Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Tour with Lunch and Drinks

Turquoise water, good food, and a full day at sea. This nine-hour catamaran trip from Trou d’Eau Douce combines a river waterfall visit, swimming, snorkeling, barbecue lunch, open-bar drinks, and several hours on Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the friendly crew, who keep the boat lively with Mauritian music, local stories, and jokes, and the small maximum group size of 20 people.

I also like the clear value at about $70 per person, since lunch, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and the main boat journey are included. The main consideration is the long day and early start. You need to reach Trou d’Eau Douce by 8:30 a.m., and the weather can affect the schedule. One French-language review also described poor weather delaying the good conditions, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

Key points to know before you book

• The day begins at Trou d’Eau Douce: Board around 8:30 a.m. for a 9 a.m. departure on Mauritius’s east coast.
• Grand River South East comes first: The boat visits a waterfall about 500 meters upstream, with monkeys and fruit bats in the surrounding trees.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a barbecue meal plus an open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• The water portion is active: Swimming and snorkeling stops are included, with coral reefs and tropical fish described around the lagoon.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you several hours ashore: You can use the white beaches, swim, snorkel, or choose optional activities such as parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding.
• The group is capped at 20 people: That matters on a boat, especially when compared with the visibly crowded catamarans seen nearby.

Why this east-coast sailing day works so well

Mauritius has many ways to see the water, but a catamaran trip gives you a pleasant mix of movement and downtime. You are not locked into one beach for the entire day. Instead, the route changes from river scenery to open lagoon, then to the sandy shores of Ile aux Cerfs.

The boat trip begins at Trou d’Eau Douce, a useful launching point on the east coast. The advertised meeting time is 8:30 a.m., with departure at 9 a.m. Pickup is offered, but the stated start point is Trou d’Eau Douce, so confirm the pickup arrangement before booking if you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius.

The tour lasts about nine hours and returns to the original meeting point around 4 p.m. That makes it a major day out, not a quick island hop. I would keep the evening free rather than planning a formal dinner or another timed activity afterward.

The boat holds no more than 20 people on this experience. That is one of its strongest practical features. A smaller group usually makes it easier to find a seat, speak with the crew, and get into the water without feeling lost in a crowd. The atmosphere is still social, helped by music and drinks, but it should feel less like a floating stadium than the packed boats you may see along the coast.

Trou d’Eau Douce and the 9 a.m. departure

Your morning begins at the east-coast launch point. Arriving by 8:30 a.m. gives you time to board before the catamaran leaves at 9. The first part of the day is as much about settling into the rhythm of the boat as it is about reaching the island.

The crew plays local Mauritian music and shares local tales and jokes. That detail matters because a boat ride can otherwise become a long stretch of sitting and looking at the same horizon. Here, the crew creates a social mood rather than treating the trip as simple transportation.

The surrounding views include calm water and mountain scenery. Conditions will vary with the weather, but the east coast is a fine setting for a boat day, especially when the water is calm and the sky is clear.

I would arrive ready for a full day outside. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and anything you need to stay comfortable on a boat and beach. The supplied details do not specify equipment rental or towel service, so it is sensible to confirm those points directly if they matter to you.

Grand River South East waterfall stop

Before heading toward Ile aux Cerfs, the catamaran visits Grand River South East waterfall. The falls are about 500 meters upstream, and this stop lasts roughly 30 minutes.

This is a welcome change from the open water. Instead of palm-lined beaches, you get a short river excursion framed by tall, old trees. The description also points out monkeys moving through the branches and Mauritian fruit bats resting high above the river.

You may be offered the chance to feed the monkeys. I would treat that as an optional moment, not the reason to choose the tour. Wildlife is best enjoyed without encouraging animals to depend on visitors, and the river scenery itself is the more lasting part of this stop.

The waterfall visit is relatively brief. You should see it as a scenic introduction to the day rather than a long nature walk or serious wildlife outing. The schedule gives you enough time for a look and some photographs before returning to the boat.

Swimming and snorkeling in the lagoon

The catamaran then moves through clear lagoon water toward the Ile aux Cerfs area. Several scheduled stops are described for swimming and snorkeling, making this a central part of the experience rather than a minor extra.

The underwater setting includes coral reefs and tropical fish. Sea turtles are also described as possible marine life in the lagoon, along with large numbers of brightly colored fish. You should remember that wildlife sightings depend on conditions and chance. No responsible boat trip can promise a turtle encounter.

For you, the main benefit is choice. If you like being in the water, you can use the snorkeling stops to look over the reef and fish. If you prefer a slower day, you can remain on board and enjoy the scenery, music, and drinks. The supplied information does not state whether snorkeling gear is provided, so ask about equipment before departure.

This part of the route may be less appealing if you want a quiet, strictly sightseeing cruise. Swimming stops, boat activity, music, and an open bar create an easygoing party atmosphere. That is a strength for a social group, but it may not suit someone seeking a silent nature excursion.

Barbecue lunch and the open bar

Lunch is served after the water activities, either on the beach or on the catamaran. It is described as a barbecue meal, with unlimited food and an open bar offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

The meal is an important part of the value. At $70 per person, you are not paying only for transport to Ile aux Cerfs. You are also covering a full day on the water, the waterfall stop, snorkeling and swimming opportunities, lunch, and drinks. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip and meals, the package becomes especially attractive.

The open bar also shapes the mood. One particularly positive account praised the drinks flowing freely and described the food as good. Another highlighted the crew’s attention and their focus on making the day enjoyable. Those details suggest that hospitality is a major part of the experience, not an afterthought.

Still, unlimited alcohol is something to handle sensibly on a hot, sunny day. Drink water as well, eat before drinking, and remember that the boat ride continues after lunch. The non-alcoholic options make it possible to enjoy the social side without drinking alcohol.

The exact menu is not provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish. Think of it as a relaxed barbecue lunch in a scenic setting, with the location and atmosphere doing as much work as the food.

Ile aux Cerfs: beach time and optional activities

Ile aux Cerfs is the main destination. The island is known for white sand, palm trees, and clear lagoon water. The catamaran allows around two hours for the island portion after the earlier water stops and lunch.

You can stroll, sit on the beach, swim, or snorkel. This is where the pace slows down. After the morning departure and waterfall visit, a couple of hours with no required activity can be exactly what you need.

The island also offers optional activities depending on the package. The information names parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding. Parasailing gives you a high view over the sea and coast, while undersea walking and tube riding offer different ways to spend time in the water.

The phrase depending on your package is important. Do not assume every activity is included in the $70 price. Confirm exactly which options apply to your booking and what, if anything, costs extra.

I like that the day does not force you into a packed activity schedule. You can use the island time for a swim and a beach break, or add an activity if your package allows it. The drawback is that two hours can feel short if you want to enjoy several paid activities and still have quiet beach time.

Ile aux Cerfs can also be the busiest part of the day. Its postcard appearance is a major reason to visit, but popular beaches rarely feel completely private. The small boat group helps at the start, though the island itself may have other people and facilities around it.

The return sail to Trou d’Eau Douce

After the island visit, the catamaran sails back to Trou d’Eau Douce, arriving around 4 p.m. The return is part of the experience rather than a forgotten transfer. You can enjoy the water and mountain views again while the crew keeps the atmosphere going.

The timing gives you a useful full-day structure:

• 8:30 a.m.: arrive at Trou d’Eau Douce
• 9 a.m.: catamaran departure
• Morning: Grand River South East waterfall and lagoon stops
• Midday: snorkeling, swimming, and barbecue lunch
• Afternoon: Ile aux Cerfs beach time and optional activities
• Around 4 p.m.: return to Trou d’Eau Douce

Times can shift with weather and operating conditions. One available account specifically noted that bad weather delayed the pleasant conditions, so you should avoid treating every time as exact.

The weather rule is straightforward: the tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. For your own plans, that means this excursion is best booked early in your Mauritius stay if you have room to move it to another day.

What makes the crew part of the value

The strongest praise focuses on the crew. The boat staff are described as kind, attentive, helpful, and fun. They tell local stories, make jokes, play Mauritian music, and work to keep everyone enjoying the day.

That human touch matters on a nine-hour outing. A boat can have beautiful water and still feel flat if the service is distant. Here, the crew appears to take an active role in shaping the mood, from boarding through the sail home.

You should expect a friendly, social atmosphere rather than a formal guided lecture. The information does not provide individual guide names, so I cannot point you toward a particular crew member. The positive reports do make clear that the team is one of the tour’s most praised features.

The small group limit supports that service. With up to 20 people, the crew has a better chance of giving clear directions and keeping track of activities than on a much larger boat. It also reduces the chance of the cramped, overcrowded feeling that can spoil a day on the water.

Who should book this catamaran tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families, and friends who want several Mauritius highlights in one day. You get scenery, wildlife viewing, swimming, snorkeling, a beach, lunch, drinks, and optional water activities without arranging each piece separately.

It also suits people who enjoy a lively boat atmosphere. The music, jokes, stories, and open bar make this more social than a quiet sightseeing cruise.

You may want a different experience if you dislike early starts, long boat days, or group activities. The tour is not designed around solitude. The island visit is only about two hours, and weather can alter the feel or timing of the day.

People who need specific snorkeling equipment, meal choices, or included water activities should confirm those details before booking. The experience is accessible to most participants, and service animals are allowed, but the available information does not provide detailed guidance about boat boarding or individual mobility needs.

Is $70 a fair price?

At approximately $70 per person, this is a strong package if you plan to use the included food, drinks, and boat time. The price covers a nine-hour outing, a waterfall visit, several water stops, lunch, and the open bar. That removes much of the separate planning and spending that can add up during an island day.

The value is best for you if you want a complete social day rather than a basic ferry ride. The crew service also appears to be a major part of what you are paying for.

The price is less compelling if you do not drink, do not plan to swim or snorkel, and would rather spend the day quietly on one beach. In that case, you may not use all the inclusions. Also check the cost of optional activities such as parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding, since the supplied details do not confirm that every package includes them.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that window, the amount paid is not refunded and changes are not accepted. That policy is reasonable, but the weather condition makes flexibility especially useful.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-packed east-coast day with a friendly crew, beach time, swimming, snorkeling, barbecue lunch, and free drinks. The combination is hard to beat at about $70, especially with a maximum group size of 20.

Before paying, confirm pickup, snorkeling equipment, the exact lunch arrangement, and which Ile aux Cerfs activities are included in your package. If you can handle the early start and a full nine hours on the water, this catamaran trip offers a cheerful and practical way to see several sides of Mauritius in one outing.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius. You are expected to arrive around 8:30 a.m., with the catamaran departing at 9 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce. The return is scheduled for around 4 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately nine hours, from the morning meeting time until the return in the afternoon.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting point is Trou d’Eau Douce. Confirm the pickup details for your accommodation before booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served on the beach or on the catamaran after the snorkeling and swimming activities.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes an open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

What activities are available at Ile aux Cerfs?

You can stroll, relax on the beach, swim, or snorkel. Depending on your package, parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding may also be available.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.