Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise & Waterfalls- Lunch & Drinks

Mauritius saves one of its best day trips for the east coast: a catamaran cruise from Trou d’Eau Douce that combines a river waterfall, a snorkeling stop, a beach barbecue, and Ile aux Cerfs. The boat ride is the main event, not just transport. You spend most of the day on open water with the island’s mountains and pale beaches in view.

I like the friendly crew and generous food and drinks. The barbecue includes fish, chicken, hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice, with vegetarian and vegan choices available. I also like the chance to see more than one side of Mauritius in a single outing, from monkeys and fruit bats near the waterfall to coral and tropical fish in the lagoon.

The main caution is group size. The experience is advertised as a small group limited to 15, yet some departures have carried 25 people. That may not matter on a large boat, but it can feel crowded if you want peace and quiet. One departure also left around 9:30 instead of 9:00, so allow for a relaxed rather than clockwork start.

Key points to know before booking

• Grand River South East comes first: A short speedboat ride takes you roughly 500 metres upstream to the waterfall.
• The food is a real part of the value: Expect a fresh BBQ lunch, light snacks, salads, saffron rice, bottled water, and drinks throughout the day.
• Snorkeling is included: You get a lagoon stop with coral and tropical fish, though the time in the water may feel brief.
• Ile aux Cerfs is scenic but popular: White sand and clear water are the draw, with optional paid activities such as parasailing and tube riding.
• The mood can vary: Local music and open-drink service may create a lively party atmosphere, which suits some people more than others.
• The advertised schedule is 8:30 to 16:00: Hotel or Airbnb transport is not included, so you need to reach Trou d’Eau Douce yourself unless you arrange a paid transfer.

A full day from Trou d’Eau Douce to Ile aux Cerfs

This is a nine-hour outing built around an easy rhythm: board, sail, stop, eat, swim, and sail again. You arrive at the docking station at 8:30 in the morning, with departure planned for 9:00. The return to Trou d’Eau Douce is scheduled for about 16:00.

The catamaran is a good fit if you want a social day on the water rather than a private charter. The crew plays Mauritian music and keeps the atmosphere friendly with local stories and jokes. English, French, German, and Italian are listed as tour languages, so communication should be manageable for a broad mix of visitors.

Do not expect a silent cruise. The combination of music, unlimited drinks, and a mixed local and international crowd can turn the boat into a floating party. Some people enjoy that energy. If you are hoping to hear only the water and seabirds, this may not be the right choice.

Grand River South East by speedboat

The first major stop is Grand River South East, one of the better-known natural sights on Mauritius. The catamaran does not simply pause at the river mouth. You transfer to a speedboat and travel about 500 metres upstream toward the waterfall.

That short ride adds some fun and gives you a closer view of the riverbanks. Keep watch among the old trees for monkeys moving through the branches. Fruit bats may be resting high above the river, too. Sightings depend on luck, so treat them as a bonus rather than a promise.

The waterfall itself is attractive, but this is a relatively short visit. You are not setting out on a long forest walk or spending half the morning beside the falls. The value is the contrast: after cruising on open lagoon water, you enter a narrower river setting, see the falls, then return to the catamaran for the next part of the day.

Bring your camera, but protect it from spray during the speedboat transfer. Sunscreen is also essential, since much of the day takes place in direct sun.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

After the waterfall, the catamaran moves through clear lagoon water to a swimming and snorkeling stop. This is where the trip shifts from sightseeing to participation. You can get into the water, look for coral and tropical fish, or simply swim for a while.

Life jackets are included, which is helpful if you are not a confident swimmer. The water is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise, especially if you want a simple snorkeling outing without booking a separate boat.

Set your expectations sensibly. This is a group stop, not a private marine tour, and the time in the water may feel short. One account found that an extra 15 minutes would have improved the stop. You may also see no turtles or dolphins, even though marine life can appear unexpectedly. A later cruise had sightings of a dolphin, two rays, and a school of squid, but that sort of encounter is luck, not part of the guaranteed program.

I would put your mask on promptly when the crew announces the stop. The boat must keep to its schedule, and a few minutes lost getting ready can reduce your time in the water.

BBQ lunch with drinks included

Food is served after snorkeling, either on the beach or aboard the catamaran. The planned meal includes grilled fish, BBQ chicken, hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and vegan food is also available, which makes the lunch more practical for mixed groups.

The meal matters because it is included in the $70 price. On an all-day water outing, buying food and drinks separately can quickly add up. Here, you have light snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, juice, beer, wine, and local rum available throughout the day.

The strongest praise for this trip focuses on the crew’s care, the barbecue, and the drinks. The food is described as well prepared, and the drink supply is not limited to one welcome glass. It is genuinely presented as unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic service.

That generosity comes with a trade-off. Alcohol from the start of the cruise can encourage a louder mood, especially when local music is playing. If you are traveling with children, avoiding alcohol, or simply want a calm boat ride, sit away from the main party area if possible and understand that the atmosphere may not be quiet.

