Ile Aux Cerfs: Catamaran Cruise, island, waterfalls, Lunch

The main appeal here is simple: you get three very different Mauritius scenes in one outing. You sail past the east coast, cruise toward Grand River South East Waterfalls, then spend time on Ile aux Cerfs, with a BBQ lunch and drinks served aboard the catamaran.

I like the combination of easygoing sailing and active water time, and I like that lunch is included rather than leaving you to hunt for food on an island beach. The crew has also earned praise for attentive service and a good meal. The catch is that Ile aux Cerfs is not everyone’s favorite stop, so you should book this for the full boat-and-water experience, not for the island alone.

Key points to know before booking

• Grand River South East Waterfalls: A scenic stop reached by boat, with the visit timed around sea conditions and water depth.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: You can get off the catamaran, swim, snorkel, and relax on the island.
• BBQ lunch on board: Food and drinks are included, making the $64 price easier to justify.
• Six hours from Trou d’Eau Douce: This is a substantial outing, but not a late-night or all-day expedition.
• Weather can change the plan: Rough seas may lead to a new date or a full refund if no suitable date can be arranged.
• Bring swimwear and a towel: Sunscreen is essential, since much of the day is spent on or near the water.

Why this east-coast cruise works so well

I see this trip as a useful introduction to the watery side of Mauritius. Instead of committing to one beach or one boat ride, you move through several settings in roughly six hours: open coastal views, a river waterfall, a catamaran lunch, and an island beach.

That variety matters. If you are visiting Mauritius for a short stay, you may not want to spend separate days arranging a waterfall visit, a snorkeling stop, and a beach outing. This trip groups them together without requiring you to plan each piece yourself.

The mood is also part of the appeal. A catamaran gives you room to sit, watch the coast, and let the crew handle the route. You are not locked into a quick transfer from one point to another. The sailing itself is one of the main reasons to choose this outing.

The experience starts at the Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce, a practical meeting point on Mauritius’s east coast. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the embarkation point. Check the meeting instructions carefully and allow enough time to arrive without rushing.

Sailing from Trou d’Eau Douce along the east coast

Once aboard, the catamaran heads along the east coast. The views combine ocean and mountain scenery, giving you a broad sense of this side of Mauritius rather than keeping you in one sheltered bay.

I like this opening because it gives the day some breathing room. You have time to settle in, take in the coastline, and enjoy the boat before the stops begin. The trip is not only a series of photo opportunities. The cruise between locations is part of the experience, especially if you enjoy being on the water.

The pace can depend on the conditions. This is a sea outing, not a fixed land tour with every minute guaranteed. The order of the stops may change according to the tide and water depth on the day. That flexibility is sensible, but you should expect the schedule to be adjusted if conditions make one stop easier or safer before another.

Arabic, French, and English are available. That is helpful for a mixed group, particularly when the crew is explaining the day’s plan or giving instructions for swimming and snorkeling. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a named private guide.

Grand River South East Waterfalls by boat

The cruise continues toward Grand River South East Waterfalls, one of the day’s more distinctive stops. Reaching the falls by water gives you a different view than a standard roadside lookout. The river setting also breaks up the open-sea portion of the outing.

You should think of this as a scenic boat visit rather than a long waterfall hike. The supplied details do not describe a walk, a climb, or a separate land excursion. The emphasis is on cruising to the falls and admiring them from the water.

This is also where tide and water depth matter most. The order of the waterfall and island visits may change, so do not worry if the boat does not follow the same sequence you expected. The crew may arrange the stops in the order that works best for the day.

I would keep your camera ready, but avoid treating the waterfall stop as the sole reason to book. Its value comes from being one part of a varied day. If you want a long inland waterfall visit with extensive time on shore, this is not described as that kind of tour.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and the practical value of the price

Lunch is served on the catamaran and includes a BBQ meal with drinks. That is a real advantage. You do not need to spend part of your island visit searching for a restaurant, and the meal keeps the group together while the crew manages the day’s route.

The food has received especially warm praise. One French passenger described the lunch as very good and the crew as attentive, while another praised the team as excellent. Those comments point to the service as one of the stronger parts of the outing.

At $64 per person, the price is reasonable for a six-hour package that includes the catamaran, crew, waterfall visit, island landing, lunch, and drinks. The value improves if you plan to spend money on food and a separate boat trip anyway. You are paying for transport on the water, organized stops, and a meal in one booking.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a quiet beach day. In that case, you may find the sailing and waterfall portions less important than the island itself. The trip makes the most sense for you if you want a full mix of scenery and activities rather than a single destination.

The onboard lunch also creates a useful pause between stops. You can eat without leaving the water-based setting, and you do not have to make your own arrangements during the busiest part of the day. Drinks are included, but the information does not specify exactly which drinks are offered, so check the current details if that matters to you.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

After the waterfall visit and lunch, the catamaran reaches Ile aux Cerfs, where you disembark. The island is known here for its beaches and clear water, and the planned activities are straightforward: swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing by the shore.

This is the part of the trip most likely to appeal to beach lovers. You can get into the water, spend time on the sand, and enjoy a change of pace after the boat ride. The stop gives you freedom to relax rather than keeping you on a strict sightseeing schedule.

The water is described as clear, and the trip includes a chance to see local marine life while snorkeling. Still, conditions vary. Water clarity, visibility, and the quality of marine life can change from day to day. The details do not promise specific fish, coral, or snorkeling equipment, so bring your expectations down to a pleasant swim and a chance to look around underwater, not a specialist snorkeling expedition.

I would also keep your expectations about the island measured. Ile aux Cerfs is a popular stop, and one passenger felt it was not worth making a special detour for. That is useful advice. The island may be attractive and enjoyable, but it is not guaranteed to be the most memorable place in Mauritius for every visitor.

For me, the island works best as the relaxing final chapter of a varied cruise. You have already enjoyed the boat, the coast, the waterfall, and lunch. Ile aux Cerfs then gives you time to swim and sit in the sun before returning to Trou d’Eau Douce.

How the six-hour schedule feels

Six hours is long enough to make the outing feel worthwhile without taking over your entire day. You get time for sailing, a waterfall stop, lunch, and island activities, though the exact length of each segment can shift with tides and sea conditions.

The schedule is not fully detailed by the operator, so you should not expect fixed times for every stop. The day’s order can change. This is normal for a water-based activity, where the tide and water depth can affect access.

I recommend treating the itinerary as a clear outline rather than a minute-by-minute timetable:

• Meet at the Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce.
• Sail along the east coast.
• Visit Grand River South East Waterfalls.
• Eat a BBQ lunch and have drinks aboard.
• Land at Ile aux Cerfs.
• Swim, snorkel, and relax.
• Return to the original meeting point.

That structure makes the tour easy to understand, even if the order changes. You know what the day is designed to include, and you can enjoy the outing without constantly checking the clock.

Weather, tides, and what to pack

The tour can be rescheduled if the weather is adverse and the sea is rough. A little rain alone does not automatically cancel the trip. That distinction matters in Mauritius, where a cloudy or wet spell does not always prevent a useful day on the water.

If rough seas make the trip unsuitable, an alternative date is offered. If no date works for all parties, a full refund is offered. I would keep some flexibility in your holiday schedule if this cruise is important to you.

Tides and water depth may also change the order of the sites. That is not a flaw. It is a practical adjustment that helps the crew run the boat according to conditions.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen

You will want sunscreen even if the day begins cloudy, since the boat and beach provide limited shade information. Keep your belongings practical and compact. The essentials are the items you will actually use during a day built around swimming and sailing.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I think this trip suits you if you want a broad sample of east Mauritius in one booking. It is a good fit for couples, families, and small groups who want a mix of scenery, food, beach time, and easy water activities.

It also suits first-time visitors who do not want to arrange several separate excursions. The crew, boat, food, and main stops are grouped together, making the day simple to manage once you reach Trou d’Eau Douce.

You should think twice if your priority is a secluded beach or a long, serious snorkeling session. The island may feel too ordinary if you have already seen Mauritius’s best beaches, and the waterfall visit is scenic rather than a major walking adventure.

This is also not the right choice if you need hotel transport included. You must reach the meeting point yourself. That is easy to overlook when comparing prices, so add your own transport cost when working out the full value.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed six-hour boat outing that combines the east coast, Grand River South East Waterfalls, an onboard BBQ, and time to swim at Ile aux Cerfs. The included lunch, drinks, crew, and organized route make $64 a fair price for a day with several moving parts.

I would book this for the catamaran experience as a whole, not because Ile aux Cerfs is guaranteed to be your favorite place in Mauritius. The strongest points are the variety, the pleasant sailing, the meal, and the attentive crew service.

Skip it if you want a remote island, a highly active excursion, or a long waterfall hike. But if you want an uncomplicated day on the water with food included and no need to plan each stop yourself, this is a sensible east-coast choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise meet?

The meeting point is at the Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the activity last?

The catamaran outing lasts six hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the catamaran trip, crew, lunch, drinks, a visit to Grand River South East Waterfalls, and landing at Ile aux Cerfs.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Can I swim and snorkel during the trip?

Yes. At Ile aux Cerfs, you can swim, snorkel, and relax on the beach while enjoying the clear water and local marine life.

What languages are available?

The activity is available in Arabic, French, and English.

Can the itinerary change because of weather or tides?

Yes. Rough seas and adverse weather can lead to rescheduling. The order of the stops may also change depending on the tide and water depth.