Review · MAURITIUS SPEEDBOAT TOURS
All inclusive SPEEDBOAT FULL DAY to ILE AUX CERF & GRSE WATERFALL
The most appealing part of this Mauritius day trip is its mix of blue-water beaches, a waterfall, monkeys, food, and drinks in one package. You travel from your resort to Trou d’Eau Douce, then head toward Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE Waterfall by boat, with the day shaped by sea conditions.
I like the door-to-door transport and the fact that lunch, beer, rum, cocktails, and soft drinks are included. I also like the small maximum group of 15 people, which should feel more manageable than a large boat outing.
The main thing to understand is that the advertised speedboat is not guaranteed. In rough or rainy weather, the operator may use a larger catamaran or another boat for safety, and lunch may be served aboard rather than on the islet.
Key points to know before booking

- Two hours at Ile aux Cerfs: This is the longest stop, giving you time for the beach and island setting rather than a quick photo stop.
- GRSE Waterfall depends on conditions: Sea state, water level, and boat traffic can affect how long you stay there.
- Drinks are included: Beer, local rum, cocktails, and soft drinks are part of the package, along with BBQ lunch and a vegetarian option.
- Pickup is included across Mauritius: A certified driver collects you from your resort or villa in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- The boat may change: Rough seas can mean a catamaran instead of a speedboat, with lunch served on board.
- Small group limit: The excursion accepts a maximum of 15 people, though the transfer vehicle and boat arrangement can vary.
A full day from your resort to the east coast
At $117.11 per person, this is priced as a full-service day rather than a simple boat transfer. You are paying for pickup and drop-off, transport to Trou d’Eau Douce, the boat trip, lunch, drinks, waterfall access, and the services of the local driving and boating team.
That bundle matters in Mauritius, where arranging separate transport, a boat trip, lunch, and drinks can take time. You can start at 7:30 a.m. from your accommodation and let the operator handle the road portion. The total outing lasts about five to eight hours, including driving and time on the water.
The exact length is not fixed because weather and sea conditions affect the boat route. If you want a tightly timed excursion, this may feel loose. If you prefer having the main details handled for you, the flexible schedule is useful.
The tour is shared, but the road transfer is described as private. That means you can expect a private vehicle for the pickup and drop-off portion, then join other participants on the boat. The maximum group size is 15, although boat size can change when conditions require a different vessel.
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Leaving by air-conditioned vehicle

Your day begins with pickup from a resort or villa anywhere in Mauritius. The provided vehicle is air-conditioned, which is important for a morning drive in a warm tropical climate. You do not need to make your own way to Trou d’Eau Douce.
This transport is one of the strongest practical features of the trip. Trou d’Eau Douce is the departure point for boats heading toward Ile aux Cerfs, and a resort pickup saves you from finding a taxi or arranging a separate driver.
The road transfer also gives you a chance to ask the driver about the area. The tour description says the drivers provide information along the way, though no individual guide names are supplied. Keep your questions ready if you want local context rather than a quiet transfer.
Pickup time begins around 7:30 a.m. Confirm the exact collection details when you book, since the starting point is your accommodation and the total driving time depends on where you are staying.
Trou d’Eau Douce: the launch point

Trou d’Eau Douce is both a working departure point and a worthwhile part of the outing. Boats and catamarans leave from here for Ile aux Cerfs, and the excursion allows about 45 minutes in the area.
That time may include the boat departure process, the nearby beach, and waiting for the day’s vessel. You should not expect 45 minutes of dedicated beach relaxation. The port is mainly useful as the gateway to the eastern islands.
This is also where the weather question becomes real. The sea can look calm at the port while conditions farther out are less friendly. The operator reserves the right to change the vessel, and the boat captain may explain the safety arrangements before departure.
If a catamaran replaces the speedboat, the day is not necessarily canceled. It simply becomes a different sort of outing, with a slower and potentially steadier ride. The trade-off is that you lose the sharper speedboat feel that may have attracted you to the booking.
Ile aux Cerfs: two hours on Mauritius’s famous islet

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop, with about two hours allowed on the islet. It is one of the best-known small islands in Mauritius, and the appeal is straightforward: pale sand, clear coastal water, and time away from the road.
Two hours is enough to get a proper look around, take a swim if conditions allow, and settle into the beach setting. It is not a full day on the island, so you will need to choose between sitting on the sand, walking, swimming, and any other activity available during your visit.
The boat ride gives you a different view of the coast than a road trip can provide. You see the water from sea level, and the transfer itself is part of the experience. The exact route and boat type can change, so do not treat the published speedboat description as a firm promise.
The island stop works especially well for you if you want a relaxed beach break without giving up the chance to see another part of Mauritius. It may disappoint you if you want several hours of quiet, independent island time. The schedule has to leave room for the waterfall, lunch, and the return trip.
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GRSE Waterfall and the local monkeys

GRSE Waterfall is a short stop of about 20 minutes, and it is reached by boat. The waterfall is known locally for its beauty, while the nearby monkeys add an unexpected animal-watching element.
The short duration is important. You will likely have enough time to see the falls, take photographs, and watch for monkeys, but this is not a long walk or a peaceful waterfall picnic. The operator says the stop changes with water level, dangerous seas, and the number of boats in the area.
Safety controls the schedule here. If the water is rough, the boat cannot linger simply because the waterfall is attractive. Boats may also need to adjust their movements when the area is crowded. You should treat the 20 minutes as an approximate visit, not a fixed guarantee.
The monkeys are a fun detail for anyone interested in animals, but keep your expectations sensible. The information provided does not promise close contact or feeding. Enjoy seeing them from a respectful distance and follow the crew’s instructions.
This stop adds variety to the day. Without it, the excursion would be mainly a beach transfer with lunch. With the falls and monkeys included, you get a short nature stop that breaks up the time on Ile aux Cerfs.
BBQ lunch, potatoes, dessert, and drinks

