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

Fast boats, warm water, and a beach barbecue await. This seven-hour outing gives you a broad taste of Mauritius, with stops at Ile aux Cerfs, the historic lighthouse island, Ile aux Aigrettes beach, a snorkeling spot, and Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall. I like the mix of scenery and activities, especially the chance to see several coastal sights in one day. I also like that lunch, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included.

The main caution is the group setup. This is a shared speedboat trip for up to 15 people, not necessarily a private boat. One party of four expected a private outing and found around 12 people aboard, so confirm that point before booking if privacy matters to you.

Key points to know before booking

• Three island stops in one morning and afternoon: You visit Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse, and the beach at Ile aux Aigrettes.
• About three hours of boat travel: The ride takes roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes each way, so the trip is as much about being on the water as it is about the stops.
• BBQ lunch and drinks are included: Food, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are served during the Ile aux Cerfs portion.
• Snorkeling at Eau Bleue: The stop at Vieux Grand Port takes about 40 minutes and is intended for swimming and seeing tropical fish.
• Small-group, shared experience: The maximum is 15 people, but do not assume the boat is private.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a changed date or a full refund.

A full day on Mauritius by speedboat

This is a good choice if you want to pack several classic east-coast sights into one outing. You meet at Trou d’Eau Douce at 7:30 am, then spend much of the day moving between islands, open water, a waterfall, and a snorkeling area.

The schedule is active but not frantic. You get around 1 hour and 30 minutes at Ile aux Cerfs, about 30 minutes at the lighthouse island, 30 minutes on Ile aux Aigrettes beach, 40 minutes at Eau Bleue, and a short 15-minute stop at Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall. The rest of the approximately seven-hour duration is boat time.

That long ride has two sides. It gives you broad views of the coast and makes the journey feel like a proper sea excursion. It also means you should not book this expecting hours of quiet beach time. If you want one island and a slow afternoon, this is too busy. If you want a sampler of Mauritius by water, the pace makes sense.

Ile aux Cerfs gives the day its beach time

Your longest stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you spend about 1 hour and 30 minutes. This is the main beach portion of the day, and lunch and drinks are served here.

The island is the natural center of the outing because it combines swimming, sand, food, and a break from the boat. You can use this time to relax, take in the coast, or enjoy the included BBQ rather than rushing straight into another activity.

The stop is not long enough for a full-day beach visit. You should think of it as a generous lunch break with time beside the water. Since several other stops follow, keep an eye on the departure time and do not wander too far from the meeting point.

The included meal improves the value. At $88.81 per person, you are not paying only for transport. You also receive lunch, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, snorkeling, and visits to several notable places. The food is served in a relaxed beach setting, which is more appealing than stopping at a standard restaurant halfway through a boat trip.

Still, expectations matter. The tour does not describe a choice of menus or special dietary arrangements, so anyone with food restrictions should check before booking. The same applies to the drinks. Alcoholic drinks are included, but the available choices and serving times are not specified.

Ile aux Fouqets Lighthouse adds history and character

The visit to Ile aux Fouqets, also called Ile aux Phare, lasts around 30 minutes. Skippers explain the island’s history before giving you time to visit the site.

This stop changes the mood of the day. Ile aux Cerfs is about sand and leisure, while the lighthouse island offers a more historic setting. You are not simply moving from one beach to another. The short briefing gives the island a sense of place and helps you understand why it matters.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick look, but not a long historical visit. You should expect a compact stop rather than a full guided tour. The boat crew provides the background, and the time ashore is limited.

For me, this is one reason the trip works better than a basic beach transfer. The day has some variety: beach, lighthouse, snorkeling, waterfall, and a final drink by the sea. None of the individual stops is extremely long, but together they give you a useful first look at this part of Mauritius.

Snorkeling at Vieux Grand Port and Eau Bleue

The snorkeling stop takes place at a natural aquarium known as Eau Bleue near Vieux Grand Port. You get about 40 minutes in the water, with a chance to see tropical fish in clear conditions.

This is an important part of the trip for anyone who wants more than sightseeing from the boat. The time in the water is long enough for a proper swim and snorkel, though it is not a full marine excursion. Water clarity can change with weather and sea conditions, so you should treat the fish viewing as a welcome opportunity rather than a guarantee of a particular underwater scene.

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. That likely matters most when boarding the speedboat, moving around during stops, and getting in and out of the water. The supplied information does not specify whether snorkeling equipment is provided, so ask before setting out if you need gear.

Bring a swimsuit and protect anything sensitive to water. You should also expect spray during the speedboat ride. Since the trip includes a substantial amount of open-water travel, a secure way to carry phones and cameras is sensible.

Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall is a quick scenic stop

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

This is a short look rather than a hike or waterfall visit with time for a long walk. The attraction is the view from the water and the chance to add an inland-looking feature to an otherwise coastal day.

