Ile aux Cerf: Speed boat with Parasailing & Tube Riding and Lunch

If you want Mauritius to feel like a full day of action, this Ile aux Cerfs speedboat trip is a strong pick. You start from Trou d’Eau Douce and spend the day mixing beach time with guided marine activities. I also like that the day is built around hotel pickup, so you’re not hunting for meeting spots in a new place.

Your main payoff is simple: a fast run across the east-coast lagoons, then time at Ile aux Cerfs for the big water experiences, followed by a scenic stop at Grand River South East Waterfalls. One practical consideration is that the day can be time-sensitive, and on less cooperative timing or weather, you may feel the schedule a bit more than you’d like.

Key points before you go

• Trou d’Eau Douce to Ile aux Cerfs by speedboat with lagoon views and white-sand beach scenery
• Three headline activities: undersea walking, parasailing, and tube riding, each with patient instruction
• Lunch on Islet Margenie next to Ile aux Cerfs, BBQ-style with grilled chicken, fish, salad, and more
• Drinks included with lunch, including local rum, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water
• Wildlife spotting chances on the way back, including monkeys and Mauritian fruit bats near the waterfalls
• Small group cap (max 12), which usually makes it easier to move as a unit

The big picture on Ile aux Cerfs by speedboat

This is a day-trip format that tries to deliver a lot without feeling rushed all the way through. The pulse of the day is the speedboat, both ways, because the route sets the tone. You’ll travel from the east coast fishing village area toward Ile aux Cerfs, and you get those wide lagoon views that make the island feel like a postcard before you even hit the beach.

What I like most is how the itinerary turns the island into more than a single beach stop. You get a mix: time above water for snorkeling-like beach enjoyment, then underwater walking, then the aerial and high-speed fun of parasailing and tube riding. It’s a good match for people who want photos and adrenaline, but also want a real change of scenery during the day.

The other key piece is how it’s organized around your base area. Pickup is complimentary from your accommodation on Paradise Island, which matters because this part of Mauritius isn’t just a simple hop onto a public bus. When your transport is handled, you can focus on the day itself, not logistics.

Trou d’Eau Douce pickup and the run to the launch area

Your day starts at 8:30 am, and the trip is designed around hotel pickup. The goal is straightforward: get you to Trou d’Eau Douce, meet up with the guide, and then move as a group onto the transport for the speedboat.

Trou d’Eau Douce is a working-feeling fishing-village area on the east coast. That context helps, because you’re not only arriving at the resort-style island environment. You’re also seeing the local shoreline that connects Mauritius to the rest of the lagoon system.

This stage is also where you’ll want to mentally reset. You’re likely to be ready for the adrenaline portion, but the morning portion is about getting everyone to the same start line. A couple of real-world timing issues have shown up in the past, so I’d treat this morning as your buffer time. If pickup is running late in the wild, it’s better to assume it could happen than to get stressed.

Speedboat crossing: the views that make the day worth it

Once you reach the speedboat, the ride becomes part of the entertainment. You’re heading across the east coast lagoons, and the scenery is the main event: turquoise water, palm trees, and eventually the island’s bright, white beach look as you approach.

This is not a slow cruise. Expect a proper speedboat run, which also explains why the return ride is described as fun with high speeds and spins. If you’re motion-sensitive, this is something to keep in mind. If you’re fine with boats, you’ll probably enjoy the energy of the ride because it sets a party pace for the day.

One practical plus: the experience includes a water bottle. On a long day in Mauritius, that’s a small thing that prevents a big inconvenience.

Ile aux Cerfs beach time: where you reset between adrenaline

After you arrive, Ile aux Cerfs becomes your main base. The plan includes relax time on the beach, with opportunities to swim and enjoy the island’s lagoon setting. This part matters because it’s your “charge your battery” window. Even if you love action, you don’t want the day to be nonstop. Beach time gives you a chance to rinse your head, dry off between activities, and decide if you want extra snorkeling-style time in the shallow areas near the island (based on what’s offered on the day).

