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

Mauritius packs a lot into this seven-hour speedboat route: three islands, a waterfall, a snorkeling stop, a shipwreck view, and lunch on Île aux Cerfs. The fast boat makes it possible to see several very different corners of the east coast in one day, rather than spending your whole outing at one beach.

I like the all-in-one pricing, which covers lunch, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks, and I like the cheerful, well-organized approach described by one guest. The main caution is group size: this is not automatically a private boat, and one booking for four people ended up sharing with about 12 others.

Key points at a glance

• Three island stops: See Île aux Cerfs, the lighthouse on Île aux Fouquets, and the beach at Île aux Aigrettes.
• A full day on the water: The tour lasts about seven hours, including roughly three hours of boat travel.
• BBQ by the beach: Lunch and drinks are included during the Île aux Cerfs stop.
• A natural aquarium: The Eau Bleue stop near Vieux Grand Port gives you about 40 minutes for snorkeling.
• A short waterfall visit: The Grande Rivière Sud Est waterfall adds an inland-looking scene to an otherwise marine day.
• Small but shared group: The boat holds no more than 15 people, but a private trip is not promised.

A fast route through Mauritius’s eastern waters

This outing begins at 7:30 am in Trou d’Eau Douce, a sensible starting point for exploring the east coast. You return to the same meeting point at the end of the day, so you do not need to arrange a second location.

The boat ride takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way. That is a sizeable part of the seven-hour schedule, but it also explains how the tour reaches several distant sights in one morning and afternoon. You should expect a day with plenty of open-water travel, not seven hours spent ashore.

A speedboat gives the day its energy. You move quickly between stops, and the ride itself becomes part of the outing. At the same time, the exposed boat setting means you should be ready for sun, spray, and movement. The tour asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, so it may not suit anyone who finds boat transfers or repeated stops difficult.

Île aux Cerfs brings lunch and beach time

Île aux Cerfs is the main stop, with roughly one hour to 90 minutes set aside for the island. The timing supplied for this stop differs slightly, so I would plan for a compact visit rather than a long, unhurried beach day.

Lunch and drinks are served on the island, with a BBQ included in the price. That matters because the tour begins early and covers a lot of ground. You do not need to find a restaurant between boat rides, and the meal gives you a proper break from the movement of the boat.

The appeal of Île aux Cerfs is simple: sand, water, and a chance to stretch your legs after the first part of the route. You will have time to enjoy the setting, but not necessarily enough time for a slow afternoon of beach lounging. If your main goal is to spend hours on one beach, a dedicated Île aux Cerfs trip may suit you better.

Drinks include both alcoholic and soft options. Since the tour returns to the water after lunch, use sensible judgment with alcohol. The supplied details do not give a drinks list, so you should not book this expecting a particular wine, beer, or cocktail.

Île aux Fouquets and its old lighthouse

The visit to Île aux Fouquets, also called Île aux Phare, lasts about 30 minutes. Skippers give a short briefing about the island and its past, making this more than a quick photo stop.

The lighthouse gives the trip a change of pace. Île aux Cerfs is about beach time, while this stop is about a small historic island and the shape of the surrounding coast. Thirty minutes is enough for an introduction, but not a long exploration. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a brief stop within a packed route.

The tour description also includes a small stop at the shipwreck of D’Alblair. It is best viewed as an added sight along the route rather than a major visit with a long landing. The exact amount of time there is not stated.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleue near Vieux Grand Port

Near Vieux Grand Port, the boat stops at a natural aquarium known as Eau Bleue. You get about 40 minutes for snorkeling in clear water, with tropical fish as the main attraction.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day for anyone who wants more than beach scenery. You get a defined period in the water, rather than a vague promise of a swim. Still, water conditions can affect visibility, and the trip requires good weather. The operator may change the date or offer a refund if poor weather forces a cancellation.

The tour information does not state whether snorkeling equipment is supplied. Ask before departure if you do not have your own gear. That small check can prevent an avoidable surprise on the day.

The stop is also a useful balance to the island visits. You are not simply looking at the sea from the boat. You have time to get into the water and see the marine life directly, although the 40-minute window will pass quickly once you are ready.

Grande Rivière Sud Est adds a waterfall

After Île aux Cerfs, the boat heads toward the Grande Rivière Sud Est waterfall. The stop lasts about 15 minutes and focuses on viewing the second-longest waterfall in Mauritius.

Fifteen minutes makes this a quick scenic pause. You should think of it as a chance to see the falls from the water and take a few photographs, not a hike or extended visit. The contrast is what makes it worthwhile: after beaches and open sea, you get a freshwater scene at the mouth of a river.

The river route also adds variety to the boat day. Without it, the trip would be almost entirely about islands and snorkeling. Here, the speedboat gets into a different type of setting before the route continues.

