Catamaran Trip to Ile au Cerfs with Lunch and GRSE waterfall

Mauritius looks best from the water. This 6 to 7 hour outing combines a Grand River South East waterfall visit with a sail to Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and music aboard a 45-foot catamaran. I like the easy mix of activity and downtime, and I like that the barbecue lunch and open bar are included in the $69 price. The main caution is that the boat arrangement can change, and some departures have used a speedboat for part of the route instead of the advertised catamaran.

The day is built for simple holiday pleasure: warm water, white sand, tropical fish, and a meal served at sea. You should arrive on time at the meeting point, since the boat will not wait for late arrivals. Pickup from your hotel is optional, and one pickup arrangement from Grand Baie included clear communication from a friendly driver named Yash.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• The waterfall visit begins at Grand River South East: You travel about 500 meters upstream to see the falls, sometimes using a smaller boat for the final approach.
• The snorkeling stop lasts about 20 minutes: Bring your towel and camera, but keep expectations sensible because conditions and marine life can vary.
• The barbecue is served onboard: Expect chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad based on the meal described by one guest.
• Drinks flow throughout the day: The open bar includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices such as beer, wine, and soft drinks.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main relaxation stop: You get time for beaches, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water sports.
• The $69 price covers the main day: Lunch, drinks, guiding, entertainment, the waterfall, and the island are included, while hotel transport costs extra.

Setting Out From Mauritius’s East Coast

This trip begins at the meeting point, where a representative briefs you before boarding. If you choose pickup, you need to provide your hotel or accommodation details when booking. The optional transfer can be useful if you are staying away from Trou D’Eau Douce, the departure area named for this excursion.

The location matters because the east coast is the natural gateway to Grand River South East and Ile aux Cerfs. Once you are on the water, the day feels less like a series of separate stops and more like a long, easy outing built around the lagoon.

The advertised vessel is a 45-foot catamaran. That gives you room to move around, find a sunny spot, or sit in the shade while the crew serves drinks and lunch. Still, you should stay flexible. One departure used a speedboat in place of the catamaran, and the same boat was used to transfer people from the dock to the larger vessel. If a catamaran sail is essential to your plans, confirm the arrangement shortly before departure.

The boat trip is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. Music and local Mauritian entertainment are part of the program, and the crew may share local stories and jokes. That suits people who want a social day on the water. If you prefer a silent, small-group sailing trip, this may feel livelier than expected.

Grand River South East Waterfall and the First Boat Ride

The first major stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, often called GRSE by tour operators. The falls are found roughly 500 meters upstream from the river entrance, so the visit involves moving from the main boat toward the river area.

This stop gives the day a useful change of pace. Instead of spending every hour on the sea, you get a short inland view of the river and falls. One account described a 10 to 15 minute speedboat ride to reach the waterfall and also noted monkeys in the area. That detail makes the transfer part of the fun, though it also means you should not picture a long walk or a full hiking stop.

Timing can vary. One departure reportedly had around two hours set aside for eating before continuing to the waterfall, which felt longer than needed. The scheduled order can also shift. Ask the crew early in the day how much time you will have at each stop, particularly if you are hoping to spend more time on Ile aux Cerfs.

The waterfall is worth seeing, but it is not the sole reason to book this outing. The real value comes from the combination of river scenery, open water, snorkeling, lunch, and the island. Think of the falls as one pleasant chapter in a full day rather than a major standalone attraction.

Snorkeling in the Lagoon

After the river visit, the boat heads into clear lagoon water for a swimming and snorkeling stop. The stated break is around 20 minutes, giving you enough time to get wet and look for tropical fish without turning the trip into a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

The setting is the best part. You are not entering a pool or a manufactured attraction. You are stopping in the lagoon, with coral reefs and fish below the surface. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, and camera, and wear clothing that is comfortable in the sun and water.

Keep your expectations practical. A short stop cannot guarantee a huge range of marine life, and visibility depends on weather and water conditions. One person reported seeing dolphins during the sailing portion, but dolphins are not listed as a guaranteed sighting. Treat them as a lucky extra, not a promise.

The snorkeling stop also helps break up the day. You can swim, cool off, then return to the catamaran for lunch. If you are not comfortable in the water, you can simply enjoy the boat and scenery, though the excursion is best suited to people who want at least the option of swimming and snorkeling.

BBQ Lunch With Drinks on the Catamaran

Lunch is served onboard after the snorkeling break. The meal is described as a barbecue with chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad. One account called the food delicious, and the range of sides should give you a reasonable choice even if you are not hungry for grilled meat.

The value here is convenience. You do not have to leave the water, find a restaurant, or pay for lunch separately at Ile aux Cerfs. You eat with the lagoon around you, then continue sailing when the meal is finished.

A vegetarian option is available, but you must request it at the time of booking. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance. Do not assume the crew can make a special meal on the spot.

Drinks are available throughout the outing. The open bar includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices, with beer, wine, and soft drinks specifically described. This is a useful inclusion at $69, since repeated drinks and a beach lunch can quickly push up the cost of an otherwise inexpensive boat trip.

