Catamaran Trip to Ile au Cerfs with Lunch and GRSE waterfall

A full day of sea, sand, and island time. This East Coast outing combines a visit to Grand River South East Waterfall, a snorkeling stop, a barbecue lunch, open drinks, music, and time on Ile aux Cerfs. At $69 per person, it packs several popular Mauritius sights into a six to seven-hour trip.

I especially like the open bar and onboard barbecue, since you do not need to keep reaching for your wallet once the boat leaves shore. The snorkeling break and the chance to spot tropical fish also add something beyond simple beach time. The main consideration is that the schedule and boat can vary. One booking used a speedboat instead of a catamaran, and one person felt the ride was too fast.

Key points to know before booking

• Grand River South East Waterfall comes early: The falls sit about 500 meters upstream from the river entrance, reached by a short transfer boat.
• Snorkeling is a real part of the day: You get a swimming and snorkeling stop in the lagoon, with coral and tropical fish on view.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect a barbecue meal with chicken, fish, sausages, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad.
• Drinks are included throughout: Beer, wine, soft drinks, and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices are available.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you free time: You can walk on the white sand, swim, snorkel, or pay separately for water sports.
• Pickup is optional: You can meet at the departure point or request hotel pickup, including from the Grand Baie area.

What this East Coast boat day is really like

This is not a quiet sailing trip built around long stretches of solitude. It is a social, activity-filled day with music, drinks, food, swimming, and several stops. I would think of it as a good introduction to the East Coast rather than a slow, private cruise.

The 45-foot catamaran gives you room to move around, sit in the sun, and take in the sea views. The crew also provides entertainment, including local Mauritian music, jokes, and stories. That can make the return trip lively, though it may not suit you if you want a peaceful boat ride.

The stated duration is six to seven hours. That is enough time to see the main sights without giving every stop a long, unhurried schedule. One schedule allowed about two hours for lunch before moving on to the waterfall, which felt too long to one person. The timing can also shift depending on the boat, weather, and transfers.

Starting at Grand River South East Waterfall

The excursion begins with Grand River South East Waterfall, one of the better-known natural sights on Mauritius. The waterfall is not reached directly by walking from the catamaran. Once you reach the river, you travel roughly 500 meters upstream by boat to see the falls.

The transfer used for this section may be a speedboat. One booking described a 10 to 15-minute ride from the catamaran to the waterfall area, where monkeys were also seen. That short ride adds a little excitement, but it can feel brisk if you prefer a gentler pace.

The waterfall itself is surrounded by greenery and river scenery, making it a useful contrast to the open sea later in the day. You are not spending hours at the falls, so treat this as a scenic stop and photo opportunity rather than a long nature walk.

Pay attention to the order of stops when you book. The general plan describes visiting the waterfall before setting off for Ile aux Cerfs, but actual timing may vary. In one account, lunch and the waterfall were arranged in a different order. If the waterfall matters most to you, ask the local operator or guide about the day’s sequence at the meeting point.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

After the river stop, the boat heads into the clear lagoon for swimming and snorkeling. This is one of the strongest parts of the outing because it breaks up the sightseeing with time in the water.

The planned snorkeling stop lasts around 20 minutes according to one detailed account. That is enough to see the coral and fish, but it is not a full marine excursion. If you love snorkeling and want a long session, this may feel short. If you are new to it, the limited time can be just right.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and camera. The instructions specifically recommend comfortable clothing and shoes, though you will want something suitable for getting in and out of the water. No snorkeling equipment details are provided, so confirm what is supplied before you leave if you do not have your own mask and snorkel.

Marine life can vary with conditions. One person saw dolphins during the sailing and snorkeling portion, but dolphins are not a promised part of the trip. Go expecting fish and coral, and regard any larger wildlife sighting as a bonus.

The water is the visual star here. On a sunny day, the lagoon can look almost impossibly clear. A cloudy or rainy day does not ruin the outing, but it can reduce the color and visibility. One highly positive account still described the water as striking despite poor weather and praised the crew’s attitude.

The onboard barbecue lunch and open bar

Lunch is served on the catamaran, which saves you from giving up more time to a restaurant stop. The barbecue meal has included chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad. That is a substantial spread for a day on the water, and one person specifically found the food delicious.

The meal suits a mixed group because there is more than one main choice and several side dishes. Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it at booking. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance. Do not wait until lunch to explain a serious dietary need.

Drinks are available throughout the day. The choices include soft drinks, beer, wine, and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. This is a meaningful part of the price because you are not paying separately for every drink during a long outing.

Still, an open bar changes the mood of the boat. Some people will enjoy the relaxed party feel, music, and easy conversation. If you are traveling with children or want a calm nature-focused trip, the atmosphere may be more social than expected.

The lunch timing deserves a little care. A two-hour lunch period felt excessive to one person, especially with other stops still ahead. The exact pace may depend on the day’s route, but I would ask about the planned lunch length if you prefer more time at the island or in the water.

Sailing toward Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main prize of the day. Located near the East Coast of Mauritius, the island is known for white sand, clear water, and easy beach time. The approach by boat is part of the pleasure, with views across the lagoon and the island’s bright shoreline.

