Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Tour with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this day is the mix of catamaran sailing and island time. You start with a waterfall visit, pause for swimming and snorkeling, then settle into a barbecue lunch and open bar before reaching Ile aux Cerfs. It gives you more than a beach stop, without packing the day with unrelated sights.

I especially like the small maximum group of 20 and the crew’s role in keeping the boat lively with Mauritian music, local stories, and jokes. The other strong point is value: at $70, lunch, drinks, boat transport, and several stops are included. The catch is the long nine-hour schedule, and the weather can affect the entire outing.

• Grand River South East waterfall: A short river visit with views of monkeys and fruit bats among the trees.
• Several water stops: Swimming and snorkeling are built into the day before lunch and the island visit.
• Barbecue lunch and open bar: Food is served on the beach or catamaran, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included.
• Ile aux Cerfs leisure time: You can swim, snorkel, walk the sand, or choose optional paid or package-based activities.
• Small group size: The boat accepts no more than 20 people, which should feel calmer than packed catamarans.
• Flexible cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund, or receive a refund if poor weather cancels the trip.

A Full Day From Trou d’Eau Douce

This is a classic east-coast Mauritius boat day, but it has enough variety to keep it from feeling like nine hours of sitting on a beach. You leave Trou d’Eau Douce in the morning, cruise toward Grand River South East, stop for water activities, eat lunch, spend time at Ile aux Cerfs, and return around 4 p.m.

That long schedule matters. You are not paying for a quick boat transfer and a short island visit. You are buying a full day on the water, with food, drinks, music, scenery, and several chances to get wet.

The tour begins at 8:30 a.m. at Trou d’Eau Douce, with the catamaran departing at 9. Pickup is offered, but the supplied details do not specify pickup areas or whether every pickup is included in the $70 price. Confirm that point before booking if you are staying far from the meeting point.

The boat takes up to 20 people. That is a useful detail because catamaran tours can vary sharply in comfort. A smaller boat usually gives you more room to sit, move around, and speak with the crew. It also makes the day feel less like a floating party bar, although music and drinks are still central to the experience.

Grand River South East Before the Sea

The first stop is Grand River South East waterfall, about 500 meters upstream. The visit lasts roughly 30 minutes, so think of it as a scenic introduction rather than a long river expedition.

You can look for monkeys moving through the old trees and fruit bats resting high above the river. The tour also says you may feed the monkeys. I would treat that as an optional moment, not the main reason to visit. Watching the animals in their setting is the more worthwhile part, and you should follow whatever instructions the crew gives about feeding.

The waterfall stop adds a little local character before the beach portion begins. You see a different side of Mauritius than the bright coastal water, with trees, riverbanks, and wildlife replacing sand and palms.

The limitation is time. Thirty minutes is enough for a look and some photos, but not for a slow walk or a serious nature visit. If the waterfall is your main interest, this tour will feel too brief. If you want a pleasant change of scene during a catamaran day, it fits nicely.

Snorkeling and Swimming in the Lagoon

After the river stop, the catamaran heads toward Ile aux Cerfs through clear lagoon water. The route includes scheduled swimming and snorkeling breaks before or around lunch.

You can expect coral reefs and tropical fish, with the chance to see a range of marine life. The description also mentions sea turtles, but sightings are never guaranteed. That is worth keeping in mind. The water portion is a chance to explore, not a promise of a particular animal encounter.

The boat’s snorkeling stops are one of the better reasons to choose this trip over a simple beach transfer. You get time in the water and then time on land, rather than having to choose one or the other. If you like to alternate between activity and rest, the pace works well.

Still, the day is not built around expert snorkeling. There is no supplied information about specialist guides, equipment quality, or long reef sessions. If snorkeling is your top priority, ask what gear is provided and how many stops are planned. The wording says several stops, but exact times and locations can vary.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. Those are practical basics for any boat day, especially when swimming comes before lunch and the island visit. The tour information does not list gear rentals or changing facilities, so do not count on extras unless the operator confirms them.

Barbecue Lunch and an Open Bar

Lunch is a barbecue served either on the beach or on the catamaran. That flexible setup is helpful because the crew can adjust to the conditions and the day’s schedule. You are not expected to leave the boat to find a restaurant, and you can keep the group experience going without another transfer.

Drinks are included through a full open bar, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices. This is a major part of the $70 value. Boat excursions often become expensive once you add lunch, soft drinks, beer, or cocktails separately. Here, those costs are built into the tour price.

The open bar also shapes the atmosphere. The crew plays local Mauritian music, tells stories, and keeps the mood social. One especially strong part of the experience is the crew’s attentiveness. The day works best when the staff stays engaged, helps people feel comfortable, and keeps the boat from becoming a simple transport service.

