Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling + GRSE Waterfall, BBQ & Bar

Paradise comes with a barbecue. This seven-hour catamaran trip links the Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall with Ile aux Cerfs, giving you scenery, swimming, snorkeling, island time, and lunch without a long list of extra charges. I like the generous food and drink package, and I like the friendly crew spirit praised by several people, including Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan. The main concern is crowding, since one account described more than 30 people aboard despite the stated maximum of 25.

You meet at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 am, and you return to the same place. That makes the plan simple if you arrange your own ride. I would also keep your phone and valuables with you when moving between boats, since one person reported a stolen phone after being told belongings were safe on board.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different stops: You see the Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall first, then spend much longer at Ile aux Cerfs.
• Food and drinks are included: The package covers a barbecue lunch, snacks, bottled water, soda, coffee, tea, alcoholic drinks, wine, rum cocktails, and coconut water.
• About three hours at Ile aux Cerfs: You can swim, sunbathe, relax with a coconut, snorkel, or pay extra for activities such as parasailing and tubing.
• Small group on paper: The stated limit is 25 people, though one account reported more than 30 aboard.
• Self-arranged transportation: Pickup and drop-off are at Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce. Private transport is not included.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the trip, with a choice of another date or a full refund.

Why this Mauritius catamaran trip appeals

At $82.46 per person, this is a full half-day on the water with meals, drinks, equipment, and two major stops folded into one price. That matters in Mauritius, where separate boat trips, island transfers, lunch, and water activities can quickly make a simple beach day costly.

The route also gives you variety. The waterfall stop is short and scenic. Ile aux Cerfs supplies the long stretch of sand, sun, swimming, and optional activities. You are not spending seven hours doing the same thing, which helps the day feel full without requiring much planning from you.

The strongest part is the social feel. Several people praised the crew, food, organization, and atmosphere. One German-language account specifically named Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan as attentive and caring. Another person praised the barbecue and called the crew lovely. If you enjoy a lively boat day with music, conversation, and shared drinks, this setup should suit you.

It is not a quiet private cruise. You are joining a group, and the mood may be energetic. The listed capacity is 25, but one account said the boat carried more than 30 people. If personal space and calm service matter most, ask the operator to confirm the expected group size before paying.

Meeting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 am

Your day begins at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs meeting point at Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce. The same location serves as your return point, so your driver or taxi should wait for you there at the end.

This is an important detail. Private transportation is not included, and the tour does not collect you from your hotel according to the supplied details. Plan the ride to Trou d’Eau Douce before the morning begins. You will receive confirmation when booking, but the practical responsibility for reaching the dock remains yours.

The ticket redemption point is also the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs office in Trou d’Eau Douce. Give yourself enough time to find the correct dock and check in. The boat leaves at 9:00 am, and missing the departure would be a costly way to start a beach day.

The experience is not wheelchair accessible. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable getting on and off a boat and moving between the catamaran and smaller boats used during the day.

Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall in 10 minutes

The first stop brings you to the Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall, where fresh water meets the Indian Ocean. The stop lasts about 10 minutes, so think of it as a quick scenic introduction rather than a full waterfall outing.

That short pause works well for photographs and a look at one of the area’s most distinctive natural features. The waterfall reaches the sea, giving you a view that feels tied to the coast rather than separated from it.

Do not expect time for a long walk, a swim, or a detailed visit here. The value is visual. You see the falls from the water, take in the setting, and then continue toward Ile aux Cerfs. If waterfalls are your main reason for booking, this stop may feel brief. If you want it as part of a broader boat day, 10 minutes is enough to add something different without taking away from the island.

Ile aux Cerfs and roughly three hours of free time

Most of the day belongs to Ile aux Cerfs. The schedule allows about three hours on the island, which gives you time to choose your own pace.

You can simply sit by the water, swim, sunbathe, or enjoy coconut water. You can also use the snorkeling equipment supplied with the tour. Parasailing and a tube ride are available as optional water activities, and you can book a transat if you want a more settled place to relax.

That freedom is one of the trip’s best features. You do not have to spend the whole stop in an organized group activity. If you are tired after time on the boat, claim a quiet stretch of personal time. If you want more action, ask about parasailing or tubing.

The tradeoff is that the island portion may include extra charges for some activities and seating. The tour includes the boat, food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment, but it does not say that parasailing, tubing, or a transat is included. Bring enough money for optional choices if those appeal to you.

Three hours is long enough to enjoy the island without making the day feel endless. It also means you should keep an eye on the meeting time. The catamaran needs to return as planned, and the boat ends at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce.

Snorkeling, swimming, and optional water sports

The included snorkeling equipment makes it easy to try the water without arranging gear separately. The supplied details do not promise a particular snorkeling site or describe the marine life, so I would treat snorkeling as one of several choices rather than the central purpose of the trip.

Swimming is a simpler option. You can cool off, then return to the beach or catamaran for food and drinks. Ile aux Cerfs gives you the broadest choice of activities, while the waterfall stop is mainly for viewing.

