Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise to Ile Aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

Sunshine, sea, and a generous lunch make this a strong Mauritius day out. I like the friendly crew and the easy mix of waterfall, snorkeling, swimming, and beach time. I also like that the $64 price includes a BBQ lunch plus soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. The main caution is that the day can feel crowded and rushed, especially at the waterfall and snorkeling stop.

You leave from Trou d’eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast and spend about six hours on and around the water. The cruise is lively rather than quiet, with music, local Sega entertainment, and plenty of social energy. If you want a polished private sailing trip, this is not it. If you want a good-value shared outing with food, drinks, scenery, and several stops, it makes a lot of sense.

Key points to know before you book

• The $64 price covers a lot: Catamaran sailing, waterfall visit, snorkeling, swimming, BBQ lunch, island time, and a broad drinks selection are included.
• The Grand River South East Waterfall is a quick stop: You may get close by small boat, but photo time can be brief when several boats gather.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you the longest break: Expect white sand, turquoise lagoon water, swimming, and a local arts and crafts market.
• The crew is the star of the day: Guides and boat staff are repeatedly praised for being attentive, funny, and generous with refreshments.
• Snorkeling quality varies: Some people see clear water, colorful fish, turtles, or sea snakes, while others find the reef damaged and the stop too short.
• Arrive early if you drive: Parking near the Green Island Restaurant meeting point can be limited, and boarding on the beach may be disorganized.

Setting sail from Trou d’eau Douce

The meeting point is on the beach opposite Green Island Restaurant in Trou d’eau Douce. Depending on the option you choose, you can meet there yourself or add hotel pickup and drop-off. Pickup is offered from accommodation areas across much of Mauritius, but it is worth confirming that your hotel is covered before paying.

If you drive, plan extra time. A small car park sits near the beach, but it fills up. You may need to park farther away and walk back to the shore. Arriving early also helps with the boarding process, which can be confusing when several catamarans are loading at once.

The first part of the day travels upriver on the Grand River South East. This is a pleasant introduction to the eastern coast, with green riverbanks, calm water, and changing views as the boat moves inland. Keep your camera ready. Monkeys may appear in the trees along the banks, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The catamaran provides more room than a small speedboat, and the broad deck gives you a good place to sit, watch the water, and chat with other people. The tradeoff is capacity. One account describes a comfortable, uncrowded boat, while others found the catamaran cramped, particularly when rain pushed everyone inside. There is also only one toilet on board, so this matters on a busy departure.

Getting close to Cascade Diamamouve

The Grand River South East Waterfall is known locally as Cascade Diamamouve. It is one of the main visual moments of the trip, and the boat takes you near the falling water for sightseeing and photographs.

The waterfall stop is listed as about 30 minutes, but the usable photo time may be much shorter. Several boats may gather in the same area, and the small shuttle boat can wait in line before reaching the falls. Once there, some passengers have had only seconds to take pictures before moving away.

Strong currents can also change the plan. On one departure, the waterfall could not be visited because conditions were unsafe. That is a reasonable safety decision, but you should know that this part of the route is weather dependent. If the waterfall is a major reason you are booking, keep your expectations flexible.

The stop is still worthwhile when conditions cooperate. Seeing the falls from the water gives you a different view than a roadside lookout, and the possible monkey sightings add a bit of wildlife interest. I would bring a waterproof phone pouch or keep your camera secure, since the small boat transfer and spray near the falls can make equipment vulnerable.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the day’s mixed watersports

After the river and waterfall, the catamaran heads toward the coast for a swimming and snorkeling break. The water can be clear and shallow enough for less confident swimmers or families to take part with care. One family found the stop shallow enough to help a four-year-old try snorkeling, while another person saw turtles and sea snakes.

Still, this is the least predictable portion of the trip. Some departures stop over a lively patch of water with colorful fish. Others have stopped near the port, where the reef looked damaged and there was little marine life. A few people also felt the snorkeling period was too short, especially when other water activities were taking place.

Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it. Gear is listed among the recommended items rather than clearly guaranteed as an included service. You should also pack your towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of clothes. A hat and comfortable shoes are useful when moving between the boat and shore.

The catamaran may offer access to other activities near Ile aux Cerfs, but optional activities are not included in the base price. Parasailing and tube rides appear in individual accounts, and water sports may be available for an additional charge. Ask about the price before committing, especially if you are traveling with a family or group.

A BBQ lunch with beer, wine, and local rum

Lunch is served on board after the water stop. The meal is a three-course BBQ spread, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. All food is halal, which is a valuable detail for anyone who needs halal meals while away from home.

The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to this cruise. People describe the BBQ as fresh, tasty, plentiful, and well served. Dorado is especially worth trying if it is available. The crew also keeps drinks moving throughout the day, with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum included.

The meal is not presented as fine dining, and one person found it average. That is a fair way to frame it: this is a satisfying open-air boat lunch designed for a day in the sun, not a restaurant meal. The value comes from having food and drinks handled for you while you enjoy the scenery.

