Full-day Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch

The best part of this day is the variety: a speedboat ride to Grand River South East Waterfall, a catamaran cruise along Mauritius’ east coast, snorkeling stops, a barbecue lunch, and several hours at Ile aux Cerfs. You keep moving, but the boat gives the day an easy rhythm.

I like the included food and drinks, since the barbecue is served aboard the catamaran and includes chicken, fish, sausages, salads, fruit, dessert, beer, soda, juice, water, and local rum. I also like the warm, helpful crew and the simple family appeal, especially for a day with an 11-year-old. The main drawback is crowding: the snorkeling can be brief or underwhelming, and Ile aux Cerfs may feel far more commercial and busy than the photos suggest.

Key points to know

• The day begins at Trou d’Eau Douce: You may start with a speedboat ride to the Grand River South East Waterfall before boarding the catamaran.
• A 42-foot catamaran provides the main base: There is room to sit, eat, listen to music, and enjoy drinks as you travel.
• Snorkeling depends on conditions and timing: Equipment and swim jackets are supplied, but bringing your own mask and snorkel may improve the experience.
• Lunch is a real part of the value: The onboard barbecue includes meat, fish, salads, fries, fruit, dessert, and several drinks.
• Ile aux Cerfs is beautiful but busy: You get white sand and free time, though the island can feel crowded and highly developed for tourism.
• The price is reasonable for a full day: At $65 per person, the package is good value if you want transport on the water, food, drinks, and several activities in one outing.

A full day built around Mauritius’ east coast

This is a busy day on paper, but not a rushed sightseeing circuit. The attraction is the mix of short experiences. You start near Trou d’Eau Douce, visit the Grand River South East Waterfall by speedboat, return to the launch point, and then spend the main part of the day aboard a 42-foot catamaran.

The scheduled day can begin around 7:00 with pickup or around 9:00 without pickup, ending at about 16:00. That difference matters. If you arrange pickup, you need to confirm the extra cost and exact timing after booking. If you drive yourself, you receive directions to the starting point.

I see this as a good choice for someone who wants a ready-made day at sea rather than a quiet, independent beach outing. Your transport, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and drinks are organized in one package. You are not left to find a boat, a meal, and a separate island transfer.

The tradeoff is that you follow the group schedule. If you would rather spend most of the day snorkeling or sit on an empty beach, this format may feel too structured.

The early speedboat ride to Grand River South East Waterfall

The first water experience is not on the catamaran. A speedboat takes you from Trou d’Eau Douce up to the Grand River South East Waterfall, often called GRSE Waterfall. The route follows a peaceful river before reaching the falling water in a more remote setting that can only be reached by boat.

This is a useful opening because it gives you a change of pace. The catamaran is broad and relaxed, while the speedboat feels quicker and more direct. You may see fruit bats or monkeys around the river, though sightings are not guaranteed.

The waterfall itself is best understood as a short scenic stop, not a major half-day excursion. You will have time to look at the falls and surrounding river before returning to Trou d’Eau Douce. The attraction is the setting and the boat access, not a long walk or a strenuous nature activity.

One practical warning: this stop can feel busy. One account described the waterfall as affected by mass tourism, so keep expectations sensible. You are not being taken to a completely private wilderness site. The river approach is peaceful, but several boats may be using the same popular point.

Boarding the 42-foot catamaran at Trou d’Eau Douce

After the speedboat returns, you board the catamaran for the coastal cruise. The boat is described as a spacious, full-service 42-foot catamaran, with seating, drinks, and room to spend the day outside.

A catamaran is a good platform for this route because the twin-hull design gives you a broad, stable place to sit while the boat moves along the east coast. It also makes the journey part of the attraction. You can watch the shore, feel the sea breeze, listen to music, and take a break between stops.

The atmosphere may be lively rather than silent. Music is part of the day, which some people will enjoy and others may find loud. If you want a calm, almost meditative sail, ask yourself how comfortable you are with a social boat setting.

The crew receives some of the strongest praise in the available feedback. They are described as warm, attentive, and professional, with a positive atmosphere onboard. That matters on a full-day trip. A cheerful crew can make waiting, meal service, and transitions much easier.

There was also a problem at check-in for one booking. A passenger was sent to the wrong person at the pier and waited under a tree before boarding. This appears to have been a coordination problem rather than a complaint about the onboard crew, but I would arrive with your booking details ready and allow extra time at the meeting point.

Snorkeling in warm turquoise water

The catamaran stops at several points along the coast so you can swim and snorkel. The water is warm and described as emerald blue, with coral and tropical fish visible at selected locations. Swim jackets and snorkeling gear are supplied, though you can bring your own equipment.

I would bring my own mask and snorkel if I cared strongly about seeing underwater life. The supplied equipment may be perfectly adequate, but one account found the snorkeling disappointing and specifically recommended bringing personal gear. Another suggestion was simple: more snorkeling time would improve the day.

That is the key issue here. Snorkeling is included, but it is not wise to book this as a dedicated reef trip. The stops may be short, conditions can affect visibility, and one account found algae and only a few fish. The description promises coral and fish, but the quality of the experience can vary from one stop to the next.

Still, the snorkeling adds real value for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can get in the water while others remain on the boat. Families can treat it as a gentle swim stop rather than a technical activity. Swim jackets are available, which helps less confident swimmers take part.

Bring a towel and sunscreen. The instruction to pack sunscreen is especially important on a full day surrounded by bright water, even if the breeze makes the heat feel mild. You can use your own snorkeling gear, but there is no need to pack it if you are content with the provided equipment.

