Catamaran cruise to Ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch

The best part of this six-hour Mauritius outing is the variety. You move from the GRSE waterfalls to a clear-water snorkel stop, then eat a BBQ lunch aboard the catamaran before spending time on Ile aux Cerfs. It is a full day by island standards, but the pace stays easy.

I like the fact that lunch, soft drinks, water, alcohol, and snorkel gear are included. I also like the friendly, musical atmosphere, with a guitarist and singer accompanying lunch on some departures. The main caution is timing: departures have occasionally started late, and one itinerary change left some people with only about an hour on Ile aux Cerfs.

Key points

• A varied six-hour route: Waterfalls, snorkeling, lunch, lagoon views, and beach time all fit into one outing.
• GRSE waterfalls first: Green scenery and possible monkey sightings make this more than a simple beach transfer.
• BBQ with drinks included: Meat and fish are served with a steady supply of water, soda, and alcoholic drinks.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the final stop: Expect attractive beaches, but your time ashore may be shorter than planned.
• Small-to-medium group size: The boat takes no more than 30 people, which helps keep the day sociable rather than huge.
• Bring your own transport plan: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the $63.35 price.

What the $63.35 price really covers

At $63.35 per person, this is a good-value day on the water if you plan to use the included food and drinks. You are not paying only for a boat ride to Ile aux Cerfs. The fare covers the catamaran cruise, snorkel equipment, lunch, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages.

That matters in Mauritius, where a beach outing can become more expensive once you add transport, food, and drinks. Here, the main extra cost is getting to Trou d’Eau Douce. Private transportation and hotel pickup are not included, although some people arrange a paid transfer through Tino Boats. One review specifically found that the company’s pickup service was cheaper than a taxi, so it is worth asking about before you book.

The group limit is 30 people. That is not an intimate private sailing trip, but it is far more manageable than a large excursion boat. You can expect a social day, shared facilities, and a lively atmosphere rather than quiet solitude.

Starting from Trou d’Eau Douce

The tour begins at the Tino Boats meeting point on Route Royale in Trou d’Eau Douce. The ticket redemption point is Chez Tino on B59, also in Trou d’Eau Douce. The stated cruise time is 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., though the booking information lists opening hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I would arrive early. One departure was reported to begin about an hour late because additional people were added or arrived late. That can cut into your time at Ile aux Cerfs, especially if the crew adjusts the route to accommodate another paid activity.

The boat returns to the same meeting point. Since transfers are excluded, check your route to Trou d’Eau Douce before booking. The meeting point is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not specify particular bus routes or travel times.

The GRSE waterfalls make a strong opening

The first sailing stop is near the GRSE waterfalls. You get green coastal scenery and a view of water spilling into the lagoon. Monkeys may appear in the area, and some people have also seen bats nearby.

This is a short scenic stop rather than a long inland walk. That makes it suitable if you want to see one of the area’s natural sights without giving up the rest of the day. Keep your expectations sensible: the waterfall visit is one part of a moving itinerary, not a standalone nature excursion.

The stop also gives you an early sense of the setting. Instead of heading straight to a crowded beach, the cruise starts among coastal greenery, boats, and shallow tropical water. I like that order. It gives the day a bit of shape before the swimming and lunch begin.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

After the waterfall stop, the catamaran heads to a snorkeling area. The water is described as clear, and the crew provides the basic snorkel equipment. You can swim, look for marine life, or stay aboard and enjoy the lagoon views.

The snorkeling is best viewed as a pleasant included activity, not a specialist wildlife trip. The tour description points to wildlife-rich water, but sightings are never guaranteed. If you care most about coral, fish variety, or long time in the water, ask how long the stop usually lasts before departure.

You also have a choice here. You can get into the water, relax on the sunlit deck, or simply watch the lagoon. That flexibility works well for mixed groups, especially when one person wants to snorkel and another would rather stay dry.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a way to protect your phone. The supplied information confirms snorkel gear, but not towels or dry storage. A light cover-up is useful for the boat ride and for the time between swimming and lunch.

BBQ lunch with music and open drinks

Lunch follows the snorkeling stop. The meal is a BBQ, with meat and fish mentioned in the feedback, and it is served on the catamaran. Water, soda, and alcoholic beverages are included, so you do not need to budget for drinks during the cruise.

