Île aux Cerfs: Catamaran or Speedboat? Prices, What’s Included & Which to Book

If you are planning a day at Île aux Cerfs, one of the first decisions you will face is whether to go by catamaran or speedboat. Both can take you across the turquoise lagoon, visit the Grand River South East waterfall and include lunch, swimming and time on the island. The experience, however, is quite different.

Choose a catamaran if you want the journey itself to be part of the day. It is slower, more spacious and better suited to relaxing, sunbathing and having drinks on deck. Choose a speedboat if you want to reach the sights quickly, prefer a smaller group and would rather spend more of the day swimming or exploring the islands.

For most first-time visitors who want a relaxed full-day excursion, I would choose the catamaran. If you have children who enjoy excitement, are travelling with friends, or simply dislike spending hours sailing slowly, the speedboat can be the better choice.

Catamaran vs Speedboat at a Glance

Prices are current planning ranges based on shared tours checked in September 2026. Promotions, resident rates, child prices and hotel transfers can change the final amount considerably.

What Is a Typical Île aux Cerfs Catamaran Trip Like?

A catamaran day is less about getting from A to B and more about spending several hours on the water. Most shared cruises leave in the morning from the east or south-east of Mauritius, commonly around Trou d’Eau Douce or Pointe Jérôme, and return in the middle or late afternoon.

A typical itinerary includes sailing through the lagoon, a snorkelling stop, a visit towards the Grand River South East waterfall, a BBQ lunch on board and some free time at Île aux Cerfs. Current full-day tours normally last around six to seven hours.

The biggest advantage is space. You can normally move around the deck, sit in the shade, stretch out on the front netting and enjoy the lagoon without feeling that you are simply being transported somewhere. This makes a catamaran particularly enjoyable for couples and anyone who wants a slow holiday day.

Lunch is usually part of the package. A typical BBQ includes chicken, fish, sausages, salads, rice, garlic bread and fruit or dessert. Vegetarian food can usually be arranged if you tell the operator in advance. Many tours also include beer, wine, rum, soft drinks and water, with some advertising an open bar throughout the cruise.

Snorkelling equipment is commonly supplied, although you should check whether that means a full mask, snorkel and fins or simply a mask and snorkel. The quality of snorkelling also depends on weather, visibility and the exact anchoring point, so I would treat it as a pleasant part of the day rather than booking the excursion purely for serious reef snorkelling.

What Does a Catamaran Cost?

For a shared full-day cruise, current prices are generally around Rs2,200 to Rs3,200 per adult, or approximately €50–67 depending on the operator and booking platform.

For example, current local operators advertise shared catamaran trips around Rs2,200–2,300 per adult, while international-facing tour operators list similar full-day packages from roughly €50 to €67. Children are normally cheaper and infants may travel free, but age bands differ between companies.

Hotel pickup is often not included in the basic advertised price. If you are staying in Grand Baie, Flic en Flac, Le Morne or another part of Mauritius, check the transfer charge before comparing two apparently similar tours.

What Is a Speedboat Trip Like?

A speedboat tour covers much of the same territory but at a completely different pace. Most trips leave from Trou d’Eau Douce in the morning, carry a smaller number of passengers and return at around 3:30pm or 4:00pm.

The obvious difference is speed. Instead of spending a large portion of the day slowly cruising across the lagoon, you move quickly between Île aux Cerfs, the waterfall and the lunch stop. That often means more time on land and less time simply travelling.

Many full-day speedboat packages visit Île aux Cerfs for swimming and beach time, stop at Grand River South East waterfall and then continue to Îlot Mangénie or another lunch location for a BBQ. Some also include a snorkelling stop.

Speedboats are particularly good if you enjoy the ride itself. The journey can be fun when the lagoon is calm, with spray, turns and plenty of speed. On rougher days it can also be noticeably bumpier than a catamaran, which is worth considering if you have back problems, are pregnant or are particularly sensitive to motion.

How Much Does the Speedboat Cost?

Current shared speedboat packages generally start at around Rs1,600 to Rs2,500 per adult when booked locally, with international-facing packages often around €50–55.

Current examples include full-day shared tours around Rs1,600, Rs1,900 and Rs2,200 per adult, usually including the waterfall, lunch and drinks. The price can be surprisingly close to a catamaran, so I would choose based on the experience rather than automatically assuming the speedboat is the budget option.

Private speedboats can make excellent value for a family or group. Current advertised rates vary enormously, from low-season boat-only offers around Rs6,000 to roughly Rs18,000–25,000 for larger private boats before or depending on lunch arrangements. Always check exactly what is included because a cheap private-boat price may not include food and drinks.

What Is Usually Included?

A good shared full-day package normally includes the boat journey, crew, life jackets, a visit to Île aux Cerfs, the Grand River South East waterfall, lunch and at least some drinks. Catamarans are more likely to advertise snorkelling equipment and an open bar as standard, while speedboat packages can vary slightly more.

