Mauritius: Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch

The east coast gets its best showcase. This five-hour outing pairs a fast speedboat ride with Ile aux Cerfs beaches, the Grande Rivière South East waterfall, and a beach BBQ. I like the mix of water, sand, forest, and food. I also like that beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, juice, and water are included, which makes the $64 price easier to justify. The main tradeoff is time: lunch takes a good part of the day, so you may wish for longer on Ile aux Cerfs.

This is a lively half-day rather than a quiet boat charter. You meet outside Chez Tino Restaurant in Trou d’Eau Douce, receive a short briefing, and head to the jetty. The speedboat cuts down travel time, but it can feel less gentle than a broad sightseeing boat, especially for anyone with back problems.

Key points at a glance

• Ile aux Cerfs is the main event: You get free time to walk, feel the sand, and enjoy the white beaches and turquoise lagoon.
• The GRSE waterfall is viewed by boat: The ride takes you toward the Grande Rivière South East waterfall, with a chance to see the surrounding mangroves and monkeys.
• Lunch is served on the beach: Fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit make this more than a quick snack.
• Drinks are part of the package: Beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice are included with the meal.
• The route uses a speedboat: The boat ride itself is a major part of the fun, with roughly 20 minutes to Ile aux Cerfs and 45 minutes toward the waterfall.
• The price covers the main costs: At $64 per person, the outing includes transport by boat, both sights, food, and drinks.

Why this five-hour east coast trip works

Mauritius is often reduced to beach time. This trip gives you a little more shape to the day. You see the famous Ile aux Cerfs, pass through a lagoon, cruise toward a waterfall, and eat beside the water. The route makes good use of the island’s east coast, where the scenery changes quickly from open sea to mangrove-lined river.

I like this format for a first visit. You do not have to arrange separate transport, boat tickets, lunch, and drinks. The whole experience starts and finishes at Chez Tino Restaurant, so the plan is easy to understand.

The tour is also short enough to fit around other plans. Five hours is not an all-day commitment, but it is long enough to feel like a proper outing rather than a quick transfer to a beach. The tradeoff is that each stop has a firm rhythm. You get a taste of several places instead of a full day at one of them.

The rating of 4.6 from 158 bookings reflects a strong overall experience. The most praised parts are the organization, friendly staff, meal, speedboat transport, and beach setting. One useful warning comes through clearly: some people would prefer less time at lunch and more free time on Ile aux Cerfs.

Meeting at Trou d’Eau Douce

Your starting point is outside Chez Tino Restaurant on B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce. This is the place to get your bearings before the boat portion begins. You receive a short explanation of the day’s route, then walk to the jetty.

The meeting arrangement is simple, but you should pay attention to the exact location. The experience does not begin at a large resort lobby or a general town center. It begins at the restaurant named in the booking details.

French and English are the operating languages. The provider, Societe Fernand Lacour & Fils, handles the boat and day. The staff have been praised for being attentive and for keeping the outing well organized, which matters when several water stops and a meal need to fit into five hours.

The first 20-minute speedboat ride

The first boat leg takes about 20 minutes and brings you toward Ile aux Cerfs. This is not just a way to get from point A to point B. The speedboat gives the outing its energy, and the ride lets you see the east coast from the water.

A speedboat can also be a practical choice. It covers the route quickly and leaves more of the day for walking and lunch. Still, anyone with back problems should think carefully before booking. The activity is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and boarding a boat may require more physical effort than a standard sightseeing trip.

You should expect a boat-centered experience, not a slow, shaded cruise. If you enjoy the feeling of movement and want to reach the island without spending most of the day in transit, this setup makes sense.

Free time on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is where you get your first real stretch of free time. The island is known for its white sandy beaches and clear turquoise water, and the plan allows you to walk and explore rather than simply view it from the boat.

This is the best part of the trip for setting your own pace. You can stroll along the sand, sit near the lagoon, or take in the contrast between bright water and green vegetation. The appeal is visual and immediate. You do not need a long explanation to understand why this island is a popular stop.

The amount of free time is the key question. The exact duration is not specified, and lunch later takes a sizeable portion of the five-hour schedule. If your top priority is swimming, sunbathing, or a long beach walk, you may find the visit too brief. If you prefer a broad sample of the coast, the stop should feel well judged.

I would treat this as a scenic island visit, not as a full beach day. That small distinction will help you book with the right expectations.

Cruising toward Grande Rivière South East

After the island stop, the boat heads for the Grande Rivière South East waterfall. This portion takes about 45 minutes, making it the longest listed boat leg of the day.

The route leads inland through the lagoon toward the waterfall. You pass mangroves and see the river environment change from open coastal water to a more enclosed setting. The waterfall is approached by boat, with the experience described as a cruise and pass-by rather than a long landing and hike.

That detail matters. You should not plan on a full waterfall trek. The value here is the boat approach, the river scenery, and the chance to see the waterfall from the water. The area is also associated with monkeys, adding a bit of wildlife interest to the stop.

The 45-minute ride may feel like a long stretch if you are focused only on Ile aux Cerfs. But it gives the day variety. Without this section, the trip would be mostly beach and lunch. With it, you see a different side of east Mauritius.

Beach BBQ at Ile aux Cerfs

The boat returns to Ile aux Cerfs for lunch. The meal is served on the beach, which is one of the outing’s strongest features. Food tastes different when you are eating beside the lagoon rather than in a restaurant away from the water.

The menu includes:

• Fish
• Chicken
• Garlic bread
• Mixed salad
• Pasta
• Seasonal fruit

Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available on request. You should make that request in advance rather than assume the kitchen will know your needs on the day.

Drinks are included: beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice. That is useful value at a beach stop, where separate drinks can quickly add to the bill. The included rum also gives the meal a distinctly Mauritian holiday feel, though you can choose water, juice, or a soft drink instead.

The meal is not merely a practical refueling stop. It is a central part of the experience. Staff have received strong praise for the welcome, food, and attention to detail, and the beach setting does much of the work. Still, lunch occupies enough time that some people would rather trade part of the meal for more island time. If you prefer a relaxed, social meal, you will likely appreciate the schedule. If you want every possible minute on the sand, it may feel too long.

The return ride to Trou d’Eau Douce

The final speedboat leg takes about 20 minutes and brings you back to Chez Tino Restaurant. After the waterfall cruise and lunch, this shorter ride gives the day a clear finish.

The return is also one reason the trip works well for people who do not want a full-day excursion. You see three distinct settings, eat a substantial meal, and return to the same starting point within five hours.

The boat route is part of the memory, but it is also the part most affected by comfort. The speed and motion are enjoyable for many people, yet less appealing if you have back trouble or dislike choppy rides. The activity data specifically rules out people with back problems and mobility impairments, so take that guidance seriously.

What the $64 price really covers

At $64 per person, the price is fair for a package that includes transport, two major sightseeing stops, lunch, and drinks. You are not paying only for access to Ile aux Cerfs. You are also covering the speedboat, the GRSE waterfall cruise, the BBQ meal, and a selection of beverages.

The strongest value comes from the bundled lunch and drinks. A beach meal and several drinks can otherwise become a noticeable extra expense. The included food also means you do not have to interrupt your island time to find a place to eat.

The price is less compelling if you want a private boat, a long stay on the island, or a slow day with no fixed meal schedule. This is a shared, organized outing with a set route. Its value comes from convenience and variety, not from total freedom.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. You can keep plans open without paying at the time of booking, provided you follow the cancellation deadline.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend it to you if you want a compact east coast sampler. It suits first-time visitors who want to combine beach scenery, a waterfall, a boat ride, and lunch without arranging each piece separately.

It also works well for people who enjoy active sightseeing but do not want a long land excursion. The speedboat keeps the route moving, and the free time on Ile aux Cerfs gives you a break from the schedule.

Families and couples may appreciate the easy structure, though the physical nature of the boat ride and boarding should be considered carefully. Anyone with back problems or mobility impairments should choose another experience.

You may want to skip it if your dream day is six hours of quiet beach time. The island visit is important, but it shares the schedule with the waterfall cruise and BBQ lunch. You may also prefer another option if you dislike fixed meal times or fast boat rides.

Small details that improve the day

Ask for vegetarian or gluten-free food when you reserve. The option is available, but it is listed as something to request rather than an automatic part of the menu.

Keep the meeting point clear in your plans: outside Chez Tino Restaurant, B59, Trou d’Eau Douce. A short briefing comes before the walk to the jetty, so arriving at the named place is more useful than searching for a boat elsewhere.

Think of Ile aux Cerfs as the heart of the outing, but not the whole outing. The waterfall cruise and beach meal are what make this different from a simple island transfer.

Finally, allow yourself to enjoy the pace. The day moves from boat to beach to river and back to beach again. It is organized, but it is not rigid sightseeing in the museum sense. The best moments come from the contrast between the bright lagoon, the green river route, and the informal BBQ by the water.

Should you book this Mauritius speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized five-hour trip with strong scenery, a lively boat ride, and food and drinks included. The combination of Ile aux Cerfs, the Grande Rivière South East waterfall, and a beach BBQ gives you a useful taste of east Mauritius for $64.

Think twice if you want maximum island time, a private boat, or a gentle ride. For most people who value variety and convenience, the organization, friendly service, and all-in-one price make this a sound choice. Just remember that the lunch is a feature, not a brief pause, and plan your expectations around that.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and finishes outside Chez Tino Restaurant on B59 in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts five hours. The listed boat rides include about 20 minutes to Ile aux Cerfs, 45 minutes toward Grande Rivière South East, and 20 minutes back to Trou d’Eau Douce.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes fish, chicken, garlic bread, mixed salad, pasta, and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, water, and juice.

What languages are available?

The driver and activity service are available in French and English.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve the experience and pay later, keeping your plans flexible.