Full-day Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch

Sea, waterfall, island, all in one day. This Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise gives you a tidy introduction to Mauritius’ southeast coast, combining a speedboat visit to Grand River South East Waterfall, several snorkeling stops, a barbecue lunch, and free time on one of the island’s best-known beaches. I like the mix of scenery and activities, especially the chance to see the waterfall by boat before settling into a slower afternoon on the water.

I also like that the 42-foot catamaran includes drinks and lunch, so the $65 price covers more than a simple boat ride. The main caution is crowding: snorkeling can be underwhelming, and Ile aux Cerfs may feel far less secluded than the word pristine suggests. If you want a quiet nature outing, this may be too busy. If you want a sociable, easygoing day with plenty packed in, it offers good value.

Key points to know before booking

• The day begins with a speedboat trip to GRSE Waterfall, a river setting reached only by boat.
• The published schedule runs from about 7:00 with pickup or 9:00 without pickup until 16:00, though pier departures may not run exactly on time.
• Lunch is cooked aboard the catamaran, with chicken, fish, sausages, salads, fries, fruit, dessert, and vegetarian choices.
• Drinks are included throughout the cruise, including water, soft drinks, juice, beer, and local rum.
• Snorkeling gear and swim jackets are supplied, but bringing your own mask and snorkel may improve the experience.
• Ile aux Cerfs is beautiful but popular, so expect a social beach atmosphere rather than a deserted island.

What the $65 price really covers

At $65 per person, this is priced as an affordable full-day outing rather than a private sailing trip. You get a full day on the southeast coast, a speedboat ride, a catamaran cruise, snorkeling, lunch, island time, and drinks. That is a fair package if you plan to spend the day out on the water anyway.

The price is especially useful for families and couples who do not want to arrange several separate activities. A boat transfer to the waterfall, a snorkeling trip, and a meal can quickly cost more when booked apart. Here, the basic pieces are joined together.

The trade-off is control. You are following a set route and shared schedule. You do not choose a quiet snorkeling cove, set your own departure time, or control how long you stay at each stop. The experience is built for convenience and variety, not privacy.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price, but they can be arranged for an additional fee. If you choose to drive yourself, directions to the launch point are provided. The meeting point is at Trou d’Eau Douce, where the speedboat and catamaran portions begin.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce

The day has two listed start options. The pickup version begins around 7:00, while the self-drive option begins around 9:00 and ends at about 16:00. This difference matters if you are staying far from the southeast coast or want to see the coast in the early morning light.

The pier experience may not be perfectly polished. One account describes confusion at check-in, with a guest being sent between staff members before the booking was confirmed. The boat crew later made a much better impression, but this is a useful reason to arrive with your booking details ready and allow extra time at the pier.

There was also a report of a delayed start, with the catamaran expected around 9:15 but still waiting later in the morning. That does not mean every departure will be late, but you should not schedule a tight evening plan after the cruise. The stated return is 16:00, yet boat tours can lose time at the dock or during transfers.

Once you are aboard, the tone becomes more relaxed. The catamaran is spacious and fully serviced, with room to sit, watch the coast, and move around between stops. Music may be part of the atmosphere, so this suits you better if you enjoy a social boat outing rather than a silent sail.

The speedboat ride to GRSE Waterfall

The first major stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, usually shortened to GRSE Waterfall. A speedboat takes you from Trou d’Eau Douce up the river, allowing you to reach a spot that cannot be visited by road.

This part gives the day a useful change of pace. The catamaran is broad and steady, while the speedboat feels quicker and more exposed to the breeze. The river narrows as you approach the falls, and the setting is more enclosed than the open coastal water later in the day.

The waterfall itself is viewed from the water. Cascading water drops into the river, with greenery along the banks and the chance of seeing fruit bats or monkeys in the area. Sightings are not promised, so treat the animals as a lucky extra rather than a scheduled feature.

The drawback is that this is not a solitary river journey. The waterfall is a popular stop, and several boats may be present. One account found the visit crowded, which is worth keeping in mind if you picture a private encounter with nature. Still, the boat access and short river ride make it a worthwhile part of a first visit to this corner of Mauritius.

After the waterfall visit, the speedboat returns you to Trou d’Eau Douce. You then transfer to the larger catamaran for the coastal portion of the day. That change of boat adds a little handling and waiting, but it also lets each vessel do the job it suits best.

Cruising the east coast by catamaran

The catamaran follows Mauritius’ east coast toward Ile aux Cerfs. This is the most restful stretch of the outing. You can sit under cover, watch the shore pass, and take in the contrast between the open sea and the island’s pale beaches.

The boat is a 42-foot catamaran, described as spacious and fully serviced. That does not mean luxury in the private-yacht sense, but it should provide more comfort than a small open boat. The layout also makes it easier for a family or group to spend several hours aboard without feeling confined.

The staff receive some of the strongest praise connected with this cruise. They are described as warm, attentive, professional, and accommodating, with a friendly mood on board. That matters on a full-day trip. Even an attractive route can become tiring if the crew is distant or disorganized.

Music is part of the atmosphere. Some people will enjoy the cheerful setting, while others may find it too loud. If you want a calm, quiet sail with only the sound of the sea, this is probably not the right style of cruise.

Snorkeling in the turquoise water

The crew stops at several points for snorkeling. Equipment and swim jackets are supplied, and you can bring your own gear as well. You should bring your own mask and snorkel if fit and clear vision matter to you, since one account found the supplied snorkeling experience disappointing.

