Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Tour with Lunch and Drinks

Put sea, sun, and lunch on one day. This Ile Aux Cerfs catamaran cruise combines a waterfall visit, swimming, snorkeling, a barbecue meal, and an open bar for $70 per person. I like the maximum group size of 20, which should feel more personal than the packed boats you may see offshore. I also like the crew’s planned mix of Mauritian music, local stories, and jokes. The main consideration is the weather: a cloudy or rainy day can reduce the appeal of the island and snorkeling stops.

The day starts at Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m., with the catamaran leaving around 9. You return to the same area at about 4 p.m., so this is a full nine-hour outing, not a quick boat ride. Pickup is offered, but confirm the exact pickup details when booking. Optional activities at Ile Aux Cerfs may include parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding, depending on your package.

At $70, the tour offers solid value if you want several activities bundled together. Food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, boat transport, the waterfall visit, and time at Ile Aux Cerfs are included. I would not choose it for a quiet, private sailing day. I would choose it for an easy, sociable day on the water with plenty to do.

Key points to know before you book

• A full east-coast day: You leave Trou d’Eau Douce around 9 a.m. and return around 4 p.m., with several stops along the way.
• Small maximum group: The boat is limited to 20 people, a useful advantage if you dislike crowded excursions.
• Waterfall before the island: The route includes Grand River South East waterfall, with possible views of monkeys and fruit bats near the river.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a barbecue meal plus an open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Several water activities: Swimming and snorkeling are included stops, while parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding depend on your package.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can cancel the outing, with a different date or full refund offered.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m.

Trou d’Eau Douce is the practical starting point for this east-coast cruise. You should arrive ready to board at 8:30 a.m., with departure planned for 9. That early start gives the day enough time for the waterfall, lagoon, snorkeling, lunch, Ile Aux Cerfs, and the sail back.

The first half hour is part boarding process and part settling in. The crew aims to set a relaxed mood with Mauritian music, jokes, and local stories. That matters on a long boat day. A quiet catamaran ride can feel slow after the novelty wears off, while a friendly crew can keep the group involved.

Pickup is offered, but the published meeting point remains Trou d’Eau Douce. If you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius, ask exactly where and when pickup occurs. The listed start time is not the same as a hotel pickup time, and you do not want to confuse the two.

The boat carries a maximum of 20 people. That does not make the cruise private, but it should give you more room to move around and a better chance of speaking with the crew. One useful comparison comes from the experience of seeing other catamarans that looked overcrowded. This tour’s smaller limit is worth noting if comfort matters to you.

Grand River South East waterfall comes first

The first sightseeing stop is Grand River South East waterfall, about 500 meters upstream from the coast. The boat heads into the river area before continuing toward Ile Aux Cerfs.

The setting combines river scenery, tall old trees, and falling water. You may also spot monkeys moving through the branches and fruit bats resting high in the trees. The animals are part of the appeal, but sightings are not guaranteed. The description says you may feed the monkeys, so follow the crew’s instructions rather than treating the stop like a free-for-all.

This visit lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough time for a look and some photographs, but not a long nature walk. You stay with the boat-based outing rather than turning the morning into a full forest excursion.

The waterfall stop also breaks up the sailing time. Instead of spending the entire morning on open water, you get an early change of scene before the lagoon and beach portions begin. If your priority is swimming, keep in mind that this is mainly a sightseeing stop.

Snorkeling and swimming in the lagoon

After the waterfall, the catamaran heads through clear lagoon water toward Ile Aux Cerfs. The schedule includes swimming and snorkeling breaks, with several planned stops described along the route.

The snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to book this trip. You can look for coral reefs and tropical fish, and the marine setting may include sea turtles. The description presents the lagoon as home to coral and abundant fish, but sea life is never guaranteed on a particular morning. Water conditions, visibility, and luck all play a part.

This is a good fit if you want a taste of Mauritius beneath the surface without arranging a separate snorkeling trip. It is less suitable if you want a long, specialist snorkeling session. Several short stops can give you variety, but they may not satisfy someone hoping to spend most of the day in the water.

Bring a sensible attitude toward the equipment and conditions. The provided details do not specify whether snorkeling gear is supplied, so confirm that before you go. You should also be ready for a wet morning, since swimming and snorkeling are built into the schedule rather than offered as distant possibilities.

The clear water and coral areas are valuable even if you spend only a short time snorkeling. They show you a different side of Mauritius from the white sand and palm trees at the island. For many people, that combination of reef, river, and beach makes the day feel more varied than a simple island transfer.

Barbecue lunch and an open bar on the water

After the water stops, you receive a barbecue lunch on the beach or aboard the catamaran. The exact setting may depend on the day’s arrangements, so do not assume you will always eat on shore.

The meal is included in the price, along with an open bar offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. This is a real part of the tour’s value. A full day on a boat can become expensive when lunch, soft drinks, beer, or other beverages are extra. Here, those costs are bundled into the $70 rate.

The open bar also shapes the character of the trip. It suits people who want a cheerful social outing, music, and a drink while sailing. If you prefer a quiet boat with no party atmosphere, you may find the tone too lively, depending on the group.

Use some restraint with alcohol, especially before swimming, snorkeling, or optional water activities. The tour runs for roughly nine hours, and the best way to enjoy the afternoon is to pace yourself. Non-alcoholic drinks are included, so you can easily alternate.

