Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise & Waterfalls- Lunch & Drinks

The best part of this Mauritius day out is the mix of scenery and easygoing fun. You begin with a speedboat ride up Grand River South East to a waterfall, then spend the afternoon sailing, snorkeling, eating barbecue, and relaxing on Ile aux Cerfs. The day moves between river, lagoon, and beach, so it never feels like a single-stop outing.

I like the attentive crew and the generous food and drinks. The BBQ includes fish, chicken, hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice, with vegetarian and vegan food available. I also like the chance to spot monkeys, fruit bats, dolphins, rays, or squid along the way, though wildlife is never promised.

The main caution is the group size. The trip is advertised for no more than 15 people, but some departures have carried about 25. That can make the boat feel crowded, especially if you want peace and quiet. Loud music and early drinking may also shape the mood.

Key points

• Grand River South East first: Take a small speedboat about 500 meters upstream to see the waterfall before the catamaran heads to the lagoon.
• A full food-and-drink day: Light snacks, BBQ lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, juice, beer, wine, and local rum are included.
• Snorkeling in the lagoon: There is a swimming and snorkeling stop with coral and tropical fish, though the break may feel short.
• Ile aux Cerfs time: Enjoy white sand, palm trees, swimming, and optional paid activities such as parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk.
• Friendly multilingual crew: Tours are offered in English, French, German, and Italian, with local music and stories on board.
• Check the crowd level: The small-group promise has not always matched the actual number on the boat.

Setting Out From Trou D’eau Douce at 8:30

Your day begins at the docking station in Trou D’eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast. The stated arrival time is 8:30 a.m., with departure planned for 9 a.m., and the full outing runs until roughly 4 p.m. Since one departure did not leave until after 9:30, I would avoid arranging anything tightly after the cruise. Boat days run on boat time.

The first stretch is a relaxed sail across the east coast waters. The catamaran gives you open views of the sea and the mountainous interior, while the crew sets the tone with Mauritian music, jokes, and local stories. This is not a silent nature cruise. It is designed as a social day, and the atmosphere can range from relaxed to lively depending on the people on board.

The catamaran is large enough to carry a sizeable group, with life jackets provided. The advertised group limit is 15, but the actual number has sometimes been higher. If having plenty of personal space matters to you, ask about the expected group size before booking. The boat can still function well with more people, but it will not feel like a private sailing trip.

Hotel or Airbnb pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle is optional and not included in the $70 price. That matters because you need to reach Trou D’eau Douce on your own unless you arrange the added transport. Check the exact meeting instructions before the day, especially if your accommodation is on another part of the island.

Grand River South East and the Waterfall Ride

The first major stop is Grand River South East, one of the better-known natural sights on Mauritius. Rather than taking the full catamaran up the narrow river, you transfer to a speedboat for the short ride upstream. The waterfall is about 500 meters from the river mouth.

That transfer is part of the fun. The speedboat can reach places the larger vessel cannot, and the river banks bring a change of pace after the open-water sailing. Look into the old trees for monkeys, and scan the highest branches for Mauritian fruit bats. These animals are possible sightings, not guaranteed fixtures, so keep your camera ready without treating the stop like a wildlife safari.

The waterfall itself is best understood as a scenic pause rather than a long hike or expedition. You view it from the river area, then return by speedboat to the catamaran. If you prefer active walking, this section may feel brief. If you want a simple nature stop that requires little effort, it fits the day well.

The waterfall visit also helps break up the schedule. You are not asked to sit on the boat for hours before reaching Ile aux Cerfs. The river, trees, and boat transfer give the morning some variety.

Snorkeling Among Coral and Tropical Fish

After returning to the catamaran, you sail through the lagoon toward a snorkeling and swimming stop. The water is clear, and the setting offers views of coral reefs and tropical fish. Life jackets are available, which helps less confident swimmers enjoy the water without pressure.

Bring sunscreen and a camera, but remember to protect both from salt water. The information for this outing does not promise rental equipment, so confirm what snorkeling gear is supplied before you go. The program includes the stop itself, not a guarantee of a particular animal encounter or reef condition.

This is a good point in the day for a swim because you have already seen the river and waterfall, but the timing may feel limited. One account specifically found the snorkeling break could have lasted another 15 minutes. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, this may not satisfy you as much as a dedicated reef excursion.

Still, the stop adds real value to a day that could otherwise be only a boat ride and beach visit. You get to leave the deck, cool off, and see the lagoon from below the surface. Keep expectations sensible: the trip gives you a taste of snorkeling, not an all-day marine biology outing.

BBQ Lunch With Beer, Wine, and Local Rum

Food is one of the strongest parts of this cruise. Lunch includes fresh BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and vegan food is available, but you should state your needs when booking or before boarding so the crew can prepare properly.

The BBQ is served either on the beach or on the catamaran, depending on the day’s arrangements. Eating outdoors with the lagoon around you makes the meal feel tied to the setting rather than like a standard packed lunch. The portions and preparation have earned strong praise, and the crew takes care of the serving while you enjoy the boat.

Light snacks are available earlier in the day. Drinks include bottled water, soft drinks, juice, beer, wine, and local rum, with unlimited service stated as part of the fare. That is a useful inclusion at $70, particularly because a full day in the sun can make drinks add up quickly on other boat trips.