Parasailing and tubing are mentioned as available activities, but their price and operating details are not supplied. Ask the crew about cost, timing, and availability before committing. The same advice applies to a transat. These extras can change the total price, so the advertised $82.46 should be viewed as the base package, not a guarantee of every activity on the island.

The barbecue lunch and open drink selection

Food is a major reason this package offers solid value. Lunch includes a barbecue, and the supplied details also cover snacks, bottled water, soda, coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks. Wine, rum cocktails, and coconut water are specifically part of the offering.

Several people praised the food, with one calling the barbecue excellent. Another described plentiful drinks and a strong party atmosphere. That tells you what kind of meal to expect: casual, generous, and designed for a shared boat outing rather than a formal restaurant lunch.

The drinks package can save you money. You do not need to buy every bottle of water, soft drink, or alcoholic beverage separately during the cruise. It also helps keep the day easy. After swimming or snorkeling, you can return to the food and drinks without searching for a café.

A word of caution: included alcohol can make a group boat louder and more festive. One person praised the mood despite heavy rain on Ile aux Cerfs, which suggests the crew works hard to keep spirits up when the weather changes. If you want a peaceful, quiet lunch, this may not be your best match.

Crew, atmosphere, and the question of crowd size

The people running the boat shape this experience as much as the scenery. The most positive accounts praised the crew’s friendliness, care, and ability to create a good mood. Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan were singled out for looking after people from check-in through arrival.

That personal service is worth noting. A group cruise can feel mechanical, but attentive staff make the transitions easier and help with food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and general timing. The crew also appears to play a large role in keeping the atmosphere upbeat.

Still, service cannot fully solve overcrowding. The advertised maximum is 25 people, which is a reasonable size for a shared catamaran. One account reported more than 30 passengers and described the boat as far too crowded for the price.

I would treat this as the main point to clarify before booking. Ask how many people are expected on your date and which vessel will operate the trip. If the answer is close to 25, you can decide if that group size works for you. If you are told the boat may exceed the stated limit, consider a different cruise or the provider’s separate luxury Ile aux Cerfs option.

Safety, phones, and personal belongings

The report of a stolen phone is serious enough to plan around. The person said the crew allowed belongings to remain on the main boat while people transferred to a smaller boat, but the phone was later missing.

I cannot determine what happened, but I can give you practical advice. Do not leave your phone, wallet, passport, or camera unattended on the catamaran. Carry a secure waterproof pouch if you plan to swim, or ask the crew directly how valuables should be stored. Avoid assuming that a general instruction about safety replaces your own care.

This is especially important during transfers, when people are moving around and attention is split. Keep only what you need with you, and protect the rest before leaving the main boat.

What the $82.46 price really includes

The price works best for someone who wants an all-in-one day. You get a roughly seven-hour cruise, the waterfall stop, several hours on Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, water, soft drinks, hot drinks, and alcohol.

If you would otherwise pay for a separate boat ride, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment, the package can be good value. The inclusion of wine, rum cocktails, and coconut water adds to that calculation.

The price is less attractive if you want a private experience or intend to pay for several island activities. Parasailing, tubing, and a transat are not listed among the included items. Transport to and from Trou d’Eau Douce is also your responsibility.

The mixed score of 4.4 from nine ratings points to a generally positive experience with some meaningful exceptions. Most praise centers on the crew, barbecue, drinks, planning, and mood. The main criticism concerns crowding, while the most serious complaint concerns the loss of a phone.

Weather, cancellation, and timing

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is useful for a boat outing, since rough or wet weather can affect the waterfall view, swimming, island time, and the overall comfort of the cruise.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The local time in Mauritius controls the deadline.

Rain does not necessarily ruin the day. One person described having a great time despite a rain shower on Ile aux Cerfs. Still, pack with changing weather in mind and accept that the experience may feel different from a bright, calm beach day.

Who should book this catamaran day

I would recommend it to you if you want a social Mauritius outing with plenty included. It suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy swimming, casual food, drinks, and a lively group setting.

It is also a good choice if you want to see Ile aux Cerfs without arranging separate transport, equipment, lunch, and boat tickets. The schedule gives you both a scenic river stop and a long island break.

I would be more cautious if you need wheelchair access, dislike crowds, want a silent sailing experience, or care most about premium service. I would also avoid leaving valuables loose on the boat. The advertised group limit is worth confirming, especially after the complaint about a larger-than-expected crowd.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you value variety and convenience more than privacy. For $82.46, the mix of waterfall scenery, Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling equipment, barbecue lunch, and a broad drink package is appealing.

Before paying, confirm the expected group size, ask how optional island activities are priced, and make a clear plan for your belongings. If you are comfortable with a lively shared cruise and can reach Trou d’Eau Douce on time, this is a practical way to enjoy a full day on the Mauritian coast.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

The tour begins at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs meeting point at Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the tour end?

The catamaran returns to Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce, the same place where the tour begins.

Is transportation to the meeting point included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must arrange your own transportation to and from Trou d’Eau Douce.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The stated maximum is 25 people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is included, along with snacks.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes alcoholic drinks, soda, bottled water, coffee, tea, wine, rum cocktails, and coconut water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather.