Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling + GRSE Waterfall, BBQ & Bar

Paradise comes with a barbecue. This seven-hour catamaran outing pairs Grand Riviere Sud Est Waterfall with the beaches and water sports of Ile aux Cerfs, making it a busy but appealing day on Mauritius’s east coast. I like the strong mix of scenery and activities, and I like that lunch, snorkeling gear, soft drinks, alcohol, coffee, tea, snacks, and bottled water are included. The main caution is space: the advertised limit is 25 people, but one account described more than 30 passengers, so do not expect a private sailing trip.

You meet the Blue Alizé Catamaran team at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce for a 9:00 a.m. departure. The crew has earned warm praise for friendly service, good food, and a lively mood, with Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan singled out for attentive care. Still, one serious complaint involved a stolen phone left aboard during a transfer, so keep valuables with you whenever possible.

Key points to know before you book

• Two very different stops: See the Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall from the water, then spend several hours at Ile aux Cerfs.
• A full meal is included: Expect a barbecue lunch plus wine, rum cocktails, soda, coconut water, coffee, tea, snacks, and bottled water.
• The trip lasts about seven hours: The 9:00 a.m. start brings you back to Trou d’Eau Douce later the same day.
• Water activities are flexible: You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or pay separately for options such as parasailing and a tube ride.
• Group size matters: The official maximum is 25, though one booking account reported more than 30 people aboard.
• Bring a plan for your belongings: Do not leave your phone or wallet unattended during transfers between boats.

A morning departure from Trou d’Eau Douce

The practical starting point is Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’s east coast. You arrange your own transportation to the meeting point, and the same location serves as the return point. That makes the tour fairly simple if you are already staying nearby, but you need to plan your own ride both ways.

The catamaran leaves at 9:00 a.m. A morning start works well here because it gives you a generous block of daylight for the waterfall, the island, lunch, and water activities. It also means you should arrive with time to find the Blue Alizé Catamaran office and complete ticket collection without rushing.

The boat is designed for a social day, not a quiet private cruise. The advertised group limit is 25, which is a reasonable size for a hosted catamaran trip. Yet one customer reported more than 30 passengers and described the boat as overcrowded. That difference matters. If you care most about room to stretch out or a calm, low-density sailing experience, confirm the expected group size before paying.

The crew is a major part of the day’s appeal. Specific staff members praised for looking after people include Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan. The comments about the crew point to a warm, hands-on atmosphere, with food service and entertainment helping the day feel festive rather than formal.

Seeing Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall from the sea

The first stop is Grande Riviere Sud Est, where a waterfall reaches the Indian Ocean. You spend about 10 minutes here, so think of it as a scenic boat stop rather than a long visit ashore.

That short pause is still worthwhile because the waterfall’s setting is the point. Fresh water comes down toward the sea, giving you a distinctly Mauritian view that is different from a standard beach outing. Have your camera ready before the boat arrives, since 10 minutes passes quickly.

You should not expect a long walk, a hike, or an extended waterfall visit. The attraction is viewed as part of the cruise, and the short timing keeps the day moving toward Ile aux Cerfs. This is a good arrangement if you want several sights in one outing. It is less suitable if the waterfall is your main reason for booking.

The stop also gives you a first sense of the east coast’s water scenery before the beach portion of the day. The catamaran format lets you see the meeting of river and ocean without arranging a separate land excursion.

Three hours at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs receives the biggest share of the schedule, with about three hours set aside for the island. This is where you choose your own pace. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, relax with a coconut, or arrange extra water sports.

That flexibility is one of the package’s best features. You are not forced into one activity, so a mixed group can split up without anyone wasting the whole afternoon. One person can look for a beach lounger, another can swim, and someone else can arrange parasailing or a tube ride.

The island portion includes about two hours specifically described for relaxing and water sports, while the wider schedule gives roughly three hours at Ile aux Cerfs. The exact division may depend on boat movements, lunch service, and how the day runs. I would treat the island block as your main leisure window rather than count on every minute being free.

Parasailing and tube rides are not listed among the included items. The included water activity is use of snorkeling equipment, while the other options appear to require an additional payment. Ask about prices and availability on the day if parasailing or tubing is important to you.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, which saves you from packing a mask and fins. The information provided does not specify the snorkeling site, water conditions, or length of the snorkeling session, so keep expectations sensible. This is a broad island-and-catamaran day with snorkeling included, not a specialist marine excursion.

You can also book a transat, or beach lounger, at the island. That is useful if your ideal afternoon involves shade, a swim, and a cold drink rather than constant activity. Since the island is a popular part of the outing, a lounger may be worth arranging early if comfort matters to you.

Barbecue lunch, drinks, and the social mood

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. Barbecue lunch is included, along with snacks and a wide drink selection. The package covers soda, bottled water, coffee, tea, alcoholic drinks, wine, rum cocktails, and coconut water.

