Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

The best Mauritius days happen offshore. This 7-hour catamaran trip from Trou d’Eau Douce combines an east-coast sail, the Grand River South-East Waterfalls, swimming, snorkeling, Ile aux Cerfs, and a barbecue lunch for $64 per person. I like the friendly crew and the easy mix of sea time, food, and sightseeing. I also like that lunch and drinks are included, though the day can lose focus if you expect long visits at the waterfall or on Ile aux Cerfs.

The trip has earned a strong 4.5 rating from 11 bookings, with several people praising the atmosphere, attentive service, and excellent lunch. But conditions matter. Rough water can stop the snorkeling, the waterfall visit may be brief, and one unhappy customer found the boat crowded, sun exposure difficult, and the sales stop for water activities too long.

Key points before you book

• Seven hours from Trou d’Eau Douce: The cruise begins and ends at the same village, with no hotel transfer included in the base price.
• Three main water stops: You visit the Grand River South-East Waterfalls, Ile aux Cerfs, and a location chosen for swimming and snorkeling.
• Lunch is part of the day: The three-course meal includes barbecue chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.
• Snorkeling gear costs extra: Bring your own equipment or plan to arrange it separately, since masks and fins are not included.
• The itinerary can change: Tides, water depth, wind, and sea conditions may alter the order or limit certain activities.
• Best for active beach days: This suits people who enjoy sailing, swimming, music, food, and scenery more than a quiet, carefully paced island visit.

Setting off from Trou d’Eau Douce

Trou d’Eau Douce is the starting point for this east-coast outing. You meet the catamaran in the village and spend the day on the water before returning to the same place.

The first part of the cruise gives you a broad view of Mauritius’s eastern side. You see the coast, mountains, and open sea from the deck rather than from a road or hotel terrace. That change of viewpoint is a big part of the appeal. The sea breeze, shifting light, and steady movement make the trip feel like a proper day out, not just a transfer to a beach.

The boat provides both a moving viewpoint and a place to eat, swim, and relax. I like this all-in-one setup because you do not need to keep changing vehicles or organize separate stops. You can settle into the day and let the crew handle the route.

Still, a catamaran is not a private yacht. The available shade and seating may feel limited when everyone is aboard. One poor rating specifically described a boat that felt patched up and did not offer enough shelter from the sun. That does not match the more positive experiences, but it is a useful warning: bring sun protection and do not expect luxury-boat comfort.

The Grand River South-East Waterfalls stop

The Grand River South-East Waterfalls are one of the day’s key sights. Water drops through a green coastal setting, creating a short but memorable photo stop as the catamaran approaches the falls.

The waterfall is best understood as a scenic visit from the water. You may see spray, rock, and surrounding vegetation while the boat positions itself nearby. The stop is not designed as a long walk or an extended waterfall hike.

Timing can be brief. One unhappy customer felt the boat paused for only about three minutes, while the official plan presents the falls as an important part of the cruise. The exact length can change with tides and water depth, so keep your expectations realistic. You are coming for a view and a photo, not a full afternoon at the falls.

I would keep your camera ready, but do not let the waterfall stop define the whole outing. The main value of this cruise is the combination of coastal sailing, food, beach time, and water activities. The falls are one piece of that larger day.

Swimming and snorkeling near Ile aux Cerfs

The waters around Ile aux Cerfs provide the main chance for swimming and snorkeling. The trip includes time to get into the sea, look below the surface, and enjoy the warm coastal water.

Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own mask and fins if you have them. This is an important cost and comfort point. If you arrive without equipment, you may not be able to make the most of the snorkeling portion.

Sea conditions can also change the experience. One person reported that snorkeling did not take place and that the swimming area felt too windy and unsafe. That is not necessarily a failure of the crew. Wind, waves, and water conditions can make a planned stop unsuitable, and the tour notes specifically allow changes for rough seas and changing water depth.

The practical lesson is simple: book this as a catamaran day that includes snorkeling, not as a dedicated snorkeling expedition. On calm water, it can be a pleasant way to see marine life close to shore. On a rough day, the sea may be too unsettled for the activity.

You should also pack a towel and a full change of clothes. Beachwear, sunscreen, and protection from the sun are essential. The seven-hour schedule gives you plenty of time outdoors, and even a mild day on the water can leave you feeling the heat.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the most anticipated stop. The island offers pale sand, clear water, and time to step off the boat and enjoy a beach setting away from the mainland.

This is where the day shifts from sailing to free time. You can swim, sit on the beach, or simply enjoy the water and sun. The island works well as a relaxed break after the morning’s movement.

Do not expect an untouched desert island. One positive but cautious assessment noted that Ile aux Cerfs no longer feels as paradisiacal as it once did. Its beauty remains, but the experience is shaped by its popularity and by the number of activities offered in the area.

Time on the island may also be shorter than you expect. One unhappy customer reported about 90 minutes there. That is enough for a swim and a quick look around, but not enough for a slow, all-day beach stay. If Ile aux Cerfs is your main reason for booking, check the expected timing before paying.

The schedule may include a long pause connected to paid activities such as parasailing and rides on inflatable tubes. One customer felt this became an extended sales stop rather than useful free time. If you do not plan to pay for those activities, ask the crew how long the stop will last and where you can wait comfortably.

