Speed, sand, and a waterfall in one day. This Ile aux Cerfs speedboat tour blends an adrenaline morning off Mauritius’ east coast with real sightseeing, starting at Trou d’Eau Douce and ending with beach time on Ile aux Cerfs. I love the speedboat ride for the wind-in-your-face feeling and the views as you head out, and I love getting lagoon swimming time once you reach the white sand and turquoise water.

One thing to keep in mind: the day can feel a bit crowded around the waterfall photo stop, and timing can run a little messy when transfers don’t line up perfectly with the schedule.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group (max 14) means you’ll likely spend less time squeezed and more time enjoying the ride and stops.
• Cascade Diamamouve waterfall stop includes close viewing and a good shot at spotting monkeys along the riverbanks.
• BBQ on Ile aux Margenie is beach-style, with a full plate of food and a wide drinks list.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you real beach time (plus an arts & crafts market visit) and optional watersports that are not included.
• Pickup is optional, and you’ll meet near Green Island Restaurant across the beach if you choose to get there yourself.

Starting off Trou d’Eau Douce: the speedboat feel you came for

Most of what makes this tour worth it starts before the first photo. You board in the morning at Trou d’Eau Douce, and the day runs on a speedboat pace—enough motion to keep things exciting, but also structured so you still get meaningful stops on land.

The group stays small (up to 14 participants), which matters on a boat tour. Smaller groups usually mean less waiting and easier movement around the boat during loading, photo moments, and the ride out and back. A live guide is on hand in English and French, so you’re not just along for the ride—you get context as you travel.

If you’re doing pickup, your driver meets you at your hotel reception or outside your accommodation. If not, your meeting point is across from Green Island Restaurant on the beach. Either way, show up a few minutes early. With water tours, even small delays can snowball, because the boat schedule is only as flexible as everyone coordinating it.

The overall duration is 330 minutes (about 5 and a half hours). That’s long enough to feel like a proper day outing without draining your whole vacation day.

Cascade Diamamouve waterfall stop: close views and monkey spotting

The first sightseeing anchor is the Grand River South East Waterfall, locally known as Cascade Diamamouve. You get around 30 minutes here, with a photo stop plus scenic views along the way, so this isn’t just a quick pass-through.

Here’s what to expect in practice: you’ll come in close enough to feel the natural power of the falls, and the riverbanks can be lively. The tour timing gives you a real window to look around, and you may spot monkeys among the trees along the banks. That’s the kind of surprise you can’t easily reproduce on your own.

The possible drawback is that waterfall photo stops can attract a lot of people. Even if your group is small, the waterfall area may feel like a timed checkpoint when multiple groups arrive. If you care about photos without other crowds in them, be ready to work a bit—take your shots quickly, then use the remaining time to look from different angles rather than waiting for the perfect moment.

Ile aux Margenie BBQ: the lunch you’ll remember (plus drinks)

Next comes the part that makes this tour feel like more than sightseeing: food on a small island. You head to Ile aux Margenie (sometimes referred to as Ilot Margenie), where lunch is served right on the beach.

This is scheduled as about one hour for the BBQ, and the lunch is described as a 3-course BBQ. That matters because some tours slap down a single plate and call it lunch. Here, you’re actually getting a meal structure, which is a big deal after a boat ride and a waterfall stop.

Drinks are included, and the list is refreshingly straightforward: soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. Translation for your day plan: you don’t have to make a separate purchase strategy in the middle of the trip. Just plan to sip, eat, and stay cool, because the sun off Mauritius can be intense even on a fast-paced outing.

Food notes worth knowing:

• Vegetarian options are available upon request.
• Food is halal.

So if you have dietary needs, it’s smart to mention them ahead of time so the kitchen can prep correctly.

If you want to maximize your comfort, do the basics: sunscreen before you sit down, and bring a change of clothes ready for the next beach stretch. You’ll be leaving the island with salt air still on you.

Ile aux Cerfs Island: beaches, lagoon swimming, and the market stop

Then you reach the headline destination: Ile aux Cerfs. As you approach, you get that classic Caribbean-Mauritius look—palm trees swaying and the contrast of white sand against bright turquoise water. Once you’re there, you get about 2.5 hours to use the beach and water time at your own pace.

The best “included” moment here is simple: swimming in the crystal clear lagoon. You don’t need to schedule anything special. Bring your swimwear and a towel, and you can just choose when to jump in. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes a plan but also wants freedom, this stop nails that balance: enough structure to get you there, enough time to float, swim, and reset.

There’s also an arts & crafts market visit included as part of the island time. That’s not just a side quest—it gives you a chance to browse locally made items instead of relying on souvenir shops back in town.

Watersports are available on Ile aux Cerfs, but they’re not included. Parasailing and tube riding are mentioned as examples. If you’re aiming to do those, budget extra and don’t assume the price you paid covers them.

One more reality check: you can have a great beach day and still want to manage crowd energy. Ile aux Cerfs is popular, so be ready for other people on the sand and in the water. The upside is that the lagoon is what you came for—and it’s easy to relax once you’re in it.

Timing, transfers, and small-group reality check

This tour is marketed as a full experience, but what you’ll feel most on the ground is timing. The structure is clear—waterfall, lunch, island time, then sail back—yet coordination between transfers and boat departures can make or break the vibe.

A practical caution: if your schedule is tight (pre-booked dinner, a late flight, a must-see appointment), give yourself breathing room. In at least one recent booking, the timing didn’t line up cleanly—pickup for lunch was later than expected and there was a wait on the return transfer. I can’t predict your exact day, but I can tell you what I’d do to protect your vacation mood: plan nothing critical for the window right after pickup and keep a buffer for the ride back.

Also, note that speedboat vs catamaran confusion has shown up in past experiences. The tour name is speedboat, and the included ride is described as a speedboat tour, so you should confirm with the operator the exact boat type and departure time if that detail matters to you.

Finally, even with a max of 14 participants, you can still feel a bit “together” on the boat when seas get busy or when other tours are operating nearby. The fix is mental: treat it like a shared ride to paradise, not a private charter.

Price and value: is $56 a fair deal?

At $56 per person, the value comes from what’s bundled, not just the transport.

What you’re getting included:

• Speedboat tour between Trou d’Eau Douce and the islands
• BBQ lunch on Ile aux Margenie
• Drinks during lunch (soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, local rum)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off if you select that option
• Live guide in English and French
• Swimming time on Ile aux Cerfs

What you’re not getting included:

• Watersports activities at Ile aux Cerfs (like parasailing or tube riding)

So the pricing equation is pretty balanced for a half-to-full day. You’re paying for speedboat transport plus food plus beverages—three things that are usually separate costs on Mauritius day trips. If you would otherwise buy lunch and drinks at a beach setting, the tour starts looking like a shortcut to a smoother day.

One more value angle: the itinerary compresses three experiences into one trip. You don’t just get a beach day—you also get a waterfall stop with potential monkey sightings and a proper meal on a small island. If you’re short on time, that “stacked” day is where you win.

What to bring for sun, spray, and beach comfort

This is the kind of tour where your planning choices pay off immediately.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes (you may walk around waterfall viewpoints and the island beach areas)
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Swimwear, a towel, and change of clothes
• Sunscreen and water (even though drinks are included during lunch, you’ll still want hydration throughout)
• Camera

For comfort on a speedboat: pack with the reality of wind and salt air. Keep essentials in a small, secure spot so you’re not digging around in your bag mid-ride.

If you’re sensitive to sun and don’t like getting chilled by boat wind, bring light cover-up clothing. It’s an easy way to stay comfortable from departure to island time.

Who this tour is best for (and who should skip)

This works best if you want:

• A speed-focused day on the water, not a slow catamaran crawl
• A mix of scenery (waterfall) and beach time (Ile aux Cerfs)
• Food and drinks included without extra stops

It may not be ideal if:

• You’re very nervous about schedule drift and waiting
• You need maximum privacy and quiet at the waterfall viewpoint

Pregnancy note: this tour is not suitable for pregnant women, based on the activity type.

On the plus side, infants aged 1 to 4 are free of charge, which can make family planning simpler.

FAQ

How long is the Mauritius Ile aux Cerfs boat tour?

The duration is 330 minutes, which is about 5.5 hours.

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius.

What’s the main waterfall stop called?

The waterfall is the Grand River South East Waterfall, known as Cascade Diamamouve.

Is lunch included, and what is it?

Yes. Lunch is BBQ on Ile aux Margenie, with a 3-course style meal served with drinks.

What drinks are included?

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

Do I get time to swim at Ile aux Cerfs?

Yes. You’ll have time for swimming in the lagoon at Ile aux Cerfs.

Are watersports activities included?

No. Watersports like parasailing and tube riding are not included.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select the option. Otherwise, you meet across from Green Island Restaurant on the beach.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Vegetarian options are available upon request.

Is the food halal?

Yes. The food is halal.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs speedboat and BBQ tour?

Book it if you want a well-paced day that combines a speedboat ride, a real nature stop at Cascade Diamamouve, and beach time with lagoon swimming plus BBQ lunch and drinks. At around $56, the bundled lunch + drinks value is a strong reason to choose the tour instead of building the day piece by piece.

Skip it or think twice if your schedule is extremely tight, because timing can slip and the waterfall stop can feel busy when multiple groups arrive. If you’re flexible and sunscreen-ready, this is the kind of Mauritius outing that makes the coastline feel close and immediate.