The food receives some of the strongest praise connected with this outing. The BBQ is described as tasty, plentiful, and delicious. That is important because a six-hour cruise with swimming and sun can feel long if lunch is an afterthought.

The mood is part of the meal. A singer and guitarist may perform, and the music has been described as young, upbeat, and relaxed. If you want a silent sailing trip with only the sound of the sea, this may not be your ideal choice. If you enjoy a social boat with music, drinks, and conversation, it should fit well.

Alcohol is included, but pace yourself. You still have swimming and a beach stop ahead. The tour is designed as a relaxed day, not a drinking cruise, and staying comfortable matters more than making full use of every included beverage.

Time on Ile aux Cerfs

After lunch, the boat heads to Ile aux Cerfs, the trip’s main beach stop. You can swim, walk along the sand, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the island scenery. The beaches are the main attraction, and the shallow turquoise water gives the island its postcard appeal.

Ile aux Cerfs is also where expectations need the most care. The setting is attractive, but one review found the island overhyped and felt there was little to do beyond the beach. That is a fair warning. Come for the sand, water, and scenery, not for a long list of cultural sights or complicated activities.

Time ashore can vary. The planned schedule suggests roughly two hours, but one departure left only about an hour because of a late start and a change in the order of activities. If the island is your top priority, ask the crew at the start of the day how much time is planned there.

This is also why the route’s flexibility can cut both ways. The crew may offer another paid activity, and if people choose it, the schedule can be rearranged. The extra activity is not compulsory, but it may affect how long you spend at the island. Decide early how strongly you want to protect your beach time.

The crew and the feel of the day

The crew is one of the clearest strengths of the outing. The available comments repeatedly describe the staff as friendly, professional, caring, and attentive to drinks and food. Names given for crew members include Tomi, Lori, and Adrienne, though spelling may vary.

That personal service matters on a shared boat. The crew handles the practical rhythm of anchoring, swimming, serving lunch, and getting people back on board. A well-run schedule keeps the day pleasant, while poor timing can quickly make a short island stop feel rushed.

The atmosphere is lively without needing to be formal. Music, BBQ food, and open drinks create a casual group setting. I would choose this trip for company and variety, not for a private, hushed sailing experience.

Weather, timing, and practical tradeoffs

The cruise depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is useful in Mauritius, where wind and rain can change the quality of a day on the water.

The experience lasts about six hours, with a stated return around 4 p.m. The route includes several stops, so you should expect movement between activities rather than long, unbroken time at any one place. The advantage is variety. The tradeoff is that no single stop gets the whole afternoon.

Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 30. The supplied information does not give detailed guidance about mobility access, boat boarding, or facilities, so ask Tino Boats directly if you have specific access needs.

The cruise is also not designed only for swimmers. You can stay on deck during the snorkeling stop, enjoy the views, and spend your island time on the beach. Still, the day makes the most sense if you are comfortable around water and happy to be in the sun.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy way to combine several Mauritius highlights without planning separate transport, lunch, and boat trips. It suits couples, friends, and families who like a social day with swimming, music, food, and scenery.

It is especially good for anyone who values included drinks and a generous lunch. The crew’s friendly service adds to the appeal, and the 30-person limit keeps the group from becoming unwieldy.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a long, quiet visit to Ile aux Cerfs. The island may receive less time than expected, and its appeal is mainly beaches and water. I would also look elsewhere if you want serious snorkeling, a private sailing trip, or a tightly controlled schedule with no possibility of delays.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and poor-weather cancellations qualify for a new date or full refund.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts about six hours. It is scheduled to leave Trou d’Eau Douce at about 9:30 a.m. and return to the meeting point around 4 p.m.

What is included in the price?

The price includes lunch, snorkel equipment, alcoholic beverages, soda, and bottled water. The cruise itself is also included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Private transportation and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Paid pickup may be available through Tino Boats.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Tino Boats on Route Royale in Trou d’Eau Douce. It finishes back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity has a maximum of 30 participants.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want strong value, a friendly crew, a BBQ lunch with drinks, and a full day that mixes waterfalls, snorkeling, music, and beach time. The trip gives you more than a simple ride to Ile aux Cerfs.

Just keep the schedule in mind. Delays can happen, the island stop may be shorter than planned, and Ile aux Cerfs is primarily about its beach rather than sightseeing. If you are happy with that tradeoff, this is an easy, well-priced way to spend a day on Mauritius’s eastern lagoon.