Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs catamaran cruise Lunch with BBQ

The best part of this day is the mix of open-water sailing and easy island time. You leave Trou D’Eau Douce in the morning, pass the Grand River South East waterfall, stop for swimming and snorkeling, eat lunch on board, then spend time on the white beaches of Ile aux Cerfs.

I like the friendly, playful crew, which turns a simple boat ride into a social day. I also like the generous food and drinks: a halal BBQ, soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum are included. The main drawback is the morning organization. One guest waited about an hour while people boarded, and the music can be loud early in the day.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat leaves around 9:10 a.m. Arrive at the Trou D’Eau Douce fishing port by 9:00 a.m. so you are ready to board.
• The route includes three different settings: a river waterfall, a lagoon swimming stop, and Ile aux Cerfs beach time.
• Lunch is served on the catamaran, with a halal BBQ and vegetarian food available by request.
• Drinks are included without a strict one-drink limit, including beer, wine, local rum, juice, water, and soft drinks.
• Mauritian Sega music and dancing finish the return trip, a fun local touch rather than a quiet sunset cruise.
• Hotel transport and Ile aux Cerfs watersports cost extra, so check your plans before booking.

From Trou D’Eau Douce to open water

Your morning begins at the Trou D’Eau Douce fishing port on Mauritius’s east coast. The meeting point is called the Trou D’Eau Douce Debarcader fishing port, and the boat is due to leave at about 9:10 a.m.

That timing matters. The port can be confusing if you arrive without knowing which boat or crew to find, and one account describes the tour staff arriving shortly after 9:00. I would arrive early, keep your booking details ready, and allow time to get your bearings before boarding.

The cruise lasts about seven hours, with the boat operating roughly from 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is a full day, not a short scenic ride. You will spend much of it on the catamaran, so bring swimwear, beachwear, sunglasses, and a camera. A hat and sun protection would also be sensible, though they are not specifically listed among the required items.

The catamaran is described as large, with room for a group-style outing rather than a private sailing trip. You should expect a friendly shared atmosphere, music, food service, and conversation. If you want a silent, small-group cruise with a carefully timed schedule, this may feel too lively.

Grand River South East waterfall

The first major stop is Grand River South East waterfall. The river runs out toward the east coast, and the waterfall gives the morning a change of pace before the boat heads toward the lagoon and open coastline.

This stop is valuable because it adds more than beach scenery to the day. You see a piece of Mauritius from the water, with mountain views around the river mouth. The approach itself is part of the experience, as the catamaran moves through calmer river water before continuing toward the coast.

The supplied details do not state how long the boat remains at the waterfall or whether you leave the catamaran. Plan on viewing the falls as part of the boat route rather than assuming a long walking stop. If photographing the waterfall matters to you, keep your camera ready and protect it from spray.

This is also a good reminder that the trip is built around several short experiences rather than one long stay at a single site. The day keeps moving, which suits you if you want a broad taste of the east coast in one outing.

Swimming and snorkeling in the lagoon

After the waterfall, the catamaran heads along the coastline for a swimming and snorkeling break. The water is described as clear, and the stop gives you a chance to cool off before lunch.

Bring swimwear under your clothes if possible. You will spend less time changing and more time in the water. The activity information does not promise specific marine life, coral, or provided snorkeling equipment, so avoid booking this solely for a major reef experience. It is better understood as a relaxed water stop during a sightseeing cruise.

The timing of this break can affect how much you enjoy the whole day. One account described an hour lost during boarding, with less time available for snorkeling as a result. That makes an early arrival especially useful. It also explains why some people may find the schedule less satisfying if the morning gets delayed.

You should ask the crew about the swimming arrangements when you board. The operator provides a snorkeling and swimming stop, but the supplied information does not spell out equipment rental or changing facilities. Pack only what you need on deck and keep phones or cameras secure around the water.

BBQ lunch on the catamaran

Lunch is served on board after the swimming and snorkeling stop. The meal is a BBQ, and the food is halal. Vegetarian choices are available if you request them in advance.

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. You are not left to find lunch on Ile aux Cerfs, and you do not need to carry a separate meal. Eating on the catamaran also keeps the day moving, with the sea around you instead of a restaurant setting.

The food has received especially warm praise, including from people who chose vegetarian options. That is useful if your group has different diets. Still, you should request vegetarian food before the cruise rather than wait until lunch service.

Included drinks are generous: soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum are listed. This makes the $59 price easier to assess. A separate beach lunch, drinks, a waterfall visit, and a boat trip could quickly cost more if arranged independently. The value is strongest for you if you expect to eat and drink on board and want a full-day outing rather than a bare transfer to the island.

The drinks also shape the mood. This is a social cruise with a festive feel, not a wellness retreat. If you prefer a quiet boat, sit away from the music when possible and tell the crew if the sound is uncomfortable. One guest found the morning music too loud, even though the general atmosphere was positive.

Ile aux Cerfs beach time

The next main stop is Ile aux Cerfs, one of Mauritius’s best-known beach destinations. Expect white sand, palm trees, and clear turquoise lagoon water. The island is the classic picture-postcard part of the outing, and it gives you time away from the catamaran.