The barbecue receives repeated praise, with descriptions of the food as excellent or good. That is important value at $82.46 per person, since buying a full meal and several drinks separately at a popular island stop could quickly add to the cost.

The drink selection also helps explain the tour’s festive character. Wine and rum cocktails are available, but you can choose nonalcoholic options such as soda, coffee, tea, bottled water, and coconut water. If you plan to drink alcohol, pace yourself carefully in the sun and around the water. The day is long, and the boat’s friendly party atmosphere can make it easy to overdo things.

The lunch is served as part of the group experience, not as a private dining occasion. One account praised both the crew and the food, while another said the meal was good but felt the boat was too crowded. In other words, the meal appears to be a solid part of the package, but your comfort depends partly on how full the boat is that day.

Several comments point to a cheerful atmosphere, even when rain arrived at Ile aux Cerfs. That is a useful reminder about Mauritius weather. A shower can interrupt sunbathing, but it need not ruin the outing if you are prepared to enjoy lunch, the boat, and the company while conditions pass.

How the $82.46 price holds up

At $82.46, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs, but it packs several costs into one ticket. You get the catamaran cruise, the waterfall stop, time on the island, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, and both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

The value is strongest if you expect to eat and drink aboard and want a simple day with several components handled together. You also avoid the hassle of arranging a separate boat trip, island visit, meal, and snorkeling rental.

The value is weaker if you want only a quiet cruise or only a short beach transfer. You are paying for the full-day structure and the included food and drinks, so a person who does not use the snorkeling gear or drink package may find the price less compelling.

The word premium deserves caution. One unhappy account described the price as premium while finding the boat overcrowded. The operator’s response directed that customer toward a separate luxury Ile aux Cerfs cruise. That tells you this experience should be treated as a standard group catamaran package, not a luxury sailing charter.

Safety, comfort, and what to bring

The most important practical lesson concerns valuables. During part of the outing, passengers may transfer to a smaller boat. A crew member reportedly told one person that belongings could safely remain on the main boat, but that customer later reported a stolen phone.

I would keep your phone, wallet, passport, and other small valuables in a secure waterproof pouch and take them with you when practical. Do not assume an unattended bag is protected simply because it remains on the catamaran.

You should also plan for sun, water, and changing weather. The supplied details confirm swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and a weather-dependent schedule, but they do not specify what shade or storage is available. Bring the personal items you need for a full day outdoors, and keep electronics protected from spray.

This experience is not wheelchair accessible. Most people can participate, but the combination of a catamaran, transfers, swimming, snorkeling, and a smaller boat may be difficult for anyone with limited mobility. If you have a specific access need, contact the operator before booking rather than relying on the general participation note.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a broad taste of Mauritius’s east coast in one outing. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who like a mixture of scenery, food, swimming, and a lively boat setting.

It also works well for people who dislike rigid schedules. At Ile aux Cerfs, you can choose between active water sports and a slower beach break. The included lunch and drinks remove much of the usual planning.

You may want another option if you prefer a small, quiet boat, private service, or a carefully paced snorkeling trip. The reported crowding is the clearest warning sign. The official limit is 25, but the account of more than 30 people means group size should be confirmed if personal space is a priority.

It is also not the best match if you want a long waterfall visit. Grande Riviere Sud Est receives only about 10 minutes, while Ile aux Cerfs receives most of the day.

Booking timing and cancellation flexibility

The experience is booked, on average, 13 days ahead, so planning roughly two weeks out is sensible if your dates are fixed. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the tour is limited to a maximum of 25 people according to the supplied details.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The tour also depends on good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you receive a different date or a full refund.

That policy gives you useful flexibility, but you should still avoid leaving your transport plans until the last minute. You must arrange your own transportation to Trou d’Eau Douce and collect your ticket at the Blue Alizé Catamaran location.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want a well-fed, activity-filled day with Mauritius scenery, a waterfall stop, island time, snorkeling gear, and drinks included in one price. The barbecue and friendly crew are the strongest parts, and the three-hour Ile aux Cerfs stop gives you enough time to relax instead of racing from one activity to the next.

Skip it if a crowded boat would spoil your day, or if you want a luxury catamaran with lots of personal space. Before booking, confirm the expected passenger count, protect your valuables during transfers, and remember that parasailing and tube rides are not listed as included. For the right kind of visitor, this is a practical way to sample the east coast, with a little sunshine, a little rum, and plenty to keep you occupied.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius, at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs location.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran outing lasts approximately seven hours.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must arrange your own transport to and from Trou d’Eau Douce.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Barbecue lunch, snacks, bottled water, soda, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

No. The experience is not wheelchair accessible, although most people can participate.