Ile Aux Cerfs: Catamaran Cruise, island, waterfalls, Lunch

Mauritius looks best from the water. This six-hour catamaran trip links the east coast, Grand River South East Waterfalls, and Ile aux Cerfs in one easy outing. I love the mix of mountain and ocean views and the chance to swim or snorkel before settling in for a BBQ lunch with drinks.

I also like that the cruise includes the crew, waterfall visit, island landing, lunch, and drinks for $64 per person. The main consideration is Ile aux Cerfs itself: one recent French passenger felt the island was not worth the detour, so this trip makes most sense if you value the boat ride, swimming, and full package as much as the beach stop.

Key points to know before you book

• The cruise begins at Trou d’Eau Douce: You meet at the Debarcadère, with no hotel pickup or drop-off included.
• Grand River South East Waterfalls are part of the route: The stop adds a scenic river and waterfall view before the catamaran heads onward.
• Ile aux Cerfs includes time ashore: You can relax on the beach, swim, and snorkel in clear water around the island.
• Lunch is served on board: The BBQ meal comes with drinks, making the $64 price easier to judge as a complete day package.
• The route can change with the tide: The crew may visit the waterfalls and island in a different order depending on water depth.
• Weather matters at sea: Rough conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while ordinary rain alone does not automatically cancel the trip.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce

Your day begins at the Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce, a practical starting point on Mauritius’s east coast. You need to make your own way there because hotel transportation is not included. Check your route carefully before leaving your hotel, especially if you are staying on another part of the island.

Once aboard, the catamaran gives you a broad view of the coast. The appeal is not simply getting from one stop to another. You are out in the open air, looking toward the ocean and mountains while the boat carries you along the eastern side of Mauritius.

I would treat the sailing time as one of the main reasons to book. If you only want a fast transfer to Ile aux Cerfs, a catamaran cruise may feel longer than necessary. If you enjoy being on the water, the route gives you space to slow down and take in the coast.

The crew speaks Arabic, French, and English. That is useful for a mixed group and helps with basic instructions about swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and the day’s schedule.

Seeing Grand River South East Waterfalls

The cruise continues toward Grand River South East Waterfalls. This is one of the outing’s strongest scenic stops because it adds something different from the beach and sea portions of the day.

The falls are reached by water, giving you a view connected to the river mouth and surrounding coast. You can admire the falling water and the green surroundings before returning to the catamaran. The stop is less about a long inland walk and more about seeing a notable natural sight as part of the boat route.

The order is not fixed. Tide levels and water depth can affect which site comes first, so you should not expect the schedule to follow the same sequence every day. That flexibility is sensible for a water trip, even if it means you cannot plan your lunch or swim time down to the minute.

I like this stop because it keeps the outing from becoming a simple beach transfer. You get a river setting, a waterfall view, and then the open sea and island beaches. For a six-hour trip, that variety helps the day feel full without requiring separate transportation between attractions.

BBQ lunch and drinks on the catamaran

Lunch is served on board as a BBQ, with drinks included. This is an important part of the value because the $64 price covers more than the boat ride and island access.

A meal at sea also keeps the schedule simple. You do not need to leave the group to find a restaurant on Ile aux Cerfs, and you can eat while remaining part of the cruise. The setting adds to the occasion, though your lunch timing may depend on the tide and the order of the stops.

The food received particularly warm praise from one French passenger, who described the day as excellent and the lunch as very good. That person also highlighted the crew’s care for passengers. Another gave the team a top rating and called the staff excellent. Those details point to the service as one of the cruise’s better features.

I would keep your expectations sensible. The information confirms a BBQ and drinks, but it does not provide a menu, drink list, or details about special diets. If you have food restrictions, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming the meal can be changed.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop. After the catamaran reaches the island, you disembark and have time to relax, swim, and snorkel in the clear water around the shore.

This is the part most suited to travelers who want a classic Mauritius beach setting. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You will have the freedom to enjoy the water rather than only viewing the island from the boat.

The snorkeling opportunity adds value, but the supplied details do not promise equipment, a particular reef, or a guided snorkeling session. If you plan to snorkel, check what is provided before you go. The activity description confirms the chance to snorkel and see local marine life, not a specific equipment package.

I would also keep the island’s reputation in perspective. Ile aux Cerfs is a well-known stop, but one recent passenger felt it was not the most worthwhile place on Mauritius and did not justify the detour. That is a useful warning, not a reason to dismiss the trip. Your enjoyment will depend on what you want from the day.

If your priority is a quiet, secluded beach with no other activity around it, this may not be your ideal outing. If you want a convenient combination of catamaran sailing, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a popular island, the stop fits well.