Lunch is included, with a BBQ meal, smashed potatoes, and dessert. A vegetarian option is available, which is useful if you need a meat-free meal. Beer, arranged local rum, cocktails, and soft drinks are also included.
The meal may be served aboard a catamaran or on the islet, depending on weather conditions. That detail can make a major difference to the feel of the day. Eating on the island gives you a more scenic break, while eating on the boat may be the practical choice when rain or rough water affects the schedule.
Do not book this expecting a separate lobster lunch. Lobster is specifically excluded. The included meal is the BBQ option, and that is what you should use when judging the value.
The food and drinks make the price easier to understand. A basic boat trip may cost less, but once you add lunch, soft drinks, alcohol, and round-trip transport, the gap narrows. The value is strongest if you plan to have drinks and would otherwise pay for a full day of transport and meals.
Alcohol also changes the tone of the outing. The description promises music, drinks, and shared moments with other people on the boat. If you want a quiet, private charter, this is not the right format. If you enjoy a social boat day, the shared setting is part of the appeal.
Snorkeling is possible, not promised

Snorkeling equipment is available depending on sea conditions. The operator makes clear that snorkeling is not guaranteed because Mauritius has tropical waters and conditions can change.
This is a useful inclusion, but you should not book the trip solely for snorkeling. Rough water, coral areas, boat traffic, or poor visibility can prevent the activity. The main confirmed elements are the beach, waterfall, transport, lunch, and drinks.
If snorkeling matters to you, ask about conditions on the morning of the trip and listen to the crew’s instructions. Equipment availability does not mean you will receive a long, dedicated snorkeling session.
What the poor-weather reviews tell you

The most important practical lesson is that this is a weather-dependent boat trip. A poor-weather day can change both the vessel and the lunch location. Some people who expected a speedboat and a meal on the island instead found themselves on a catamaran with lunch served at the back of the boat.
The operator explains that larger boats may be used when the sea is dangerous, especially around coral and larger waves. That is a sensible safety choice, but it can feel like a different product if you booked mainly for the speedboat ride.
New Year periods may also create communication problems. One booking issue was reported around that busy period, with confusion about availability and a refund. If you are visiting during a peak holiday, confirm the reservation and pickup details by email before the day begins.
The overall rating is 3.9 from 12 ratings, so the experience has a mixed record rather than a uniformly strong one. The complaints focus on changed arrangements and expectations, not on the basic idea of visiting the east coast by boat. I would book it with flexibility, not with a fixed picture of exactly where lunch will happen or which boat you will board.
Who will get the most from this trip
I would recommend this for you if you want to combine several Mauritius highlights in one day and prefer an arranged package. The pickup, food, alcohol, beach, waterfall, and boat transport remove much of the planning work.
It suits couples, families, and small groups who enjoy a social outing. The group limit of 15 is a useful middle ground: more lively than a private boat, but potentially less crowded than a large cruise.
It is also a good fit if you want to see Ile aux Cerfs but do not want to arrange a taxi to Trou d’Eau Douce. The air-conditioned vehicle is especially helpful if your accommodation is far from the launch point.
I would be more cautious if you need a private, quiet day or if you care strongly about riding a speedboat. The shared boat, music, alcohol, and possible change to a catamaran may not match your ideal outing.
You should also reconsider if your plans cannot absorb a weather-related change. The provider can offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation, but that does not help if your holiday schedule is already fixed.
Booking, cancellation, and practical details
The experience can be canceled for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.
If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Since sea conditions also affect the route and boat type, keep some flexibility around the excursion day.
Confirmation is provided at booking. The experience is near public transportation, though the included pickup means you should not need to use it. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications.
Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel if you plan to use the beach or swim. Those items are not listed as inclusions, so you should not expect them to be supplied. Keep valuables limited, especially on a boat and beach day.
Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE trip?
Book it if you value convenience and variety more than a guaranteed boat type. The package gives you a lot for $117.11: resort pickup, a boat trip, Ile aux Cerfs, GRSE Waterfall, lunch, dessert, drinks, and possible snorkeling.
Do not book it if the speedboat itself is the main reason you are interested. Weather can bring a catamaran instead, and the meal may move from the islet to the boat. Those changes are sensible for safety, but they can make the outing feel different from the original plan.
My practical advice is to reserve this when you have a flexible day, confirm the pickup details, and judge the price as an all-in outing rather than a simple cruise. With that expectation, it is a useful way to see Mauritius’s east coast, enjoy a beach, watch for monkeys near a waterfall, and leave the day’s logistics to someone else.
FAQ
What is included in the tour price?
The price includes pickup and drop-off from a resort or villa, private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, the boat excursion, BBQ lunch, a vegetarian meal option, dessert, beer, arranged local rum, cocktails, soft drinks, GRSE Waterfall access, and snorkeling equipment when sea conditions allow.
How long does the experience last?
The total duration is approximately five to eight hours. This includes transportation and time on the water.
What time does the tour start?
The stated start time is 7:30 a.m.
How long is the visit to Ile aux Cerfs?
The planned visit to Ile aux Cerfs is about two hours.
How long is the GRSE Waterfall stop?
The planned waterfall visit is about 20 minutes. The actual duration can change based on water level, sea safety, and boat occupancy.
Is a speedboat guaranteed?
No. Boat sizes can change according to weather and sea conditions. A larger boat or catamaran may be used when the sea is dangerous.
Where is lunch served?
Lunch is served aboard a catamaran or on Ile aux Cerfs, depending on the weather conditions.
Is snorkeling included?
Snorkeling equipment is available depending on sea conditions. The information does not guarantee that snorkeling will take place.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
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