Exclusive Private Catamaran Adventure: Ile aux Cerf (Full Day Cruise incl Lunch)

The best part of this day is the mix of private sailing and island time. You leave from Trou d’Eau Douce, cruise through the east-coast lagoon, stop at Grand River South East waterfall, and reach Ile aux Cerfs for swimming, snorkelling, lunch, and white-sand beach time.

I like the included hotel pickup and drop-off, which removes a lot of fuss, and I like the open bar with local drinks, including beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and rum. The main thing to consider is the price: at $993.32 for up to four people, this makes the most sense for a small group sharing the cost.

A second consideration is that private does not always mean custom-built. One German-language rating described the outing as too expensive, with an older boat and ordinary food, so keep your expectations focused on a pleasant full-day cruise rather than a polished luxury charter.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat is private for your group: Only your party takes part, with a minimum booking of two people and room for up to four at the listed group price.
• Grand River South East comes first: You visit the waterfall by speedboat, about 500 metres upstream from the river mouth.
• Lunch is a three-course barbecue: The meal includes salads, rice or pasta, grilled garlic bread, and grilled meat, with vegetarian and Halal choices available.
• The open bar is included: Local wine, beer, rum, soft drinks, and water are supplied during the outing.
• Water sports cost extra: Parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk are optional activities on Ile aux Cerfs.
• Bring dry clothes and a towel: Snorkelling is included, but towels and spare clothing are not.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:30

Your day begins with pickup at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. The stated start time is 8:30 a.m., though pickup varies by location. You ride in a fully air-conditioned vehicle with a driver and guide to Trou d’Eau Douce, a fishing village on the east coast.

The catamaran is scheduled to leave at 9:30 a.m. The short opening section gives the crew time to settle everyone aboard and explain the day. Local music, jokes, and stories are part of the atmosphere, so this is not a silent yacht charter. You should expect a sociable outing, even though the boat itself is reserved for your group.

The private format matters most if you are travelling as two to four people. You can spend the day with family or friends instead of joining a large mixed group, and the guide can provide direct help with equipment, food, and timing. At the advertised price, the maths are important: split four ways, the cost is about $248 per person before any optional activities. For two people, it is close to $497 each.

The word luxury deserves a little caution. The experience is sold as a luxury catamaran cruise, but one available rating described the boat as old and the food as only adequate. That does not cancel the appeal of a private day on the water, but it does suggest you should not book this expecting a new yacht or fine-dining service.

Grand River South East waterfall by speedboat

The first major stop is Grand River South East waterfall. Rather than taking the catamaran all the way upstream, you transfer to speedboats and travel roughly 500 metres up the river to the falls.

This is a useful change of pace. The catamaran offers a slow, open-water ride, while the speedboat gets you closer to the riverbanks and the waterfall. You might see monkeys moving through the older trees along the banks, and fruit bats may be resting high above the water. These sightings are possible, not guaranteed, so treat them as a bonus rather than a promise.

The waterfall visit is planned for about 30 minutes. That is enough for a look and some photographs, but not for a long river outing. If you want extended time at the falls, this itinerary may feel brisk.

After the short stop, you return to the catamaran and continue toward Ile aux Cerfs. The route is part of the pleasure here. You get broad views of the east coast, palm-fringed shores, pale sand, and clear lagoon water without spending the whole day in a vehicle.

Snorkelling in the lagoon before lunch

Near Ile aux Cerfs, the catamaran pauses for a swimming and snorkelling break. Equipment is provided, which is convenient if you do not want to pack your own mask and snorkel. The lagoon is described as having coral reefs and tropical fish, including bright-coloured species.

The quality of snorkelling can depend on water conditions and the exact stopping point. The description promises access to marine life, not a specialist reef excursion, so I would view this as a pleasant included activity rather than the main reason to book the day.

You should bring your own towel and spare clothes. This is easy to overlook because the equipment is supplied, but the practical items are not. A dry change of clothes will also make the ride back more comfortable after swimming.

The plan allows about three hours around the snorkelling and lunch portion. That gives you enough time to get in the water, dry off, and eat without rushing through the meal. If you do not snorkel, you can use the break to swim or relax aboard the catamaran.

Barbecue lunch and the included open bar

Lunch is a three-course barbecue served either on the beach or on the catamaran. The stated menu includes vegetables, rice or pasta salads, grilled garlic bread, and grilled chicken and sausages. Vegetarian and Halal options are available, but you need to request the appropriate meal when booking.

A lobster lunch is available for an additional charge. It is not part of the standard package, so ask the operator about the extra price before agreeing to it.

I like the fact that drinks are not treated as a separate series of small purchases. The open bar includes locally supplied wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum. That is valuable on a hot day, especially for a private group that wants to sit, talk, and enjoy the crossing without watching every beverage charge.

