Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling + GRSE Waterfall, BBQ & Bar

The best part of this outing is the combination of Mauritius’s river-to-sea scenery and a long stop at Ile aux Cerfs. You begin near Trou d’Eau Douce, cruise toward the Grand Riviere Sud Est Waterfall, then spend much of the day swimming, snorkeling, eating, and relaxing on one of the island’s best-known coastal spots.

I like two things here: the food and drinks are included, and the group size is meant to be limited to 25 people. The crew has earned warm praise for its care, humor, and organization, with Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan singled out for making the day feel welcoming. The main caution is crowding. One booking operated with more than 30 people, so you should confirm the expected group size if personal space matters to you.

Key points to know before you book

• Grand Riviere Sud Est Waterfall: Make a brief stop where the river meets the Indian Ocean, with about 10 minutes for views and photos.
• Ile aux Cerfs: Allow roughly three hours here for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, or arranging activities such as parasailing and a tube ride.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect a BBQ meal, snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, wine, rum cocktails, and other alcoholic drinks.
• Meeting point: You must reach the Blue Alizé Catamaran office at Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce, by the 9:00 am start.
• No private transportation: Getting to Trou d’Eau Douce and arranging your ride home is your responsibility.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a date change or full refund, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 am

This is a straightforward boat day, but the meeting point matters. You meet the Blue Alizé Catamaran team at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’s east coast. The cruise also ends there, so your transport should wait for you at the same landing point.

There is no private transportation included. That makes this tour a better fit if you are already staying nearby, have a rental car, or have arranged a taxi. It is not the best choice if you want a hotel pickup and a fully managed day from door to door.

The listed start time is 9:00 am. I would arrive early enough to find the office, check in, and settle any last-minute questions without rushing. Your confirmation is issued at booking, and the ticket redemption point is the Blue Alizé Catamaran location in Trou d’Eau Douce.

The boat holds a maximum of 25 people according to the advertised arrangement. That is a reasonable size for a social catamaran outing, though one account describes a departure with more than 30 passengers. If you are paying for a quieter premium-style cruise, ask the operator to confirm the boat capacity for your date.

Grand Riviere Sud Est Waterfall in 10 minutes

The first sightseeing stop is Grand Riviere Sud Est, where the river meets the Indian Ocean in a waterfall setting. The stop lasts about 10 minutes, so think of it as a quick scenic pause rather than a long visit.

That short timing is useful because it keeps the day moving toward Ile aux Cerfs, the main destination. You should have enough time to look, take photographs, and enjoy the unusual meeting of fresh river water and the sea, but not enough time for a long walk or an extended waterfall visit.

This stop also adds variety. The tour is not simply a beach transfer with lunch. You get a glimpse of the southeastern coast before the boat heads toward the island and its water activities.

Three hours at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs receives the biggest share of the day, with about three hours available for free time. That gives you a useful choice: do very little, or fill the afternoon with water-based activities.

You can swim, sunbathe, relax with a coconut, or spend time on the sand. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The supplied details do not identify a specific snorkeling site or guarantee particular marine life, so treat snorkeling as an available activity rather than the main reason to book.

You can also arrange parasailing or a tube ride on the island. Those activities are presented as options to book, not as part of the included package. Ask about the price before committing, and keep an eye on the meeting time so you do not miss the catamaran’s return.

A transat, or beach lounger, may also be available to book. Again, this is not listed among the included items. The included package covers the catamaran experience, snorkeling equipment, food, and drinks, while optional island activities and loungers may cost extra.

Three hours is long enough to make the stop feel worthwhile. You are not being hurried off the beach after a few minutes. At the same time, the island can feel busy if the boat is full, and this is not a private-island experience. If your ideal day involves quiet beaches and plenty of space, the possible crowding is the main issue to weigh.

A BBQ lunch with wine and rum cocktails

The meal is one of this outing’s strongest points. A BBQ lunch is included, along with snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, wine, rum cocktails, and other alcoholic drinks.

That changes the value calculation. At $82.46 per person, you are not only paying for the boat ride. You are also covering a substantial meal, refreshments throughout the day, snorkeling equipment, and access to a full island stop. Buying lunch and drinks separately at a popular beach destination could make a lower-priced boat trip less attractive.

Food quality can vary from one sailing to another, but the available feedback is especially positive about the BBQ. One French-speaking guest described it as excellent, while another account praised both the food and the generous supply of drinks. That is a good sign for anyone who sees lunch as part of the fun rather than a minor convenience.

The drink selection also gives the day a party-cruise feel. Wine and rum cocktails are included, along with nonalcoholic choices. If you prefer a quieter boat, ask about the group atmosphere before booking. The reported mood has ranged from relaxed and caring to highly energetic, and the crew seems comfortable creating a social day.

The crew can shape the whole day

The crew is an important part of this experience. Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan were specifically praised for taking care of people from check-in through the return. That suggests a hands-on style rather than a bare-bones boat transfer.

The strongest comments describe a warm crew, good organization, plentiful drinks, and a lively atmosphere. That is useful context because a catamaran outing succeeds or fails on more than scenery. Friendly service, a smooth lunch, and clear timing can make the day easy.

Still, crew performance cannot solve every practical problem. One serious complaint involved a phone that disappeared after passengers transferred from the catamaran to a smaller boat. The crew had said belongings could be left on the main boat, but the item was not recovered.

Take that as a clear packing lesson. Keep your phone, wallet, passport, and other valuables with you or in a secure waterproof pouch. Do not assume that a boat is a safe storage area simply because staff suggest leaving items there. This is sensible advice for any excursion involving transfers between boats and shore.

What the $82.46 price really covers

The price sits in the middle range for a full-day Mauritius boat outing, but the value depends on how much of the package you use. You receive about seven hours of activity, a waterfall stop, a long stay at Ile aux Cerfs, lunch, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snacks, water, and snorkeling gear.

I see good value here for someone who wants one organized day with few extra decisions. The food and drinks reduce the need to carry cash for lunch, and the included snorkeling equipment saves you from renting gear separately.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a short scenic cruise or a private experience. You are sharing the boat, and the actual capacity may exceed the advertised maximum on some departures. You may also spend more if you add parasailing, a tube ride, or a lounger at Ile aux Cerfs.

There is another cost to remember: transportation to and from Trou d’Eau Douce. Since private transport is not included, add your taxi, rental car, or other travel cost when comparing this with tours that collect you at your hotel.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and families who want a cheerful day on the water with food and drinks taken care of. It works well for people who enjoy a mix of sightseeing and free time rather than a tightly scheduled sequence of guided stops.

It also suits anyone who wants flexibility at Ile aux Cerfs. You can swim and rest, or spend more money on parasailing and a tube ride. The choice is yours, which makes the day easier to shape around your energy level.

The tour is less suitable if you need wheelchair access. It is not wheelchair accessible. You should also think twice if you dislike groups, loud social settings, or busy beach areas.

Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility guidance for boarding, transfers, or snorkeling. If you have mobility concerns beyond wheelchair access, contact Island Cove Mauritius before paying.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

The full experience lasts about seven hours, beginning at 9:00 am and ending back at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce. The listed sightseeing stops take up the day in different ways: about 10 minutes at the waterfall and roughly three hours at Ile aux Cerfs, with the remaining time used for sailing, lunch, transfers, and activities.

Weather is important. This is an outdoor boat trip, so poor conditions can lead to cancellation. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Mauritius time, so check your booking carefully if you are arranging the tour from another country.

Bring only what you need, and secure anything you carry onto the boat. A waterproof phone pouch is a sensible addition, especially if you plan to swim or transfer to a smaller boat. Keep enough dry clothing and sun protection for the day, although specific equipment beyond snorkeling gear is not listed as included.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran?

Book it if you want a social, food-inclusive day on the water with a waterfall stop, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and several hours at Ile aux Cerfs. The BBQ, generous drink package, and friendly crew members make the $82.46 price reasonable for a full seven-hour outing.

Skip it if you want a private boat, guaranteed low numbers, hotel transportation, or a quiet beach day with no optional costs. The possibility of crowding is real, and you must arrange your own transport to Trou d’Eau Douce.

My practical advice is to confirm the expected passenger count, ask how optional watersports are priced, and bring secure storage for valuables. If those points suit you, this is a well-rounded way to see the east coast and spend a relaxed afternoon on Ile aux Cerfs.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start and end?

The tour starts and ends at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs at Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. You must arrange your own transport to the meeting point and have it wait at the ending point.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes a BBQ lunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, wine, rum cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.