Île aux Cerfs speedboat tours

Which Île aux Cerfs trip is right for you?

• Shared speedboat day with BBQ lunch: the classic. You share the boat with other guests, visit the Grand River South East (GRSE) waterfall, have a BBQ lunch with drinks on the beach (on Îlot Mangénie or Île aux Cerfs, depending on the day's boat plan) and spend time on Île aux Cerfs. The best value for couples, families and small groups.
• Private speedboat: the boat and skipper for your group alone (up to 10 people per boat; bigger groups go on two boats), with the waterfall on the way and lunch as an option. Good for families who want to stay together, birthdays and groups of friends.
• Private east islands tour: six hours and up to eight stops along the coast (islands, the waterfall, snorkelling) for up to 15 people, with lunch as an option. For guests who want to see more than one island.
• Couple and honeymoon day: La Grande Traversée, a private six-hour day with snorkelling, a beach BBQ lunch and drinks all day. For two, or up to 10.
• Taxi boat: the simple crossing from Trou d'Eau Douce to the island and back, with or without the waterfall stop. For guests who want a beach day at their own pace; you can bring a picnic.

Not sure? Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and group, and we will tell you honestly which trip suits you.

What a speedboat day looks like

Boats leave Trou d'Eau Douce, on the east coast, between 09:00 and 09:30 (taxi boats run from about 09:15 to 10:30). The speedboat crosses the lagoon and runs up the Grand River South East to the waterfall, where the river drops towards the sea. On the shared day, lunch is a BBQ with drinks on the beach at Îlot Mangénie, next to Île aux Cerfs, or on Île aux Cerfs itself, depending on the day's boat plan. The rest of the day is for swimming, walking the white-sand beaches, trying the paid water sports on the island or finding some shade. You are back at Trou d'Eau Douce around 16:00.

Every trip page shows the exact times, what is included and the meeting point, and the same details are on your voucher.

Getting to the meeting point

All our trips leave from the public beach at Trou d'Eau Douce, opposite Le Four à Chaux restaurant. From the north-coast hotels around Grand Baie, allow about an hour by taxi; from the south-west (Flic en Flac, Le Morne), allow an hour and a half to two hours; from Belle Mare and the east-coast hotels, around 15 to 20 minutes. Hotel pickup is not included yet, so book a taxi with your hotel the evening before. Your voucher has a map link and the skipper's number.

When to go

Île aux Cerfs is good all year. The lagoon is calmest and the sky clearest from about September to December. January to March is hot and humid, with a chance of cyclones: if the authorities or the skipper call off a trip for the weather, you choose a new date or a full refund. From June to August the south-east trade winds are stronger and the air cooler, but the lagoon is protected by the reef and trips run on most days. Weekends and public holidays are busiest, so book a weekday for a quieter island.

What to bring

• swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes
• reef-safe sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
• cash for drinks, souvenirs or water sports on the island
• a waterproof bag for your phone

Please bring your own snorkelling mask for the snorkelling stops on the private trips.

Why book with Letsgo

• Instant confirmation: your voucher arrives by email as soon as you pay.
• Free cancellation on every trip up to 48 hours before departure, and a full refund or a new date if the weather stops the trip.
• Booked direct with a licensed local operator, with the price shown in rupees and VAT added only at checkout, never at the jetty.
• A local team on WhatsApp before and after your trip.

Questions

Can I visit Île aux Cerfs without a tour? Yes: the taxi boat takes you across and back at set times, and you plan the day yourself.

Is Île aux Cerfs good for children? Yes. The beaches shelve gently and the lagoon is usually calm. Babies under 2 travel free on most trips, and each trip page lists its age bands and prices.

Do I need to know how to swim? No. You can stay on the boat or paddle in the shallows, and the crew carry life jackets. Tell us when you book if anyone in your group cannot swim.

What if it rains? Showers on the east coast are usually short and the trip goes ahead. If the skipper cancels for weather or safety, you choose a new date or a full refund.