You get time to relax rather than being pushed through a tightly managed series of activities. Walk along the beach, swim, snorkel, or simply find a spot to sit and enjoy the sun. The island also has facilities and paid water sports, giving you options if lying on the beach is not enough.

The trade-off is that this is a shared excursion, not a private island escape. The beach can feel active, and the available time depends on how long the waterfall, lunch, and snorkeling stops take. If you want a quiet beach day with no schedule, visit Ile aux Cerfs separately. If you want to combine it with food, drinks, and a boat ride, this arrangement is more efficient.

I like that the island visit comes after the active parts of the day. By then, you can slow down, swim, or stroll without needing to organize another transfer. The island works well as the easygoing final stop before the boat heads back toward Trou D’Eau Douce.

The catamaran, crew, and possible boat changes

The advertised vessel is a 45-foot catamaran. That type of boat is well suited to a group day because it offers a stable platform and open views. You can usually choose between sun and shade, although the exact seating setup is not specified.

Boat arrangements are not guaranteed to be identical every day. One booking involved a speedboat transfer from the dock before reaching the catamaran, and another used a speedboat instead of a catamaran for the main outing. This matters if the catamaran itself is the reason you are booking.

A speedboat gives you a faster, more thrilling ride, but it can also be rougher and less comfortable. One person felt the driver was going too fast. If you are sensitive to motion, ask what boat is planned and mention your concern before boarding.

The crew is a major part of the experience. English and French are available, and one account praised the team for speaking several languages and helping throughout the day. The return sail includes music and local stories, which gives the trip a little more character than a simple transport service.

Pickup can be arranged from your hotel or accommodation if you provide the location at booking. One pickup from the Grand Baie area involved a driver named Yash from Mauritius Taxi, who communicated clearly about the timing and was friendly. Pickup is optional, so compare the convenience against making your own way to the meeting point.

Is $69 a fair price?

At $69 per person, the value is good if you want several inclusions in one day. The price covers the waterfall visit, catamaran outing, snorkeling stop, barbecue lunch, open drinks, guide service, entertainment, and Ile aux Cerfs. You would spend more effort and possibly more money arranging those pieces separately.

The strongest value comes from the included food and drinks. A full meal plus beer, wine, soft drinks, and other beverages can quickly add up on a separate beach day. The price also removes the need to plan lunch while you are moving between the river, lagoon, and island.

The value is less convincing if you mainly want a long snorkeling session or a private, peaceful cruise. The snorkeling break may be only about 20 minutes, and the day has a group-tour rhythm. Paid water sports on Ile aux Cerfs are also not included, so budget extra if you want those activities.

Hotel pickup is optional rather than included. That keeps the base price lower, but you need to account for your own transport to the departure point if you do not add the pickup service.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius excursion most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an easy day with plenty of variety. It suits couples, families, and groups who like combining swimming, scenery, food, drinks, and beach time without arranging each detail themselves.

It is also a good fit for a first visit to Mauritius. You see a river waterfall, the East Coast lagoon, coral and fish, and Ile aux Cerfs in one outing. That range helps you decide which part of the island deserves a longer visit later.

You may want another type of excursion if you dislike group entertainment, loud music, or changing schedules. The included alcohol and onboard music create a cheerful social setting, not a silent cruise.

I would also think carefully if you have strict mobility or dietary needs. The day involves boarding boats, moving between vessels for the waterfall, and getting in and out of the water. Vegetarian meals are available with advance notice, and allergies should be reported before the trip.

Practical tips for making the day better

Arrive sharply on time. The instructions warn that late arrival can mean missing the excursion, and boat departures do not wait easily for stragglers.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and pack a towel, camera, and sunscreen. The sun can feel strong on open water, while the boat ride and swimming make a change of clothes useful.

Tell the operator about food allergies, illness, or a vegetarian meal when you book. This is especially important because lunch is prepared for the group onboard.

Ask about the exact boat and schedule if those details matter to you. The advertised plan uses a catamaran, but speedboat substitutions have happened. The order and length of the waterfall and lunch stops can also vary.

Weather is another factor. In extreme bad weather, the trip is canceled and rescheduled or refunded. Ordinary cloud and rain may not prevent the outing, but poor conditions can affect snorkeling visibility and the views.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still shifting.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced, all-in-one East Coast day with lunch, drinks, a waterfall, snorkeling, and beach time. The tasty barbecue, friendly multilingual crew, clear water, and relaxed island stop are the best reasons to go.

Skip it if your priority is a long snorkeling session, a private boat, or a guaranteed catamaran ride. Before paying, confirm the boat type, pickup plan, and expected stop order. With those points clear, this is a practical way to see several of Mauritius’ most popular coastal sights in one enjoyable day.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip last?

The excursion lasts approximately six to seven hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is optional. If you request it, provide your hotel or accommodation location when booking. The driver is expected to meet you at the reception.

What food is served for lunch?

The onboard barbecue can include chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad. A vegetarian option is available if you request it in advance.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, with options such as beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling part of the excursion?

Yes. The catamaran stops in the lagoon for swimming and snorkeling, where you may see coral and tropical fish. One detailed account described the stop as lasting about 20 minutes.

What happens if the weather is extremely bad?

In extreme bad weather, the excursion is canceled and either rescheduled for a convenient date or refunded. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.