The unlimited alcohol also shapes the mood. Some departures have turned into loud parties from the beginning of the cruise, with music and drinking continuing all day. If you want a quiet sail, this may be the biggest weakness. If you like a sociable boat with music and a flowing bar, it may be exactly the atmosphere you want.

The crew has received especially strong praise for being friendly, caring, and attentive. They may adjust the route briefly for wildlife, as happened when dolphins, two rays, and a school of squid were spotted. That kind of flexibility is a pleasant bonus, but it depends on what appears in the water.

Ile aux Cerfs: Beach Time and Optional Activities

The final major stop is Ile aux Cerfs, an island near Mauritius’s east coast. As you approach, you see palm trees, white beaches, and clear turquoise water. The island is built for an easy afternoon: walk along the sand, swim, sit in the sun, or simply find a place to enjoy the view.

Ile aux Cerfs is not presented as a quiet, untouched island. It has facilities and optional activities, including parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk. These activities are not included in the $70 price, so budget extra if you want more than beach time.

That mix is useful for a mixed group. One person can relax under the sun while another pays for a more active outing. You should ask about the cost and timing of any optional activity before committing, since the main cruise schedule still controls your return to the catamaran.

The island portion is also where the day may feel most crowded. Ile aux Cerfs is a popular stop, and the appeal comes from its classic beach setting rather than solitude. I would treat it as a scenic leisure stop, not a private-island escape.

You can swim in the sea or take a walk to absorb the surroundings. The beach time gives you room to slow down after the waterfall, snorkeling, and lunch. For many people, this is the part that makes the full-day schedule worthwhile.

How the $70 Price Holds Up

At $70 per person, the price is strong if you plan to eat, drink, snorkel, and spend the day on the water. The fare includes the catamaran ride, waterfall visit, Ile aux Cerfs, snacks, BBQ lunch, unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, bottled water, and life jackets.

You are effectively paying one price for transport between several sights and a full day of food and refreshments. That is better value than a simple sightseeing cruise where lunch and drinks are charged separately. The value is even clearer if you would otherwise buy beer, wine, rum, water, and a beach lunch on your own.

The fare does not include hotel or Airbnb pickup. It also does not include optional activities at Ile aux Cerfs. If you need transport to Trou D’eau Douce or want to try parasailing or an undersea walk, your final cost will be higher.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a small, quiet sailing trip. A crowded boat and loud music can change the feel of the day, and you are paying for a social party-style cruise as much as for nature. Ask about current group size and the likely atmosphere if calm is important to you.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a convenient sampler of Mauritius’s east coast. It combines a waterfall, lagoon, snorkeling, barbecue, drinks, and a famous beach island without making you plan several separate excursions.

It suits couples and friends who enjoy a relaxed social setting. Families can also find plenty to do, though adults should consider how the unlimited alcohol and loud music might affect the atmosphere on their departure.

It is a good choice for people who value a helpful crew. The staff prepare food, keep drinks moving, explain the stops, and may point out local wildlife. Guides speak English, French, German, and Italian, which makes the basic information accessible to a wide range of visitors.

The outing is wheelchair accessible according to the activity details, but the transfer into a speedboat and the movement between boat, beach, and water may still require practical planning. Ask the operator what assistance is available for the exact vessel and waterfall transfer.

I would choose another type of cruise if you want a private charter, a very small group, serious snorkeling time, or a quiet nature tour. The advertised small group has not always been the actual group size, and the music can be loud. This is a fun day on the water, not a hushed sailing lesson.

Timing, Language, and Booking Details

The advertised schedule runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the catamaran leaving around 9 a.m. One departure left later, so leave breathing room in your plans. The activity lasts about nine hours when the full schedule is counted.

The crew can operate in English, French, German, and Italian. No individual guide names are provided, but the staff are active parts of the day rather than distant narrators. Expect local music, jokes, stories, food service, and help with the stops.

Life jackets and bottled water are included. Bring sunscreen and a camera. You may also want swimwear, a towel, and a dry bag, though only the camera and sunscreen are specifically listed as items to bring.

The booking terms allow cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility if your island plans are still shifting. A separate entrance is offered for the activity, and the experience is described as wheelchair accessible.

Should You Book the Ile aux Cerfs Cruise?

Book it if you want a full, sociable day with plenty included for one price. The waterfall ride, attentive crew, strong BBQ lunch, unlimited drinks, snorkeling stop, and Ile aux Cerfs beach time create a well-packed introduction to Mauritius’s east coast.

Think twice if you need quiet, strict small-group numbers, or a long snorkeling session. Confirm the expected passenger count, ask about pickup, and decide if a party atmosphere suits you. If the answer is yes, $70 is a fair deal for a day that covers food, drinks, several sights, and nearly eight hours on the water.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise last?

The activity lasts about nine hours. The stated schedule runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the catamaran planned to leave Trou D’eau Douce at about 9 a.m.

What is included in the $70 price?

The price includes the catamaran trip, Grand River South East waterfall visit, Ile aux Cerfs visit, light snacks, BBQ lunch, unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks, bottled water, and life jackets.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and vegan food is also available.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks include beer, wine, local rum, soft drinks, juice, and water.

Is snorkeling part of the cruise?

Yes. The catamaran stops in the lagoon for swimming and snorkeling near coral reefs and tropical fish. The snorkeling stop may be relatively short, and specific wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle are optional and not included in the stated price.