Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

The best part of this seven-hour catamaran cruise is the mix of open-sea sailing, a waterfall stop, beach time, and lunch without changing boats all day. From Trou d’Eau Douce, you follow Mauritius’s east coast toward Ile aux Cerfs, with mountains behind you and wide ocean views ahead.

I like the friendly crew and relaxed onboard lunch, which includes BBQ chicken, fish, sausage, salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks. I also like that the trip combines several east-coast sights for $64, rather than charging separately for a boat ride and island visit. The catch is that snorkeling and swimming depend on wind, tide, and sea conditions, and the Ile aux Cerfs stop may feel short if beach time is your main goal.

Key points to know before booking

• Trou d’Eau Douce departure: The catamaran leaves from this east-coast village, and hotel pickup is not included.
• Two main sights: You visit Grand River South-East Waterfalls and Ile aux Cerfs, though the order can change with tides and water depth.
• Swimming and snorkeling: Both are planned, but rough or windy conditions can limit the water stops. Snorkeling equipment is not provided.
• Lunch onboard: The three-course meal includes BBQ chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.
• Beach time is limited: One reported outing allowed about 1.5 hours at Ile aux Cerfs, while the waterfall viewing took only a few minutes.
• Languages and flexibility: The crew operates in English and French, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option.

Setting sail from Trou d’Eau Douce

Trou d’Eau Douce is the natural starting point for an east-coast boat trip. Once aboard, the day opens with a long stretch of water, sea air, and views toward the coast. You are not simply being transported to Ile aux Cerfs. The catamaran ride is a major part of the experience.

This is a full-day outing, lasting about seven hours. That gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the boat, watch the coast pass, and enjoy a meal without rushing from one stop to the next. It also means you should be comfortable spending much of the day outdoors, often in sun and wind.

The catamaran provides a broad platform for taking in the views, but shade and seating may not be equal for everyone. One particularly critical account described the boat as needing repair and said there was not enough covered space for all passengers. I would bring a hat, sunscreen, and a light cover-up, then claim a comfortable shaded spot early if that matters to you.

The crew speaks English and French. The available information does not provide individual guide names, so you should not expect a named specialist guide. This is better understood as a hosted boat excursion, with the crew handling the sailing, stops, food, and general atmosphere.

The Grand River South-East Waterfalls stop

The first major sight is Grand River South-East Waterfalls, reached along the east coast. The falls create a striking change from the open sea: green slopes, rock, and falling water replace the broad horizon.

The stop is scenic, but do not picture a long walk or an extended waterfall visit. On one outing, the viewing time was reported as roughly three minutes. That is enough to take photographs and appreciate the setting, but not enough for a slow exploration.

The exact order of the waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs stops can change because of tide and water depth. This is important on a boat trip. The crew may adjust the schedule to keep the route workable, so you should treat the order as flexible rather than fixed.

If waterfalls are the main reason you are booking, this outing may feel too brief. If you see the falls as one attractive part of a larger sea day, the short stop makes more sense. Keep your camera ready, since the boat may not linger.

Swimming and snorkeling around Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the trip’s best-known stop, with pale sand and clear coastal water. You can leave the catamaran, walk onto the beach, swim, and spend time in the island setting.

Snorkeling is also part of the plan, but there is an important qualification: snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own gear or arrange it separately. The activity description promises swimming and snorkeling, yet actual water conditions can change what is possible.

One poor experience reported no snorkeling at all and found the designated swimming area too windy and unsafe. That does not mean every departure will have the same problem, but it does show why you should not book this trip solely for underwater viewing. Wind, tide, and sea conditions can make the water stop shorter, rougher, or different from the planned location.

I would treat snorkeling as a welcome extra rather than a guarantee. Pack your own mask and snorkel if you have them, but expect the crew to put safety first. If the sea is rough, no photograph or fish sighting is worth forcing the issue.

Beach time can also be more limited than the full-day label suggests. One account described about 1.5 hours on Ile aux Cerfs. That is enough to swim, dry off, and take a walk, but it is not a whole afternoon at the beach.

The island may also feel busier and less untouched than its photographs suggest. One positive but measured assessment found the lunch and boat atmosphere excellent while feeling that Ile aux Cerfs was no longer quite as paradisiacal as expected. Go for the easy access, water, and scenery, not for complete solitude.

BBQ lunch with drinks on the catamaran

Lunch is one of the stronger practical features of this trip. Instead of searching for food during a short island stop, you eat aboard the catamaran. The meal is listed as three courses: BBQ chicken, fish, and sausage, followed by green salad, dessert, and drinks.