One detail worth checking is where lunch is served. Catamaran lunches are often cooked and served directly on board. Speedboat excursions commonly stop at Îlot Mangénie or another beach location for lunch. Neither is automatically better; they are simply different experiences.

Also check how much actual free time you receive on Île aux Cerfs. A tour can advertise a full-day excursion while only spending a relatively small part of that day on the island itself.

What Is the Grand River South East Waterfall?

The Grand River South East waterfall, usually abbreviated to GRSE, is one of the standard stops on east-coast boat excursions. Boats travel inland along the river channel towards the waterfall, passing through a greener and much narrower landscape than the open lagoon.

The waterfall visit is scenic rather than a long hiking stop. In most cases you remain in the boat while the skipper approaches the falls as closely as conditions safely allow. Water levels and the appearance of the falls change with rainfall.

You may also see monkeys in the trees around the river, although sightings are never guaranteed.

How Much Time Do You Actually Get on Île aux Cerfs?

This is one of the most important questions to ask before booking.

A catamaran cruise may spend several hours sailing, snorkelling, visiting the waterfall and having lunch, which can leave only an hour or two of dedicated beach time on Île aux Cerfs. If the sailing experience is what you want, that is perfectly reasonable.

A speedboat can cover the same distances much faster and may therefore give you more time at the beach. Current speedboat itineraries commonly advertise around two hours on Île aux Cerfs before continuing to lunch and the waterfall.

If your main objective is simply to spend as much time as possible on Île aux Cerfs, neither full-day excursion may actually be necessary. There is a third option.

What Should You Book?

Book the catamaran if this is your first visit and you want the classic Mauritius boat-day experience. The slower sailing, open deck, snorkelling stop, BBQ and drinks make the entire journey part of the excursion rather than simply transportation to the island.

Book the speedboat if you want a more energetic day or value time over relaxation. It is particularly good for groups, families with older children and anyone who wants to move quickly between the waterfall, lunch stop and Île aux Cerfs.

If I had never been before and had a full day available, I would personally choose the catamaran. The lagoon journey is part of what makes the east coast special, and a good catamaran excursion combines several experiences into one easy day. On a second visit, or if I mainly wanted beach time, I would take the speedboat instead.

Is Île aux Cerfs Worth Visiting?

Yes, but go with realistic expectations. Île aux Cerfs is one of the best-known attractions in Mauritius, so it is not a deserted Robinson Crusoe island. The main arrival areas can become busy, especially during the middle of the day when excursion boats arrive.

The attraction is the setting: shallow turquoise water, white sand, views across the east-coast lagoon and easy access to restaurants and water activities. If you want complete isolation, there are quieter coastal experiences elsewhere in Mauritius. If you want an easy, beautiful island day with plenty of facilities, Île aux Cerfs works very well.

The island itself covers around 87 hectares and is also home to Île aux Cerfs Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course designed by Bernhard Langer.

Best Time of Day and Weather

East-coast conditions can be breezier than the north and west, particularly during the Mauritian winter. This can make the catamaran sailing enjoyable but also creates a rougher ride on some days.

October and November are excellent months overall because Mauritius is generally dry and warming up. Summer brings warmer lagoon temperatures but also higher humidity and a greater chance of tropical showers.

Boat operators may alter or cancel the waterfall, snorkelling or sailing sections when sea conditions are unsuitable. A reputable operator should prioritise safety rather than trying to follow the advertised itinerary regardless of the weather.

For a full month-by-month breakdown, see our best time to visit Mauritius guide.

What to Bring

Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. A light long-sleeved shirt is useful because several hours on the water can result in much more sun exposure than you realise.

I would also bring a waterproof phone pouch or small dry bag. Even on a catamaran, phones and cameras can get splashed during transfers or when boarding smaller boats.

Wear simple sandals or flip-flops rather than expensive shoes. You may need to step through shallow water during parts of the excursion.

If you are prone to seasickness, take whatever medication you normally use before departure rather than waiting until you already feel unwell.

Final Answer: Catamaran or Speedboat?

For most first-time visitors, I would choose a shared catamaran cruise. Expect to spend roughly Rs2,200–3,200 per adult for a standard full-day trip including lunch, drinks, snorkelling and the waterfall. It is relaxed and gives you the classic Mauritius sailing experience.

A speedboat is better if you prefer a smaller group, want to travel quickly and would rather maximise your time at the stops. Shared packages currently start around Rs1,600–2,500 per adult and usually include lunch, drinks and the waterfall.

Whichever option you choose, do not book based on price alone. Check the departure point, group size, lunch, drinks, waterfall stop, snorkelling, hotel transfer and actual time on the island. A Rs500 difference matters much less than spending an entire holiday day on the wrong type of trip.

Useful Official Links

• Île aux Cerfs Leisure Island – Official Website

Price disclaimer: Boat excursion prices, menus, hotel transfers, operating days and itineraries change regularly. The prices in this guide were checked in September 2026 and are intended as planning ranges. Confirm the final price and inclusions with the operator before booking.