Speedboats make Mauritius feel like it’s on fast-forward. This private trip combines a speedboat ride with a dedicated guide, so you can hit Ile aux Cerfs quickly and spend more time on sand and in the water. I also like that the plan includes real nature moments—mangroves and a secret waterfall—so it’s not just a sit-and-sip beach day. One thing to watch: the outing needs good weather, so if conditions are rough, your day may be changed or refunded.
You meet at Chez Tino in Trou d’Eau Douce, get lunch included, and keep your group small (up to four). The experience has a strong track record too, with a 4.8 rating and 94% recommending it, and the operator, Tino Boats, is the one you’re dealing with from start to finish.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll care about
- Speedboat timing that actually changes your day
- Where the trip starts: Chez Tino in Trou d’Eau Douce
- Ile aux Cerfs: private island time with room to choose
- Secret waterfall and mangroves: the best moments aren’t the obvious ones
- Lunch included: fewer decisions, more vacation
- Price and value: $450 for a private group up to four
- What the guide experience should feel like
- Hotel pickup upgrade: when it’s worth it
- Weather matters more than you think
- Who this private speedboat trip is best for
- Should you book the private speedboat to Ile aux Cerfs?
- FAQ
- What is the price for the private speedboat to Ile aux Cerfs?
- How long does the tour last?
- Where do we meet for the tour?
- Is lunch included?
- Is hotel pickup available?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
- Does the tour run in all weather?
Key highlights you’ll care about

- Private island time on your schedule, not a cattle-car cruise
- Faster access by speedboat, which helps you beat the busiest hours
- Nature-focused stops, including a secret waterfall and fauna-rich mangroves
- Tropical beaches with flexibility, so you can spend longer where you like most
- Lunch included, so you’re not hunting for food while the day races by
Speedboat timing that actually changes your day

A lot of “boat to an island” trips still feel rushed, because you lose time to slow transfers and big-group pacing. Here, the main advantage is simple: you travel by speedboat, so your day starts earlier in the places that matter.
That time boost is more than convenience. On a trip like this, the best light, calmer water, and quieter shoreline often come earlier or later in the day. When you get there faster, you have more breathing room to choose where you want your photos, where you want to swim, and where you want a longer pause to just watch the water move.
And since it’s private for up to four, you’re not stuck with the rhythm of strangers who booked the same exact timing but want to do everything at once. Your guide can help you tweak things—within reason—based on what you want to prioritize that day.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Mauritius
Where the trip starts: Chez Tino in Trou d’Eau Douce

Your ticket redemption point is Chez Tino, B59, Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. I like meeting at a real, specific place because it reduces that whole “Where do I go?” anxiety that can turn vacation into a scavenger hunt.
Expect this to be a morning or early-day style plan, since the total duration is about 6 hours. Plan to arrive with enough buffer to find parking/meeting spot, check in, and settle before the boat day gets rolling.
If you’re staying nearby, you might find it easier to make your own way to Chez Tino. If you’d rather not think about logistics, there’s an upgrade option for stress-free hotel pickup—and that can be worth it if you’re already tired from travel days.
Ile aux Cerfs: private island time with room to choose
Ile aux Cerfs is the headline, but the real win is how you experience it. This is not just a generic island stop. You’re going out to explore pristine waters and unspoiled beaches, and the private setup means your guide can keep the day aligned with what your group actually enjoys.
Some people want maximum swimming time. Others want photo stops and calmer water views. The way this trip is built—speed to the island, then exploration—helps you spend less energy on timing and more on enjoying the coast.
A big practical point: when you’re with a small group, you can move at the pace that feels right. If everyone wants to hop from one beach spot to the next, you can. If someone is ready to relax, you don’t have to force the pace for a large group.
Secret waterfall and mangroves: the best moments aren’t the obvious ones
One reason this trip earns such high marks is that it’s not only about beaches. The highlights explicitly include a secret waterfall, fauna-rich mangroves, and tropical beaches.
Here’s why that matters for your day. Waterfalls and mangroves usually feel more special than the first shoreline you see, because you’re stepping into a different kind of Mauritius scenery. Mangroves also tend to be calmer and more sheltered, which can be a win if sea conditions aren’t perfectly smooth.
The secret waterfall part is the kind of detail that turns an ordinary sightseeing stop into a story you’ll remember. Even if you’re not chasing adrenaline, a waterfall stop gives your day a “wow” moment that’s visually different from beach-only photos.
Just keep a realistic mindset: with nature stops, you’ll want to be comfortable with short walks and uneven areas if that’s part of the route. The good news is that most people can participate, based on the experience notes.
Lunch included: fewer decisions, more vacation

