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

The east coast starts with speed. This 330-minute boat trip combines three of Mauritius’s easiest pleasures: a fast ride from Trou D’Eau Douce, a close look at Grand River South East Waterfall, and beach time around Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the small-group limit of 14 people and the fact that lunch includes drinks, beer, wine, and local rum.

I also like the mix of scenery and free time. You are not kept on a boat all day, and you get time to swim on Ile aux Cerfs after the waterfall and BBQ stops. The main concern is organization. One recent booking had confusion between the promised speedboat and a catamaran, plus waits for the lunch pickup and return transfer. If you value precise timing, confirm the boat and transport details before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• The trip begins at Trou D’Eau Douce, one of the main departure points for excursions along Mauritius’s east coast.
• Grand River South East Waterfall comes first, with about 30 minutes for photos, river views, and possible monkey sightings.
• Lunch is served on Ilot Margenie, a small island with a beach BBQ, three-course meal, and drinks.
• Ile aux Cerfs provides about 2.5 hours, enough for swimming, beach time, sightseeing, and a look at the arts and crafts market.
• The group is limited to 14 people, though one recent booking found the boat crowded despite that advertised limit.
• The $56 price includes the boat, food, and drinks, while hotel transport is included only with selected options.

Why this east coast boat trip works

I see this as a good-value way to cover several east coast sights in one outing. You get a boat ride, a waterfall visit, lunch, a beach stop, and drinks without having to arrange separate taxis, boats, and restaurants.

The route also has a pleasant rhythm. The waterfall gives you a short nature stop, lunch breaks up the ride, and Ile aux Cerfs gives you the longest stretch of unhurried time. That matters because a beach island is best enjoyed when you are not being rushed from one photo stop to the next.

The tour lasts 330 minutes, or five and a half hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper day out, but it is not an all-day commitment that takes over your entire Mauritius schedule.

The experience has a current rating of 3.9 out of 5 from 103 ratings. That tells me the main attractions are appealing, but the transport and timing can be uneven. I would book it for the setting and included meal, not because I expect a perfectly timed operation.

Starting from Trou D’Eau Douce

You meet the boat across from Green Island Restaurant on the beach, unless you select a hotel pickup option. Pickup can cover a wide area, with listed drop-off districts including Moka, Rivière Noire, Flacq, Grand Port, Rivière du Rempart, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Savanne, and Pamplemousses.

That wide transport area is useful if you are staying away from the east coast. It also creates a practical warning: a hotel transfer can add waiting time before and after the boat trip. One recent booking had to wait about 40 minutes for the return transfer, so I would avoid scheduling an important evening plan too close to the stated finish.

At the beach meeting point, you board a speedboat with a guide who speaks English or French. The advertised group size is no more than 14 people. A smaller boat can make it easier to hear instructions and move around, but the actual feel depends on the boat used that day. One booking described the boat as too crowded, so ask the operator to confirm the vessel before departure.

A fast ride to Grand River South East Waterfall

The first major stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, also called Cascade Diamamouve. The boat travels through the river toward the falls, passing between steep sides and wooded riverbanks.

This is not a long waterfall hike. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and is built around sightseeing and photographs. You move close to the falling water, take in the river views, and look into the trees for monkeys along the banks.

I like this opening because it gives the tour some variety right away. You are not simply racing straight to a beach. The river section feels more sheltered than the open coastal ride, and the waterfall provides a clear natural feature rather than a vague scenic stop.

Keep your expectations sensible. Thirty minutes is enough for a look and some photos, but not for a long walk or quiet exploration. One recent booking described the waterfall stop as a rushed, mass-tour experience. If several boats arrive together, the visit may feel more like a quick viewing than a peaceful nature outing.

Bring your camera, but protect it from spray. Sunglasses and a hat are useful in the open boat, while sunscreen is essential. Comfortable shoes are listed among the recommended items, although your most important footwear choice is something you can manage around a beach and boat.

BBQ lunch on Ilot Margenie

After the waterfall, the boat heads toward Ilot Margenie, a small island where lunch is served on the beach. The meal is described as a three-course BBQ, with vegetarian food available if requested ahead of time. The food is halal.

This is one of the strongest parts of the outing. A beach BBQ feels more connected to the setting than a meal in a standard restaurant, and the included drinks make the $56 price easier to justify. You receive soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

One recent booking specifically praised the food and the attractive lunch setting. That is worth taking seriously because a meal served outdoors can be hit or miss. Here, the lunch stop is not just fuel between boat rides. It is one of the central experiences.

The listed timing gives about one hour for the lunch stop. That is enough to eat and enjoy the beach, but it may not leave much spare time if service runs late. A recent booking reported a pickup arranged for noon that did not arrive until 12:40. The delay affected the rhythm of the day, so do not assume every handover will happen exactly on schedule.