Still, an open bar does not automatically make the food exceptional. The available 3-out-of-5 rating found the meal only so-so. The safer way to view lunch is as a convenient barbecue included with a scenic boat day, not as a culinary event.

If you have food allergies or an illness that affects your diet, tell the operator in advance. The supplied information specifically asks you to do this, and it is more useful than trying to sort out a special meal after boarding.

Three hours on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main setting for the day. As the catamaran approaches, you see palm trees, white sand, and clear turquoise water. The island gives you a choice between doing very little and adding optional activities.

You can walk along the beach, swim, sit in the sand, or spend time looking out across the lagoon. This is the part of the outing that suits people who want an easy island day rather than a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour.

For extra payment, the island offers parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk. These are not included in the advertised price. If your group is interested, confirm the charges and payment arrangements before booking so the final cost does not surprise you.

The itinerary assigns roughly three hours to Ile aux Cerfs. That is a reasonable window for lunch, a swim, a walk, and perhaps one optional activity. It is not a full day dedicated only to the island, since the waterfall and return sailing take up part of the schedule.

The island can also be the busiest-feeling part of the day because it is a well-known beach destination. The private catamaran gives your group privacy on the boat, but it does not turn Ile aux Cerfs into a private island.

Sailing back to Trou d’Eau Douce

The return trip is scheduled to reach Trou d’Eau Douce around 4 p.m. From there, your driver takes you back to your accommodation for the evening.

The final hour is a useful part of the package. East-coast boat trips can be awkward to arrange if you must find your own way back after swimming, drinking, and spending the day offshore. Here, the same general transport plan covers both ends of the outing.

The full experience lasts about seven to eight hours, depending on pickup location and the day’s timing. Build some flexibility into your evening, since a listed return time is not the same as a guaranteed arrival at your hotel.

What the $993.32 group price really buys

The price covers up to four people, private transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, a qualified guide and driver, catamaran service, lunch, snorkelling equipment, the waterfall visit, and local drinks.

For four people, this can be a sensible way to arrange a full day. You are paying for privacy, transport, food, drinks, and a simple programme that combines river scenery, reef time, and a beach island. You also avoid having to organise separate taxis, boat transfers, snorkelling hire, and lunch.

For two people, the value is harder to defend. The cost per person rises sharply, and the available rating that called the experience too expensive is worth taking seriously. A private day may still be exactly what you want, but you should compare it with other private boat options in Mauritius before paying.

The experience also asks you to accept some uncertainty. The boat may not feel as new as the word luxury suggests, the food may be basic, and optional water sports increase the bill. In exchange, you get a private group setting and a generous list of inclusions.

Who will enjoy this private catamaran day

I would recommend this outing for a small group that values convenience and privacy over the lowest possible price. It works well for friends or family who want one planned day with transport, drinks, lunch, snorkelling, and beach time all handled together.

It also suits mixed-interest groups. One person can snorkel, another can swim, and someone else can simply sit on the catamaran with a drink. The three-hour Ile aux Cerfs stop gives everyone room to choose a comfortable pace.

Vegetarians and people requiring Halal food have a clear option, provided they give notice. The minimum booking is two people, and the private format keeps the group limited to your own party.

I would be more cautious if you are looking for a high-end yacht, serious reef snorkelling, gourmet food, or a tightly personalised route. The private label gives you your own group, but the planned stops and timing remain fairly fixed.

Cyclone or torrential rain can affect the schedule. If the operator cancels for those conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. The normal cancellation policy is strict: if you cancel or request a change, the payment is not refunded.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book it if you are four people sharing the cost and want a comfortable, all-in-one day on Mauritius’s east coast. The combination of a private boat, waterfall stop, snorkelling, barbecue lunch, open bar, and hotel transport is practical and easy to enjoy.

Think twice if you are a couple watching the budget or if the quality of the boat and meal matters as much as the scenery. The available rating of 4.1 from seven ratings is respectable but not a clear signal of luxury. My advice is to confirm the boat standard, menu, pickup time, and optional activity costs before booking.

For the right small group, the value is in the relaxed day and the lack of logistical work. Just pay for privacy and convenience, not for a flawless yacht charter.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours. Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m., the catamaran leaves Trou d’Eau Douce at about 9:30 a.m., and the return to Trou d’Eau Douce is expected around 4 p.m.

Where does the boat depart?

The catamaran departs from Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included at accommodation or hotels anywhere in Mauritius. The exact pickup time may vary by location.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates. A minimum of two people is required, and the listed price covers a group of up to four.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course barbecue lunch is included, with vegetables, rice or pasta salads, grilled garlic bread, and grilled meat. Vegetarian and Halal meals are available if requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes unlimited locally supplied drinks, including wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment is included. You should bring your own towel and spare clothing.

Do the water sports cost extra?

Yes. Parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk are optional and require additional payment. Lobster lunch also costs extra.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.