The open bar does shape the mood. Music, jokes, and drinks make this feel like a holiday party on the water rather than a formal sailing lesson. Families, couples, and groups can all enjoy it, but anyone seeking a calm, private cruise should consider the social atmosphere before booking.

Ile aux Cerfs, the Main Beach Stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the centerpiece of the day. The island is near Mauritius’s east coast and is known here for white sand, clear water, swimming, snorkeling, and water sports. You get time to walk along the beach, rest in the sun, or take a swim.

This is where the schedule matters most. The island can feel rushed if the waterfall and meal take longer than planned, so listen for the crew’s instructions and note the time when you arrive. You want enough room for a proper beach walk rather than only a quick photo stop.

The island also has facilities and a range of water activities. The supplied details do not specify which activities are included, so plan to treat optional water sports as extras unless the crew tells you otherwise. Your included visit covers access to the island, not every activity available there.

The beach setting is the reward for the earlier stops. You can choose your own pace. Swim if the conditions suit you, snorkel again, or simply sit on the sand and let the boat schedule fade for a while. The island is especially useful for groups with mixed interests because not everyone has to do the same thing.

Sailing Back With Music and Mauritian Character

After Ile aux Cerfs, the boat returns to Trou D’Eau Douce. The final sail gives you another chance to take in the coast, finish a drink, and settle into the music.

The crew is described as multilingual, with English and French available for the host or greeter. One departure had a crew able to speak several languages, which is helpful when the schedule involves several transfers and water activities.

The entertainment is informal. Expect local music, jokes, and stories rather than a formal cultural presentation. That is a modest but welcome touch, since it gives the trip some local character without pretending to be a deep cultural tour.

Boat speed may vary. One person felt that the speedboat traveled too fast, while others enjoyed the overall day. If you are sensitive to fast rides or rough water, mention it to the crew where possible and hold on during smaller-boat transfers.

Is $69 Good Value?

At $69 per person, the outing offers a solid bundle: the waterfall visit, catamaran sailing, snorkeling stop, barbecue lunch, open bar, music, a guide, and Ile aux Cerfs. You are paying for a full day of transport and activities rather than simply buying a boat seat.

The value is strongest if you want variety. Booking separate transport to the waterfall, a snorkeling trip, lunch, drinks, and an island visit could be more complicated and possibly more expensive. Here, the main pieces are organized into one outing.

The value is less clear if you only want quiet sailing or a long, unhurried beach stay. The schedule includes several transfers and stops, and part of the day may be spent moving between the dock, river, catamaran, and island. You also pay extra if you add hotel pickup.

The overall rating of 4.1 from 25 ratings fits the experience: a good, enjoyable day with some room for uneven timing and transport changes. The most consistent strengths are the friendly crew, tasty food, drinks, attractive water, snorkeling, and the island visit. The main concerns are the possibility of a speedboat substitution, fast boat travel, and time allocation between stops.

Who Should Book This Day on the Water?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want to see several east coast highlights in one day. It suits couples, families, and groups who like a relaxed schedule with enough activity to avoid boredom.

It is also a good fit if you want predictable costs. Lunch and drinks are already included, and you do not need to organize separate transport for each part of the day. The optional hotel pickup can make the plan easier if you are staying outside the departure area.

You may want a different trip if you are looking for serious reef snorkeling, a private boat, or a silent cruise. The snorkeling stop is short, the entertainment is social, and the boat arrangement may change. This is a broad Mauritian day out, not a specialist marine excursion.

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, sunscreen, a towel, and a camera. Arrive at the meeting point on time. Late arrival can mean missing the excursion, and that is a painful way to lose a day and $69.

Bad weather can also change the plan. In extreme conditions, the excursion may be canceled and rescheduled, or you may be entitled to a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option keeps your payment flexible.

Should You Book the Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Trip?

Book it if you want a well-rounded east coast day with a waterfall, snorkeling, barbecue lunch, drinks, music, and beach time for one price. The crew, food, and scenery are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed catamaran, a slow private sail, or several hours devoted only to snorkeling. Before paying, confirm the vessel, pickup details, vegetarian or allergy requests, and the planned time at Ile aux Cerfs. With those points clear, this is a practical and cheerful way to see several of Mauritius’s best-known water sights in one outing.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip last?

The excursion lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours. Starting times vary, so you should check availability when booking.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the Grand River South East Waterfall visit, barbecue lunch onboard, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, a qualified guide, the Ile aux Cerfs visit, music, and entertainment.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is optional rather than included by default. You should provide your hotel or accommodation location when booking if you want to request it.

What food is served at lunch?

The barbecue meal may include chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

Can I go snorkeling during the trip?

Yes. The boat stops in the lagoon for swimming and snorkeling, with tropical fish and coral reefs described at the site. The snorkeling break is approximately 20 minutes.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter services are available in English and French.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera. You should also notify the operator about food allergies or illness before the trip.