Barbecue lunch and drinks on board

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of this outing. The three-course meal is served on the catamaran and includes barbecue chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

That menu gives you more than a basic sandwich or snack. It also means you do not need to arrange lunch at Ile aux Cerfs, where time is limited. Eating on board keeps the group together and lets the crew continue the day without another restaurant stop.

Several people praised the lunch and the overall atmosphere. The combination of grilled food, drinks, music or conversation, and open water gives the cruise its social character. If you enjoy a relaxed boat party with a meal included, this is likely to be a highlight.

The alcohol policy deserves a little common sense. Drinks are included, but the sea, heat, and sun can catch up with you quickly. Pace yourself, drink water, and use the shade when you can. A catamaran lunch is more enjoyable when you still feel steady for the afternoon swim.

Food is prepared for the group rather than ordered from a menu. If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied information does not confirm special meal arrangements, so you should ask before booking rather than assume alternatives will be available.

Crew, language, and the general mood

The tour is offered in English and French. That makes it practical for many visitors, and the crew is repeatedly described as friendly, attentive, and good at creating a pleasant mood.

One French-speaking customer called it an excellent day and praised the team for paying attention to people’s needs. Another gave the crew high marks and recommended the experience without hesitation. These comments point to a social, welcoming atmosphere rather than a formal guided excursion.

The guide’s role appears to cover the route, stops, and practical arrangements. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book expecting a named specialist or a detailed history lecture. This is primarily a coastal recreation trip.

That distinction matters. If you want a quiet boat with long commentary about Mauritius, this may feel too informal. If you want a friendly crew, open water, lunch, swimming, and a little island time, the tone should suit you.

What $64 gets you

At $64 per person, the value is fairly strong for a seven-hour outing. You receive the catamaran trip, visits to the waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs, swimming and planned snorkeling, a full barbecue lunch, and drinks including alcoholic options.

The price is especially reasonable if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip and lunch. It also saves you the trouble of arranging transport between several east-coast stops.

The value drops if you mainly want a long, quiet stay on Ile aux Cerfs or guaranteed snorkeling. A short island visit, a brief waterfall stop, or canceled water activities can make the day feel less complete. The price buys a broad group experience, not a private tour or guaranteed conditions.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You can arrange them separately for an added cost, but the base price assumes you can reach Trou d’Eau Douce yourself. Include that extra expense when comparing this cruise with hotel-based excursions.

Weather, timing, and practical limits

The trip lasts seven hours, but the schedule is not fixed down to the minute. The order of the waterfall, swimming, snorkeling, and island visits can change with tides and water depth.

If the sea is rough or the weather creates unsafe conditions, the trip can be moved to another date. Rain alone does not automatically cancel it, but adverse conditions beyond simple rain may lead to rescheduling. If another suitable date cannot be found, a full refund is offered.

This flexibility is sensible for a water-based outing, but it means you should avoid placing the cruise on the final day of a tightly planned holiday. Give yourself room to move it if conditions turn bad.

The cruise is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. Getting on and off a boat, moving around a deck, and using beach or water stops can be demanding.

Bring:

• Towel and spare clothes
• Beachwear
• Sunscreen
• Your own snorkeling equipment if you want to guarantee access to it
• Extra sun protection for the deck

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and families with older children who want a full day of sea views, swimming, food, and a popular island stop. It is a good match for people who enjoy a social mood and do not need every stop to last a long time.

It also works for anyone seeking an easy introduction to the east coast. You see several headline sights in one outing without organizing separate boats, meals, and transfers.

I would be more cautious if your top priority is snorkeling. The equipment is not included, and sea conditions can cancel or limit the activity. The same advice applies if Ile aux Cerfs is the main goal. The island may receive only around 90 minutes, and the stop can include time devoted to optional paid water activities.

For a quieter, more personal experience, you may prefer a private boat or a tour with a clearly stated island schedule. For a lively, good-value day with plenty included, Starline Tours offers a solid choice, provided you accept the usual limits of a group catamaran.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a well-priced seven-hour sea day with lunch, drinks, a waterfall view, beach time, and the chance to snorkel. The friendly crew and well-liked barbecue help make the package worthwhile.

Skip it if you need guaranteed snorkeling, a long stay on Ile aux Cerfs, or a luxury boat with generous shade and no sales stop. Check the weather, bring your own snorkeling gear, and treat the itinerary as flexible. With those expectations, this is a practical way to sample several of Mauritius’s east-coast pleasures in one day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise begin?

The cruise begins in Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius and returns to the original starting point.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the base price, though they may be arranged separately for an additional cost.

What food is included?

Lunch includes barbecue chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so you should bring your own if you want to use it.

Does the cruise visit Ile aux Cerfs?

Yes. The trip includes a visit to Ile aux Cerfs, where you can enjoy the beach, swim, and spend time near the clear coastal water.

Will the boat visit the Grand River South-East Waterfalls?

Yes. The cruise includes a visit to the Grand River South-East Waterfalls, although the order and timing of stops may change with tides and water depth.

What happens if the sea is too rough?

The trip may be rescheduled in adverse weather conditions or rough seas, excluding ordinary rain. If another suitable date cannot be arranged, a full refund is offered.