Catamaran Trip to Ile au Cerfs with Lunch and GRSE waterfall

The best part of this outing is the variety packed into one day: a Grand River South East waterfall, a swim and snorkeling stop, an onboard barbecue, and several hours around Ile aux Cerfs. You get scenery, food, music, and beach time without arranging separate excursions.

I like the open bar, which includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and I like that the lunch is cooked and served on the boat rather than treated as an afterthought. The main caution is that the advertised catamaran may not be guaranteed. One booking used a speedboat for part of the trip, and the timing between stops can feel uneven.

Key points to know before booking

• A 45-foot catamaran carries the main experience, with music, entertainment, drinks, and views along the east coast.
• The Grand River South East waterfall is reached about 500 meters upstream, with a short transfer by boat during some departures.
• The snorkeling stop lasts about 20 minutes on one reported schedule, so expect a pleasant taste of lagoon life rather than a long marine safari.
• Lunch is a full barbecue meal, with chicken, fish, sausages, rice, salads, pasta, and potato salad reported on one departure.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you beach and swimming time, plus access to water sports and island facilities.
• Pickup is optional, and the excursion lasts about 6 to 7 hours. Arrive on time, since a late arrival can mean missing the boat.

Why this east-coast boat trip works so well

Mauritius has no shortage of boat outings, but this one makes a sensible choice if you want several east-coast sights in one booking. You are not spending the entire day on a beach, nor are you rushing through a string of land stops in a minibus. The day moves between river, lagoon, open water, food, and island time.

I especially like the balance between scheduled activity and free time. The waterfall and snorkeling stop give the day some purpose, while Ile aux Cerfs lets you slow down. You can stroll along white sand, swim, or simply sit with a drink and enjoy the setting.

The price of $69 per person is reasonable for a 6 to 7 hour outing that includes lunch, an open bar, a guide, entertainment, and boat transport between several points. It is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs, but it is good value if you would otherwise pay separately for a waterfall trip, snorkeling, lunch, and a beach transfer.

The catch is that the exact rhythm can change. One departure allowed about two hours for lunch before moving to the waterfall, while another account described about an hour of sailing, a 20-minute snorkeling stop, a waterfall transfer, lunch, and then Ile aux Cerfs. Think of this as a flexible group excursion, not a tightly timed private charter.

Meeting at Trou D’Eau Douce

The boat trip is based around Trou D’Eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast. At the meeting point, a representative briefs you before you board. If you choose hotel pickup, you need to provide your accommodation location at booking, and the driver is scheduled to meet you at reception.

Pickup can save you the trouble of arranging a taxi, especially if you are staying away from the departure point. One pickup from the Grand Baie area was handled by Yash of Mauritius Taxi, who contacted the passengers ahead of time and communicated the pickup details clearly. That kind of advance contact matters on a boat day, since missing the departure can mean missing the whole excursion.

Do not cut the arrival time close. The instructions are plain: arrive sharply or risk missing the outing. The boat and transfers work on a group schedule, so a late arrival is not something the crew can easily absorb.

The listed host languages are English and French. That makes the trip easier if you want basic explanations, help with boarding, or information about the stops.

Visiting Grand River South East waterfall

Grand River South East is one of the day’s most distinctive stops. The waterfall lies about 500 meters upstream from the river entrance, so reaching it involves a short boat ride rather than a long walk.

The river setting gives you a change of scenery from the open lagoon. You can see the falls, take photographs, and, on some departures, spot monkeys in the surrounding area. The waterfall is not presented as a major hiking stop. It is a compact sightseeing visit, best understood as one piece of a larger east-coast day.

The order can vary. The planned outline begins with the waterfall before the catamaran heads toward Ile aux Cerfs, but actual departures have placed the waterfall after a stretch of sailing and snorkeling. You should be prepared for the sequence to shift according to boat movements, weather, and the day’s operations.

This is also where the speedboat issue may matter. One departure used a speedboat to carry passengers from the dock to the catamaran, and another used a speedboat for the 10 to 15 minute transfer to the waterfall. The main experience is sold around a catamaran, but the local transport arrangement may include smaller boats.

If you dislike fast boat rides, keep this in mind. A speedboat transfer can be practical and quick, but one person found the driving too fast. It is a minor point for many people, yet worth considering if you prefer a calm, slow-moving boat throughout.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

After sailing through clear lagoon water, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling. You get a chance to look for tropical fish and coral reef life in shallow coastal water.

This is a good break from sitting in the sun. Even a short swim helps divide the day into sections, and the water is a major part of the east-coast appeal. One reported schedule allowed roughly 20 minutes for snorkeling and swimming. That is enough for a quick look and a dip, but not enough for a serious snorkeling session.

You should bring your own towel, sunscreen, and camera. Comfortable clothes and shoes are also listed as useful. The information does not promise snorkeling equipment, so check the current arrangements when booking if you need gear. Do not assume that every item will be supplied onboard.

Marine sightings are never guaranteed, but dolphins were seen during one departure. Treat that as a lucky bonus, not part of the formal promise. The dependable part is the lagoon stop, swimming opportunity, and chance to see tropical fish around the reef.

The best approach is to keep expectations sensible. This is a social boat excursion with snorkeling included. It is not a specialist reef trip with extended water time and detailed marine instruction.

Barbecue lunch with drinks onboard

The onboard meal is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose this outing. You do not need to leave the boat in search of lunch, and the food arrives during the day’s natural pause.

