With a calm turquoise lagoon boasting an array of colorful marine life, powdery white-sand beaches, a golf course, and a great selection of watersport activities on offer, taking a day trip to Ile aux Cerfs is one of the most popular excursions in Mauritius.
Whether you’re on a budget or want to splurge for a special occasion, there’s an Ile aux Cerfs tour for everyone.
From catamaran cruises to speedboat tours, this blog post will walk you through some of the best Ile aux Cerfs tours that you can take, including the best things to do and recommendations on where to stay on the island or nearby.
Top Pick
No time to read the whole post?
The best Ile aux Cerfs tour is this Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise! Including BBQ lunch, free-flowing drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and hotel transfers (if option selected). As a best-selling tour, it books FAST so grab your spot early!
***This article may contain affiliate links, meaning each time you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you which helps a lot in keeping this website running. Thank you for your support :)
Table of Contents
Comparison of the Best Ile aux Cerfs Boat Tours
| Tour | Rating | Price | More info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catamaran Cruise to lle aux Cerfs from Trou D’Eau Douce (East) | 4.7/5 | From € 58 per person | LEARN MORE |
| Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs from Pointe Jerome (Southeast) | 4.7/5 | From € 70 per person | LEARN MORE |
| Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs & BBQ | 4.9/5 | From € 125 per person | LEARN MORE |
| Private Catamaran Charter to Ile aux Cerfs | 5/5 | From € 1,150 per group | LEARN MORE |
| Sirene d’Or Pirate Boat Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch | 4.8/5 | From € 58 per person | LEARN MORE |
About Ile aux Cerfs + Things to do
Ile aux Cerfs is a privately owned island located off the east coast of Mauritius. It boasts a beautiful turquoise lagoon that’s perfect for swimming and since the water isn’t too deep, it’s ideal for children.
What makes a day trip to Ile aux Cerfs a must-visit is the range of watersport activities like parasailing, snorkeling, tube riding, undersea walk, and water skiing. These activities (except for snorkeling) usually aren’t included in the tour price, so make sure to put aside some cash if you want to do those.
Another notable feature of the island is the stunning sandbar that stretches out to the sea. During low tide, the sandbar is completely exposed and makes for a stunning photo backdrop.
There are several souvenir shops beside the harbor and the bathroom is found further away. You’ll also find a couple of restaurants on the island but those are quite expensive which is why I recommend booking a tour of Ile aux Cerfs which usually includes a BBQ lunch. The Ile aux Cerfs tour price starts from €58 per person and is a great option for those visiting Mauritius Island on a budget.
An important thing to note is that boat tours to Ile aux Cerfs tend to book fast since it’s the most popular place to visit in Mauritius Island. For this reason, it’s recommended to book at least a few days in advance to guarantee a spot. Another tip is to avoid visiting during the weekend as it can get very crowded.
Related post: 44 places you need to visit in Mauritius
How to get to Ile aux Cerfs?
The only way to get to Ile aux Cerfs is by boat. Most boats depart from the village of Trou D’Eau Douce on the east coast or Pointe Jerome on the southeast coast while very few depart from the north.
If you’re on a super tight budget, you can take the public boat transfer from Trou D’Eau Douce but lunch won’t be included so you’ll need to bring your own food. This is why I recommend visiting as part of a tour.
Related post: 8 Amazing boat trips in Mauritius
Why should you book an Ile aux Cerfs tour?
By booking a tour of Ile aux Cerfs, you won’t have to worry about planning anything as boat transfer, food, drinks and activities like snorkeling will already be included. Hotel transfers might also be included depending on the operator.
The only thing you have to do is to sit back, relax and enjoy unlimited drinks as you cruise along the ocean!
Another advantage of taking a tour as opposed to organizing an Ile aux Cerfs day trip on your own is that it also includes a visit to GRSE waterfall.
What makes this waterfall unique is that it flows directly into the ocean and going there by boat allows you to get extremely close to the waterfall. Otherwise, you might need to hire another boat to take you there or hike from the mainland.
Related post: 18 amazing waterfalls to visit in Mauritius
Best Ile aux Cerfs tours
There are several operators offering tours to Ile aux Cerfs. All of them include a BBQ lunch with drinks and a visit to GRSE waterfall while only a few also include breakfast and additional visits to other nearby islands like Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Phares, and Ile de la Passe.
When taking an Ile aux Cerfs boat trip, you have the option between a speedboat tour or catamaran cruise. The latter is more popular since it’s cheaper, plus there’s a toilet on board and you get lots of space to relax and sunbathe. The only downside is that it’s slower than the speedboat, so you’ll be spending more time on the water.
On the other hand, the speedboat tour is slightly more expensive but since it’s much faster, you’ll have more time for snorkeling and visiting the islands.
Note: You can also request a hotel transfer for an additional fee if your accommodation isn’t found near the meeting point.
Below I’ll walk you through some of the Ile aux Cerfs tours available so that you can decide which one suits you best.
Catamaran Cruise to lle aux Cerfs from Trou D’Eau Douce (From €58 pp)
Rating: 4.7/5 | Tour Duration: 6 hours | Check rates here
This catamaran cruise to Ile aux Cerfs is the cheapest option out there. Your Ile aux cerfs excursion will depart from Trou D’Eau Douce. You’ll then cruise toward GRSE waterfall before making a stop for snorkeling in the lagoon.
A delicious BBQ lunch will be served onboard and then you’ll have some free time to spend on Ile aux Cerfs island. Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be served throughout the day.
Superb activity with the team who take care of their customers! A great atmosphere on board! The meal was excellent. A 100% recommended excursion.
(read more reviews)
What’s included:
- BBQ lunch and drinks
- Snorkeling equipment
- Option to add hotel transfer (additional fee)
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A CATAMARAM CRUISE!
Full-Day Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs from Pointe Jerome (From €70 pp)
Rating: 4.7/5 | Tour Duration: 7 hours | Check rates here
If your hotel is found on the southeast coast, you can take this catamaran cruise that departs from Point Jerome although you’ll still have the option to request a hotel transfer from anywhere in Mauritius.
Note that since the tour departs from the south, cruising time will be slightly longer but you probably won’t notice thanks to the amazing crew and lively atmosphere on board.
An activity that I highly recommend! The staff takes great care of you all day long. Unlimited drinks, delicious barbecue and little touches all day long (they even prepared a separate meal for my girlfriend who doesn’t like fish). We had a great day and really felt like we got our money’s worth. An activity not to be missed if you go to Mauritius.
Aurelien (read more reviews)
You’ll stop for snorkeling in the lagoon followed by a BBQ lunch (vegetarian options available on request) and a visit to GRSE waterfall. The only downside is that snorkeling equipment isn’t provided so you’ll have to bring your own.
What’s included:
- Light breakfast before departure
- BBQ lunch on board with unlimited drinks
- Option to add hotel transfer (additional fee)
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A CATAMARAN CRUISE!
Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs & BBQ (From €125 pp)
Rating: 4.9/5 | Tour Duration: 7 hours | Check rates here
This is a great option for those who want to visit the other nearby islands as well. This speedboat tour departs from the south and includes snorkeling at the D’Albair shipwreck. After that, you’ll make a stop at Ile aux Phare to see the lighthouse and then visit GRSE waterfall. Lunch will be served on Ile aux Cerfs and finally, you’ll end the day at another snorkeling spot near Ile aux Aigrettes.
The advantage of booking an Ile aux Cerfs speedboat tour is that you’ll spend less time on the ocean and hence more time on the islands.
The speedboat was very good and we were only 6 people so we were very comfortable. The food is very delicious. In short, a 10/10. So far the best excursion of 3 that we have done. 100% RECOMMENDED
(read more reviews)
If you have the budget, you can also book a private speedboat tour with the same operator.
What’s included:
- BBQ lunch and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
- Snorkeling equipment
- Option to add hotel transfer (additional fee)
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A SPEEDBOAT TOUR!
Private Catamaran Charter to Ile aux Cerfs (From €1,150 per group)
Rating: 5/5 | Tour Duration: 7 hours | Check rates here
Whether you’re looking for a romantic cruise or prefer a cruise with just you and your group (up to 15 people), I recommend this private catamaran cruise that departs from Pointe Jerome.
If you don’t mind splurging a bit, it’s definitely the best way to escape the crowds. Snorkeling and a visit to GRSE waterfall are also included in the tour rate.
Really nice private catamaran. We also saw a lot of dolphins along the way. The staff were super nice and funny. We brought our own food and drinks which they kept cool. We were driven home to our hotel. Very nice trip.
Maja (read more reviews)
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A PRIVATE CATAMARAN CRUISE!
Sirene d’Or Boat Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch (From €58 pp)
Rating: 4.8/5 | Tour Duration: 6 hours | Check rates here
This tour gives you the opportunity to cruise on a pirate ship replica! Enjoy unlimited drinks and live music on board, snorkel in the lagoon, visit GRSE waterfall and explore the island at your own pace.
Well organised trip with super friendly staff, good food (bbq on the boat). We were together with a bunch of local people who had great time and dancing on the boat.
(read more reviews)
What’s included:
- BBQ lunch and drinks
- Live Sega music
- Hotel transfers (additional fee)
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A SIRENE D’OR BOAT CRUISE!
Related post: Best excursions to take in Mauritius
Where to stay?
Bubble Lodge Ile aux Cerfs is the only accommodation available on the island. Offering a unique and luxurious experience, each lodge features a double bed, sofa bed and a private bathroom. If you’re spending your honeymoon in Mauritius, it’s definitely one of the most romantic places to stay.
Included in the room rate are breakfast and dinner, complimentary boat transfers and a 1-hour golf lesson. Each lodge can fit up to two adults and two children.
CHECK LATEST RATES OF BUBBLE LODGE ILE AUX CERFS HERE
Alternatively, if you prefer to stay on the mainland, I recommend staying in Trou D’Eau Douce, Blue Bay or Pointe D’Esny. This way you can avoid paying extra for hotel transfers.
For hotels in Trou D’Eau Douce, I recommend either La Koquillishe, Tropical Attitude or Friday Attitude.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN TROU D’EAU DOUCE
As for Blue Bay and Pointe D’Esny, you can stay at either Talamba Blue, Preskil Island Resort or Explora Prestige.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN BLUE BAY AND POINTE D’ESNY
Another place I recommend staying is Otentic Eco Tent Experience. This unique accommodation is located in the village of Deux Freres along GRSE river and features 12 safari tents elevated on wooden stilts. They provide a free boat shuttle to Ile aux Cerfs as well as free non-motorized watersport activities. You can find more details in my review of Otentic Eco Tent Experience here.
I hope this guide has helped you decide which Ile aux Cerfs tour is best for you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below.
Read more about Mauritius:
- 44 amazing places to visit in Mauritius
- 29 epic beaches in Mauritius
- 12 best guided tours in Mauritius
- Most beautiful places to visit in East Mauritius
- How to travel Mauritius on a budget + useful tips
- When to visit Mauritius Island?
- Ultimate guide to North Mauritius: 11 places to visit
- Ultimate guide to South Mauritius: 21 places to visit
1 comment
We always do the speedboat trip to Ile aux Cerfs when we are in Mauritius, we love it!