Full-day Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch

Sea, sun, and a generous lunch await. This full-day outing combines a speedboat trip to the Grand River South East Waterfall, snorkeling along Mauritius’ east coast, and several relaxed hours at Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the included BBQ lunch and drinks, plus the chance to see the coast from both a fast boat and a spacious 42-foot catamaran.

The crew receives strong praise for being warm, attentive, and good at creating a friendly mood on board. The main caution is that snorkeling quality can vary, and Ile aux Cerfs may feel crowded and touristy rather than secluded. Loud music, a delayed start, or a busy beach can shape the day as much as the scenery.

Key points at a glance

• Two boats in one morning: You first reach the Grand River South East Waterfall by speedboat, then return to Trou d’Eau Douce for the catamaran.
• A full day on the water: The outing runs from about 7:00 with pickup or 9:00 without pickup until roughly 16:00.
• Food and drinks are covered: BBQ chicken, fish, sausages, salads, fries, fruit, dessert, water, soft drinks, beer, juice, and local rum are included.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: Swim jackets and basic snorkeling equipment are available, though bringing your own mask may improve the experience.
• Ile aux Cerfs is beautiful but busy: The white sand and clear water are the draw, but the island can feel crowded at peak times.
• Good family potential: The relaxed boat setting, water time, lunch, and free afternoon suit families, couples, and mixed-age groups.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce and the Grand River South East Waterfall

Your day begins at Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’ east coast. Depending on your booking, you can arrive independently for a 9:00 start or arrange hotel pickup for an earlier start around 7:00. Pickup and drop-off are not included in the $65 base price, so check the final cost before you commit.

The first boat ride is by speedboat, not catamaran. That matters because the speedboat gets you into the Grand River South East quickly and close to the waterfall. The river is calmer than the open coastal water, and the trip gives you a short change of pace before the main cruise.

The waterfall is reached by boat and is not a roadside stop. Its appeal comes from the setting: a remote river mouth, falling water, and the chance of seeing fruit bats or monkeys in the surrounding area. You should keep expectations sensible. This is a brief scenic visit, not a long nature walk or a private wilderness outing.

The area can also be busy. One account of the day described the waterfall as affected by mass tourism, so the word secluded should not be taken too literally. It is secluded in terms of access, but several boats may still gather there.

After the waterfall visit, the speedboat returns you to Trou d’Eau Douce. You then transfer to the 42-foot catamaran for the longer coastal portion of the trip. Some people may find this two-stage start slightly disjointed, but it gives you two different ways to experience the water.

Cruising Mauritius’ east coast by catamaran

The catamaran is the main stage for the rest of the day. It is described as spacious and fully serviced, with drinks available throughout the outing. You can sit back, enjoy the sea breeze, and watch the coast pass by without having to manage a boat, route, or lunch stop yourself.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. I like that the available feedback repeatedly points to friendly, attentive staff and a positive atmosphere. One family traveling with an 11-year-old found the day well suited to them, which suggests the pace can work for adults and children alike.

Music is part of the mood, and that will not suit everyone. Some people enjoy a lively boat with music and drinks. If you prefer a quiet sailing day, you may find the atmosphere too loud at times. This is a social excursion, not a silent sail.

The catamaran also gives you more room than a small boat. You can move around, sit in the sun, find shade, and keep an eye on children more easily than you could on a narrow speedboat. Still, the exact amount of space depends on how many people join the departure, and the supplied information does not give a group-size limit.

Snorkeling stops along the turquoise coast

The crew plans several snorkeling stops in warm, turquoise water. You receive snorkeling gear and a swim jacket, or you can bring your own equipment. The stops are intended to show coral and tropical fish, and the water itself is a major part of the appeal.

Here is where I would set realistic expectations. Snorkeling quality is not guaranteed to be spectacular every day. One person found the snorkeling disappointing and recommended bringing personal equipment. Another description noted algae and very few fish at one stop. Conditions, visibility, location, and crowd levels can all affect what you see.

If snorkeling is a major reason for booking, bring your own mask if you have one. A well-fitting mask can make the difference between an easy look at the reef and a frustrating session spent adjusting borrowed gear. Pack a towel and sunscreen, and remember that your skin can burn quickly during repeated time in the water and on deck.

The schedule may also feel short for serious snorkelers. One person enjoyed the outing but wished for more snorkeling time. The excursion is designed as a mixed day, not a dedicated reef tour. You share the hours with the waterfall, sailing, lunch, and Ile aux Cerfs.

That balance is useful if your group has different interests. One person can snorkel while another enjoys the boat. Children can wear the provided swim jackets, and non-swimmers can still take part in the coast cruise and island visit.

Lunch, rum, and the practical value of the $65 price

At $65 per person, the experience offers a fair amount for one full day. The price includes the speedboat trip, catamaran sailing, snorkeling equipment, BBQ lunch, and drinks. It also covers a full afternoon at Ile aux Cerfs, where you can spend time on the beach or choose from available water activities.

Lunch is served as a BBQ buffet aboard the catamaran. The menu includes chicken, fish, sausages, fries, pasta salad, other salads, vegetarian choices, fruit, dessert, and drinks. Water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and local rum are included, so you are not paying separately each time you want a drink.

