Tours to Ile aux Cerfs can cost 8,000+ rupees. We did it for 2,500 total for two people, including the waterfall. Here’s exactly how.
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Ile aux Cerfs is one of the most popular things to do in Mauritius, as it should be.
White sand beaches, turquoise water, and a beautiful island that you can only reach by boat.
Most visitors pair it with a stop at the Grand River South East Waterfall (GRSE), which is the longest river in Mauritius and has a waterfall you can see up close from a speedboat.
However… the pricing for getting there is all over the place.
We were quoted nearly 8,000 Mauritian rupees (~$175 USD) for a private tour for two. We ended up paying 2,500 rupees total (~$55 USD) for both of us, including the island AND the waterfall.
Here’s exactly how we did it.
What We Were Originally Quoted
We drove our rental car to Trou d’Eau Douce, which is the general area most people depart from when heading to Ile aux Cerfs. We didn’t have a specific departure point mapped out, just the general area.
One thing about Mauritius: the locals are genuinely friendly and helpful.
There was a bit of a language barrier, but people pointed us in the right direction and we eventually found what looked like a public ferry station near the water.
We’d heard from a friend who recently visited Mauritius that the public ferry would be the most affordable way to get to the island, so that’s what we were looking for.
When we asked the woman at the ferry station about prices, she told us:
The ferry to Ile aux Cerfs alone was 1,000 rupees per person. But if we also wanted to see the Grand River South East Waterfall (which we did), she said we had missed the morning group departure. Since it was already around 11 AM, she could only offer us a private tour that included Ile aux Cerfs plus the waterfall. There was also an option to add a lunch stop on a different island.
The private tour was quoted at around 8,000 rupees.
We didn’t need the lunch add-on since we’d had a late breakfast at Hilton Mauritius Hotel, where we were staying, and 8,000 rupees felt steep for what we wanted.
So we walked away and explored our options.
How We Found a Better Price
We walked down toward the water where we could see some boats docked. We asked around about prices for Ile aux Cerfs and the waterfall, and a few people pointed us in a new direction: drive up the street, make a right at the church, and find Robin de Mer.
By the time we just reached the church, a local man offered to help. He got on his bike and had us follow him in our car up the street to Robin de Mer, where he helped us negotiate with a local fisherman.
The price we agreed on: 2,500 Mauritian rupees total for two people. That included the speedboat to Ile aux Cerfs, the trip to Grand River South East Waterfall, and the return to the island afterward.
That’s roughly $55 USD for both of us, compared to the 8,000 rupees (~$175 USD) we were originally quoted at the ferry station.
A 70% savings just by walking a little further and asking around.
We waited about 10 minutes for the boat to arrive, and we were off.
The Boat Ride and the Waterfall
The speedboat got us to Ile aux Cerfs in about 5 to 10 minutes.
We spent about half an hour on the beach enjoying the shallow water before getting back on the same boat to head to the waterfall.
The speedboat operated kind of like a water taxi. Other groups joined us at different stops along the way, so it wasn’t a private ride, but that’s also why it was so affordable.
On the way to the waterfall, we traveled along the Grand River South East, which is the longest river in Mauritius.
Along the riverbanks, there were wild monkeys. Another boat had stopped closer to them and people were feeding them.
The monkeys were climbing all over their boat. Our boat slowed down so we could watch, and I was genuinely praying they wouldn’t jump onto ours. And they didn’t! But it was a wild thing to see.
When we reached the waterfall, the boat got close enough that we could feel the mist.
You stay on the boat the entire time. You won’t get soaked, but you’ll feel the spray.
I did notice some people standing near the top of the waterfall (not exactly sure how they got up there), but for this type of boat tour, you’re viewing it from the water.
After the waterfall, some passengers stayed on the boat to continue to a lunch stop on another island.
We were dropped back at Ile aux Cerfs to relax for the rest of the afternoon.
What Ile aux Cerfs Is Actually Like
The island is beautiful!
The water is shallow and calm, and the sand is white, though it is a bit shelly, so it’s not that powdery soft sand you might be imagining.
Still gorgeous though.
There are plenty of chairs and areas to set up for the day. Also, there are palapas for shade, and the occasional rain shower.
It rained for maybe less than 5 minutes while we were there.
The island has a beach bar with food and drinks, and a small craft market where I picked up a magnet with the dodo bird on it (the dodo was only found in Mauritius before going extinct, so it’s become a symbol of the island).
If you’re into water sports, I saw parasailing offered at 2,200 rupees for two people. There are other activities available too, but we just relaxed and enjoyed the beach.
We spent about 2 to 2.5 hours on the island total (including the half hour before the waterfall trip and the time after).
It was one of my favorite days of our entire Mauritius trip.
Cost Breakdown (For Two People)
| Cost | |
| Speedboat to Ile aux Cerfs + waterfall + return (2 people) | 2,500 MUR (~$55 USD) |
| Dodo bird magnet | ~200 MUR (~$4 USD) |
| Total | ~$59 USD for two people |
We didn’t buy food or drinks on the island or pay for any water sports, so our total was minimal.
Your costs will vary depending on what you do once you’re there.
How to Do This Yourself
Drive to Trou d’Eau Douce and plug it into Google Maps. This is the general departure area for Ile aux Cerfs. Street parking is free around Robin de Mer and the free ferry dock.
Get there before 10 AM if you can. The earlier you arrive, the more likely you’ll catch a group departure, which is the cheapest option. We got there at 11 AM and had already missed the morning group, which limited our choices.
Ask around before committing. There are a few ways to get to the island: the public ferry, organized tours through platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide (which you can book in advance), and local fishermen operating speedboats at places like Robin de Mer. Prices vary a lot depending on which option you choose and what time of day it is, so it’s worth taking some time to compare before you commit.
To find Robin de Mer, drive up the street from the waterfront and make a right at the church. This is where we found local fishermen offering speedboat rides to the island and waterfall for significantly less than other tour operators quoted us.
Bring cash. Local operators don’t take cards. Have Mauritian rupees ready.
Is It Worth It?
Absolutely.
Ile aux Cerfs is one of the most beautiful spots in Mauritius, and the Grand River South East Waterfall is a unique experience you won’t find many places in the world.
Seeing wild monkeys along the river was also pretty cool, even though I was slightly afraid terrified of them.
The key is not overpaying for it. With a rental car in Mauritius and a willingness to ask around, you can do both for a fraction of what the tour companies charge.