Barbecue lunch served aboard the boat

Lunch is one of the clearest reasons the $65 price works. The crew prepares a barbecue onboard, with chicken, fish, sausages, french fries, pasta salad, other salads, fruit, dessert, and vegetarian choices. Drinks include water, juice, soda, beer, and local rum.

This is not a small snack between stops. It is a proper midday meal, and having it on the catamaran saves you from searching for food on Ile aux Cerfs. You can eat with the island nearby and keep the day moving without giving up beach time.

The food receives particularly strong praise, with the grilled items and the overall meal called excellent. I would still keep expectations at the level of a casual boat barbecue, not a restaurant lunch. The value comes from fresh food, quantity, and convenience.

The free-flowing drinks also help explain the price. Water and soft drinks suit families, while beer and local rum add a holiday feel for adults. If you are traveling with children, the included nonalcoholic choices make the meal package more practical.

The lunch setup may be social and informal. You are eating aboard a shared catamaran, likely with music and other passengers nearby. If you prefer a quiet private meal, this will not be the right setting.

Free time on Ile aux Cerfs

After the meal, you get several hours at Ile aux Cerfs, the island often called Deer Island. This is the main beach stop, with white sand, clear water, nature paths, and optional water activities.

You can walk along the beach, follow a secluded trail, swim, try one of the available water pursuits, or simply lie back by the sea. The open-ended time is useful because people in the same group can choose different activities. One person can explore while another stays on the sand.

The island is undeniably attractive. The white beach and bright water create the postcard part of the day, and one rating gave special praise to the island’s beauty. At the same time, the island can be crowded and more commercial than expected. One account described it as overrated and completely overcrowded.

That contrast is important. Ile aux Cerfs is not a secret beach. Its appeal comes from easy access, clear water, and a wide choice of things to do, not from solitude. If you want a polished beach stop with plenty of activity, you may be happy here. If your ideal island means quiet sand and few people, you may prefer the catamaran time itself.

You also need to watch the clock. The boat returns to Trou d’Eau Douce after your island visit, so this is not a place where you can wander off and set your own departure. Use the first few minutes to find your bearings, then choose one or two activities rather than trying to do everything.

What the $65 price really covers

At $65 per person, this is a strong package if you plan to use most of its parts. You receive the speedboat trip to the waterfall, the full catamaran cruise, snorkeling gear, swim jackets, lunch, unlimited listed drinks, and time on Ile aux Cerfs.

Buying each part separately could cost more, and arranging food and transport on your own would take effort. The price also removes much of the decision-making during the day. You know where you are going, when to swim, when to eat, and when to return.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet beach. In that case, the waterfall, snorkeling stops, music, and group schedule may not justify the cost. It is also less attractive if you already have a private boat or your own preferred island transfer.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the base price. They can be arranged for an additional fee. The package therefore looks cheapest for people who can reach Trou d’Eau Douce themselves. If you need pickup from your accommodation, add that cost before comparing it with other cruises.

The overall rating is 3.8 from 10 ratings, which fits the mixed picture. Food, crew, boat atmosphere, and the island receive good marks. The weak points are check-in coordination, crowded stops, loud music for some tastes, and inconsistent snorkeling.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise most

I would recommend this outing to families, first-time visitors to Mauritius, couples who want a full day on the water, and anyone who likes variety. The activity suits people who want to see several popular sights without organizing separate transfers.

It also works well for a group with mixed energy levels. You can swim, snorkel, walk, eat, listen to music, or rest. An 11-year-old was considered well suited to the experience, and the provided swim jackets make the water stops more approachable.

I would be more cautious about booking it for serious snorkelers, people seeking silence, or anyone who dislikes crowded beach destinations. The snorkeling may not satisfy someone looking for long sessions over healthy coral, and Ile aux Cerfs is not guaranteed to feel secluded.

Language should be manageable for most international visitors. The activity is offered in Dutch, English, and French.

Practical details before you book

Pack a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and any snorkeling gear you trust. A personal mask is worth carrying if a clear underwater view matters to you.

Confirm the meeting time carefully. The advertised formats include a 7:00 start with pickup and a 9:00 start without pickup, while one account referred to a 9:15 catamaran departure. I would verify the exact time and pickup arrangement after booking rather than relying on a general schedule.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still changing. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. These terms are useful, but they do not remove the need to check weather and meeting details before the day.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a good-value, all-in-one water day with a speedboat waterfall stop, catamaran sailing, snorkeling, a generous barbecue, included drinks, and free time on a famous beach island. The crew and food appear to be the strongest parts of the experience.

Skip it if your top priority is uncrowded nature, quiet sailing, or serious snorkeling. In that case, the busy waterfall and popular Ile aux Cerfs may disappoint, and the snorkeling time may feel too short.

My practical call: choose this when convenience and variety matter more than privacy. Bring your own snorkeling gear, confirm pickup and pier instructions, and treat Ile aux Cerfs as a lively resort-style beach rather than a deserted island. That expectation will make the $65 package much easier to enjoy.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The full-day activity runs until about 16:00. The advertised start is 07:00 with pickup or 09:00 without pickup.

Where does the activity begin?

The boat activity begins at Trou d’Eau Douce. The speedboat takes you from the launch point to Grand River South East Waterfall before returning you to board the catamaran.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available for an additional fee. You can also drive to the starting point and receive directions.

What food is served for lunch?

The barbecue includes chicken, fish, sausages, french fries, pasta salad, other salads, vegetarian options, fruit, and dessert.

Are drinks included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and swim jackets are provided. You may bring your own equipment.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. You may also bring your own snorkeling equipment if you prefer it.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.