If you want a vegetarian meal, request it in advance. Do not wait until you are sitting down. Also remember that drinks are included, but the exact amount and serving pace can vary in a group setting. If you prefer plain water, bring your own bottle as well.

Ile aux Cerfs and its clear lagoon

The tour then continues to Ile aux Cerfs, the best-known beach stop on this route. As the boat approaches, you see palm trees, white sand, and clear turquoise water around the island.

The schedule allows about 2.5 hours here. That is the part of the day where you can set your own pace. Swim in the lagoon, sit on the beach, take photographs, look around the arts and crafts market, or simply enjoy being off the boat.

Ile aux Cerfs is the reason many people choose this excursion, and the free time is long enough to make the stop worthwhile. You are not limited to a quick photograph from the boat. Pack swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, and sunscreen so you can use the lagoon properly.

The island also offers activities such as parasailing and tube riding. These are not included in the tour price. I would treat them as optional extras rather than part of the package, and ask about the cost before committing. The basic excursion already gives you beach access and swimming time, so you do not need to buy an activity to get value from the day.

The beach can feel very different from the waterfall. The river stop is brief and scenic, while Ile aux Cerfs is more about choosing your own activity. If you enjoy sitting by the water, two and a half hours should suit you. If you dislike beach time, the outing may feel slow after lunch.

Speedboat thrills, with a few practical limits

The speedboat is a big part of the appeal. You feel the wind, see the coast from the water, and cover the route in a way that a road trip cannot match.

It is also the part that requires the most attention at booking. The experience is sold as a speedboat tour, but one recent booking reported being directed toward a catamaran instead. That is a basic mismatch, not a minor detail. If the boat type matters to you, confirm it with Atlantis Tours Mauritius before the morning of departure and again at the meeting point.

A speedboat ride can be wet and exposed. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a change of clothes are sensible. Keep your camera secure, and do not bring anything that cannot handle water or spray.

Pregnant women should not book this excursion. The activity is also not designed as a quiet, luxury cruise. It is a practical, active boat day with beach time and a fast ride between stops.

What the $56 price really covers

At $56 per person, the tour offers solid value if you want several elements bundled together. The price includes:

• Speedboat transportation
• A BBQ lunch on Ilot Margenie
• Soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum
• Hotel pickup and drop-off when that option is selected

The food and drinks are important to the value calculation. If you had to pay separately for a boat excursion, lunch, and refreshments, the cost would rise quickly. The inclusion of the waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs also saves you from arranging multiple parts of the day.

The price does not include parasailing, tube riding, or other water sports at Ile aux Cerfs. You should also check the exact booking option before paying, since hotel transport is not automatically included in every choice.

The main value risk is time lost to poor coordination. A delayed transfer or a switch from speedboat to catamaran can make a reasonably priced tour feel less worthwhile. The trip is best for someone who cares most about the overall day and scenery, and who can tolerate a little scheduling looseness.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a simple way to see several east coast highlights in one day. It suits beach lovers, families with older children, couples who enjoy boat rides, and anyone who wants swimming time without organizing the logistics alone.

It is also a good fit if you like a social small-group setting. The 14-person limit is intended to keep the group manageable, though the actual boat may feel fuller than expected.

You may want a different plan if you prefer exact departure times, quiet sightseeing, or a fully private boat. The waterfall stop can be brief, and the transfer arrangements have not always been smooth. If the speedboat itself is the main reason you are booking, confirm the vessel in advance.

Infants aged 1 to 4 can join free of charge. Vegetarian meals are available on request, and the food is halal. Bring the practical kit: swimsuit, towel, spare clothes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, camera, and comfortable shoes.

Booking and cancellation advice

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel the trip, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

Weather matters here because the experience depends on an open boat, a waterfall approach, and swimming conditions. I would avoid placing this tour on the final day of your Mauritius stay, since a weather change or transport delay could affect your plans.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs boat tour?

Book it if you want good overall coverage for $56: a speedboat ride, Grand River South East Waterfall, a beach BBQ with drinks, and several hours at Ile aux Cerfs.

I would not book it blindly if you need strict timing or a guaranteed speedboat. Confirm the boat type, pickup details, vegetarian request, and meeting point before departure. With those points clear, this is a practical and enjoyable east coast outing, especially for first-time visitors who want scenery, lunch, and swimming in one package.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is across from Green Island Restaurant on the beach at Trou D’Eau Douce.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are available when you select that option. The driver meets you at your hotel reception or outside your accommodation.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is 330 minutes, or five and a half hours.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is advertised as a small group limited to 14 participants.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course BBQ lunch is served on Ilot Margenie.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks can include soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Can I request vegetarian food?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available upon request.

Are water sports included?

No. Activities such as parasailing and tube riding at Ile aux Cerfs cost extra.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, and water.