Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs catamaran cruise Lunch with BBQ

White sand, warm water, and a full day afloat. This catamaran trip combines several of Mauritius’s best-known sights in one outing, from the Grand River South East waterfall to the beaches of Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the barbecue lunch with unlimited drinks and the chance to enjoy both a swimming stop and island time without arranging separate transport between them.

I also like the friendly, festive character of the crew. The music, local Sega singing and dancing, and easygoing time on deck give the cruise more personality than a simple boat transfer. The main caution is the morning boarding process: some passengers have waited close to an hour before departure, and music can be loud early in the day.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat leaves at about 9:10 a.m. from Trou D’Eau Douce, so arrive at the fishing port around 9:00 a.m.
• The route includes three distinct stops: Grand River South East waterfall, a snorkeling and swimming break, and Ile aux Cerfs.
• Lunch is cooked on board, with halal barbecue food and vegetarian choices available if requested ahead of time.
• Drinks are included throughout the cruise, including water, soft drinks, juice, beer, wine, and local rum.
• The final stretch includes Mauritian Sega music, singing, and dancing before returning to shore.
• The $59 price is strong value if you want food, drinks, a boat trip, and the island visit in one seven-hour package.

Setting out from Trou D’Eau Douce at 9:10 a.m.

Your day begins at the Trou D’Eau Douce fishing port on the east coast of Mauritius. The stated meeting time is 9:00 a.m., with the catamaran leaving at about 9:10. That short gap matters. Arrive early enough to find the correct boarding point and avoid starting the morning in a sprint.

The port is the practical gateway to the river and lagoon excursions in this part of the island. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, although they may be arranged separately. You therefore need to plan your own route to the jetty.

The boarding procedure has not always been perfectly smooth. One passenger reported waiting about an hour while boats made empty trips and other people were still being brought aboard. Another person found that the responsible staff arrived just after 9:00 and gave little early guidance about where to go. The useful lesson is simple: arrive early, ask clearly where your catamaran is, and allow extra patience for the first part of the morning.

Once underway, the boat becomes the main event. The catamaran provides open views of the sea and the mountain scenery around Mauritius. You can sit back with a drink, take photographs, or find a place on deck where you can feel the breeze. The cruise runs from roughly 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., giving you seven hours on the water and at the island.

The Grand River South East waterfall stop

One of the first major sights is the Grand River South East waterfall. The waterfall is reached along the river before the catamaran heads toward the open coastline. It is a scenic change from the wide lagoon, with green riverbanks and rock around the falling water.

This stop is mainly for viewing and photographs. It gives the morning a clear point of interest before the swimming break and lunch. I like that the trip does not rush straight to the beach. You get a taste of Mauritius’s inland scenery as well as its famous coastal water.

Do not expect a long hike or a full land excursion here. The attraction is seen from the water, and the amount of time available depends on the day’s schedule and boating conditions. If you want a detailed waterfall walk, this is not that kind of trip. If you want a convenient boat visit to a famous natural sight, it fits well.

The waterfall also helps break up the day. A seven-hour cruise can feel repetitive if every minute is spent simply sailing. Here, the route has several changes of scene, so the journey feels more like a full day excursion than a long transfer.

Snorkeling and swimming in the lagoon

After the waterfall, the catamaran heads to the coast for a snorkeling and swimming break. This is your chance to get into the clear water rather than only admire it from the deck.

Bring swimwear, beachwear, sunglasses, and a camera. You should also protect your phone or camera from water, since the main pleasure of this stop is being in the lagoon. The supplied information does not specify how long the break lasts or what snorkeling equipment is provided, so check those details before boarding if they matter to you.

The stop works best for people who want a relaxed swim rather than a highly organized marine tour. You can enter the water, look around, and enjoy the warm-weather setting before lunch. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations measured. The cruise includes a snorkeling break, but it is not presented as a specialist reef excursion.

This is also a good time to make use of the included drinks. Water and soft drinks are available, along with juice, beer, wine, and local rum. The unlimited drink service adds real value to a full day in the sun, though sensible pacing is important when alcohol and swimming are part of the same outing.

Barbecue lunch with halal and vegetarian choices

Lunch is served on board after the swimming stop. The barbecue includes halal food, and vegetarian options are available if you request them in advance. That advance request is important. Do not wait until the food is being served if you need a meat-free meal.

The meal is one of the most praised parts of the outing. Several people describe the food as delicious or very good, including the vegetarian choices. That matters because a boat lunch can easily become an afterthought. Here, it is treated as one of the day’s main pleasures.

You also receive a selection of drinks with lunch and during the cruise: soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. The package is not limited to one beverage with the meal, which helps explain the $59 price.

I would judge the value this way: if you paid separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and an organized visit to Ile aux Cerfs, the costs could quickly exceed the advertised price. The deal is especially attractive if you plan to drink beer, wine, or rum and want the convenience of eating on the boat rather than finding lunch on the island.

The tradeoff is that the menu is described as a barbecue rather than a detailed restaurant-style meal. You should book this for the overall day, scenery, swimming, and social atmosphere, not for a refined dining experience.

Ile aux Cerfs and its postcard beaches

After lunch, the catamaran heads to Ile aux Cerfs, the best-known beach stop on this route. The island is associated with white sand, palm trees, and bright turquoise water. You get time to relax on the beach, swim in the lagoon, and take photographs.

