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

This trip is interesting because it strings together three very different Mauritius moments in one go: a roadside waterfall stop, a beach BBQ on a small island, and then serious lagoon time at Ile aux Cerfs. It moves fast enough to feel like a real excursion, but it still leaves you time to relax in the sand and water.

I especially love the speedboat ride off the coast. You get the wind in your hair and a quick way to see the island from a new angle. I also like that lunch happens on Ile aux Margenie, where you’re eating on the beach with a full 3-course BBQ style meal and drinks included.

The main drawback to consider is crowding and timing. Even in a small-group setup, the boat and the waterfall viewing can feel busy, and return transfers can involve a bit of waiting if your schedule is tight.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Ile aux Cerfs Tour

• Trou D’eau Douce departure by speedboat, which is the point of the day for most people
• Cascade Diamamouve waterfall stop, with close-up photo moments and a chance to spot monkeys along the riverbank
• Ile aux Margenie BBQ lunch on the beach, plus a drinks selection that includes local rum
• Ile aux Cerfs lagoon swimming and white sand time, with extra sea activities not included
• Small group size (max 14), which helps compared to large catamaran style tours
• Optional hotel pickup, with multiple districts covered for drop-off

Speedboat Morning From Trou D’eau Douce: What the Ride Feels Like

You start in the morning at Trou D’eau Douce on Mauritius’ east coast. The day kicks off with boarding your speedboat and meeting your crew. It’s a straightforward setup, and once you’re out on the water, the trip immediately feels different from the usual bus-and-photo-stop style tours.

The speedboat aspect matters because it changes your pace. Instead of spending the day in transit, you’re out there enjoying coastline views while you move to the next highlight. You’ll also feel the wind and salt air right away, which is half the fun if you like getting out of your comfort zone for a couple hours.

If you’re prone to seasickness, keep it in mind. The info doesn’t say anything special about smooth water or stability, so I’d treat this as a real boat day. Bring any personal motion-sickness remedies you already trust, and keep water handy.

Cascade Diamamouve Waterfall Stop: Photos, Views, and Monkeys by the Riverbank

The first major stop is the Grand River South East Waterfall, known as Cascade Diamamouve. You’ll have about 30 minutes for a photo stop and scenic sightseeing along the way, which is enough time to get your bearings and grab the good angles without feeling rushed.

This is the kind of stop where timing matters. You don’t get long hikes or a long guided walk, so the experience is more about being close enough to appreciate the power of the falls and to understand the lush river valley setting. If you like nature photos, this is a good moment to slow down and frame shots before the day turns into beach mode.

One of the neat details here is the chance to spot monkeys along the riverbank among the trees. You’re not walking a trail where you can chase them for long, so don’t expect guaranteed sightings. Still, it adds that “wait, look over there” surprise moment that you only get when you’re visiting real places, not just standing in front of a souvenir sign.

Practical tip: wear comfortable shoes. Even if it’s not a long walk, you’re still moving around uneven ground for photos.

Ile aux Margenie BBQ Lunch and Drinks: Beach Eating With a Full Included Menu

After the waterfall stop, you head to Ilot Margenie, a small island where you enjoy your lunch on the beach. This is where the tour feels most like a reward for the morning travel: you get sand under your feet, a real break from the boat, and the smell of grilling food in the air.

Lunch is described as a 3-course BBQ lunch served on the beach, and this matters for value. Many tours say lunch is included but it’s usually a basic plate. Here, you’re getting a fuller meal structure, and the setting is doing a lot of the work for the experience.

Drinks are included too. The selection listed is broad: soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. That’s a big deal if you’re comparing this tour to “cheap entry” excursions where drinks are extra. It also means you can keep the vibe casual without constantly checking your budget.

Food details help if you have dietary needs. Food is halal, and vegetarian options are available upon request. So if you eat vegetarian or need halal meals, you should feel comfortable pre-planning.

One small drawback to plan for: this lunch section is only about 1 hour. If you love lingering at tables and want slow, long island time, you may wish you had more. Still, the trade-off is you get more time later at Ile aux Cerfs.

Ile aux Cerfs Island: Lagoon Swimming, White Sand Time, and the Arts and Crafts Stop

Now comes the main event. As you approach Ile aux Cerfs, you’ll see the swaying palm trees and those signature Mauritius beach colors: pure white sand against vivid turquoise water. Even if you’ve seen photos before, the real-time color in the lagoon stands out.

You get about 2.5 hours on Ile aux Cerfs for sightseeing, swimming, and a visit to an arts and crafts market. That market stop is a practical touch. You’re not just lounging, you’re also getting a chance to browse locally made items and pick up small souvenirs without leaving the beach area.

Swimming is the star here. The info calls out crystal clear lagoon swimming, and in real terms, that’s what you want after a speedboat day. Bring your swimwear, plan to change clothes, and keep a towel ready. The tour also lists a camera as a bring item, and honestly, this is where photos pay off.

Sea activities like parasailing and tube riding are available at Ile aux Cerfs, but they are not included. That’s important. If you’re dreaming of doing paid water activities, budget for them separately. If you’re happy with swimming and beach time only, you can keep costs under control.

