Mauritius: 3 Activities + Ile aux Cerfs Boat tour w/ BBQ

One morning, three water thrills. This Mauritius outing packs parasailing, underseawalk, and a tube ride into the clear lagoon at Belle Mare, then shifts to a speedboat trip, waterfall, beach BBQ, and Ile aux Cerfs. I like the strong mix of action and scenery, plus the lunch includes local drinks, beer, wine, and rum. The main catch is the split location: after Belle Mare, you must arrange your own taxi or rental car to Trou D’eau Douce, and unclear timing could put the afternoon boat trip at risk.

The most praised part is the friendly, attentive water-sports crew. One account describes the underseawalk guide as gentle and helpful, while another praises the staff as professional and kind. I also like that the package combines several paid activities with lunch and a speedboat trip for $124 per person, though the afternoon can feel rushed if the morning activities run late.

Key things to know before booking

• Three Belle Mare activities come first: Parasailing, underseawalk, and tube riding are included, with about two hours set aside for the water sports.
• You change locations mid-tour: Belle Mare and Trou D’eau Douce are separate starting points, so arrange transport between them before the day begins.
• The waterfall visit is brief: Grand River South East Waterfall receives about 30 minutes, including the boat approach, photos, and sightseeing.
• Lunch is served on Ile aux Margenie: You get a three-course BBQ meal with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop: Allow about 90 minutes for the island, swimming, free time, and the arts and crafts market.
• Timing needs attention: The published plan totals six hours, but one account describes missing Ile aux Cerfs after arriving late at the second meeting point.

Belle Mare begins with a fast burst of water sports

Your day starts at the Aquasea Watersports office between Long Beach hotel and Emperror Restaurant. This is not a hotel pickup service, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself and allow enough time to find the office.

The Belle Mare portion lasts about two hours. The included activities are parasailing, underseawalk, and tube riding, all set in the lagoon. The supplied schedule uses different activity labels in one place, but the included package clearly identifies these three experiences. If you are planning around scuba diving or a banana boat, confirm the exact activities before paying, since those names appear in the general schedule but are not listed among the included items.

Parasailing gives you the broadest view. You rise above the lagoon and get a look at the pale sand and clear water from the air. It is the calmest of the three activities once you are up, although getting ready and waiting your turn can take time when the station is busy.

The underseawalk is the more unusual choice. You walk beneath the surface with the help of the crew, rather than simply swimming with a mask. It is listed as suitable for children from age nine if they have broad shoulders, while the overall experience is not suitable for children under eight. That distinction matters for families, so check each child’s age and comfort level carefully.

The tube ride supplies the rougher fun. You are pulled across the water on an inflatable tube, which makes this a better fit for people who want speed and splashes rather than a quiet lagoon outing. Comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for water activities are advised, and you should expect to get wet.

The crew receives the strongest praise in the available feedback. The underseawalk guide is described as especially gentle and helpful, and the wider staff is repeatedly described as professional, cheerful, and attentive. That is important here. Water sports are much more enjoyable when instructions are clear and the crew keeps an eye on nervous first-timers.

The weak point is organization. One account says there was no clear timing for the activities, with crowds creating delays. I would ask the Belle Mare team exactly when you must leave and build in enough time to reach Trou D’eau Douce. The morning is fun, but it should not consume the boat portion you already paid for.

The Belle Mare to Trou D’eau Douce transfer is your responsibility

After the water sports, you travel to Trou D’eau Douce, about 15 minutes from Belle Mare by car according to the tour information. This transfer is not included, and the activity does not provide hotel pickup or drop-off.

This is the most important practical detail in the whole package. You are not staying with one vehicle and one guide all day. You finish at Aquasea Watersports, then make your own way to the second departure point for the speedboat.

I would arrange a taxi in advance or rent a car for the day. Do not simply assume you can finish the morning, find a ride, and arrive whenever you like. One account describes arriving late at the second meeting point and missing the Ile aux Cerfs portion. The account also says no clear timing had been provided earlier, so you should take the initiative and ask for exact departure times at the start.

This split format helps explain the relatively broad range of experiences. Some people get a smooth, packed day with helpful staff and a good lunch. Others may find the day stressful if the water sports queue is long or the transfer is not planned carefully.

Trou D’eau Douce opens onto the Grand River South East Waterfall

At Trou D’eau Douce, you board a speedboat and meet the boat crew. The first stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, also known as Cascade Diamamouve.

The boat moves through the river valleys toward the falls. You get scenic views on the way, followed by a close approach for photographs and sightseeing. The stop is planned for about 30 minutes, so think of it as a sharp scenic interlude, not a long nature walk or a full excursion on land.

A distinctive detail here is the chance to spot monkeys in the trees along the riverbanks. Bring your camera, but keep your attention on the river and the trees rather than expecting a formal wildlife encounter. The monkeys may be visible, but no sighting can be guaranteed.

The waterfall is also where the quality of the boat commentary matters. One account praises the boat handling near the falls, while another says the driver provided little explanation and played music loudly. I would not count on a detailed natural history talk. If you want to know more, ask the crew directly about the waterfall and the monkeys.

The speedboat itself adds energy to the afternoon. It is faster and more open than a slow sightseeing boat, so bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. You should also be ready for spray and wet conditions. Keep your camera protected and wear clothing that can handle water.

Ile aux Margenie serves a simple BBQ by the water

After the waterfall, the speedboat heads to Ile aux Margenie for lunch. This small island provides the setting for a three-course BBQ meal on the beach, with local drinks included.

The food is described as simple but sufficient, and the setting does much of the work. You eat near the water, with the island and surrounding sea providing a pleasant break after the morning’s activity and the speedboat ride.

The drink selection is generous for a package of this price. It includes soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. That makes the lunch feel more complete than a basic sandwich stop, though you should not expect a restaurant-style meal. One account specifically says the lunch was good and adequate rather than elaborate.

The planned lunch stop lasts about 90 minutes when combined with the Ile aux Cerfs visit, although the schedule separates the food portion from the island free time. If you prefer a long, leisurely meal, this may feel short. If you would rather get back into the water and see more of the coast, the pace works better.

I like the balance here. The tour does not spend the entire afternoon at a table. You get a proper meal, drinks, and a scenic pause, then return to the beach and lagoon.

Ile aux Cerfs is the payoff for the afternoon

Ile aux Cerfs delivers the classic Mauritius image: white sand, palm trees, and clear turquoise water. The boat approach is part of the pleasure, since the island comes into view gradually from the lagoon.

You have time to relax on the sand, swim, look around the arts and crafts market, and enjoy the scenery. The stop is scheduled for about 90 minutes, so choose your priorities before you arrive. If swimming is your main goal, change quickly and head for the lagoon. If you want crafts or photographs, save part of the visit for the market and shoreline.

The water is one of the strongest reasons to book the second half of the tour. After the high-speed activities at Belle Mare, Ile aux Cerfs gives you a slower place to float, swim, and dry off. You get both kinds of island time in one day: active water sports early, then a more relaxed beach stop.

The limitation is time. One account describes the waterfall and island portion as rushed, and the 90-minute island allowance does not leave much room for wandering. Add the waterfall, lunch, and return speedboat, and the afternoon becomes a tight sequence rather than an unhurried island day.

If Ile aux Cerfs is your main reason for booking, protect that part of the schedule. Ask when the morning activities end, confirm the Trou D’eau Douce meeting time, and arrange the transfer before you arrive at Belle Mare.

What the $124 price includes, and what it does not

At $124 per person, this is a reasonable package if you want several activities in one outing. You are paying for three water sports, the speedboat trip, the waterfall visit, a three-course BBQ, drinks, and time at Ile aux Cerfs. Booking each element separately could easily become more expensive, though no separate prices are provided here.

The value is strongest for an active couple or group that wants variety. You do not need to organize a separate parasailing session, waterfall cruise, lunch, and island trip. The package puts them together in one day.

The value is weaker if you want a slow beach day or dislike moving between meeting points. You also pay for an itinerary that depends on your own transfer from Belle Mare to Trou D’eau Douce. Personal expenses are extra, and hotel transport is not included.

I would judge the price by your priorities. If you want three headline water activities and a beach BBQ, $124 is fair. If you mainly want to lounge on Ile aux Cerfs, a simpler island trip may suit you better, since this package spends a large part of the day on scheduled activities.

Pack for sun, spray, and a quick change

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, a camera, and a change of clothes. The extra clothes are not a luxury. You may be wet from the tube ride, underseawalk, or speedboat before you reach lunch.

Apply sunscreen before the first activity and bring enough for another application later. The combination of open water, beach time, and a boat ride gives you repeated sun exposure.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that work around water. Avoid bringing anything you cannot afford to get wet. The information provided does not state whether dry storage is available, so ask the crew about your valuables before the activities begin.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with recent surgery, or people with a low level of fitness. Children under eight cannot join, and underseawalk is described as practical for children from age nine with broad shoulders.

Weather can change the plan. If an activity is cancelled because of bad weather, the information says it will be handled with a partial refund. That is different from a full cancellation refund, so understand that individual activities may be adjusted rather than the entire day being called off.

The tour works best for active first-time visitors

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a busy introduction to Mauritius water activities and east-coast scenery. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who enjoy trying several things rather than repeating one activity for hours.

The strongest part is the variety. You can fly above the lagoon, walk below it, bounce across it, ride a speedboat upriver, see a waterfall, eat BBQ on a small island, and swim at Ile aux Cerfs. Few single outings offer that many different settings.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, health concerns, or a strong preference for quiet travel. The day involves water sports, a self-arranged land transfer, a speedboat, and a fairly tight timetable.

The crew appears to be a major asset, especially during the underseawalk. Still, you should not rely on the team to manage every connection for you. Get the schedule in writing or confirm it clearly at the start, then keep an eye on the time.

Should you book this Mauritius day out?

Book it if you want maximum variety for $124. The three Belle Mare activities are the main draw, and the waterfall, BBQ, drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs visit add strong value.

I would book only after confirming the transfer plan and exact meeting times. That one step addresses the biggest risk in the day. If you can manage the logistics, this is an energetic, good-value way to see several east-coast highlights in six hours.

Skip it if Ile aux Cerfs is your only priority, or if you want a relaxed island day with no rushing. For active visitors who enjoy a packed schedule, the experience earns its solid 4.2 rating, with the water-sports crew receiving the most consistent praise.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the Aquasea Watersports office at Belle Mare, between Long Beach hotel and Emperror Restaurant.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is six hours, with starting times depending on availability.

Which water activities are included?

The included activities are parasailing, underseawalk, and tube riding.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How do I get from Belle Mare to Trou D’eau Douce?

You must hire a taxi or rent a car after the Belle Mare activities to reach the second meeting point at Trou D’eau Douce.

What food and drinks are included?

A three-course BBQ lunch is included, along with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Can children join the tour?

Children under eight are not suitable for the experience. The underseawalk is described as practical for children from age nine if they have broad shoulders.