Exclusive Private Catamaran Adventure: Ile aux Cerf (Full Day Cruise incl Lunch)

Mauritius looks best from the water. This full-day private catamaran trip links Ile aux Cerfs, Grand River South East waterfall, snorkeling, a barbecue lunch, and an open bar in one long outing along the east coast. I like the private format, since your group of up to four does not share the boat with strangers, and I like that hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, lunch, and drinks are included.

The main drawback is the price: $993.32 per group of up to four is a serious spend, especially if your party is smaller. The overall rating is 4.1 from seven ratings, and one assessment called the boat old, the food only fair, and the experience too expensive. Go in expecting a polished tourist day rather than a quiet, custom sailing expedition.

The Details That Matter Most

• Private group format: Only your party participates, with a maximum of four people per booking.
• Full east-coast itinerary: You visit Grand River South East waterfall, snorkel in the lagoon, eat lunch, and spend time at Ile aux Cerfs.
• Hotel pickup across Mauritius: Air-conditioned private transport is included, with an advertised start time around 8:30 a.m.
• Open bar included: Locally available wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum are served without an extra drink package.
• Food can be adapted: Vegetarian and halal meal options are available if requested at booking.
• Extra water sports cost more: Parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking are optional and not part of the listed price.

From Your Hotel to Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30

Your day begins with pickup from your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. The exact pickup time can change with your location, but the stated meeting time is 8:30 a.m. You ride in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a guide and driver to Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast.

Trou d’Eau Douce is a fishing village and the departure point for the catamaran. The planned arrival is around 9:15 a.m., followed by boarding at 9:30. That early start matters. You get the main sailing and island time during daylight, but the day runs close to seven or eight hours, so this is not a casual late-morning cruise.

The private vehicle is one of the more useful inclusions. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the marina, and the return ride to your hotel is also covered. For a group of four, shared transport and a private boat can make the price easier to justify. For two people, the cost feels much heavier.

Sailing Out from Trou d’Eau Douce

Once aboard, the catamaran becomes your base for the day. The crew provides local Mauritian music and informal conversation, with jokes and local tales along the way. That gives the cruise a social, easygoing feel rather than a silent luxury-yacht atmosphere.

The boat is described as comfortable and luxurious, but you should keep your expectations measured. The available rating is good but not exceptional, and the feedback includes a warning that the boat may feel older than the word luxury suggests. If spotless fittings and high-end yacht service matter to you, ask for current boat details before paying.

The appeal is less about formal luxury and more about having space, a steady supply of drinks, and a route built around the coast’s best-known water stops. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a dry bag if you have one. You will be moving between open deck, water, beach, and speedboat, so keeping phones and cameras protected is sensible.

Grand River South East Waterfall by Speedboat

The first major stop is Grand River South East waterfall. The catamaran reaches the river, then you transfer to speedboats for the trip roughly 500 meters upstream. The short ride gives you a closer look at the riverbanks and leads to the waterfall area.

The setting may include monkeys moving through the older trees and fruit bats perched high above the river. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they add a bit of wildlife interest to what could otherwise be a simple boat transfer.

The waterfall visit takes about 30 minutes. That is enough for a look and some photographs, but not enough for a long walk or an extended nature stop. You should also know that the waterfall is reached by speedboat, not by walking from the catamaran. If you are uncomfortable with boat transfers, ask the crew how boarding works before setting out.

After the waterfall, you return to the catamaran and continue toward Ile aux Cerfs. This early stop breaks up the cruise nicely and gives the day more variety than a straight trip to the beach.

Snorkeling in the Lagoon

Near Ile aux Cerfs, the boat stops in clear lagoon water for swimming and snorkeling. Equipment is provided, which saves you from packing fins and a mask. The planned scene is coral, shallow tropical water, and brightly colored fish.

The quality of marine life can change with water conditions and the exact stopping point, so do not treat the description as a guarantee of a major reef encounter. Still, this stop is valuable because it lets you experience the lagoon rather than only looking at it from the deck.

Bring your own towel and spare clothes. Towels are not listed among the included items, and you will want dry clothing for the boat ride back. You should also tell the operator about food allergies or illness before the tour, especially since lunch is served during a long day away from shore.

The snorkeling and swimming break is a good fit for confident swimmers and families or couples who want a simple water activity without booking a separate excursion. If you prefer to stay dry, you can relax aboard while others enter the water.

Barbecue Lunch and the Open Bar

Lunch is a three-course barbecue meal served on the beach or aboard the catamaran. The meal includes vegetables, rice or pasta salads, grilled garlic bread, and a main course built around grilled chicken and sausages. Vegetarian and halal choices are available when requested in advance.

A lobster lunch can be arranged for an additional charge. It is not included in the advertised price, so ask for the current supplement before deciding. The standard meal is the practical choice if you want lunch covered without adding another cost.

The food is included, but it should not be the main reason you book. One assessment described it as merely okay, so I would think of lunch as a convenient barbecue served in a beautiful setting rather than a standout culinary event. The beach or catamaran setting does much of the work.