The water is warm and turquoise, with coral and tropical fish at the selected stops. The setting is attractive, particularly when viewed from the catamaran, and the chance to swim from the boat is a welcome break from sitting in the sun.

Still, expectations should stay moderate. Snorkeling conditions can vary, and one account described algae and only a few fish at the stop. Another simply wished for more time in the water. The tour includes snorkeling, but it is not presented as a specialist marine-life expedition.

I would treat the snorkeling as one pleasant part of a larger day, not the main reason to book. Strong swimmers and people who already have their own equipment may get more from it. If you are choosing this cruise mainly for coral gardens and abundant fish, a dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better.

Remember to bring a towel and sunscreen. Swim jackets are available, but you still need sun protection during the boat ride and island stop. A hat and cover-up are sensible additions, although only a towel and sunscreen are specifically listed as items to bring.

Lunch cooked aboard the catamaran

Lunch is served after reaching Ile aux Cerfs, with the meal prepared aboard the catamaran. The barbecue includes chicken, fish, and sausages, along with french fries, pasta salad, other salads, fruit, and dessert. Vegetarian choices are included among the salads and other food.

This is a practical meal for a day at sea. You get familiar, filling food rather than a formal restaurant lunch, and the barbecue adds a pleasant outdoor feel. The crew receives strong praise for the grills, which suggests that the meal is more than an afterthought.

Drinks are included too. You can have water, juice, soda, beer, and local rum. That improves the value, particularly on a hot day when buying drinks separately at a popular island stop could quickly add up.

The unlimited local rum deserves a little common sense. It is part of the holiday atmosphere, but you are still on boats, near the water, and under the sun. I would pace yourself, drink water, and save the heavier sampling for after you are safely back on land.

Because the lunch is served aboard the catamaran, you do not need to leave the boat in search of food. That keeps the schedule simple and gives you a dependable meal before your free time on the island.

Free time on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the big afternoon draw. The island offers white sand, clear water, nature paths, beach time, and several water activities. You can walk, swim, relax, or simply find a place to sit with a drink and enjoy the view.

The island is beautiful. One of the clearest positive impressions is that the beaches and scenery live up to the appeal of Deer Island. Families can spread out between swimming and walking, while couples may prefer a quiet corner away from the main activity areas.

The word secluded needs caution, though. Ile aux Cerfs is a famous stop, and it can be crowded. One account found the beach overrated and overcrowded, while another enjoyed its beauty without reservation. Both impressions can be true at once: the sand and water are attractive, but the setting is not likely to feel like an untouched private island.

You also need to watch the clock. The afternoon is yours to explore, but it is not an open-ended beach stay. If you choose a walk, a water activity, and a swim, leave enough time to return to the agreed meeting point. The crew will eventually take the catamaran back to Trou d’Eau Douce.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a broad taste of the southeast coast in one day. It works well for families, first-time visitors to Mauritius, couples who enjoy a lively boat setting, and anyone who values an included meal and drinks.

It is also a good choice if you like variety. You move from river scenery to waterfall, from speedboat to catamaran, from snorkeling to barbecue, and then to a beach afternoon. You will not spend the whole day doing one activity.

Families may find the format useful. The inclusion of swim jackets, food, drinks, and a choice of beach or nature activities makes it easier to keep different ages occupied. A family with an 11-year-old child found the day suitable, and the friendly crew helped create a positive mood.

I would hesitate to recommend it to you if you want a small group, quiet water time, serious snorkeling, or a truly empty beach. The route is popular, the island can be crowded, and the music may be loud. For those priorities, a private charter or specialist snorkeling trip would be a better match, though likely at a higher price.

Languages, flexibility, and cancellation

The experience is offered in Dutch, English, and French. That makes basic communication easier for a wide range of visitors, especially during safety instructions and meeting arrangements.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still shifting. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Pickup and drop-off can be added for an extra charge after booking, while self-drivers receive directions to the launch point.

These details are useful because the day is long and the coast is some distance from other parts of the island. I would confirm the pickup time, meeting point, and extra transport cost before the trip, especially after the check-in confusion reported at the pier.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want a convenient, fairly priced day that combines the southeast coast’s main water sights. The friendly crew, included barbecue, free-flowing drinks, waterfall visit, and island time give you a lot for $65.

Go in with realistic expectations about the snorkeling and Ile aux Cerfs. The beach can be crowded, the music may be loud, and the underwater viewing may depend on the exact stop and conditions. With ten ratings averaging 3.8, the experience has clear strengths but is not faultless.

My practical verdict: this is a good-value choice for a social, family-friendly day on the water. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you care about the fish, arrive early at the pier, allow flexibility around the schedule, and choose another tour if quiet isolation is your top priority.

FAQ

How long is the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

The full-day experience runs until about 16:00. The listed start is around 7:00 when pickup is included, or around 9:00 if you make your own way to the launch point.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price, but they can be arranged for an additional fee after booking.

Where does the boat depart?

The speedboat and catamaran portions begin at Trou d’Eau Douce. Directions are provided if you choose to drive yourself.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and swim jackets are provided. You may also bring your own equipment, which is a sensible choice if you want a better personal fit.

What food is served for lunch?

The barbecue buffet includes chicken, fish, sausages, french fries, pasta salad, other salads, fruit, dessert, and vegetarian choices.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and local rum.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, so no payment is required immediately when booking.