Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

Set sail for Mauritius’s east coast. This seven-hour catamaran trip from Trou d’Eau Douce combines sea views, the Grand River South East Waterfalls, Ile aux Cerfs, swimming, snorkeling, and a barbecue lunch. I like the easy mix of sightseeing and downtime, and I especially like that lunch, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included in the $64 price.

The crew receives strong praise for its friendly attitude and helpful service. The main caution is that the day can vary sharply with wind, tides, and water conditions. Some departures have offered little or no snorkeling, a brief waterfall stop, and a long pause for optional water sports. Ile aux Cerfs can also feel busy rather than untouched.

Key points to know before booking

• Trou d’Eau Douce departure: The boat leaves from this east-coast village, with no hotel transfer included in the listed price.
• Grand River South East Waterfalls: The falls are a scenic stop, but the time there can be short and the visit order may change with tides.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: You get time to swim, relax, and explore, though one departure allowed about 90 minutes on the island.
• Barbecue lunch at sea: Chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are part of the package.
• Snorkeling depends on conditions: Bring your own gear if you want to snorkel, since equipment is not included. Rough water may cancel the activity.
• Best for active beach days: This suits people who enjoy boats, swimming, sun, and a flexible schedule more than anyone seeking a quiet island escape.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce for the east coast

The day begins at Trou d’Eau Douce, a picturesque village on Mauritius’s eastern side. You board the catamaran here and head out along the coast, with mountains and open sea forming the main view from the boat.

The catamaran is the attraction as much as the transport. You can feel the sea breeze, watch the coast recede, and settle into a day shaped by water and sunlight. It is a pleasant change from a land-based sightseeing circuit, where you move from one vehicle stop to another.

The listing does not give a group size, so I would not book this expecting a small private sailing trip. One critical account described limited room under cover and a boat that needed repair. That may not reflect every departure, but it is useful information if you dislike crowded boats or need reliable shade. Bring sunscreen and expect to spend much of the day outdoors.

The catamaran has a friendly, social feel. A French visitor gave the atmosphere and lunch high marks, while another French guest praised the crew and recommended the day without hesitation. The experience seems strongest when you treat it as a relaxed group outing rather than a tightly timed luxury cruise.

The Grand River South East Waterfalls stop

One of the first major sights is the Grand River South East Waterfalls. The water drops through a green coastal setting, creating a striking contrast with the open sea and bright sky around it.

This is a scenic stop rather than a full waterfall hike. You view the falls from the water, feel the spray if conditions allow, and take photographs from the boat. It offers a welcome change of pace before the swimming and beach portion of the day.

Timing is the main issue. The sequence of stops can change according to tide and water depth. One unhappy passenger reported only about three minutes at the waterfall, so I would not choose this cruise if the falls are your main reason for booking. Think of the waterfall as one chapter in a broader seven-hour outing, not the central event.

That flexibility is understandable on a boat. The crew has to work with changing water levels, currents, and safe access points. Still, you should arrive with realistic expectations. You may get a lovely view and a quick photo opportunity, but you are not guaranteed a long, quiet stop beneath the falls.

Swimming and snorkeling around Ile aux Cerfs

The trip continues toward Ile aux Cerfs, the island that gives this excursion its name. Here, the focus shifts from coastal scenery to warm water, sand, and free time.

The water around the island is intended for swimming and snorkeling. You can cool off, look for marine life, or simply sit on the beach and enjoy a slower part of the day. For me, this is the most appealing part of the schedule because it gives you room to choose your own pace.

Bring beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so pack your own mask and snorkel if you have them. That small detail matters: arriving without gear could leave you watching others from the beach if equipment is not available separately.

The quality of this stop depends on weather and wind. One departure offered no snorkeling, and the designated swimming area was described as too windy and unsafe. That is not necessarily a service failure. Sea conditions can change the plan, and the tour information clearly allows the crew to alter the order of visits.

Still, snorkeling should be treated as a possibility rather than a promise of calm reefs and clear viewing. If you are booking mainly for underwater activity, check the forecast and ask about conditions before setting out. If swimming is an added pleasure rather than the whole purpose, the risk is easier to accept.

Ile aux Cerfs itself may not feel as deserted as its photographs suggest. One passenger felt the island had lost some of its former appeal. Expect a popular beach destination, not a private sandbar. The island can still be beautiful, but the experience is more about a sunny stop within a larger boat day than total solitude.

Barbecue lunch and drinks on the catamaran

Lunch is a real part of the value here. The crew serves a three-course barbecue meal with chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

You eat aboard the catamaran, keeping the sea around you instead of stopping at a separate restaurant. That makes the meal feel tied to the setting, and it saves you from having to buy lunch once you reach the island.

The food receives some of the clearest praise. A French passenger specifically enjoyed the lunch, and the positive comments about the crew often include the friendly atmosphere around the meal. I like that the package includes more than a basic sandwich. A hot barbecue, salad, dessert, and drinks make $64 easier to justify.

The drinks also shape the mood. Alcohol is included, so the boat can become lively as the day goes on. That will suit you if you want a sociable outing with music, conversation, and a celebratory feel. It may be less appealing if you want a quiet sailing trip or prefer a carefully paced meal.

The supplied details do not specify vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or child-specific options. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the barbecue can be changed. The listed meal centers on chicken, fish, sausage, salad, dessert, and drinks.