The island setting is also where you’ll understand why the rest of the schedule works. You’re not spending all day traveling through water only to arrive at something bland. Ile aux Cerfs is visually very strong, and even just standing on the beach helps you appreciate the geography you’ve been riding through.

Undersea walking in the coral reef garden

Undersea walking is one of the most memorable parts of the day, mainly because it changes your pace. Instead of holding your breath, you walk through a protected underwater viewing experience over a coral reef garden.

You’re guided through the experience so you know where to look and what to expect. The focus is on the natural habitat and the marine life in the lagoon. You may get to feed fish shoals, and you’ll have a chance to see a wide mix of fish along with the underwater flora and fauna.

Why I think this is good value: it works even if you’re not a confident swimmer. It’s a more accessible way to get a reef experience than some other activities that rely heavily on swimming ability. The time slot is about 30 minutes, which also means it doesn’t steal half your day.

The only consideration is comfort and patience. Undersea walking can feel a bit technical at the start, but instruction is described as kind and patient, so you’re not thrown in cold.

Parasailing: seeing the Mauritian lagoon from above

Parasailing gives you a totally different angle on the island. Instead of looking at the reef and fish from below, you’re viewing the marine panorama from midair.

The setup is guided, and the activity time is about 30 minutes. That’s long enough for the moment to land, but short enough that you won’t feel stuck once you’re done. It’s also a nice contrast to the underwater walk, because you’re switching sensory modes quickly: underwater calm to sky views.

If you like photos, parasailing is where you’ll feel the payoff. Even if you don’t get the perfect shot, you’ll still come away with a clear sense of how the island sits inside Mauritius’ lagoon system.

Tube riding: high-speed fun and big wave energy

Tube riding is the adrenaline brother of parasailing. It’s a tube pulled through the water, with fast turns and a lot of speed. The description includes “surfing through the rough waves,” plus the fun of racing over large gears and feeling the vibe.

This is the part of the day that’s easiest to love if you’re comfortable with speed and splashes. The schedule places tube riding in the main island block, and the stop around lunch includes the broader activities portion (so you’re looking at a couple hours of this whole segment rather than one quick snap).

If you or anyone in your group is a “take it easy” type, balance it. You can always enjoy watching and then take beach time after you’re done, but tube riding is meant to be energetic.

BBQ lunch on Islet Margenie next to Ile aux Cerfs

Around noon, you head to Islet Margenie next to Ile aux Cerfs for a freshly prepared BBQ lunch. This is where the day becomes more than just water activities.

The lunch menu is listed as grilled chicken, fish, salad, and more. If you eat vegetarian, there’s a vegetarian option available when you book, and you can also flag food allergies or illness.

What I really like here is the drinks. Lunch includes soft drinks, water, beer, wine, and local rum, which means you get a proper vacation meal feel instead of a sad sandwich. There’s also a chance to watch sega dance during the meal, which helps add a cultural note without turning the day into a lecture.

Practical tip: if you’re planning to do more photos right after lunch, keep your camera and phone protected. Splash days happen, and even the most careful people get a little wet.

Grand River South East Waterfalls and wildlife spotting on the return

On the way back, you pass by the Grand River South East waterfall area and get to enjoy views of G.R.S.E (Grand River South East Waterfall). The river is described as the longest river of Mauritius, and the waterway ends at a point that’s accessible by boat.

This stop is built around atmosphere and wildlife chances. If you’re lucky, you might see monkeys jumping on the riverbanks, and you might also spot Mauritian fruit bats perched high in trees as you approach the waterfall.

What to expect from this part: it’s less adrenaline and more “take a breath and look around.” It also works as a satisfying wrap-up, because it transitions you from island energy to mainland nature scenery.

The return speedboat ride is again described as fun, with high speeds and spins. So by the end of the day, you’ve essentially had speedboat performance in both directions, which is either perfect or too much depending on your tolerance.

Price, value, and what you’re really paying for

At $152.69 per person, this is not the cheapest day on Mauritius, but it does have a lot packed in. You’re paying for a full-day structure that includes:

• Round-trip speedboat transit to Ile aux Cerfs
• Hotel pickup from Paradise Island accommodations
• Multiple paid water activities (undersea walking, parasailing, tube riding)
• Lunch with drinks on Islet Margenie
• A scenic waterfall stop on the way back

So the value comes from reduced hassle and fewer separate bookings. If you were to price out speedboat transfers and three activities separately, the day starts to look less expensive than it first appears.

That said, it’s also why timing matters. A few past experiences point to occasional disorganization, such as late pickup or waiting between activities. The activities themselves can be excellent when the day runs smoothly, but this is one of those tours where you should go in with flexible expectations.

My advice for value: if you’re the kind of traveler who hates uncertainty, build a calm mindset. If you’re okay with a little waiting in exchange for multiple experiences, this is a strong deal.

What to pack and how to make the schedule feel smoother

The tour asks you to bring your own towels and a spare set of clothes. That’s essential, because you’ll get wet. Even if the day is beautifully sunny, you’ll still want dry clothes for the ride back.

Also keep practical items with you during activities. When you do multiple water experiences back to back, small things like a waterproof bag for your phone can save your mood.

Timing-wise, start with the right attitude. There are multiple activities in one day, so you’re going to hear instructions and move in groups. If you want to avoid the “where do we go next” problem, stay close to the group, listen carefully, and confirm the meeting point before you change locations. Some people have described needing a driver to keep them aligned, and it’s smart to take that lesson seriously.

On the plus side, some of the best experiences mention strong guidance and professional driving. Names like Daren (described as informative and time-conscious) and Mr Muscles (a very fast speedboat driver) show that the day can be both fun and handled well when the team is on top of it.

Who should book this Ile aux Cerfs speedboat day

This tour fits best if you want a busy day with a mix of water-based fun and a clear, guided structure.

Book it if:

• You want speedboat thrills plus at least one or two “wow” marine moments
• You’re comfortable with water activities and don’t mind getting a little wet
• You like the idea of a single day that covers beach, underwater walking, parasailing, and tube riding
• You want a meal with drinks built into the schedule, not an afterthought

Skip or reconsider if:

• You get motion-sick easily, since speedboats can be intense
• You dislike anything that depends on weather or a tight schedule
• You’re looking for a slow, uncrowded island day with minimal transfers

For families, there’s an important note: watersport activities are not included for children in this package as it depends on their parents, and children pay only the speedboat seat. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll want to check what’s realistically possible for your child before you book.

Should you book?

I’d book this if your priority is one day that delivers variety: lagoon speedboat travel, a reef-based underwater experience, and two adrenaline activities with lunch and drinks included. It’s a good fit for people who want to maximize a day in Mauritius without turning it into five separate bookings.

I’d hesitate if you’re highly schedule-sensitive or motion-sensitive, or if you know you’ll have trouble handling delays between activity stations. The experience can be truly worth it, especially when the team is on point, but go in expecting a day that moves.

FAQ

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

The start time is 8:30 am, and the duration is approximately 7 to 8 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. You get complimentary hotel pick-up from your accommodation anywhere on Paradise Island.

What activities are included on Ile aux Cerfs?

The package includes undersea walking, parasailing, and tube riding, along with beach relaxation time.

Is lunch included, and does it have vegetarian options?

Yes, lunch is included. A BBQ lunch is served, and a vegetarian option is available if you advise during booking.

What drinks are included with lunch?

Lunch includes soft drinks, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Do I need to bring towels or clothes?

Yes. You should bring your own towels and another spare set of clothes.

Is the tour dependent on weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Are watersport activities included for children?

Watersport activities are not included for children in this package as it depends on their parents, and children pay only the speedboat seat.