Mauritius : Ile Aux Cerfs 3 islands Speed Boat Trip with BBQ

Island-hopping makes Mauritius feel wonderfully compact. This 7-hour speedboat trip links Ile aux Cerfs, the old lighthouse island, Ile aux Aigrettes beach, a snorkeling spot, and the Grand River waterfall in one busy day. I like the mix of open-water riding and short island stops, and I like that lunch, drinks, and a beachside BBQ are included.

The main catch is the time spent crossing between stops. Boat travel takes about one and a half hours each way, so this is not a slow, quiet beach day. Also, if you are expecting a private boat, confirm that before paying. One booking party of four found around 12 people aboard instead, despite thinking the trip was private.

The day at a glance

• A 7:30 am start from Trou d’Eau Douce: You meet at the boat departure point and return there at the end.
• Ile aux Cerfs with lunch and drinks: You get roughly an hour to an hour and a half on the popular island.
• Ile aux Fouquets lighthouse: A short stop combines a look at the old lighthouse island with a briefing from the skipper.
• Eau Bleue snorkeling: About 40 minutes are set aside at a natural aquarium near Vieux Grand Port.
• Grand River waterfall: The Grande Riviere Sud Est adds a brief freshwater view after Ile aux Cerfs.
• Small-group speedboat format: The boat holds a maximum of 15 people, but the trip is not automatically private.

Why this boat trip covers so much of Mauritius

The appeal is simple: you see several coastal sights without arranging separate outings. In one morning and afternoon, you ride past small islands, stop at a lighthouse, swim or snorkel in clear water, eat on the beach, and reach a waterfall by boat.

That variety is the real value. A dedicated Ile aux Cerfs outing gives you more time on one island, but this trip gives you a broader taste of the southeast. I would choose it if you have limited time in Mauritius and want a full day on the water rather than a single beach transfer.

The speedboat matters, too. It lets you cover the route in a practical way, though the ride can feel long if you are hoping to spend most of the day ashore. The total duration is about seven hours, and the crossing time is included in that figure.

The group limit of 15 sounds manageable, and it is smaller than a large coach or party boat. Still, the published experience should not be treated as a guaranteed private charter. Ask directly if you need the boat reserved for your own group.

Meeting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 am

The starting point is Trou d’Eau Douce, a useful base for exploring the east coast by boat. You need to arrive there for the 7:30 am departure. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. They can be arranged for an additional charge, but you should settle that before the morning of the trip. If you are staying outside Trou d’Eau Douce, the extra transfer cost may affect the overall value more than the advertised per-person price.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives at booking. Public transportation is nearby, which gives you another way to reach the meeting point if your accommodation makes that practical.

The early start is useful. It gives the boat time to reach the islands and waterfall while keeping the day within roughly seven hours. I would bring only what you need on the boat, since the day involves several short stops and movement between beaches, boat seats, and snorkeling water.

Ile aux Cerfs: the main beach stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the longest island stop and the central beach portion of the day. You spend around an hour to an hour and a half here, with lunch and drinks served on the island.

The supplied timing is slightly inconsistent, with one description allowing about 1 hour 30 minutes and the stop schedule showing 1 hour. I would plan mentally for a short visit rather than a half-day stay. That matters if you want extended swimming, a long beach walk, or plenty of time to sit with lunch.

The food is a BBQ, served with drinks in the sand. Alcoholic and soft drinks are included, which makes the price easier to judge. You are not paying for transport alone, then having to add a separate meal and beverage bill.

I like this arrangement because it keeps the day informal. You can eat near the beach rather than returning to a formal restaurant, and the BBQ fits the setting. The trade-off is limited control over the meal timing and menu, since it is part of the group excursion.

Ile aux Cerfs is also where the trip can feel most rushed. If your ideal day means claiming a beach chair and staying put, the one-hour-or-so schedule may frustrate you. If you prefer seeing several places, the short stop is a reasonable compromise.

Ile aux Fouquets and its old lighthouse

The lighthouse island, also called Ile aux Phare or Ile aux Fouquets, gets about 30 minutes. The skipper gives a briefing on the island’s history, followed by time to look around.

This is a short cultural pause in an otherwise water-and-beach itinerary. The lighthouse gives the route a sense of place, and the stop breaks up the longer boat rides. You should not expect a long museum visit or an extended historical tour. The value lies in seeing the island from close range and hearing the basic story from the skipper.

The exact nature of the stop can depend on the boat’s movement and conditions, so keep your expectations modest. It is best treated as a compact sightseeing visit, not the main reason to book the day.

The overview also includes a small stop at the D’Alblair shipwreck. That is another quick point of interest along the route, rather than a long shore visit. I would keep your camera ready, but avoid building the whole day around any one brief photo stop.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleue near Vieux Grand Port

The snorkeling stop lasts about 40 minutes at a natural aquarium known as Eau Bleue. The water is described as clear, with tropical fish visible beneath the surface.

For many people, this will be the most active part of the day. Forty minutes gives you enough time to get into the water, look around, and return to the boat without turning the outing into a full snorkeling expedition.

You need a moderate level of physical fitness for the overall activity. The tour information does not specify whether snorkeling equipment is supplied, so ask the operator before departure if you do not have your own gear. That one question can save an unnecessary surprise on the morning.