How the seven hours are likely to feel

Seven hours is long enough to make this a proper day excursion, not a quick coastal ride. That gives you time for the waterfalls, the island, lunch, and time on the water, but it also means the catamaran becomes your base for most of the day.

The order is not fixed. Tides and water depth can determine when the boat visits the falls, when it stops for swimming, and when it reaches Ile aux Cerfs. I would avoid planning a separate activity immediately after the advertised end time, even though the listed duration is seven hours.

One concern raised in a critical account was a very long stop connected with optional parasailing and inflatable rides through a partner. These activities are not included in the package. If you want to try them, they may add excitement and expense. If you only want the waterfall and island, the pause may feel like lost time.

This is an important booking question. Are you happy with a day that may include extra sales activity and changes in timing? Or do you need every stop to follow a clear schedule? The cruise works better for the first type of person.

The $64 price and what it covers

At $64 per person, the package includes the catamaran ride, the waterfall visit, Ile aux Cerfs, swimming, snorkeling as an activity, lunch, and drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be arranged separately for an extra charge.

The value is strongest if you will use the full package. A boat outing, island access, barbecue lunch, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcohol would cost more if arranged as separate items. You also avoid the work of organizing transport between the east coast, the falls, and Ile aux Cerfs.

The value is weaker if you are paying mainly for snorkeling or extended island time. Snorkeling gear is extra, weather may prevent the activity, and one departure reportedly spent only about 90 minutes on Ile aux Cerfs. You are buying a complete coastal day, not a guaranteed long stay on the island.

I would also factor in transport to Trou d’Eau Douce. Since transfers are not included, the final cost depends on how you reach the meeting point and whether you add a paid pickup. Check the start time and availability for your date before paying.

There is some helpful booking flexibility. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. If rough seas or serious adverse weather make the trip unsafe, the operator may reschedule it. If no suitable alternative date can be found, a full refund is offered.

What the crew does well

The strongest part of this outing is the human side. The crew is repeatedly described as attentive, friendly, and good at creating a pleasant mood. One visitor called it an excellent day and specifically praised the team’s attention to people’s needs. Another recommended the experience without hesitation.

That matters on a seven-hour boat trip. Good service can make a crowded or changeable day feel easy, while poor communication can make every schedule change irritating. The available feedback suggests Starline Tours has a team that works hard to keep the group comfortable.

The listed guiding languages are English and French. That is useful for explanations and practical instructions, especially when weather changes the plan or the crew needs to adjust the order of stops.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 11 reviews, which points to a generally positive experience but not a flawless one. The range is wide, from enthusiastic five-star praise to serious complaints about boat condition, sun cover, snorkeling, and time spent on optional activities. I would take the high score as a sign of good potential, not a guarantee that every day runs the same way.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to you if you want several Mauritius highlights in one day and enjoy being on the water. It is a good fit for couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a full day in the sun and on a moving boat.

You will likely enjoy it most if you value:

• A social catamaran setting
• A barbecue meal with drinks included
• Swimming and beach time
• Coastal views and a waterfall stop
• A flexible schedule shaped by the sea

I would be more cautious if you need step-free access, use a wheelchair, have a mobility impairment, or are pregnant. The activity is specifically not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users.

I would also choose another option if your priorities are a long, quiet stay on Ile aux Cerfs, guaranteed snorkeling, a private boat, or a carefully timed sightseeing program. The critical feedback makes those expectations risky.

Practical packing advice for the boat

Pack light, but bring the items that will affect your comfort most. A towel and beachwear are essential, and a change of clothes is useful after swimming or snorkeling.

Use strong sunscreen and bring enough for the full day. The boat has some sheltered areas, but one account raised concerns about limited shade, so do not assume you will spend the whole trip under cover.

If snorkeling matters to you, carry your own equipment. The package includes the chance to snorkel but not the mask and snorkel themselves. Also keep your expectations flexible because wind and water safety can remove snorkeling from the schedule.

A phone or camera is worth bringing for the waterfall and coast, but protect it from spray. The day is built around water, and even calm sailing can leave belongings damp.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Trou d’Eau Douce in Mauritius. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be arranged separately for an additional cost.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is seven hours. The exact starting time depends on availability, and the order of the stops may change because of tides and water depth.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The three-course lunch includes barbecue chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Swimming and snorkeling are included as activities, but snorkeling equipment is not provided. You should bring your own if you want to snorkel.

What happens if the weather is bad?

In adverse weather conditions, excluding ordinary rain, or during rough seas, the trip may be rescheduled. An alternative date will be offered, and if no suitable date works, a full refund is available.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility needs?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want a lively, all-in-one sea day with a friendly crew, barbecue lunch, drinks, a waterfall view, and time at Ile aux Cerfs. At $64, the included meal and drinks make the price reasonable, especially if you enjoy a social boat atmosphere.

Go in with flexible expectations. Snorkeling may be limited by wind, the waterfall stop may be brief, and optional water sports can affect the schedule. Bring your own snorkeling gear, protect yourself from the sun, and confirm your transport to Trou d’Eau Douce.

For a relaxed taste of Mauritius’s east coast, this is a solid choice. For a quiet island escape or guaranteed underwater activity, I would look for a smaller or more specialized trip.