The tradeoff is that a free-flowing bar may not suit everyone. Families, nondrinkers, and people who prefer a quiet cruise should know that music and alcohol are part of the format. Non-alcoholic drinks are included, so you can enjoy the boat without drinking, but this is not designed as a silent nature cruise.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event. As you approach, expect palm trees, white sand, and clear blue-green water along the east coast. The island gives you room to slow down after the active part of the morning.

You can stroll along the beach, swim, snorkel, or simply sit in the sand. This free time is important because the tour does not force you into an activity every minute. After the waterfall and water stops, you can choose a quiet stretch of the afternoon.

The island also has optional activities, depending on the package you select. These may include parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding. Parasailing gives you a higher view across the coast, while undersea walking and tube riding offer different ways to spend time in the water.

Do not assume every activity is included in the $70 base price. The wording says availability depends on your package and that you may be entitled to these activities. Check the exact package before you pay, especially if one of them is the main reason you are booking.

I like this setup because it gives you a choice. You can treat Ile aux Cerfs as a beach break, or use it for a more active afternoon if your package allows. The drawback is that two hours is not a huge amount of time once you account for getting off the boat, finding your place, swimming, and joining an optional activity.

What the Crew Adds to the Day

The crew is central to this excursion. You can expect local Mauritian music, stories, jokes, and help throughout the cruise. That makes the boat ride part of the experience rather than dead time between stops.

The strongest praise concerns the crew’s energy and attention. The staff is described as happy, helpful, and focused on making the day enjoyable. That is exactly what you want on a long shared boat trip. A friendly crew can make boarding, lunch, swimming stops, and the return ride feel easy.

No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named historian or specialist naturalist. This is a social sightseeing cruise, not a formal guided ecology program. You will get local flavor and conversation, but the supplied details do not promise detailed commentary at every stop.

The group cap of 20 is another plus. It cannot guarantee a quiet boat, since music and the open bar are part of the plan, but it should reduce the cramped feeling you can get on larger catamarans.

Is $70 Good Value?

At $70 per person, this is a strong package if you intend to use the inclusions. You receive roughly nine hours of activity, catamaran transport, the waterfall stop, swimming and snorkeling breaks, a barbecue lunch, open-bar drinks, and time at Ile aux Cerfs.

The value is strongest for people who want an all-day outing with very little extra spending once aboard. Lunch and drinks alone can add up on a day near a popular island. The smaller group also gives the price more appeal than a bare-bones transfer on a crowded boat.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike group activities, or only want a few hours at the beach. You are still paying for the long cruise, music, lunch, and stops. A quieter private boat or a shorter beach trip could suit you better, though no alternative prices are provided here.

The optional activities need careful checking. Parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding are mentioned, but the exact package terms are not clear. Ask before booking what is included, what costs extra, and how much time each activity takes.

Timing, Weather, and Practical Details

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. and returns to Trou d’Eau Douce around 4 p.m. Allow the full day, even though the stated duration is approximately nine hours. The timing includes boarding, the boat ride, the stops, lunch, island time, and the return.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, and mobile tickets are accepted. Confirmation is provided when you book.

Weather matters here more than on a museum visit. The experience requires good weather, and a poor-weather cancellation brings the choice of a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, refunds are not available, and changes are not accepted.

One practical warning: the tour information gives the meeting point as Trou d’Eau Douce, but does not spell out every pickup detail. If you need hotel transportation, confirm the pickup location, timing, and any extra charge before you finalize the reservation.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Trip?

I would recommend this day to you if you want a social, easygoing boat outing with several ingredients in one package. It suits couples, friends, families, and anyone who likes to mix swimming, sightseeing, food, music, and beach time.

It is also a good fit if you want the crew to handle the day’s basic logistics. You do not need to arrange separate transport to the waterfall, lunch, snorkeling stops, and Ile aux Cerfs.

You may want another option if you prefer a quiet boat, a private guide, serious wildlife watching, or a tightly focused snorkeling trip. The schedule is broad rather than deep. You get a taste of several Mauritius highlights, not a long expert visit at one site.

The French-speaking review included one useful caution: bad weather made the experience slow to get going. That is a reminder to keep expectations realistic. Cloud, wind, and rain can change the mood of a water day, even when the crew does its best.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want a full Mauritius day with a good range of inclusions and a cheerful crew. The combination of Grand River South East, snorkeling, barbecue lunch, open-bar drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs is hard to beat at $70, especially with a 20-person maximum.

Before booking, confirm your pickup details and the exact package for parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding. If you are happy with a social catamaran and a long day, this is a sensible, good-value choice. If you want silence, privacy, or serious snorkeling time, choose a more specialized outing instead.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Trou d’Eau Douce in Mauritius. The meeting time is 8:30 a.m., and the catamaran departs at 9 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours. The boat is scheduled to return to Trou d’Eau Douce around 4 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is included and may be served on the beach or on the catamaran.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes an open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

What activities are available at Ile aux Cerfs?

You can walk on the beach, swim, and snorkel. Depending on your package, parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding may also be available.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund.