giovanni appear often in positive accounts, while Nathaniel, Ashley, Daren, Jamal, and others have also been singled out for good care and local explanations. The particular crew on your date will vary, but the operator’s service style is clearly one of the main attractions.

Safety also receives repeated praise. That matters on a fast boat, especially when the group includes children or people who are not confident swimmers. You still need to make sensible choices around alcohol, swimming, slippery rocks, and sun exposure.

What $147 really buys you

At $147 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Île aux Cerfs. A simple boat transfer or large group cruise will usually be less expensive, though the supplied information does not give comparison prices.

The value comes from the number of included elements:

• Seven hours on the water
• Speedboat transport
• Snorkeling equipment
• Reef snorkeling
• The D’Alblair wreck
• Lighthouse Island
• Grand River South East waterfall
• Île aux Cerfs beach time
• BBQ lunch
• Soft drinks, local beer, and rum
• Optional island-wide pickup

If you would pay separately for transport, lunch, drinks, and several sightseeing stops, the price becomes easier to justify. The small-group feel is another part of the value. You are paying for a full route with a crew, not simply for a seat on a boat.

I would not choose it solely for snorkeling. I would choose it for the whole combination: speed, coast, river, wreck, lighthouse, waterfall, beach meal, and swimming. That mix is what makes the price reasonable for a first or only full day in southeastern Mauritius.

Who will enjoy this most

This trip suits you if you want to see a lot in one day and prefer active sightseeing to staying at one resort beach. It is particularly good for couples, groups of friends, and families who enjoy swimming, music, casual food, and a friendly crew.

It can also work well for visitors with limited time in Mauritius. Instead of arranging separate transport to the waterfall, a snorkeling boat, and Île aux Cerfs, you combine them in one outing.

You may want another type of boat trip if you dislike speed, need lots of space, or prefer a quiet, slow cruise. The speedboat is also less suitable if you do not enjoy getting wet from spray or sitting in the sun for long periods.

Bring quick-drying footwear if possible. Comfortable shoes are requested, and they are useful around the beach and waterfall area. Add a swimsuit, towel, suncream, sunglasses, hat, camera, and a dry change of clothing. A vegetarian lunch must be requested in advance.

The tour is offered in English and French. Private groups are available, which may be worth considering if you want more control over the pace or are traveling with family and friends.

Should you book this Mauritius boat tour?

I would book this if you want a big day of southeastern Mauritius highlights rather than a single beach visit. The crew, boat, drinks, BBQ, and broad route earn the price, especially when you value a smaller group and do not want to organize several separate trips.

I would skip it if your priority is a slow catamaran cruise, abundant deck space, or highly focused snorkeling. For most active visitors, though, this is a well-balanced day with enough variety to keep the hours moving. Wear your swimwear early, protect yourself from the sun, ask for vegetarian food ahead of time, and leave room in your schedule for weather-related changes.

FAQ

How long is the speedboat tour?

The tour lasts about seven hours. Departure is around 9:30 AM, with arrival back at Shandrani Beach usually between 4:00 and 4:30 PM.

Where does the tour meet?

The main meeting point is on the beach at Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa. Parking can be found by taking the small rocky road on the left side of the hotel.

Is hotel pickup available anywhere in Mauritius?

Pickup is available as an optional arrangement from accommodation or a designated location anywhere in Mauritius. Contact the activity provider to confirm the pickup time and exact location.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the tour has a snorkeling stop in clear lagoon water.

What food is served at lunch?

The BBQ includes grilled chicken and fish on Île aux Cerfs. A vegetarian lunch is possible if you request it in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks include water, Coca-Cola, and Orangina. Local beer and rum are also available during the day.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a towel, comfortable footwear, swimwear, and a camera if you want photographs. A change of clothes and quick-drying shoes are also useful.

Can the date or route change because of weather?

Yes. The trip or date may be modified according to the weather forecast. Sea conditions can also affect swimming and snorkeling stops.