Some departures offer a lobster addition for an extra charge. One person felt the lobster was excellent, while another considered the extra 3,000 Mauritian rupees poor value. I would treat it as an optional indulgence, not a necessary upgrade. The included BBQ already appears to be enough for most people.

The social setting is part of the appeal. Music plays as you sail, the crew keeps the mood light, and special occasions can become part of the day. Birthday groups have received extra attention, with singing and dancing on board. If you prefer a silent sail with a book, the music and lively atmosphere may test your patience.

Time on the beaches of Ile aux Cerfs

The cruise then reaches Ile aux Cerfs, the island that gives this outing its postcard finish. You get around two and a half hours to visit, swim, walk along the white sand, and look around the arts and crafts market.

The lagoon is the main draw. Its turquoise water and palm-fringed beaches are exactly the kind of setting that makes a boat trip worthwhile. You can swim from the beach, take photographs, or simply find a patch of sand and slow down after the active part of the morning.

The island is not an untouched private paradise. It attracts many boats, and some public areas have had litter and poor toilet conditions. The appearance may also differ from the promotional images, so do not expect every beach to look perfectly empty or pristine.

The free time is less guided than the rest of the excursion. You may be dropped off with limited instructions about where to go, then left to explore. That independence is pleasant if you want to set your own pace, but families and first-time visitors may appreciate clearer directions.

The arts and crafts market gives you a chance to buy souvenirs, though you should approach it as a small shopping stop rather than a major cultural visit. The most rewarding use of your time is likely a swim, a beach walk, and a few photographs before returning to the boat.

The crew, music, and overall mood

The staff receive the most consistent praise. Crew members are described as welcoming, attentive, funny, and quick to offer food and drinks. Yona and the team have been singled out for making a birthday outing special, while Cedric has also received a personal mention for his service.

That human touch matters on a shared cruise. The crew helps create the relaxed Mauritian feel that many people come for, with local Sega music during the return sail. You are not just being transported between stops. You are part of a communal day on the water, where people from different countries often end up chatting, singing, and celebrating together.

The mood is lively, but it does not appear to be a nonstop party. There is time to sit, enjoy the views, eat, and swim. Still, the boat can feel busy on full departures, and the atmosphere is less suitable for anyone seeking privacy.

Return timing is generally described as reasonably prompt, but the day can feel rushed at certain stops. Boarding and disembarking from the beach may also lack clear organization. Listen carefully for instructions, keep track of your belongings, and allow patience for the transfer between shore and catamaran.

How good is the $64 value?

At $64 per person, this is a strong package if you plan to use most of what is included. You receive a six-hour cruise, a waterfall visit, a snorkeling and swimming stop, lunch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and time at Ile aux Cerfs. Add hotel transport if you choose that option, and the price becomes even easier to justify for people who do not want to arrange taxis and boats separately.

The value is strongest for families, couples, and groups who want variety. You can see scenery, swim, eat, visit an island, and enjoy music without paying separately for every basic part of the day.

The price is less compelling if your priority is serious snorkeling or a quiet beach experience. The snorkeling location and duration are inconsistent, and the island may be crowded. Optional watersports and the lobster addition can also push up the total.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and a reserve-now, pay-later option make booking less risky. Poor weather can cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. The cruise is also wheelchair accessible with assistance, though wheelchair users need to stand briefly while transferring to and from the shuttle boat.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple, well-priced way to see several east-coast highlights in one day. It suits families, first-time visitors, couples celebrating an occasion, and anyone who likes a friendly group atmosphere.

It is especially useful if you want halal food, unlimited-style access to the listed drinks, and hotel pickup as an option. The crew’s attention to birthdays and family needs adds warmth that a purely transport-focused boat trip would lack.

You may want another type of outing if you need a private boat, long uninterrupted snorkeling, or a carefully guided visit on Ile aux Cerfs. You should also reconsider if crowded boats, one onboard toilet, beach litter, or a little boarding confusion would spoil your day.

Should you book this catamaran trip?

Yes, if you see it as a social, all-inclusive day on the water rather than a specialist reef tour. The best parts are the crew, the generous food and drinks, the changing scenery, and the chance to combine Cascade Diamamouve with Ile aux Cerfs for one reasonable price.

Book it with practical expectations. Arrive early, bring your own snorkeling gear, pack dry clothes, confirm pickup details, and do not count on a long waterfall photo stop. If the weather is good and you enjoy a little music with your sea view, this is one of the more useful ways to spend six hours in eastern Mauritius.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is opposite Green Island Restaurant on the beach at Trou d’eau Douce. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available when you select the applicable option.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about six hours. Starting times depend on availability and the option you select.

What is included in the price?

The package includes the catamaran cruise, the Grand River South East Waterfall visit, a snorkeling and swimming stop, BBQ lunch, listed local drinks, and a visit to Ile aux Cerfs. Hotel transport is included only when that option is selected.

Are drinks included with lunch?

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

Are vegetarian and halal meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and all food is halal.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling is part of the experience, but you are advised to bring snorkeling gear. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of clothes as well.

Can the trip be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.