The word snorkeling is important here. This is not presented as a scuba trip or a guided marine biology session. You get a chance to see tropical fish in clear water, then continue along the route.

I would also remember that sea conditions and weather affect water visibility. The whole trip requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Even on a scheduled day, the feel of the snorkeling stop can depend on the water.

Ile aux Aigrettes is a beach stop, not a reserve tour

The return includes about 30 minutes on the beach of Ile aux Aigrettes, with a final drink. The name can cause confusion because Ile aux Aigrettes is associated with a nature reserve, but this experience specifies a beach stop only.

That distinction matters. You are not booking an extended reserve visit or a wildlife tour here. Think of it as a final shore break, a chance to stretch your legs, take a drink, and enjoy one more patch of coast before the boat heads back.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick walk or swim if conditions allow. It is not enough for a relaxed afternoon. I like the stop as a closing pause, especially after the longer ride and active snorkeling session, but I would not choose this trip solely for Ile aux Aigrettes.

Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall by boat

After Ile aux Cerfs, the boat heads to Grande Riviere Sud Est, home to the waterfall described as the second longest in Mauritius. The listed stop lasts about 15 minutes.

This is a quick scenic visit rather than a hike. You remain on the water and view the waterfall from the boat area, making it accessible for people who want to see the river without adding a walking excursion.

The 15-minute timing tells you how to approach it. Enjoy the view, listen to the skipper, and take a few photographs, but do not expect a long exploration of the river. The waterfall adds variety to the route and helps the day feel like more than a chain of beach stops.

The order can also make sense from a comfort point of view. You get the major beach and meal stop, then a short scenic visit before continuing along the coast. Since the trip already includes long stretches by boat, the waterfall is a welcome change of subject.

What the $88.81 price really includes

At $88.81 per person, the price is reasonable if you want an all-in-one boat day. You receive the speedboat outing, lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and the listed island and coastal stops.

The key question is how much you value variety. You are paying for access to several places in one organized route, not for long stays at each one. A person who wants a private charter, long snorkeling time, or an unhurried beach meal may find the package less satisfying.

The included drinks improve the value, particularly with a BBQ on Ile aux Cerfs. You also avoid the hassle of planning separate boat transfers between the lighthouse island, snorkeling area, waterfall, and beaches.

Hotel transportation costs extra. If you need pickup and drop-off, add that amount before comparing this trip with other options. The advertised price is strongest for people who can reach Trou d’Eau Douce without a costly transfer.

The experience has a 4.5 rating from six posted ratings, which suggests a generally positive response but is still a small sample. The strongest praise focuses on organization, punctuality, fun, and a friendly guide. One person called it the best day out and praised the professional service and guide’s easygoing manner.

That positive tone matches the structure of the trip. A good skipper can make a major difference when the day includes several quick stops. At the same time, the private versus shared boat issue is a clear warning: ask exactly how many people will be aboard.

The long boat rides and the right expectations

The boat journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes each way. That is a substantial part of a seven-hour outing, not a minor transfer between activities.

I would see the ride as part of the experience if you enjoy open water and changing views. If you get uncomfortable on boats or dislike sitting for long periods, this is the main point to consider before booking. The trip is active in terms of moving from place to place, but the actual time on land and in the water is divided into short sections.

A small-group boat with up to 15 people should feel more personal than a large vessel, though the experience can still be social and shared. Bring practical sun and water protection, but the supplied details do not specify what equipment or onboard facilities are available, so ask the operator about anything essential to you.

The physical requirement is moderate. You do not need a high level of fitness based on the supplied information, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat, spending time on the water, and taking part in a snorkeling stop.

Who should book this Mauritius excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad southeast-coast sampler in one day. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a boat ride and several changes of scene.

It is also a good fit if you value convenience. Lunch and drinks are handled, the route is organized, and the boat returns to Trou d’Eau Douce. You can see the lighthouse island, waterfall, snorkeling area, and beaches without stitching together separate bookings.

I would be more cautious if you want privacy. The boat may carry up to 15 people, and at least one party found it was shared when they had expected a private trip. Get written confirmation if a private boat is important.

I would also choose another option if you want a full day at Ile aux Cerfs alone. The island stop is the highlight for beach lovers, but it is limited by the wider route. This excursion is about collecting several Mauritius experiences, not lingering at one.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs speedboat trip?

Book it if you want variety, included food and drinks, and a full day on the water at a fair package price. The combination of Ile aux Cerfs, a lighthouse island, Eau Bleue snorkeling, Ile aux Aigrettes beach, and the Grand River waterfall gives you a useful first look at Mauritius’s southeast coast.

Before paying, confirm two things: the expected group size and the cost of hotel transportation. If you are comfortable with long boat transfers and short stops, the trip offers a lively, well-organized day. If you want a private, slow beach escape, the shared speedboat format and tight timings may not suit you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of people can also lead to a new date or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Trou d’Eau Douce in Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 7:30 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

How long is the excursion?

The trip lasts approximately seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but they can be provided for an additional cost.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served as a BBQ on Ile aux Cerfs.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are included.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum of 15 people. It is not automatically a private trip, so confirm the boat arrangement if privacy is important.