All inclusive CATAMARAN with BBQ : Ile aux cerf & GRSE waterfall

The main draw here is simple: you get a full day on the water with GRSE Waterfall, snorkeling, and Ile aux Cerfs folded into one package. Add a BBQ lunch, rum, cocktails, beer, music, transport, and a return ride, and this is built for an easy day rather than a quiet or highly tailored cruise.

I like the convenience of private pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius, along with the fact that food and drinks are handled onboard. I also like the mix of stops: the waterfall gives you a photo break, while Ile aux Cerfs brings the white sand and bright water. The tradeoff is that this is a shared party boat, and organization can suffer when the catamaran is full.

Key points at a glance

• Three major stops in one day: Visit GRSE Waterfall, pause for snorkeling, and spend time on Ile aux Cerfs.
• Private road transport included: A certified driver collects you and returns you to your resort or chosen location.
• BBQ and drinks onboard: Lunch, dessert, rum, cocktails, beer, and continuous drink service are included.
• A social catamaran, not a luxury yacht: Music and dancing are part of the appeal, but the boat may feel crowded.
• Early timing matters: The stated start time is 7:30 a.m., and you should reach Trou d’Eau Douce by 9:15 a.m.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.

A full day from pickup to the open water

This experience lasts about eight hours, with pickup offered from any location in Mauritius. The day begins early, with a listed start time of 7:30 a.m. You are expected to reach Trou d’Eau Douce by 9:15 a.m., so allow plenty of time for the drive.

Your certified driver takes you to the departure area and provides basic information about Mauritius along the way. The private car is one of the better parts of the package. It removes the need to arrange a taxi for the return and gives you a direct ride back after a long day in the sun.

Once you reach the waterfront, you are assigned to your catamaran. The boat can carry up to 35 people, so this is not a private cruise in the usual sense. Your road transport may be private, but the time on the water is shared with other paying passengers.

That distinction matters. If you want music, conversation, drinks, and a lively group setting, the shared format can be fun. If you picture a quiet deck with plenty of personal space, you may find the setup less appealing.

GRSE Waterfall brings the first big photo stop

GRSE Waterfall is one of the day’s headline attractions. The catamaran takes you toward the waterfall, described as a popular place for photography and a difficult area to reach independently.

The visit gives the day some variety. You are not simply sailing, eating, and sitting on a beach. The waterfall adds a short nature stop and a chance to take photographs from the water.

The practical point is to keep your camera or phone ready, but protect it from spray. The exact amount of time at the waterfall can depend on the day’s schedule and the number of people onboard. This is a shared outing, so the captain and crew need to move a fairly large group through each part of the program.

GRSE Waterfall is best treated as a scenic stop rather than a long independent walk. The information provided does not promise a hike or a visit to the base of the falls. You should expect a boat-based sightseeing stop with photography as a major part of the appeal.

Snorkeling adds an active break

The catamaran makes a stop for snorkeling equipment and an included snorkeling experience. Gear is provided onboard, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental.

This is useful for anyone who wants more than a sightseeing cruise. You can get into the water, take a closer look below the surface, and then return to the boat for lunch or drinks.

Keep your expectations sensible. The duration of the snorkeling stop can change with the number of people swimming, and the crew has to manage everyone safely. On a boat carrying up to 35 people, not everyone will enter the water at the same moment.

The itinerary also includes toilets onboard, which is a small but important comfort on an eight-hour outing. Continuous drink service means you can remain on the boat without needing to find a shop or restaurant between stops.

BBQ lunch, dessert, and drinks are part of the fare

Lunch is served as a BBQ on the catamaran, with dessert included. Drinks include alcoholic options such as rum, cocktails, and beer, and the package describes continued service during the day.

This is where the $113.97 price begins to make more sense. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The fare also covers private transfers, the BBQ meal, drinks, snorkeling gear, the waterfall stop, and time at Ile aux Cerfs.

The food is designed for convenience and a social setting, not for a formal dining experience. You eat while the day continues around you, with music playing and other people sharing the deck.

The drinks are also central to the mood. The boat is promoted as a fun, musical outing, and the combination of cocktails, rum, beer, and music gives it a party-cruise character. That will suit you if you enjoy a casual group atmosphere. It may not suit you if you prefer a calm sail with limited alcohol service.

One caution is worth noting: the loading of passengers, food, and supplies has reportedly taken more than an hour on some departures. That can make the first part of the day feel disorganized. The operator has acknowledged that busy periods, especially around the end of December and January, can be especially crowded.

Ile aux Cerfs is the beach payoff

After the waterfall and onboard meal, the boat continues to Ile aux Cerfs. This is the beach portion of the day, with white sand and clear blue water.

Ile aux Cerfs is a good counterpoint to GRSE Waterfall. The waterfall is about scenery and photographs. The islet gives you time to sit, swim, and enjoy the coast at a slower pace.

The word island can suggest a remote escape, but this excursion is a shared day trip with a set schedule. You should expect other people, music, and the practical limits of a popular stop. The experience is more about enjoying a beautiful beach as part of a social outing than finding solitude.

The schedule also means your time ashore may be limited. The catamaran needs to return to Mauritius, and the day includes several planned sections. If you want a long, unhurried beach day, a dedicated Ile aux Cerfs trip may be a better fit. If you want to combine beach time with a waterfall, snorkeling, food, and drinks, this package covers more ground.

The return trip keeps the party going

After the stop at Ile aux Cerfs, you return to the catamaran for the trip back toward Mauritius. More drinks are served, and the music continues.

Sega music and dancing have been especially well received as part of the atmosphere. This gives the ride a distinctly Mauritian flavor, although the mood depends on the group onboard. Some departures may feel lively and friendly. Others may feel too crowded or less welcoming if the boat is filled with groups who already know one another.

That social element is important to understand before booking. You are buying a place on a group excursion, not a private charter. A good crew can keep the mood warm, but the mix of people changes from one departure to the next.

On arrival, your driver is expected to be waiting with a private air-conditioned car for the return to your accommodation. The driver service has been a strong part of the experience, with particular praise for personal, helpful service. If road transport is a worry, this is one of the package’s most useful features.

What the $113.97 price really covers

At $113.97 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day on the coast. It is also not simply a catamaran ticket.

The price combines several separate costs:

• Private pickup and return transport
• Catamaran travel for about eight hours
• Visit to GRSE Waterfall
• Snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling stop
• BBQ lunch and dessert
• Rum, cocktails, beer, and other drinks
• Music and onboard toilet facilities
• Time at Ile aux Cerfs

If you would otherwise need to arrange a taxi, boat trip, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling separately, the package offers useful value. You also avoid the hassle of coordinating your own return after a full day on the water.

The value is weaker if you mainly want peace, personal space, or a luxury boat. The catamaran is not presented as a high-end yacht, and a maximum group of 35 can feel busy. Some of the low ratings focus on crowding, slow loading, food delays, and a feeling that the boat was not as exclusive as expected.

I would judge the price by the kind of day you want. For a social, all-inclusive outing with transport, it is reasonable. For a private or polished cruise, it is not the right product.

The most important issue is crowding

The experience has an overall rating of 4.2 from 22 ratings, which reflects a mixed but generally positive picture. The strongest praise goes to the drivers, the boat crew, the views, the food, and the music.

The sharpest criticism concerns operations. A departure may take a long time to load passengers and supplies. The boat may feel crowded, particularly during the December and January rush. One account also described a serious disruption involving a canceled catamaran and a replacement boat arranged later by the operator.

The company has responded to complaints and, in at least one difficult case, arranged a private boat after the problem arose. That shows an effort to fix issues, but it does not remove the risk of an uneven day.

You can reduce the chance of frustration by treating the schedule as approximate rather than minute-by-minute. Arrive at Trou d’Eau Douce on time, but expect that group logistics may affect when the boat leaves, how long snorkeling lasts, and how much time you have at each stop.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several Mauritius highlights in one booking and like being around a group. It is a good match for couples, friends, and families who appreciate included meals, drinks, music, and a driver who handles the roads.

It also suits anyone who wants to avoid planning. The package connects the hotel pickup, boat, food, snorkeling, waterfall, beach, and return ride. You can simply follow the day’s schedule.

You may want to choose another option if you need a quiet boat, generous personal space, or a private itinerary. The shared catamaran format can feel crowded, and the onboard atmosphere is influenced by the other people on your departure.

The alcohol service makes this less suitable for anyone seeking a strictly tranquil nature outing. The listing says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information. If you have specific mobility or medical needs, ask the operator before booking.

Booking details worth knowing

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. Pickup is offered, and the activity is near public transportation, though the package centers on private car transfers.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times follow local Mauritius time.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy matters for a boat day, since the sea conditions can affect both comfort and safety.

The stated start time is 7:30 a.m., and you are advised to be at Trou d’Eau Douce by 9:15 a.m. Do not plan a late morning arrival and hope the boat waits. The maximum group size is 35 people, so the experience can be fairly social even when the road transfer is private.

Should you book this Mauritius boat day?

Book it if you want an all-in-one coastal day with a BBQ, drinks, music, snorkeling, GRSE Waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, and private transfers. The best parts are the range of included activities and the ease of having a driver collect and return you.

Skip it if your ideal catamaran trip means quiet decks, luxury fittings, or a private schedule. The boat may be crowded, loading can take time, and the mood depends heavily on the group onboard.

My practical verdict: this is a good-value party-style day trip, but only if you understand that all-inclusive does not mean private or polished. Arrive early, expect some waiting, and choose it for the social atmosphere rather than solitude.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran experience last?

The full activity lasts about eight hours, including the boat trip, stops, meal, drinks, and return transport.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 7:30 a.m. You are advised to reach Trou d’Eau Douce by 9:15 a.m. to avoid being late.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Private pickup and drop-off are offered from any location in Mauritius.

What destinations are included?

The day includes GRSE Waterfall, a snorkeling stop, and Ile aux Cerfs.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a snorkeling experience are included on the catamaran.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch and dessert are included.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The package includes alcoholic options such as rum, cocktails, and beer, along with continuous drink service.

Is music provided?

Yes. Music is provided onboard, and the return trip continues with music and drinks.

How many people can join the catamaran?

The activity has a maximum of 35 travelers.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.