The crew’s approach seems to be one of the best parts of the day. They prepare the meal, keep drinks moving, and may adjust the route when wildlife appears. On one outing, the captain made a small detour after marine animals were spotted. That kind of flexibility can turn a standard schedule into a memorable moment, though no captain can guarantee wildlife.

What to expect at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the postcard stop: palm trees, white beaches, and clear turquoise water along Mauritius’s east coast. You have time to walk, swim, sunbathe, or simply sit on the sand after the more active parts of the trip.

The island is not presented as a remote desert island. It has facilities and optional activities, including parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk. Those activities are not included in the $70 price, so budget separately if you want to add them.

I like the balance here. You are not forced into a paid activity after lunch. You can spend your time in the water or on the beach without adding another bill. That makes the stop work for different kinds of people in the same group: one person can chase a parasail ride while another takes a slow walk or swims.

The drawback is that the island is a major attraction, not a private hideaway. Its beauty is the reason it is on the schedule, but it also means you should not expect solitude. The catamaran gives you a relaxing view of the island, while the shore stop gives you access to its beaches and facilities.

How the boat atmosphere affects your day

The crew receives the warmest praise in the available feedback. The team is described as attentive, friendly, and eager to help. That matters on a long day at sea, when small details such as finding a drink, getting a life jacket, or understanding the next stop can shape your whole experience.

Music is part of the program. Local Mauritian songs and jokes help create a cheerful setting, and the crew may keep the mood moving between stops. The trip is best suited to people who enjoy a shared social atmosphere.

The number of people aboard deserves special attention. The advertised maximum is 15, but some departures have had more than 15 and one report described 25 people. The catamaran may be large enough that the extra numbers do not ruin the day, but space around the seating and inside areas can become tight.

You should also be aware that different departures may feel different. A calm group can make the boat feel spacious and easygoing. A group that drinks heavily and plays loud music can make the same route feel crowded and noisy. If quiet sightseeing is your priority, a private boat or a smaller sailing trip would be a better match.

Is $70 good value?

At $70 per person, this is a strong bundle for a full day if you plan to eat, drink, snorkel, and visit Ile aux Cerfs anyway. The price covers the catamaran, waterfall visit, lagoon stop, lunch, snacks, unlimited drinks, life jackets, bottled water, and the return sail.

The value becomes clearer when you separate the day into its parts. You get a river excursion, a boat-based snorkeling session, a cooked lunch, a beach stop, and a scenic cruise. Booking each part separately could cost more and would require managing several departure points and meal arrangements.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet sail. You are paying for the whole package, including an open-drink format and a social group. It is also less convenient if you need hotel pickup, since transportation from your hotel or Airbnb is not included.

For a couple or group that wants an easy, all-in-one day, I think the price is fair. For someone seeking privacy, silence, or a carefully controlled small group, the value is weaker.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Arrive at the docking station by 8:30, even though the boat may not leave until later. The scheduled departure is 9:00, but at least one departure left around 9:30. Bring patience and avoid booking another fixed activity immediately after the planned 16:00 return.

Wear swimwear beneath comfortable clothes. You will have a snorkeling stop and time at the beach, and changing facilities are not described in the provided details. Pack sunscreen and a camera, and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch if you have one.

A small towel is sensible, though it is not listed among the included items. You may also want sunglasses and a hat, but hold onto them when moving around the boat. The sun can be strong, and the open deck offers limited shade depending on where you sit.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the exact arrangements for boarding, the speedboat transfer, the beach, and snorkeling are not explained. If you use a wheelchair, confirm those details before paying, particularly because the waterfall visit involves changing from the catamaran to a speedboat.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Mauritius plans are still shifting.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a varied, social day with plenty included. Families, couples, and friends can all find something to enjoy, particularly if some people want water activities while others prefer the beach.

It is also a good choice for a first visit to Mauritius. Rather than spending a day on only one beach, you get a quick taste of river scenery, lagoon water, marine life, a local-style meal, and Ile aux Cerfs.

I would hesitate if you want a low-noise escape, a guaranteed small group, or a long snorkeling session. The reported group sizes do not always match the advertised limit, and the music and alcohol can create a party mood.

Should you book it?

Book this Ile aux Cerfs cruise if you value variety, included food, and an attentive crew more than perfect timing or quiet. The waterfall, snorkeling stop, BBQ, and beach time make $70 a reasonable deal, especially with unlimited drinks included.

Before booking, accept two uncertainties: the boat may carry more than 15 people, and departure may run late. If those points are manageable, this is a practical way to spend a full day on Mauritius’s east coast, with enough scenery and activity to keep the day moving.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise last?

The activity lasts about nine hours. The planned boat schedule runs from 8:30 in the morning until 16:00, with boarding at 8:30 and the catamaran scheduled to leave at 9:00.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and vegan food is also available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks are included, such as beer, wine, local rum, juice, soft drinks, and water. Bottled water is also provided.

Does the cruise visit both the waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs?

Yes. The program includes Grand River South East waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs Island. The waterfall is reached by speedboat, about 500 metres upstream from the river entrance.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The catamaran stops in the lagoon for swimming and snorkeling, with clear water, coral reefs, and tropical fish. Life jackets are included.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle are optional and not included in the stated price.