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

Catch three islands by speedboat. This seven-hour Mauritius outing packs in a lot: Île aux Cerfs, Lighthouse Island, Île aux Aigrettes beach, snorkeling at Eau Bleue, a shipwreck stop, and Grande Rivière Sud Est waterfall. I like the mix of water, scenery, lunch, and short island visits. I also like that the boat holds no more than 15 people, keeping the trip smaller than a large cruise.

The main catch is that the boat is not necessarily private. One booking party expected a private trip for four and found about 12 people aboard, so confirm the arrangement before paying if exclusivity matters. You should also allow for about three hours of total boat travel, with roughly 90 minutes each way included in the tour length.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands in one morning and afternoon: Visit Île aux Cerfs, Lighthouse Island, and the beach at Île aux Aigrettes.
• A fast-moving day on the water: The speedboat covers a lot of ground, but boat travel takes about three hours in total.
• BBQ lunch and drinks included: Food, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are served during the outing.
• Snorkeling at Eau Bleue: Spend about 40 minutes in a natural aquarium area near Vieux Grand Port.
• Small-group format, not guaranteed private: The maximum group size is 15, but the experience may still include other booking parties.
• Early start from Trou d’Eau Douce: The meeting time is 7:30 a.m., and hotel transport costs extra.

A full day built around the southeast coast

This is a busy water excursion rather than a slow island retreat. From Trou d’Eau Douce, you travel by speedboat toward the southeast coast and its offshore islands, with swimming, snorkeling, a lighthouse, a waterfall, and a beach barbecue fitted into one day.

I like this format if you have limited time in Mauritius. Instead of choosing one beach or one boat trip, you get a broad sample of the area. The trade-off is simple: most stops are short, and the boat itself takes up a large part of the day.

The tour begins at 7:30 a.m. and lasts about seven hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, although they can be arranged for an additional charge. You return to the same meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

The boat carries a maximum of 15 people. That is a useful limit, but it does not mean a private charter. If you are booking as a couple or a small family, ask Sam Tours directly whether you will share the boat and how many places are expected to be filled.

Île aux Cerfs, the main beach stop

Île aux Cerfs is the central stop, with about 1 hour and 30 minutes on the island. Lunch and drinks are served here, so this is the part of the day where you get the most time to sit down rather than move from one sight to the next.

The island is best treated as your main beach break. You can use the time to eat, relax, and enjoy the surroundings without watching the clock every few minutes. Since the lunch is included, you do not need to plan for a separate meal purchase during the tour.

The included drinks cover both alcoholic and soft drinks. That adds useful value to the price, especially because the meal is served in a sandy island setting rather than at the start or end of the day.

Still, 90 minutes is not a long visit if you want a leisurely beach day. You are not booking a full day based only on Île aux Cerfs. You are booking a multi-stop excursion where the island serves as the lunch and relaxation anchor.

Lighthouse Island and the old stone landmark

The next stop is Île aux Fouquets, also called Île aux Phare or Lighthouse Island. You spend about 30 minutes here while the skippers explain the island’s past and give you time to look around.

This is a short, scenic stop rather than a full historical visit. The lighthouse gives the outing a clear sense of place, and the skipper’s briefing helps turn a quick photo stop into something more meaningful.

A 30-minute visit means you should keep your expectations in check. You will not have hours to explore the island, and the experience is shaped by the boat schedule. I would see it as a useful pause between the beach and snorkeling sections, not as a standalone heritage tour.

There is also a small stop at the shipwreck of D’Alblair. The available details do not specify how long you remain there, so treat it as a brief viewing point from the water rather than a major stop. It adds another layer to the route without changing the trip’s main focus, which is the sea.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleue near Vieux Grand Port

The snorkeling stop takes place at a natural aquarium known as Eau Bleue, near Vieux Grand Port. You have about 40 minutes to snorkel in clear water and look for tropical fish.

This is one of the more active parts of the day. Bring your interest in the water, but remember that the tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. The supplied information does not state whether snorkeling equipment is provided, so confirm that point with the operator before departure.

Forty minutes gives you enough time for a proper look rather than a rushed dip, though conditions can affect how much you see. The tour also depends on good weather, so water clarity and comfort may vary by day.

The snorkeling stop works well because it breaks up the sightseeing. After the beach and lighthouse, you get a chance to move, swim, and see the coastline from below the surface. If snorkeling is your top reason for booking, ask about equipment and sea conditions in advance.

Grande Rivière Sud Est waterfall from the boat

After Île aux Cerfs, the speedboat travels to Grande Rivière Sud Est, described as the second-longest waterfall in Mauritius. The stop lasts about 15 minutes.