Fifteen minutes may feel brief, but it keeps the overall itinerary moving. You get a photo stop and a change of scenery without giving up the longer beach and snorkeling portions. If waterfalls are your main reason for booking, choose a dedicated waterfall excursion instead. Here, it is one piece of a larger route.

Ile aux Aigrettes is a final beach pause

On the return journey, you stop for about 30 minutes on the beach at Ile aux Aigrettes. The tour description makes clear that this is a beach stop only, not a full visit to a nature reserve or an extended ecological tour.

That distinction matters. The name may suggest a land-based nature experience, but you should expect a brief beach break and a final drink. It is a pleasant way to slow down before returning to Trou d’Eau Douce, especially after the earlier snorkeling and boat movement.

Because this is near the end of the trip, energy levels may vary. Some people will welcome another chance to step ashore. Others may prefer to stay seated and enjoy the ride back. The schedule gives you the choice, but the stop itself remains short.

What the shared speedboat setup means

The boat holds a maximum of 15 people, which is small enough to feel more personal than a large sightseeing vessel. You can expect a more direct connection with the skipper and easier access to the various island stops.

But the maximum group size is not the same as a private charter. One booking party expected a private trip for four and found a speedboat carrying about 12 people. The issue was not the sightseeing itself, which they still enjoyed, but the mismatch between expectation and reality.

This is the most important booking tip. If you are looking for a private boat, ask Sam Tours to confirm the arrangement in writing before paying. If you are comfortable sharing, the smaller group can work well, especially when the crew is punctual, professional, and friendly.

The overall rating is 4.5 from six ratings, with especially strong praise for the organization, timing, and guide service. One person called it the best day out and highlighted the friendly guide. That positive impression fits the structure of the trip: an early start, several well-defined stops, and a return to the original meeting point.

The price makes sense if you want variety

At $88.81 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs, but it offers much more than a simple boat transfer. Your price covers the full-day speedboat outing, lunch, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, snorkeling time, and several scenic stops.

I see the strongest value for people who have limited time in Mauritius. Instead of arranging separate transport, food, and boat trips, you get a single day that covers several major sights. The included meal and drinks also make the price easier to judge.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a private experience or a long, quiet stay on one beach. A shared boat and a seven-hour route mean you are paying for variety and movement. That is useful for first-time visitors, couples who like active days, and families or friends who want a mix of swimming and sightseeing.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they can be arranged for an extra fee. You must reach Trou d’Eau Douce for the 7:30 am start unless you add that service. Check the meeting details carefully, since an early start and the return to the same meeting point shape your whole day.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Plan for a full day in the sun and on the water. A swimsuit, sun protection, a towel, and a secure phone case will make the outing easier. Because the trip includes snorkeling, wear clothing you can move in and expect to get wet.

The boat ride takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes each way. If you are prone to seasickness, consider preparing before departure. The supplied information does not state whether the boat has shade or whether motion-sickness supplies are available, so ask Sam Tours if those details matter to you.

A moderate fitness level is required. You should be comfortable boarding a speedboat, moving around on islands, and taking part in a water stop. If you prefer a slow, fully land-based day, this is probably not your best match.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation is provided when you book. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. After that point, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Since the outing depends on good weather and a minimum number of people, a cancellation by the operator can result in another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this Mauritius boat trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a well-organized introduction to the east coast without spending time arranging several separate outings. It suits people who enjoy being on the water, want a mixture of beach time and sightseeing, and appreciate having lunch and drinks handled for them.

It is also a sensible pick for a first visit. You see Ile aux Cerfs, a lighthouse island, a waterfall, a snorkeling location, and another beach in one day. That range helps you decide which places deserve a longer return visit.

I would hesitate if your priority is privacy, a long unhurried beach stay, or a detailed nature tour. The trip is shared, the stops are timed, and Ile aux Aigrettes is visited only as a beach stop. Confirm the boat arrangement before booking if the private-trip issue would spoil your day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 7:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the tour finish?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What is included in the price?

The price includes the full-day speedboat tour, lunch, alcoholic drinks, and soft drinks.

Is the boat private?

The tour has a maximum of 15 people, but it is not necessarily private. You should confirm the arrangement with Sam Tours if you want an exclusive boat.

Is snorkeling part of the trip?

Yes. The tour stops at Eau Bleue near Vieux Grand Port for about 40 minutes of snorkeling.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. A full refund is also available when the minimum number of participants is not reached and the operator cancels.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a busy, varied day that combines Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling, and a BBQ with a lighthouse, waterfall, and extra beach stop. The friendly service, included food and drinks, and broad route give it solid value at $88.81.

Before you pay, confirm that you are joining a shared speedboat rather than booking privately. With that expectation clear, this is a practical way to see several east-coast highlights in one outing.