Water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included. That makes the $64 price easier to assess, especially on a seven-hour outing where buying food and drinks separately could add up. The meal also keeps the group together and avoids using valuable beach time to find a restaurant.

The food is prepared and served by the crew. A positive account specifically praised the lunch and the overall atmosphere, while another called the day excellent and the team attentive. Those points matter because a boat trip depends as much on the onboard service as on the scenery.

Still, this is a casual BBQ, not a restaurant meal. If you have specific dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special menus, so ask before booking. If you do not drink alcohol, you still have water and soft drinks included, and the meal remains part of the price.

Alcohol can affect the tone of the afternoon. Some people enjoy a drink while sailing; others prefer a quieter boat. The experience is marketed as a relaxed ocean day, so expect a social atmosphere rather than a silent nature cruise.

What the seven-hour schedule really means

Seven hours gives this trip a pleasant sense of space, but the schedule is not the same as seven hours of island time. You will spend part of the day sailing, part at the waterfall, part eating, and part at Ile aux Cerfs.

That division is useful if you want variety. In one booking, you can see the east coast, reach the falls, eat a full lunch, and have time for the beach. It is less useful if your goal is one long stretch of swimming or snorkeling.

The sequence may change with tide and water depth. This can affect when you eat, when you reach the waterfall, and how long each stop lasts. You should remain flexible instead of planning another tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

The most serious complaint about the schedule involved a long pause connected with optional parasailing and towable rides sold through a partner. The available information does not state that every departure includes this delay, but you should ask before boarding if you do not want extra water activities. If the boat stops for these options, that time may reduce the time available for the island or swimming.

Is $64 a good value?

At $64 per person, the trip offers a lot in one package: a catamaran cruise, the Grand River South-East Waterfalls, Ile aux Cerfs, a three-course lunch, and drinks. For someone who wants a simple full-day east-coast outing, that is a reasonable price.

The value depends on what you care about most. If you want a smooth combination of sailing, food, views, and a beach stop, the package is strong. If you want premium boat comfort, long snorkeling sessions, or several hours alone on Ile aux Cerfs, the value is less certain.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be arranged for an additional charge. Factor in your transport to Trou d’Eau Douce before comparing this with other excursions. Snorkeling equipment is also extra, so bring your own if possible.

The reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your plans are still moving. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. In bad weather or rough seas, the operator may reschedule the trip. If another suitable date cannot be arranged, a full refund is offered.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad sample of Mauritius’s east coast in one day. It suits couples, friends, and active families who enjoy being on the water and do not need every minute planned around a single beach.

It is also a good fit if lunch and drinks included in the price matter to you. You can spend the day outdoors without arranging a separate meal, and the English and French crew make basic communication straightforward.

You may want another option if you need reliable wheelchair access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also not suitable for pregnant women.

This is not the best match for a serious snorkeler. The equipment is not included, conditions can cancel the water portion, and one outing had no snorkeling at all. Nor is it ideal if your only goal is Ile aux Cerfs, since the island stop may last around 1.5 hours and the waterfall visit may be very brief.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. You will want dry clothing after swimming, particularly if you plan to sit on the boat for the return trip.

Bring snorkeling equipment if you want to use it, since the tour does not supply masks or snorkels. A hat and light cover-up are sensible additions because shade may be limited.

Keep your belongings compact and easy to secure. The supplied information does not describe storage arrangements, so avoid bringing anything you do not need on a boat and beach day.

My booking advice

Book this excursion if you want a social, varied east-coast day with sailing, a BBQ, drinks, a waterfall photo stop, and time at Ile aux Cerfs. The crew and lunch receive the clearest praise, and the $64 price is fair for the number of included elements.

Book with realistic expectations. The waterfall stop may be quick, island time may be limited, and snorkeling depends on conditions. If those limits suit you, this is a practical way to see several popular coastal sights without organizing each piece yourself. If you want quiet beaches, long snorkeling sessions, or a polished luxury catamaran, choose a more specialized trip.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Trou d’Eau Douce in Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts about seven hours.

What places does the cruise visit?

The route includes Grand River South-East Waterfalls and Ile aux Cerfs. The order of the stops can change with tide and water depth.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a three-course BBQ with chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring or arrange your own snorkeling equipment.

Can I swim during the excursion?

Swimming is included in the planned experience, but rough seas, wind, tide, and safety conditions can change the swimming arrangements.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, although they may be arranged separately for an additional cost.

What languages does the crew speak?

The tour is available in English and French.

What happens if the weather is bad?

In adverse weather conditions, apart from ordinary rain, or during rough seas, the trip may be rescheduled. If a suitable alternative date cannot be arranged, a full refund is offered.