What to watch for: time on islands can feel similar day to day, but the main difference is crowding and pace. One piece of practical advice I’d give is to go for a swim early in your island window if you want quieter water. Even if the overall group size is limited, beaches can still get busy.

Price and Value at $56: Where You Get the Most for Your Money

At $56 per person, this tour is positioned as a value way to combine speedboat transport with a full island day experience. The value isn’t just that the speedboat is included. It’s that the tour also includes BBQ lunch plus drinks and then delivers swimming time at Ile aux Cerfs.

Here’s how I’d judge the value if you’re deciding between options:

• If you were booking a speedboat ride alone, it would rarely include a full beach BBQ and drinks.
• If you were booking just beach time, you’d likely miss the waterfall stop and the day’s travel structure that brings you to Ile aux Cerfs.
• Drinks being included, including beer, wine, and local rum, shifts the math in a big way if you plan to have a drink.

Is it cheap? Not really. Is it a fair price for what’s included? For many people, yes. The price also becomes more attractive if your pickup means you don’t need to coordinate your own transport to the meeting point.

The main “value risk” is schedule comfort. If you’re the type who gets stressed by even small delays, the tour day might feel imperfect. One review experience described confusion and slightly late timing for transfers around lunch and the return. That’s not guaranteed for every departure, but it’s a reason to stay flexible.

Small Group on a Big Day: Timing, Pickup, and Getting Your Bearings

This tour runs with a small group, limited to 14 participants, and it includes a live tour guide in English and French. That small group size is meant to reduce chaos. You’ll generally find it easier to hear instructions and keep track of where to meet after each stop.

Pickup is optional. If you select pickup, your driver meets you at your hotel reception or outside your accommodation. If you don’t choose pickup, the meeting point is across from Green Island Restaurant on the beach. That meeting point detail is worth taking seriously, because arriving late or searching around at the last minute can create stress fast.

Drop-off includes multiple districts. The list includes places like Port Louis, Moka, Flacq, Rivière Noire, Grand Port, and Savanne, plus a reference to Green Island Beach Restaurant. Practically, that means you’re less likely to end the day with a complicated “how do I get home” problem.

Your biggest timing tip: plan for this to be a guided day, not a DIY schedule. Even if everything feels organized, boat days can have small delays due to waves, passengers, or coordination between the stops.

What to Pack So You Actually Enjoy Every Stop

The tour is water-and-sun heavy, so pack like you’re doing a beach day plus a short nature stop. Here’s what the info specifically recommends bringing, and why it helps:

• Comfortable shoes for the waterfall photo stop and any uneven ground
• Sunglasses and hat because glare off sand and water can be intense
• Swimwear, change of clothes, and a towel so you can swim without scrambling
• Sunscreen and water since you’re out during daylight hours
• Camera for the waterfall and the lagoon color at Ile aux Cerfs

If you tend to get cold after swimming, pack a light layer. The tour is short enough that you might not feel chilled, but changing conditions on a boat can be noticeable.

Who Should Book This Tour, and Who Should Skip It

This tour is a strong match for you if you want a mix of scenery and beach time without spending a full day organizing transport. It also works well if you like boats, because the speedboat is the main selling point and the ride is part of the fun.

It’s also a good option for people who care about food included in the price. The BBQ lunch and the drink lineup make this feel like a complete excursion, not just transportation to a beach.

Skip it if you’re pregnant. The info says it is not suitable for pregnant women.

If you’re traveling with dietary restrictions, you have options. The meal is halal, and vegetarian options are available on request, so you can plan ahead.

And if you’re choosing based on activity intensity, keep in mind that your included time at Ile aux Cerfs is mostly swimming and beach relaxing, plus the market stop. Parasailing and tube riding are available, but they cost extra.

Should You Book the Mauritius Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Tour?

If you want speedboat energy, a beach BBQ lunch with drinks, and real lagoon swimming time at Ile aux Cerfs, this is worth considering. The pricing makes sense when you value what’s included, especially the drinks and the included meal.

Book it if you can handle a day that is not perfectly “museum slow,” and you’re okay with a waterfall stop that is more about photos and viewing than long nature trekking. The small group size helps the day feel manageable.

Before you go, set your expectations realistically. Bring swim gear, arrive ready for sun, and keep some flexibility in your schedule for transfers. If you’re the type who hates any hint of waiting, then you might want to compare against a different departure style. But for many people, the combination of speedboat plus Ile aux Cerfs lagoon time makes the whole day click.

FAQ

How long is the tour, and what does it cost?

The tour duration is 330 minutes, and the price is $56 per person.

Where do I meet if I am not doing hotel pickup?

If you do not select hotel pickup, the meeting point is across from Green Island Restaurant on the beach.

Is lunch and drinks included, and what’s served?

Yes. You get a BBQ lunch on Ile aux Margenie plus a drinks selection, including soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Is there swimming time at Ile aux Cerfs, and are water sports included?

You will have time for swimming at Ile aux Cerfs. Water sports like parasailing and tube riding are not included.

Is the BBQ lunch halal and can you request vegetarian food?

Food is halal, and vegetarian options are available upon request.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women, and how close can I cancel?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.