All inclusive CATAMARAN with BBQ : Ile aux cerf & GRSE waterfall

The best part of this Mauritius day trip is the mix of boat time, waterfalls, and beach in one package. You start with a private car transfer, visit the hard-to-reach GRSE Waterfalls, eat a BBQ lunch with drinks on board, and finish at Ile aux Cerfs, where bright water and white sand do most of the talking.

I like the private pickup and return because it removes a lot of transport fuss. I also like the included snorkeling gear and steady supply of rum, cocktails, beer, soft drinks, food, and dessert. The catch is simple: this is a shared party catamaran, not a quiet luxury cruise, and busy departures can feel crowded and poorly organized.

Key points to know before booking

• Private transport, shared boat: Your car transfer is private, but the catamaran is shared with up to 35 people.
• GRSE Waterfalls by boat: This stop reaches a popular photo site that can be difficult to access independently.
• Full food and drinks package: BBQ lunch, dessert, rum, cocktails, beer, and ongoing drink service are included.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: You get time on the island to enjoy white sand and clear blue water.
• Snorkeling gear included: The boat stops for a snorkeling session, though its length depends on the day’s schedule and group.
• Early timing matters: Pickup begins around 7:30 a.m., and you are advised to reach Trou d’Eau Douce by 9:15 a.m.

A full day on the water from Mauritius

At $113.97 per person, this is priced as an all-in-one day rather than a basic boat ticket. You are paying for private transport from your location in Mauritius, the catamaran, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, music, and a private ride back.

That package can offer good value if you want a simple day with few separate bookings. A taxi to the east coast, a boat trip, lunch, and a return ride can become expensive and tiring when arranged piece by piece. Here, the operator, Beguided Tours, handles the moving parts.

The tradeoff is control. You do not choose the boat timetable or set your own pace at each stop. The catamaran is shared, and the atmosphere depends on the group on board. Some days feel like a cheerful island party. Other days may feel crowded, especially during the busy December and January period.

The stated maximum is 35 people. That is not a tiny sailing group, so you should book this for company and energy rather than silence and privacy.

The early pickup and ride to Trou d’Eau Douce

The day begins around 7:30 a.m. with pickup from your location in Mauritius. A certified driver takes you to the east coast and provides explanations about Mauritius along the way. The return transfer is also private, using an air-conditioned car.

This is one of the package’s strongest practical features. You do not need to find a taxi at the end of a long day, and you are not left arranging your own ride between Port Louis and the departure point. The transfer also makes the experience workable if your accommodation is far from Trou d’Eau Douce.

Pay close attention to the timing. You are advised to reach Trou d’Eau Douce by 9:15 a.m. to avoid lateness. Pickup time can vary by location, so do not treat 7:30 a.m. as a casual suggestion. Ask for the exact pickup time when booking, and be ready early.

The private vehicle does not mean the boat is private. Once you arrive at the embarkation area, you are assigned to a shared catamaran. This distinction matters. You get personal ground transport, but the main experience is social and group-based.

Boarding the catamaran and settling into the day

Once everyone is on board, the captain gives a safety briefing. Drinks follow, and the boat begins its route toward the east coast attractions.

Music plays throughout the outing. The atmosphere can include dancing and sega music, giving the trip a distinctly Mauritian party feel rather than the mood of a quiet sightseeing cruise. If you enjoy meeting people, having a drink, and spending most of the day outside, this setup should suit you.

The boat has toilets, food service, continuous drinks, and music on board. That makes the day easier than a bare-bones excursion, where you need to carry every meal and search for facilities at each stop.

Still, expect a working boat rather than a luxury yacht. One account describes the catamaran as not especially luxurious, and that is a useful expectation to set. The main attraction is the route and the easy all-in-one format, not polished yacht service.

There can also be a slow start. A busy departure may require time to load food, drinks, equipment, and passengers. Build patience into the morning. If you dislike waiting around while a large group is organized, a smaller private boat would be a better fit.

GRSE Waterfalls, a scenic stop with limited access

GRSE Waterfalls is one of the day’s most distinctive stops. The waterfall area is popular with photographers and is described as hard to access by other means. Reaching it by boat gives you a convenient way to see a place that may otherwise require more planning.

The stop is primarily about views and photographs. You can expect a scenic setting where the water and surrounding coast provide the main subject. Bring a phone or camera, but protect it from spray and keep your equipment secure on the boat.

This is not presented as a long land hike or a full waterfall trek. The value comes from arriving by water and seeing the falls as part of a wider coastal route. If you want a serious walking excursion, this package is not designed for that.

The timing at the waterfall can also depend on the group. A larger boat takes longer to move people around, and the schedule must allow for lunch, snorkeling, and Ile aux Cerfs. Enjoy the stop for what it is: a photogenic boat visit, not an all-day exploration of the falls.

BBQ lunch, Mauritian music, and drinks on board

Lunch is served on the catamaran, so you do not need to leave the boat to find a restaurant. The package includes a BBQ meal, desserts, and a selection of alcoholic drinks such as rum, cocktails, and beer. The description also promises ongoing drink service during the day.

This setup is convenient and helps keep the itinerary moving. You can eat while surrounded by the coast, then continue to the next stop without adding another transfer. The music and food create the social center of the trip, especially for people who want a relaxed party atmosphere.

Expect a group meal, not a carefully paced restaurant lunch. Food loading and service can take time, particularly when the boat is full. One account described a long delay before all supplies and passengers were on board, so the morning may feel less polished during busy periods.

The alcohol deserves a practical note. Rum, cocktails, and beer are part of the package, but the boat is also carrying people into open water. Pace yourself, drink water when available, and do not let the party side of the day interfere with the safety briefing or snorkeling instructions.