How the six-hour schedule feels

Six hours is long enough to make the trip feel like a proper outing, but not so long that you are committed to a full day at sea. You get several distinct parts: coastal sailing, the waterfall visit, a BBQ lunch, and time at Ile aux Cerfs before returning to Trou d’Eau Douce.

The exact amount of time at each stop is not specified. That matters because some people prefer a long beach stay, while others want more sailing and sightseeing. Tide conditions can also change the order of the stops.

I would avoid booking another fixed activity immediately afterward. The cruise must work with the sea, river access, and tide, so the return time may have some flexibility even though the advertised duration is six hours.

The experience is best viewed as one connected day rather than four separate attractions. The value comes from the combination. A visitor interested only in waterfalls could find the beach and lunch unnecessary. Someone focused only on Ile aux Cerfs might prefer a more direct boat option. This cruise suits you if you want a broad sample of the east coast in one booking.

Is $64 good value?

At $64 per person, the price is reasonable for the number of included elements. The package covers the catamaran trip, crew, BBQ lunch, drinks, the Grand River South East Waterfalls visit, and landing at Ile aux Cerfs.

You also avoid arranging separate transport between the waterfall area and the island. That convenience has real value in Mauritius, where coordinating several coastal stops can take time and planning.

The price is less attractive if you do not care for boat travel or if you already plan to visit Ile aux Cerfs another way. It is also not an all-inclusive hotel excursion because transportation to and from Trou d’Eau Douce is your responsibility.

The strongest value comes from the combination of activity and food. The lunch and drinks reduce the need for extra spending during the six-hour outing, while the included crew and guided elements make the day easier for first-time visitors to the east coast.

The overall rating is 4 out of 5 from nine reviews. That is a good result, though not a huge sample. The clearest praise centers on the friendly crew, the lunch, and the general quality of the day. The main reservation concerns the island itself, not the boat, meal, or staff.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear swimwear under your clothes or pack it where you can reach it easily. Bring a towel and sunscreen, as these are specifically recommended for the activity.

Keep your sunscreen use in mind during the sailing portion too. The open deck can make the breeze feel cooler than the sun really is. Sunglasses and a hat are sensible additions, although only swimwear, towel, and sunscreen are listed as required items.

Arrive at the Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce with enough time to find the meeting point. Since hotel pickup is not included, your transport plan is part of the day’s preparation.

Do not build your judgment around a fixed order of stops. The crew may adjust the sequence according to tide and water depth. That could mean lunch before or after the waterfall or a different timing for the island visit.

Weather is another practical point. The trip can be rescheduled when conditions are adverse and the sea is rough. Ordinary rain alone is not given as an automatic reason for cancellation. If the new date cannot work for everyone, a full refund is offered.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you flexibility if your Mauritius plans are still changing.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and small groups who want a relaxed water day with several stops. The mix of beach time, snorkeling, a waterfall, and lunch means different people can enjoy different parts of the schedule.

It is also a good choice if you want an introduction to east Mauritius without arranging every detail yourself. The English, French, and Arabic guide options make the trip accessible to a broad range of visitors.

You may want to choose another plan if you dislike open-water travel, want a long and quiet stay on one beach, or have already decided that Ile aux Cerfs is not a priority. The island is central to the experience, even though the waterfalls and sailing add useful variety.

The outing also suits you if good service matters. The strongest feedback focuses on the crew being attentive and the lunch being very good. Those are meaningful advantages on a six-hour boat trip, where a careless crew or weak meal can affect the whole day.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want a simple east-coast package with sailing, Grand River South East Waterfalls, a BBQ lunch, drinks, and time at Ile aux Cerfs. At $64, the combination offers fair value, especially if you would otherwise need to organize several activities and meals separately.

Think twice if your only goal is a secluded beach or a short visit to the island. One passenger found Ile aux Cerfs underwhelming, and the route can change with the tide. For most people, the safest reason to book is not the island alone, but the complete six-hour mix and the crew’s praised service.

FAQ

Where does the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise meet?

The meeting point is at the Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts six hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce yourself.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the catamaran trip, crew, BBQ lunch, drinks, a visit to Grand River South East Waterfalls, and landing at Ile aux Cerfs.

Can I swim and snorkel during the trip?

Yes. At Ile aux Cerfs, you can relax on the beach, swim, snorkel in the clear water, and see local marine life.

Can the route or date change?

Yes. The order of the stops may change because of the tide and water depth. If the sea is rough and conditions are adverse, the trip may be rescheduled. If a suitable alternative date cannot be arranged, a full refund is offered.