Lunch is included on this trip. I appreciate that for two reasons.
First, it reduces decision fatigue. When your day is half transit and half exploring, figuring out where to eat can slow you down and pull attention away from the island. Second, it’s one less time constraint. You can keep your head clear and focus on the water, views, and those nature stops.
If you have dietary needs, the only safe move is to confirm specifics directly with the operator at booking time. The provided info only clearly states that lunch is included, not what the menu includes.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Mauritius
Price and value: $450 for a private group up to four

Let’s talk money in a way that helps you decide.
The price is $450 per group (up to 4). That means the real value depends on how many people are sharing. If you’re two, you’re paying for privacy and speed. If you’re four, the cost per person gets dramatically easier to justify.
Also think about what you’re buying: a private speedboat experience plus a guide who can tailor your day. Instead of paying for seats on a busy tour, you’re paying to reduce friction—fewer people, faster access, and a schedule that can flex.
This isn’t a budget trip, but the numbers matter. With a 4.8 rating and 94% recommended, this one seems to deliver on what people want: smooth service, a great day at the island, and a guide who keeps everything working.
What the guide experience should feel like
This is one of those tours where “private guide” sounds nice in theory, but you actually notice it in real life. The provided review detail mentions a guide named Antonelo for one group of four, and the feedback was that the team was reactive and friendly.
Even if you don’t get Antonelo, the important takeaway for you is the type of service this operator aims for: quick communication, good energy, and keeping the experience flowing without awkward pauses.
A guide also helps you get more out of the stops. When you’re on a small boat with a small group, you don’t need a lecture. You need the practical context: what you’re seeing, where to look, and when the timing will feel best.
Hotel pickup upgrade: when it’s worth it
Pick-up is optional. A key highlight is an upgrade for stress-free hotel pickup.
If you’re staying in an area where getting to Chez Tino is simple, you can save money and just meet at the redemption point. But if your hotel is farther out, or if you don’t want to think about transport timing on a sea day, the pickup upgrade is the kind of convenience that pays off fast.
This is especially true because the trip is about 6 hours, meaning you don’t have much extra wiggle room. Anything that reduces pre-boat stress can make the day feel smoother right away.
Weather matters more than you think
This experience requires good weather. That’s not a small footnote—it’s part of how the day operates. Speedboats and island exploration depend on conditions, and if the trip is canceled due to poor weather, you’re offered a different date or a full refund.
So, for your planning, I’d keep this trip toward the middle or later part of your stay, not your first day. That gives you a better chance of having a weather-friendly window without rushing.
Also, pack like it’s a water day. Even when the forecast looks fine, you’re on the water, and that means sun and spray can both show up.
Who this private speedboat trip is best for
I’d book this if you want a Mauritius day that feels personal and efficient.
Best fit:
- Couples, small families, or a group of friends up to four who want privacy
- People who care about spending time in nature, not just hitting one beach and calling it done
- Anyone who hates tour-day chaos and prefers a guide who can manage the rhythm
If you’re the type who wants a super long, slow island hang with no structure, this might feel like “enough sightseeing” more than “all-day lounging.” The total duration is about 6 hours, so it’s a focused outing.
Also, because the trip depends on weather, it’s better for flexible schedules than tightly timed itineraries.
Should you book the private speedboat to Ile aux Cerfs?
I’d book it if you check two boxes: you want private time and you want more than a beach-only day.
For $450 per group, it can be a strong value when you split the cost among up to four people. The included lunch and the dedicated guide help you avoid the friction that often sneaks into day trips. Add in the promise of a secret waterfall, fauna-rich mangroves, and tropical beach time, and it becomes a trip with real variety.
The only reason not to book is if your dates are inflexible and you can’t handle weather-dependent changes. Otherwise, this is the kind of Mauritius experience that feels like it’s designed for enjoying the island, not just getting there.
FAQ
What is the price for the private speedboat to Ile aux Cerfs?
It’s $450 per group (up to 4).
How long does the tour last?
The duration is about 6 hours (approx.).
Where do we meet for the tour?
The ticket redemption point is Chez Tino, B59, Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included.
Is hotel pickup available?
Pick up is optional. There’s an upgrade that includes stress-free hotel pickup.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for free. You must cancel at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you won’t get a refund.
Does the tour run in all weather?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
If you want, tell me how many people are in your group and roughly what time of day you’ll be at Chez Tino, and I’ll help you think through whether the hotel pickup upgrade is likely to be worth it for your situation.


