This is the part of the day that fits the classic Mauritius picture. The setting is easy to enjoy without a plan. You can settle on the sand, walk along the shore, or cool off in the clear water. If your ideal island visit means a scenic beach and free time rather than a packed schedule, Ile aux Cerfs delivers.

The island also has a local craft market where you can look for Mauritius souvenirs. This gives the stop a small shopping element, but you should not confuse it with a major cultural tour. The market is useful for browsing local crafts and picking up a keepsake, while the beach and lagoon remain the main attractions.

Watersports at Ile aux Cerfs are not included. That is a key budget point. If you want to add activities on the island, set aside extra money and confirm the current choices and prices. The cruise itself covers the island visit, but not optional watersports.

The island can also be the busiest-feeling part of the day, especially because it is a famous beach destination. The supplied details do not give a group size or a precise amount of free time, so the experience may feel more social than secluded. I would choose this stop for beauty and easy recreation, not for solitude.

Mauritian Sega on the return journey

The return sail includes local Mauritian Sega music, with singing and dancing. Sega is closely tied to Mauritian culture, and this performance gives the final part of the trip a local touch rather than ending with a quiet ride back to port.

The mood is deliberately festive. The strongest praise for the cruise centers on the crew’s friendliness, energy, singing, and dancing. Several people describe the crew as attentive, kind, and fun, and one person singled out the singing and dancing at the end as a highlight.

That atmosphere will suit you if you enjoy music, group participation, and a cheerful boat ride. It may be less appealing if you want a quiet, low-key cruise. One passenger found the music too loud at times, especially in the morning. This is worth knowing before you book: the boat is not designed as a silent sightseeing platform.

You can treat the Sega segment as a cultural introduction rather than a formal performance. It is brief, informal, and part of the social rhythm of the cruise. For many people, that is exactly the charm.

How the $59 price holds up

At $59 per person, this is a good-value day if you want several inclusions in one booking. The price covers:

• Catamaran transportation from Trou D’Eau Douce
• The Grand River South East waterfall visit
• A snorkeling and swimming stop
• Barbecue lunch
• Water, soft drinks, juice, beer, wine, and local rum
• A visit to Ile aux Cerfs
• Mauritian Sega entertainment

The biggest value comes from the combination. You are not paying only for access to a beach. You are getting a full route, food, drinks, swimming time, and entertainment over about seven hours.

The price becomes less attractive if you do not drink, do not want a group atmosphere, or already have transport and a separate plan for Ile aux Cerfs. It also does not include hotel transportation or watersports. Those extra costs should be part of your calculation.

The experience has a 4.6 rating from 12 reviews, with most feedback giving it five stars. The repeated strengths are consistent: friendly crew, enjoyable music, good food, and a pleasant day on the water. The main weaknesses are also clear: possible delays at the beginning and loud music.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to couples, friends, families with suitable participants, and anyone who wants a simple full-day introduction to Mauritius’s east coast. Couples can enjoy the views and beach time, while groups may especially like the barbecue and music.

It suits people who value convenience. You do not have to organize separate visits to the waterfall, lagoon, and Ile aux Cerfs. The boat connects them, and the included food and drinks keep the day easy.

It also suits anyone looking for an upbeat social atmosphere. The crew’s friendliness is one of the strongest features, and the Sega music adds a sense of occasion. If you prefer complete quiet, private touring, or a carefully timed small-group schedule, this may not be the right match.

The activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people over 70. Those restrictions should be taken seriously, especially because boarding, boat movement, swimming, and beach access can be demanding. English and French are available for the live guide service.

Weather, timing, and what to bring

Mauritius weather can affect the day. November and December are specifically noted as months when rain and poor conditions may occur, so check the forecast before booking. If bad weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Pack lightly, but bring the items that matter:

• Swimwear and beachwear
• Sunglasses
• A camera
• Sun protection suitable for a long day outdoors
• A secure bag for wet items

The boat leaves at about 9:10 a.m., and booking at least two days before the trip is advised. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those flexible terms help if the forecast is uncertain, but they do not remove the need to check the weather.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, all-day combination of sailing, swimming, barbecue food, drinks, beach time, and local music. The friendly crew and relaxed entertainment are the heart of the experience, and the route covers several major east-coast highlights in one day.

Think twice if you dislike loud music, expect perfect boarding organization, need wheelchair access, or want a quiet private boat. Arrive early, confirm the meeting point at Trou D’Eau Douce, request vegetarian food in advance, and check the weather before committing.

For most able-bodied visitors who want an easy first taste of Mauritius by sea, the $59 package offers a lot. Just treat the morning schedule as flexible and the boat atmosphere as cheerful rather than hushed.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Trou D’Eau Douce Debarcader fishing port on the east coast of Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at the docking station around 9:00 a.m. The catamaran leaves at approximately 9:10 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours, running from approximately 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

What sights are included?

The trip includes Grand River South East waterfall, a snorkeling and swimming break, and a visit to Ile aux Cerfs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served on board the catamaran.

Are drinks included?

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

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available upon request. The food is halal.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be arranged separately.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the tour is cancelled because of poor weather.