The included drinks are a real part of the value. The open bar includes locally available wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum. That can reduce the usual sting of buying drinks during a full-day boat trip, although you should pace yourself in the sun. Water is especially important when alcohol is available all day.

Three Hours Around Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event. The island is known for white sand, palm trees, and clear turquoise water, and the catamaran enters the lagoon before stopping in the island area. You have about three hours for a mix of swimming, beach time, walking, and optional activities.

This is not an untouched island experience. Ile aux Cerfs is a popular day-out setting with organized water sports, so the atmosphere may feel lively and commercial rather than remote. That is useful if you want choices, but less ideal if you picture a deserted beach and total quiet.

You can spend your time in several ways:

• Swim in the lagoon or relax on the sand.
• Walk around the island and take in the palms and shore.
• Add parasailing, tube riding, or undersea walking at extra cost.
• Return to the catamaran for drinks and a slower break.

The optional activities are not included. Budget for them only if you are keen, and confirm the price before participating. The private format does not mean every activity is private or covered. It means your transport and catamaran group are reserved for your party.

Three hours is a useful amount of time. You are not rushed through the island, but you also do not spend the entire day sitting on the beach. If your ideal holiday day is mainly swimming and sunbathing, this stop carries much of the tour’s appeal.

The Sail Back at Around 4 p.m.

The return to Trou d’Eau Douce is planned for about 4 p.m., followed by a private drive back to your hotel. The final hour on the water gives you a slower end to the day, assuming weather and river conditions stay on schedule.

The timing can shift. Pickup times vary by location, and any boat excursion depends on weather. In the event of a cyclone or torrential rain alert, the operator may cancel and provide a full refund. That protection applies when the operator cancels, not when you change your mind.

The cancellation terms are strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That makes travel insurance or a careful weather check worthwhile, particularly during unsettled periods. If the tour is canceled for poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Is $993.32 a Fair Price?

At $993.32 for up to four people, the price works out to about $248 per person for four people, before any optional water sports or lobster. That includes hotel pickup and return, private air-conditioned transport, a private catamaran, a guide and driver, lunch, snorkeling equipment, waterfall sightseeing, and drinks.

For four people who want privacy, the arithmetic is reasonable for a full private day. You are paying for convenience as much as for the boat. You do not need to organize separate transfers, find a lunch stop, rent snorkeling equipment, or arrange the river excursion yourself.

For two people, the same price is harder to defend. You may prefer a shared cruise or a shorter boat outing if privacy is not important. The private setting is the strongest reason to choose this particular package, so the value improves sharply as your group approaches four.

The word luxury also deserves a practical reading. You receive a private catamaran and open bar, but the available score and criticism about an older boat suggest that this may not match a high-end yacht charter. If you care most about the route, privacy, and included services, the price may work. If you care most about new equipment and gourmet food, look carefully before booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this for a group of four, a family, or two couples who want a private day with several activities built in. It also suits people who like having a guide, transport, lunch, and drinks arranged in advance.

Vegetarians and people requesting halal food can be accommodated, but you need to say so at booking. The same applies to allergies or health concerns. Most people can participate, but the day includes catamaran boarding, a speedboat transfer, snorkeling, swimming, and beach time.

You may want another option if you dislike organized resort-style outings, want a quiet sailing trip, or expect top-end yacht service. The island is popular, the water sports cost extra, and the meal may be functional rather than memorable.

The 7 to 8 hour duration is long enough to feel like a proper day trip. It is also long enough for the heat, motion, and repeated transfers to wear you down. Pack lightly, bring dry clothes, and do not plan a demanding evening after you return.

What to Pack and Confirm Before You Go

Bring your own towel, spare clothing, swimwear, sunscreen, and protection for electronics. A waterproof phone pouch is useful around the speedboat and snorkeling stop.

At booking, confirm your pickup time, food requirements, allergies, and the current cost of optional activities. If you want lobster, ask about the supplement rather than assuming it is part of lunch.

You should also ask what boat will operate your departure if the condition of the vessel matters to you. That question is especially sensible because the experience is marketed as luxurious, while one assessment found the boat old.

Should You Book the Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Adventure?

Book it if you can fill the boat with four people and want one private package covering transport, waterfall sightseeing, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs. The route gives you a full taste of Mauritius’s east coast without making you arrange each piece yourself.

Think twice if you are booking for only two people, dislike tourist-focused beach stops, or want a genuinely high-end yacht experience. The price is easiest to justify for the private format and the all-in convenience, not for the food or the promise of luxury alone.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius. The planned catamaran departure is at 9:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from any accommodation or hotel in Mauritius. The stated start time is 8:30 a.m., but pickup time can vary by location.

How many people can join the private tour?

The booking is for up to four people, and only your group participates. A minimum of two people is required.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours. Return to Trou d’Eau Douce is expected around 4 p.m., followed by transport to your hotel.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course barbecue lunch is included, with vegetables, rice or pasta salads, grilled garlic bread, and grilled meat options. Vegetarian and halal meals are available if requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes locally available wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. You should bring your own towel and spare clothes.

Do the water sports cost extra?

Yes. Parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking are optional activities with additional charges. Lobster lunch also costs extra.