The food receives particularly warm praise. The grilled dishes and the overall meal are repeatedly described as a highlight, and that adds real value to the price. A full-day boat trip can become expensive once you add lunch, drinks, and equipment. Here, those basics are built in.

Do not mistake the meal for a quiet restaurant lunch. It is part of a social boat day, with music and other people moving around. If you need a very specific diet, confirm the options before booking. Vegetarian choices are listed, but no further dietary details are provided.

The base price does not include transport from your accommodation. Pickup and drop-off can be arranged for an extra fee after booking, or you can drive to the starting point using supplied directions. If you are staying far from Trou d’Eau Douce, compare the added transfer cost with the convenience it provides.

Ile aux Cerfs: white sand, clear water, and crowds

The afternoon is spent at Ile aux Cerfs, the best-known stop on this cruise. The island offers white sandy beaches, warm water, nature trails, and a range of water activities. You have several hours to choose your own pace, which is a welcome change after a scheduled morning.

I like this flexible part of the outing. You can walk along the beach, sit by the water, look for a quiet path, or join an activity. If you have already had enough swimming, the island gives you room to slow down. If you still want action, the available water pursuits offer another way to spend the afternoon.

The island is also the part most likely to disappoint someone expecting solitude. It is promoted as pristine and private, but it can be overcrowded. One direct account called the beach touristy and overrated, while another simply found the island beautiful. Both impressions can be true: Ile aux Cerfs has excellent scenery, but it is a popular stop shared with many other visitors.

Your expectations should match the setting. This is not a deserted beach reached by a private yacht. It is a famous leisure island with appealing sand, clear water, and plenty of activity. If you want an easy, scenic beach break with no need to plan your own transport, it works well. If you want silence and empty coves, you may prefer a smaller coastal outing.

The catamaran returns to Trou d’Eau Douce after several hours. That final ride gives you a chance to relax, have another drink, and let the day wind down. The stated finish is around 16:00, though actual timing can shift with loading, weather, and the pace of the group.

Timing, comfort, and a few rough edges

The early option begins around 7:00 with pickup, while the no-pickup option starts around 9:00. An early start may give you more time for the full schedule, but it also makes transport planning important. Ask for the exact pickup time and meeting point rather than relying only on the general start time.

Check-in at the pier deserves patience. One person reported confusion because the staff member holding the passenger list initially directed the group elsewhere. A taxi driver named Sanjeer helped resolve the problem, but the group still waited about 25 minutes under a tree and the catamaran left later than planned.

That appears to be an organizational problem rather than a reflection of the boat crew. The onboard staff received much better marks for friendliness and care. Still, arrive with your booking details ready, allow extra time, and avoid scheduling a tight connection afterward.

Customer support is another point to consider. One serious complaint involved difficulty reaching the supplier from early in the morning and receiving no useful response. I would save the meeting point, provider contact information, and booking confirmation before leaving your accommodation.

The languages listed are Dutch, English, and French. That gives many international visitors a practical way to communicate with the crew and staff. Bring sunscreen and a towel, and consider your own snorkeling mask if you care strongly about reef viewing.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want one organized day that covers several classic Mauritius experiences. The combination of waterfall, coastal sailing, snorkeling, barbecue, drinks, and beach time gives you variety without requiring separate bookings.

It is especially suitable for families and mixed groups. Children can enjoy the speedboat, water, lunch, and island, while adults can choose how active they want to be. The provided swim jackets are useful for less confident swimmers, although children should remain under close supervision.

Couples and friends who like a social atmosphere may also enjoy the music, open deck, drinks, and easygoing pace. The crew’s warm style adds to the sense of a shared day rather than a strict sightseeing transfer.

I would hesitate if your priority is excellent snorkeling, a silent sail, or an uncrowded beach. You may find the reef stops too brief, the music too loud, and Ile aux Cerfs too busy. In that case, a smaller specialist snorkeling trip or a quieter beach excursion would fit better, though it may not include as much food and sightseeing for the price.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want good value from a varied full-day outing and can accept a few compromises. At $65, the included lunch, open bar-style drinks, boat rides, snorkeling gear, and island time make the package appealing.

Go in expecting a popular Mauritius day trip, not a private escape. Bring your own mask if snorkeling matters, confirm any paid hotel transfer, arrive early at the pier, and keep your afternoon flexible in case the schedule runs late.

The strongest reasons to book are the friendly onboard crew, tasty BBQ, range of included drinks, and the chance to see the east coast from two kinds of boats. The main reasons to pause are uneven snorkeling, possible crowding at the waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs, and occasional check-in or communication problems.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The activity runs until about 16:00. The pickup option begins around 7:00, while the option without pickup begins around 9:00.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the base price, but they can be arranged for an additional fee after booking.

Where does the tour begin?

The boats depart from Trou d’Eau Douce. Directions are provided if you choose to drive yourself.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The BBQ buffet includes chicken, fish, sausages, fries, pasta salad, other salads, vegetarian choices, fruit, and dessert.

Which drinks are included?

Water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and local rum are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and swim jackets are provided. You may also bring your own gear.

What should you bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. You may also want to bring your own snorkeling mask if you prefer personal equipment.

Which languages are available?

The experience is offered in Dutch, English, and French.