Île aux Aigrettes is a final beach stop

On the return journey, the boat stops for about 30 minutes at the beach of Île aux Aigrettes. The description specifies beach access only, so you should not expect a full visit to the nature reserve or an extended wildlife program.

This final drink stop can be welcome after a busy schedule. It gives you another short chance to step ashore, enjoy the water, and take in a quieter moment before the ride back to Trou d’Eau Douce.

The three island names can sound similar, but the stops serve different purposes. Île aux Cerfs is the main beach and lunch stop. Île aux Fouquets is the lighthouse and history stop. Île aux Aigrettes is a short beach break on the return. Knowing that difference helps you judge the tour fairly.

What the $88.81 price really covers

At $88.81 per person, this is priced as a packed day rather than a simple boat transfer. You are paying for the speedboat, multiple stops, lunch, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks. The boat also covers a substantial route, with about 1 hour and 30 minutes of travel in each direction.

The value is strongest if you intend to see several east-coast sights in one outing. Separate transport, meals, and boat arrangements would take more planning, and this option places them into one booking.

The price is less attractive if you only want a quiet beach day. Île aux Cerfs receives limited time, and much of the day is spent moving between stops. You are buying variety and convenience, not maximum time on the sand.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they can be arranged for an extra fee. If you are staying away from Trou d’Eau Douce, add that cost before comparing this tour with other options. The meeting point is accessible by public transportation, according to the supplied details.

Group size matters more than the word speedboat

The maximum group size is 15 people, which is still small compared with a large sightseeing boat. A smaller boat can make boarding and moving between stops quicker, and it keeps the outing more personal than a crowded vessel.

But do not assume the boat is private. One party of four expected a private trip and found about 12 people aboard. Their day was still enjoyable, but the mismatch in expectations caused a serious problem, and a refund was refused.

The practical lesson is clear: if you need exclusive use of the boat, confirm that in writing before paying. The listed experience is a shared trip unless a separate private arrangement has been agreed.

The strongest service note is the guide’s organization, punctuality, professional manner, and friendly attitude. No guide name is supplied, so I cannot tell you who will lead your departure. The skipper’s role matters here because the day includes several tight time windows and water-dependent stops.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a broad taste of Mauritius’s east coast in one day. It suits people who enjoy changing scenery, short visits, boat travel, a little snorkeling, and an included meal.

It also works well for a first visit when you want to sample several famous sights before deciding where you would like to return for a longer stay. The mix of beach, lighthouse, waterfall, and fish-filled water gives the day more range than a single-island excursion.

You may want another plan if you dislike open-water travel. About three hours of the outing can be spent in transit, and the schedule leaves little room for lingering. It may also be a poor fit if you expect complete privacy, a long snorkeling session, or a full nature-reserve visit at Île aux Aigrettes.

Families and mixed groups can find the variety useful, but everyone should be comfortable with a moderate activity level. The tour does not promise hotel transportation, so factor in the cost and effort of reaching Trou d’Eau Douce.

Timing, weather, and what to confirm

The tour starts at 7:30 am and ends back at the same meeting point after about seven hours. An early start is helpful because it gives the boat time to reach the outer stops and still return the same day.

Good weather is required. If conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but later cancellations and changes are not accepted.

Before booking, I would confirm three things:

• Whether your reservation is shared or private
• Whether snorkeling equipment is included
• What extra pickup charges apply from your accommodation

Those questions are especially important because the tour’s value depends on your expectations. A shared boat with included lunch is one product. A private boat with flexible timing is another.

Should you book the Île aux Cerfs speedboat trip?

Book it if you want a busy, varied day that combines Mauritius’s eastern islands with snorkeling, a waterfall, lunch, and drinks. The price is reasonable for the amount included, and the organized schedule lets you cover sights that would be awkward to connect on your own.

Do not book it assuming you will have a private boat or hours of free time on Île aux Cerfs. Confirm the group arrangement first, and remember that about three hours are spent traveling by boat.

My call: this is a good choice for an active first look at the east coast, especially if you value variety and straightforward logistics. Choose a slower beach excursion instead if your ideal Mauritius day means staying in one place, swimming at your own pace, and avoiding a tight schedule.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius, at 7:30 am.

Where does the tour finish?

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

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Île aux Cerfs, Île aux Fouquets, also called Île aux Phare, and Île aux Aigrettes, where the stop is on the beach only.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included, along with alcoholic drinks and soft drinks.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 15 people. The trip is not automatically private.

Is snorkeling included?

The tour includes a snorkeling stop at Eau Bleue near Vieux Grand Port, lasting about 40 minutes. The supplied details do not state whether equipment is provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.