The strongest praise for the food and entertainment centers on the cheerful atmosphere, dancing, sega music, and helpful boat crew. If you want a lively day with lunch already handled, this is a plus. If you expect a refined BBQ with quiet table service, lower your expectations.

Snorkeling with included equipment

The catamaran stops for snorkeling, and the necessary gear is included. That saves you from renting equipment separately or bringing your own mask and snorkel.

Snorkeling time is not fixed in the information provided. It can depend on how many people enter the water and how the day’s schedule is running. A larger group may mean a slower rotation or a shorter personal session.

This is best viewed as an added water activity rather than the central purpose of the excursion. The itinerary gives equal weight to the waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, lunch, and music. If you are booking mainly for serious snorkeling, you should ask the operator how much time is normally allowed in the water.

Follow the captain and crew’s instructions carefully. The safety briefing is part of the normal start, and the sea conditions can affect what is possible. The tour requires good weather, so a poor forecast may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Ile aux Cerfs, the beach portion of the day

Ile aux Cerfs provides the classic island finish: blue water, white sandy beaches, and time away from the catamaran. After the boat-based activities, this is where you can stretch your legs and enjoy the shore.

The island stop is valuable because it changes the rhythm of the day. GRSE Waterfalls is a sightseeing stop, snorkeling gets you into the water, and Ile aux Cerfs gives you beach time. You are not confined to the catamaran for all eight hours.

The exact amount of time on the island is not specified. It will depend on the boat’s schedule, group movement, weather, and the time used at the other stops. If beach time is your top priority, ask how long the catamaran normally remains near Ile aux Cerfs.

You should also know that the island is only one part of a shared itinerary. The boat will later return to Mauritius, with more drinks served on the way back. This is a day of several short experiences rather than an unhurried beach stay.

The return ride and private drop-off

After the island stop, you return to the catamaran for the trip back to Mauritius. The music and drinks continue, and on arrival your driver meets you for the private ride back to your resort or other location.

That final transfer is more valuable than it may sound. After a full day in sun, wind, salt water, food, and drinks, finding your own taxi can be a nuisance. A waiting driver gives you a clear end to the day.

The quality of the driver can make a real difference. The supplied feedback gives especially strong praise to the driver service, including one driver described as excellent and personal. No driver names are provided, so you should not expect a named guide assigned in advance.

What the mixed experience tells you

The overall rating is 4.2 from 22 reviews, which suggests a generally positive but not flawless experience. The most consistent strengths are the driver service, friendly boat staff, scenery, food, music, and the convenience of having the day bundled together.

The weaker points are also clear. Some departures have felt too crowded, and one account described the catamaran as only passable rather than luxurious. Another described disorganization and a long wait while supplies and passengers were loaded.

There is also a difference between the package’s private and shared elements. The car ride is private, but the catamaran is not. Some people found the social setting enjoyable, while others felt uncomfortable when the boat seemed dominated by a larger connected group.

That is not necessarily a fault in the itinerary, but it affects how the day feels. A shared boat can be fun when the group is relaxed and welcoming. It can feel less personal when the boat is full or when you prefer a quiet outing.

The operator has acknowledged that end-of-year periods can be especially busy. If you are traveling in December or January, expect a higher chance of crowding and slower loading. At other times, the same maximum group size may feel more manageable.

Who should book this catamaran day?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several east-coast highlights in one booking and do not want to arrange transport yourself. It suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy music, drinks, swimming, beach time, and a friendly group setting.

It is also a sensible choice if you want an easy introduction to Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE Waterfalls. You get transport, meals, gear, and a return ride without having to compare several separate operators.

You should think twice if you want a peaceful sailing day, a small boat, or a high-end yacht experience. The catamaran can carry up to 35 people, and busy departures may involve delays and crowding.

I would also avoid choosing it solely for snorkeling. Snorkeling is included, but the amount of time in the water can vary. The best reason to book is the complete mix of boat ride, waterfall, BBQ, music, drinks, snorkeling, beach, and transport.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Since the experience depends on good weather, a weather cancellation gives you the choice of another date or a full refund.

Final call on this Mauritius boat trip

Book it if you value convenience and variety more than privacy. The $113.97 price covers a lot: private pickup and drop-off, a full day on the water, BBQ lunch, dessert, alcoholic drinks, music, snorkeling equipment, GRSE Waterfalls, and Ile aux Cerfs.

Skip it if your ideal day means a quiet boat, luxury fittings, fixed snorkeling time, and a slow beach afternoon. The main risk is not the scenery. It is the shared format and the possibility of a crowded, loosely organized departure.

For the right person, this is an efficient and cheerful way to see several Mauritius highlights in one day. Arrive early, expect a social boat, pace yourself with the drinks, and treat the schedule as flexible rather than precise.

FAQ

Where does the experience take place?

The experience begins with pickup in Mauritius and includes a catamaran trip to GRSE Waterfalls and Ile aux Cerfs. The boat departure area is Trou d’Eau Douce.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 7:30 a.m. You are advised to reach Trou d’Eau Douce by 9:15 a.m. to avoid being late.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is hotel or resort pickup available?

Yes. Private pickup and drop-off are offered from locations in Mauritius, with an air-conditioned car used for the transfers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch and dessert are provided on the catamaran.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes alcoholic options such as rum, cocktails, and beer, along with continuous drink service on board.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The catamaran stops for snorkeling, and snorkeling gear is included.

How many people can join the catamaran?

The activity has a maximum capacity of 35 people. The transport to and from the boat is private, but the catamaran experience is shared.