Île aux Cerfs is one of those places everyone talks about when visiting Mauritius.
Yes, it’s touristic — but once you see the turquoise water, white sand and postcard-worthy colours of the East coast, you immediately understand why.
For us, Tino Boats is our go-to contact whenever we want to go to Île aux Cerfs.
We recommend them to all our friends, whether they live on the island or are just visiting.
Here is our full experience of the speed boat tour from Trou d’Eau Douce, with practical tips, especially if you’re going with kids.
🚤 Departure from Trou d’Eau Douce: What to Know
The tour starts at the Trou d’Eau Douce jetty, on the East coast of Mauritius around 8.30 am.
👉 Payment is made directly on the jetty before departure, which is quick and easy.
⚠️ Important for families:
Life jackets for children are not always available, so I highly recommend bringing:
a flotation vest
or a swim ring, especially for younger kids
Once on board, the speed boat ride begins.
💨 Be prepared for the wind:
It can get quite breezy, especially at speed.
My advice:
secure caps properly
remove hats and loose items
hold onto sunglasses
That said, the ride is fun and dynamic, and the colours of the East coast are absolutely stunning.
🌴 Arriving at Île aux Cerfs: What to Expect
After the boat ride, you are dropped off at Île aux Cerfs.
A quick but important note:
👉 Don’t expect a deserted island, especially on weekends or public holidays. Île aux Cerfs is popular — and for good reason.
That being said:
the water is crystal clear
the sand is soft and white
the setting is still beautiful
💡 Our tip:
Walk across the island to the other side. It’s usually more pleasant and less crowded, especially when visiting with children.
On the island, you can:
relax on the beach
swim in the lagoon
try water activities such as parasailing
visit the souvenir shop near the pier
👉 If you’re visiting with kids, bring a small snack, as lunch comes a bit later.
Another interesting fact:
Île aux Cerfs is also home to one of the most beautiful golf courses in Mauritius, which adds to the impressive scenery.
🌊 Visiting the GRSE Waterfall (Grande Rivière Sud-Est)
Around midday, it’s time to get back on the boat and head towards the GRSE waterfall.
This is one of our favourite moments of the day:
the scenery becomes greener and more tropical
the river feels calm and peaceful
you may even spot monkeys along the riverbanks
🐒 If you have bananas with you, they sometimes come very close to the boat — a moment kids usually love.
🍽 Lunch on a Beach (Almost Private)
After the waterfall, the boat takes you to the southern part of Île aux Cerfs for lunch.
It genuinely feels like the beach has been privatised for the group, which makes the experience very enjoyable.
Lunch includes:
unlimited drinks (soft drinks and alcohol)
grilled chicken and fish
lobster available as an extra
potato salad
homemade coleslaw
The food is good, generous, and the atmosphere is relaxed.
There is:
music
a friendly and welcoming staff
sometimes dancing
and of course, time to swim after lunch
🕒 Return to Trou d’Eau Douce
The return to Trou d’Eau Douce is usually around 3pm.
It’s a great timing:
not too late for kids
you’re not exhausted
you still have the rest of the afternoon to relax
🎟 Should You Book This Tour in Advance?
If you’re visiting Mauritius or want a smooth, well-organised day, booking in advance can be a good option.
Some tours include:
the speed boat ride
Île aux Cerfs visit
GRSE waterfall
lunch
sometimes transport
👉 You can check the details and availability of the tour we usually do here:
Discover the Île aux Cerfs speed boat tour with Tino Boats
👉 It’s not mandatory, but it’s convenient, especially during busy periods.
Our Family Opinion
This is a tour we’ve done several times and happily recommend.
✔ stunning landscapes
✔ turquoise water and white sand
✔ multiple highlights (island, waterfall, lunch)
✔ friendly atmosphere
✔ great memories with kids
💡 Final tip:
Choose a sunny day. The experience is completely different when the weather is good — that’s when you get the true postcard colours of Île aux Cerfs.
If you want to see more than just l’Ile aux Cerfs, we can also check their 5 islands adventure: here