This is a quick scenic visit, likely best enjoyed from the boat. The limited time means you should not expect a long walk, a separate hike, or an extended waterfall visit. You see the river and waterfall as part of the wider boat route.

That short stop is still worthwhile because it adds an inland feature to a day otherwise focused on islands and open water. It also gives the trip more variety than a standard beach-and-snorkeling outing.

The route along the Grand River is part of the appeal. From the water, you get a different view of the southeast than you would from a road transfer. The boat journey itself is not dead time, although the 90-minute travel period each way will matter to anyone who dislikes long rides.

Île aux Aigrettes is a beach stop, not a reserve tour

The final island-related stop is Île aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, where the boat stops at the beach for about 30 minutes and offers a final drink on the return journey.

The name can create the wrong expectation. This tour does not describe a guided visit through the nature reserve. The stop is specifically on the beach, so you should not book it expecting an extended wildlife or conservation program.

As a short final pause, it has a practical purpose. You can have a drink, take in the shore, and break up the return trip before heading back to Trou d’Eau Douce. It is also a pleasant counterpoint to the more structured snorkeling and lighthouse stops.

The 30-minute limit keeps the schedule moving. If you prefer to settle into one place for several hours, this trip may feel too packed. If you like seeing several coastal sights in one day, the short stops make good use of your time.

What the $88.81 price really covers

At $88.81 per person, the price includes the full-day speedboat trip, lunch, alcoholic drinks, and soft drinks. It also covers the listed island, snorkeling, waterfall, and lighthouse visits, with no separate admission charge stated for those stops.

I consider that a fair package for someone who wants a full day on the water without arranging several separate activities. The meal and drinks make a real difference because they reduce the extra spending once you leave the meeting point.

The value is less clear if you want a private boat. One booking group believed it had reserved a private trip for four, then found the boat filled with about 12 people. They were refused a refund, although they still enjoyed the day. That is the most important booking warning: do not assume the listed price buys an exclusive charter.

For a private experience, ask for written confirmation before booking. If you are comfortable sharing the boat, the maximum of 15 people should keep the setting more intimate than a large group cruise, but the exact number may vary.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

The early 7:30 a.m. start helps fit all the stops into one day. You need to reach Trou d’Eau Douce independently unless you pay extra for hotel transport. The meeting point is near public transportation, which may help if you are not staying close by.

The boat ride takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes each way. That is a substantial portion of the seven-hour experience, so I would choose this tour for the scenery and the movement between locations, not only for time spent on beaches.

A moderate physical fitness level is recommended. You will be getting on and off a boat, spending time around the water, and possibly snorkeling. The tour information does not provide a detailed list of equipment or clothing requirements, so confirm any practical questions with Sam Tours before the morning of departure.

Because lunch and drinks are included, you do not need to plan a full meal. You should still check what is included in the BBQ and whether your dietary needs can be accommodated before you go.

The guide and the feel of the day

The strongest praise in the available feedback is aimed at the organization, punctuality, and guide. One booking party described the day as fun, well organized, on time, and led by a particularly pleasant guide. Those details matter on a tightly scheduled outing with five named stops.

A good skipper can make the difference between a string of quick boat stops and a connected day. The brief history of Lighthouse Island, the explanation of the route, and the timing of the snorkeling and food all benefit from clear coordination.

The experience is not completely free of friction. The private-trip misunderstanding shows why you should clarify the group setup. Still, the overall rating is 4.5 from six reviews, and the positive feedback points to a day that runs smoothly once the expectations are clear.

Who should book this Mauritius boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several southeast-coast sights in one outing. It suits active couples, small groups, and families who are happy to share a boat and prefer variety over long stretches at one beach.

It is also a good choice if you want the basics handled for you. Lunch, drinks, boat transport, and the main stops are bundled into one price. You can spend the day moving from island to island instead of arranging separate visits.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet private charter, a long beach stay, or an in-depth nature-reserve visit. The itinerary is full, the island stops are short, and the boat travel is significant.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the same options apply. For your own cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 7:30 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this excursion if your ideal Mauritius day includes speedboat travel, several islands, snorkeling, a BBQ lunch, and plenty of changing scenery. The strongest value comes from combining many sights with food and drinks for $88.81.

Before paying, confirm two things: the expected group size and whether snorkeling equipment is included. If you are fine with a shared boat and a quick pace, this is a well-rounded way to see the southeast coast. If privacy matters most, choose only after Sam Tours confirms that arrangement in writing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 7:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts about seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How many people can join the boat trip?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included and is served during the Île aux Cerfs stop.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are included.

Where does snorkeling take place?

Snorkeling takes place at Eau Bleue, a natural aquarium area near Vieux Grand Port.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled.