Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise & Waterfalls- Lunch & Drinks

A full day on Mauritius’s bright east coast. This catamaran trip combines the Grand River South East waterfall, a snorkeling stop, a barbecue lunch, and time on Ile aux Cerfs for $70 per person. I like the easy mix of scenery and water time, especially the chance to spot monkeys, fruit bats, dolphins, rays, or squid along the way. I also like that the crew serves unlimited soft drinks, beer, wine, local rum, water, and juice.

The main caution is crowd size. The trip is sold as a small-group outing for up to 15 people, but reports describe boats carrying 25 or more. That difference matters on a catamaran, especially when you want quiet time, space in the shade, or an unhurried snorkeling stop.

Key points to know before booking

• Grand River South East comes first: You transfer by speedboat about 500 meters upstream to see the waterfall before sailing onward.
• The food is a real part of the value: Breakfast snacks and a barbecue lunch include fish, chicken, hotdogs, salads, saffron rice, and vegetarian or vegan choices.
• Drinks stay available all day: Beer, wine, local rum, soft drinks, juice, and water are included rather than sold one glass at a time.
• The snorkeling stop may feel short: One report wished for another 15 minutes in the water, so bring your mask and be ready when the crew gives the signal.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the relaxed finale: Expect white sand, palm trees, clear lagoon water, and optional paid activities such as parasailing and tube riding.
• Ask about the actual group size: The boat may be spacious enough, but the advertised 15-person limit has not always been followed.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30

Your morning begins at the docking station in Trou d’Eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast. Boarding is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., with the catamaran due to leave around 9:00. The outing is advertised as lasting nine hours, although the stated operating window runs roughly from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

That timing makes this a major day trip, not a quick boat ride. You will want breakfast before arriving or use the light snacks provided on board. Since hotel or Airbnb transportation is not part of the base trip, you also need to arrange your own way to the dock unless you pay for an optional transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Allow extra patience at the start. One departure was delayed until after 9:30, despite an 8:30 arrival time. A late start can shorten the time available at the waterfall, snorkeling area, or island, so do not plan a tightly timed dinner or airport transfer afterward.

The crew supplies life jackets and bottled water. Bring sunscreen and a camera, but keep both protected from spray. The catamaran provides shade and seating, though a fuller boat can make the inside area feel cramped.

Local music and a lively catamaran ride

Once under way, the trip is as much about the boat atmosphere as the scenery. The crew plays local Mauritian music and shares local tales and jokes. Several strong ratings singled out the crew for being friendly, attentive, and helpful, with one report describing staff who took care of small details throughout the day.

That service is one of the best reasons to choose this outing. The crew handles the food, drinks, safety equipment, and boat movements, leaving you free to watch the coast and enjoy the water. The tone can also be social and loud. One report described a group that began partying as soon as the catamaran left and continued until the end, with loud music and steady drinking.

You should choose this trip with that possibility in mind. Unlimited alcohol and local music can create a fun holiday mood, but this is not the right boat for guaranteed peace and quiet. If you want a calm, almost silent sail, a private boat or a smaller sailing trip may suit you better.

Grand River South East waterfall by speedboat

The first major stop is Grand River South East, one of the best-known waterfall sights on Mauritius. The catamaran does not simply anchor beside the falls. You transfer to a speedboat and travel about 500 meters upstream, which gives the stop a little more movement and lets you approach the falls from the river.

Look toward the old trees along the riverbanks. You might see monkeys moving through the branches, and fruit bats can sometimes be seen resting high above the river. These animals are not guaranteed, but the wooded river setting gives this stop more character than a simple photo pause.

The waterfall itself is attractive, though the stop is fairly focused. You are there to see the falls and return to the catamaran, not to spend half a day hiking or exploring the river. Keep your camera ready, but do not let the search for wildlife distract you from the short transfer schedule.

The speedboat transfer also means you should listen closely when the crew explains where to sit and when to return. The trip has several moving parts, and a slow return can affect the rest of the day.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

After the waterfall, the catamaran heads into clear lagoon water for a swimming and snorkeling break. This is the point where the trip changes from sightseeing to simple holiday pleasure. You can get into the sea, look for coral and tropical fish, or stay aboard and enjoy the view if you would rather not swim.

The stop is included in the price, and life jackets are available. If you have your own snorkeling equipment, bring it. The supplied information confirms the opportunity to snorkel but does not promise equipment rental or a particular reef site, so avoid assuming that specialist gear will be provided.

Marine life can make this stop memorable. One especially fortunate outing encountered a dolphin, two rays, and a school of squid, with the captain making a short detour to follow the animals. That kind of sighting is luck, not part of the fixed program. Turtles and dolphins are not guaranteed, and another report noted disappointment at missing them.

Plan on enjoying the water itself rather than booking the trip solely for wildlife. One person felt the snorkeling break needed about 15 more minutes. With a full boat and a packed itinerary, the time in the water may feel brief, particularly if you spend the first few minutes finding equipment or waiting to enter.

Barbecue lunch with drinks included

The barbecue lunch is one of the strongest features at this price. The meal includes fresh grilled fish, barbecue chicken, hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and vegan food is also available, which makes the outing easier for mixed groups.

Lunch may be served on the beach or aboard the catamaran. That flexibility helps the crew work around weather, anchoring, and the day’s schedule. Several high ratings praised the food, with one person calling the barbecue excellent and another describing the meal as well prepared and well presented.

Breakfast is lighter, consisting of snacks rather than a full morning meal. I would eat something before boarding if you need a substantial breakfast, especially since the first part of the trip includes the waterfall transfer and boat movement.

The unlimited drinks add meaningful value. You receive soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum throughout the day. This can save a surprising amount compared with buying drinks separately at a beach resort. It also explains why the mood can become more festive as the hours pass.

The alcohol policy is the one part that needs sensible self-management. Drinking is included, not required. You can enjoy the soft drinks and water, and you should pace yourself if you plan to swim or spend time in the sun.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop and the visual payoff of the cruise. As the catamaran approaches, you see palm trees, white sand, and clear turquoise water. The island offers a classic Mauritius scene, with enough room for a stroll, a swim, or a long stretch of doing very little.

This is not a guided cultural visit with a list of monuments. Its appeal is physical and simple: warm sand, sea air, bright water, and time to relax after the boat ride. I like that the schedule gives you a chance to leave the catamaran and enjoy the island at your own pace.

Optional activities include parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk. These are not included in the $70 cost, so budget extra if you want more than beach time. The supplied details do not give prices or exact operating times for these activities, so ask on the day before committing.

The island can also feel like the busiest part of the outing because it is a popular beach destination. Do not expect complete isolation. The attraction is the setting and the choice of activities, not solitude.

Sailing back to Trou d’Eau Douce

After the island stop, you return to the catamaran for the sail back to Trou d’Eau Douce. This final stretch gives you time to dry off, finish a drink, listen to music, and watch the east coast from the water.

The return is also where group size becomes most noticeable. A boat with 15 people can feel sociable and manageable. A boat carrying 25 or more may still have enough room, but the inside seating, shade, and movement around the lunch area can become less comfortable.

The operator is Mauritius Luxury Tours & Transfer. The trip offers live guiding in English, French, German, and Italian, which is useful for mixed-language groups. The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm the practical details of boarding and the speedboat transfer if mobility access is important to you.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the price is fair if you plan to use the whole package. You receive the catamaran cruise, waterfall visit, snorkeling and swimming stop, time at Ile aux Cerfs, breakfast snacks, barbecue lunch, and unlimited drinks. Buying those elements separately would usually require more planning and could cost more.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a full day with food and beverages already arranged. You also avoid the hassle of finding lunch at the island and deciding where to stop for drinks.

The value weakens if the boat is over capacity or leaves late. A crowded catamaran can make the experience feel less special, while a delayed departure may reduce time at the stops. The advertised small-group size should be treated as a point to confirm rather than an absolute promise.

Hotel pickup is not included in the basic price. Add the cost and effort of reaching Trou d’Eau Douce when comparing this outing with a package that includes transportation.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and friends who want several Mauritius highlights in one day. It suits people who enjoy a sociable boat, casual food, music, swimming, and a drink without worrying about separate bills.

It is also a good choice if you have limited time on the island. The route covers a waterfall, river wildlife possibilities, lagoon snorkeling, a barbecue, and one of Mauritius’s best-known beach islands in a single outing.

You may want another option if you dislike loud music, crowded boats, or fixed stop lengths. It is also less suitable if your main goal is serious snorkeling, since the water break may be shorter than you hope. A private charter would offer more control, but it would not match this price.

Practical tips for a better day

• Arrive for the stated 8:30 a.m. boarding time, but keep your afternoon flexible in case departure runs late.
• Bring sunscreen, a camera, and any snorkeling equipment you prefer to use.
• Carry a cover-up or dry clothes for the island stop.
• Ask how many people are booked before boarding if space matters to you.
• Eat a light breakfast before arrival because the morning food is described as snacks.
• Pace alcoholic drinks in the heat, especially before swimming.
• Confirm the vegetarian or vegan meal request in advance if it is important.
• Treat dolphins, turtles, rays, squid, monkeys, and fruit bats as possible bonuses, not promises.
• Ask about the cost of optional parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk before joining them.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want a well-fed, social day on the water with plenty included for $70. The crew receives the warmest praise, the barbecue is a major strength, and the route gives you a broad sample of Mauritius’s east coast in one outing.

Think twice if the advertised 15-person limit is essential to you. Confirm the group size and departure arrangements before paying, and choose another style of trip if quiet sailing or long snorkeling time matters more than convenience.

For most people, the package offers good value, provided you accept that the day may feel lively rather than private. The boat, food, drinks, waterfall, lagoon, and beach island create a satisfying holiday day, but the quality depends heavily on crowding and the mood on board.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at the docking station at 8:30 a.m. The catamaran is scheduled to depart at 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The activity is advertised as a nine-hour experience, with the cruise operating approximately from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle is not included in the base experience. Optional transportation may be available.

What food is served?

The meal includes fresh barbecue fish, barbecue chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and vegan food is also available, and light snacks are provided earlier in the day.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, local rum, and bottled water are included.

Is snorkeling part of the trip?

Yes. The catamaran stops in the lagoon for swimming and snorkeling near coral reefs and tropical fish.

Are the activities at Ile aux Cerfs included?

No. Parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk are optional activities and are not included in the stated price.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English, French, German, and Italian.