The crew’s friendliness receives especially strong praise. They are described as attentive, helpful, and focused on keeping the mood enjoyable. That is important because the crew has a large influence on a group boat experience. Food and scenery may get you on board, but the people running the day determine how comfortable and fun it feels.

Ile Aux Cerfs: beach time and optional thrills

Ile Aux Cerfs is the main destination, reached after the river and lagoon stops. As you approach, expect palm trees, white sand, and bright blue-green water. The island is presented as a place to relax, swim, snorkel, stroll, or simply sit in the sun.

You have about two hours here according to the schedule. That is enough time to enjoy the beach and take a swim, but it is not a full island exploration day. If you want a slow, unhurried beach visit, the earlier stops and later sailing reduce the amount of time available.

The island also offers optional activities. Depending on the package you select, these may include:

• Parasailing above the coast
• Undersea walking
• Tube riding

Check precisely what your booking includes. The wording indicates that access depends on the package, so you should not assume all three activities are part of the $70 price.

Parasailing offers a high view over the sea and coast. Undersea walking gives you a way to see marine life without conventional snorkeling, while tube riding is aimed at a more playful, fast-moving experience. These activities can add excitement, but they also compete with your limited island time.

If you skip the optional extras, you still have a worthwhile plan. Walk along the sand, swim, snorkel, or rest beneath the palms. In fact, that may be the better choice if your ideal holiday day involves less rushing. Ile Aux Cerfs is not only a platform for activities. It is also the place where you can slow down after the morning’s movement.

The sail back to Trou d’Eau Douce around 4 p.m.

The return journey is scheduled for about 4 p.m. Sailing back gives you another chance to enjoy the coast and mountain views, listen to Mauritian music, and make use of the drinks service.

The day’s length is both a strength and a weakness. You get a lot for your money, but nine hours is a long time to remain with the same group. People who enjoy conversation, music, drinks, and changing scenery will likely appreciate the generous schedule. People who tire quickly in the sun may prefer a shorter cruise.

The crew’s local stories and jokes help keep the return trip from feeling like dead time. The music also adds a sense of place, rather than leaving you with generic background sound. I like this touch because it connects the boat ride to Mauritius instead of treating the island as just another beach stop.

One practical point deserves attention: the published schedule describes a return to Trou d’Eau Douce, while pickup is offered separately. Confirm whether your return transport is included if you are not making your own way to the meeting point.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, this trip offers good value for a day that combines several paid elements. You receive the catamaran cruise, the Grand River South East waterfall visit, swimming and snorkeling stops, lunch, and an open bar. The package may also include certain optional activities, but that depends on the option selected.

The value is strongest for you if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, lunch, drinks, and a visit to Ile Aux Cerfs. The maximum group size of 20 adds to the appeal. A smaller boat can make the day more comfortable and may give you better contact with the crew.

The value is weaker if you only want two or three hours on the water, do not drink, or plan to spend most of your day quietly on one beach. In that case, you may be paying for stops and services you will not use.

The excursion received a perfect five-star rating from six published ratings, with particular praise for the crew, food, flowing drinks, and overall mood. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than conclusive. Still, the praise points toward the tour’s main strength: the combination of attentive service and a lively day plan.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day?

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and groups of friends who want a ready-made day with minimal planning. It suits you if you like mixing sightseeing, swimming, beach time, music, food, and drinks rather than focusing on one activity.

It may also work well for first-time visitors to Mauritius who want to see several east-coast highlights in one outing. The itinerary gives you a quick introduction to river scenery, a waterfall, lagoon life, and Ile Aux Cerfs.

You should think twice if you want a private cruise, a silent sail, or a long snorkeling session. The boat is limited to 20 people but is still a shared group experience. The crew’s social style, open bar, jokes, and music are advantages for some people and distractions for others.

The tour also requires flexibility. Weather can affect the day, and the planned activities may change. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, which protects you financially but does not rescue a holiday schedule if the forecast turns bad.

What to know before booking

You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity allows service animals. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate according to the provided information.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted. The cutoff uses local Mauritius time.

Because the excursion depends on good weather, check the forecast before your final holiday planning. Ask about snorkeling equipment, hotel pickup timing, and which optional Ile Aux Cerfs activities are included in your chosen package.

Should you book this Mauritius catamaran tour?

Book it if you want a busy but easygoing full-day outing with lunch, drinks, waterfall scenery, snorkeling, and beach time included. The $70 price is reasonable, especially if you value the open bar and do not want to arrange each activity separately.

Skip it if your ideal day means privacy, silence, or several uninterrupted hours on one beach. For everyone else, the small group limit, friendly crew, local music, and broad mix of stops make this a practical way to experience the east coast and Ile Aux Cerfs in one day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Trou d’Eau Douce in Mauritius. You should be at the meeting point at 8:30 a.m., with the cruise scheduled to leave around 9 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The excursion ends back at Trou d’Eau Douce. The return is scheduled for around 4 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours, from the morning meeting time until the afternoon return.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The provided details do not state the exact pickup locations or times, so confirm those arrangements when booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is included and may be served on the beach or aboard the catamaran.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes an open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Does the tour include snorkeling?

Swimming and snorkeling stops are part of the itinerary. The provided details do not confirm whether snorkeling equipment is supplied, so ask before departure.

Are parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding included?

These activities depend on the package you select. Check the specific inclusions before booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation. If you cancel yourself, you must do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.