The barbecue menu reported on one departure included chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad. That is a substantial plate, not just a snack. The food was described as tasty, and it gives you enough fuel for the remaining beach and swimming time.

The open bar includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and other beverages were available during one trip. The bar is useful because the east-coast sun can make a day on the water surprisingly tiring, though you should still drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen often.

Vegetarian food is available if requested at booking. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance. This is especially important for a meal prepared onboard, where the crew needs notice rather than a last-minute request.

The pacing around lunch may be the day’s one weak spot. On one schedule, the lunch period lasted about two hours before the group moved to the waterfall, and that felt longer than necessary for one person. If you prefer a tightly packed sightseeing day, this may seem slow. If you like an unhurried meal with drinks and conversation, it may suit you well.

Time on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main payoff for the day. The island is known for white sand, clear water, and a relaxed beach setting near Mauritius’s east coast. After the river and snorkeling stops, it gives you room to choose your own pace.

You can walk along the beach, swim, snorkel again, or use the island’s facilities and water sports. The tour information does not specify which activities cost extra, so ask locally before signing up for anything beyond the included visit.

I like that the island portion is not reduced to a quick photograph from the boat. You get time to step ashore and enjoy the setting. The views on approach are especially appealing, with the catamaran moving across clear water toward the island.

Still, Ile aux Cerfs is not a quiet, private island experience. It is a popular day-stop destination, and the appeal is the scenery and range of things to do rather than solitude. If you want a completely secluded beach, this outing is not designed for that.

The length of your island time depends on the day’s schedule. The full excursion lasts 6 to 7 hours, and that includes the waterfall, sailing, snorkeling, lunch, transfers, and return. You will have time to enjoy the island, but you should not expect a full standalone beach day there.

Sailing back with music and local flavor

The return to Trou D’Eau Douce is part of the entertainment rather than a dead period. The crew plays local Mauritian music, tells jokes, and shares local tales. That gives the journey a more social feel than a simple transport ride.

This atmosphere will appeal to you if you like a friendly boat with conversation and music. It may be less suitable if you want a quiet cruise where you read or sit alone. The crew has been described as friendly and able to speak several languages, which helps keep the group involved.

The boat itself is intended to be a 45-foot catamaran. Catamarans generally offer space to move around, sit in the sun, or find shade, but the exact seating setup is not provided. Since one departure involved a speedboat instead of the expected catamaran, confirm the current boat arrangement if the vessel type is important to you.

What the $69 price really includes

At $69, the outing bundles several costs that can add up quickly when arranged separately. You are paying for the boat, the waterfall visit, snorkeling stop, island visit, barbecue lunch, open bar, guide service, music, and entertainment.

That makes the price particularly attractive for people who want an easy, all-in-one day. You can board, eat, swim, and visit Ile aux Cerfs without planning several transfers. The optional hotel pickup costs extra, but it may be worthwhile if your accommodation is far from Trou D’Eau Douce or if you do not want to organize a taxi.

The value is less clear if you care mainly about snorkeling. With a reported stop of around 20 minutes, the water time is limited. You may get more from a dedicated snorkeling trip if coral and fish are your main reason for booking.

The same goes for the waterfall. It is a pleasant short visit, but it is not a full nature excursion. The strongest value comes from the combination of stops, meal, drinks, and island time.

Who should book this excursion

I would point this trip toward couples, families, and groups who want an active but easy day on the water. It suits you if you like a mixture of sightseeing, swimming, food, music, and free time rather than one highly focused activity.

It also works well for first-time visitors to Mauritius who want to see the east coast without arranging every detail themselves. The guide, boat crew, meal, and transfers between the river, lagoon, and island keep the day simple.

You may want a different option if you need a private boat, long snorkeling sessions, guaranteed catamaran transport, or a very quiet atmosphere. The possibility of a speedboat substitution and the flexible schedule are the two points I would weigh most carefully.

Pack sunscreen, a towel, a camera, comfortable clothing, and shoes that can handle boat and beach use. Tell the operator about vegetarian needs, allergies, or illness at booking. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still moving.

My call: good value for a varied Mauritius day

I would book this trip if I wanted a straightforward east-coast introduction with lunch and drinks included. The combination of Grand River South East, lagoon snorkeling, Ile aux Cerfs, and a barbecue gives you much more variety than a simple beach transfer.

I would pause only if the exact catamaran matters to me, if I wanted a long snorkeling session, or if I disliked flexible group pacing. For most people, the $69 price is fair because it covers the day’s main expenses and removes much of the transport planning.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The excursion lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours. The schedule includes the waterfall, sailing, snorkeling and swimming, lunch, Ile aux Cerfs, and the return to Trou D’Eau Douce.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is optional rather than included in the basic experience. You need to provide your hotel or accommodation location when booking if you want pickup, and the driver meets you at reception.

What food is served for lunch?

The onboard meal is a barbecue lunch. One menu included chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The trip includes an open bar with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Beer, wine, and soft drinks were available on one departure.

Can I go snorkeling?

Yes. The catamaran stops for snorkeling and swimming in the lagoon, where you may see tropical fish and coral reef life. The snorkeling break can be short, with one reported schedule allowing about 20 minutes.

What happens if the weather is very bad?

In extreme bad weather, the excursion may be canceled and rescheduled for a convenient date, or you may receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.