You can swim in the lagoon, relax on the sand, and walk around at your own pace. There is also a local craft market where you can look for Mauritian souvenirs. The market is a useful addition for anyone who wants something small to take home, though you should treat it as optional rather than the reason to book the cruise.

The activity does not state exactly how long you stay on the island. That means you should not assume you will have hours for every possible activity. The schedule also does not include watersports at Ile aux Cerfs. If you want those, budget separately and check what is available when you arrive.

For many people, this beach stop will be the visual high point of the day. The tradeoff is that Ile aux Cerfs is a major day-trip destination, so the experience is designed around a shared, popular island visit rather than a private beach escape. The catamaran, meal, music, and group atmosphere are just as important as the sand.

Sega music on the return sail

After the island visit, the catamaran returns to Trou D’Eau Douce. The crew adds Mauritian Sega music and dancing during the return journey.

Sega is a traditional Mauritian music and dance style, and this part gives the cruise a local character that a standard boat transfer would lack. The crew may sing and dance, and the activity becomes more of a party as the day winds down. Several comments praise the crew’s singing, dancing, friendliness, and effort to keep everyone involved.

I like this ending because it is simple and genuine. You are not just being delivered back to the jetty. You get a taste of a living part of Mauritian culture, presented by the people running the boat.

It is not for everyone. If you want a calm return with only the sound of the sea, the music may feel too much. The cruise is best for people who enjoy a shared celebration and do not mind a little noise.

Crew, service, and the feel on board

The crew is the most consistently praised part of this experience. They are described as friendly, attentive, funny, and eager to help. That matters on a day when the same team handles boarding, drinks, lunch, music, and the general flow of the boat.

You can expect a warm, hands-on style rather than a formal guided tour. English and French are available, so the cruise should suit speakers of either language. No individual guide names are provided, but the crew’s presence is central to the experience.

The service is not perfectly polished. The early boarding process appears to be the weak point, with one account describing a long wait and another saying the responsible staff arrived shortly after the expected meeting time. Once underway, the day seems to run more smoothly, but you should keep expectations realistic. This is a lively local boat outing, not a tightly choreographed luxury cruise.

Music begins early and can be loud. I would choose this trip if I wanted energy, social contact, and a festive mood. I would choose another kind of cruise if I wanted silence, privacy, or a small number of passengers.

What the $59 price really covers

At $59 per person, the cruise offers solid value for a seven-hour day. The price includes the catamaran ride, Grand River South East waterfall, the swimming and snorkeling stop, BBQ lunch, a range of drinks, Ile aux Cerfs, and the Sega entertainment.

The value is especially good if you would otherwise pay separately for:

• A boat trip from the east coast
• Lunch and drinks
• A beach visit to Ile aux Cerfs
• A waterfall excursion
• A cultural music performance

The price does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to arrange your own way to Trou D’Eau Douce unless a separate transfer is available. Ile aux Cerfs watersports are also extra.

This is not the cheapest possible way to spend time by the sea, but it bundles the day neatly. You pay for convenience, food, drinks, and entertainment as well as transport. Couples and groups who want a simple day with little planning will get the most from that arrangement.

Weather and practical limits

Weather matters on the east coast. November and December can bring rain and poor conditions, so check the forecast before booking. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The operator advises booking at least two days before the outing. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius schedule depends on weather.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people over 70. These restrictions may relate to boarding, movement on the catamaran, or the swimming and island portions, but no detailed explanation is provided. If you have mobility concerns or need special assistance, contact the provider before paying.

Pets and fireworks are not allowed. Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a camera, and beachwear. Pack light, since you will be moving between the boat, water, and beach during the day.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This trip suits you if you want to see several east-coast highlights without arranging separate excursions. It works particularly well for couples, friends, and families who enjoy food, music, swimming, and a friendly group setting.

You will probably like it if you:

• Want a full-day boat outing for one fixed price
• Enjoy a festive atmosphere
• Prefer lunch and drinks to be handled for you
• Want both a waterfall and a beach stop
• Are happy with shared activities
• Like local music and dancing

You may want another option if you:

• Need guaranteed quiet
• Want a private or small-group sailing trip
• Care most about long snorkeling time
• Need hotel transportation included
• Want watersports included at Ile aux Cerfs
• Have mobility limits or are over 70

The cruise’s strongest features are not luxury or perfect timing. They are the crew, the food, the easy combination of stops, and the cheerful Mauritian finish.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

I would book this trip if I wanted a relaxed, social day that covers the east coast’s main water attractions. The combination of waterfall, swimming, BBQ, drinks, Ile aux Cerfs, and Sega music gives you plenty for $59.

Arrive early, check the weather, request vegetarian food ahead of time, and expect music and a shared group atmosphere. If you can accept a possible boarding delay and do not need included hotel transport, this is a good-value way to spend a day on Mauritius’s east coast.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from the Trou D’Eau Douce Debarcader fishing port on the east coast of Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at 9:00 a.m. The catamaran leaves the jetty at about 9:10 a.m., so arriving on time is important.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours, from roughly 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on board the catamaran, and the food is halal.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available upon request. Request one before the cruise.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be arranged separately.

Are watersports at Ile aux Cerfs included?

No. Watersports activities at Ile aux Cerfs are not included in the price.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.