Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Trip w/ Lunch, Drinks & Transfer

The best part of this day is the easy mix of Mauritius scenery and simple holiday fun. You sail from Trou d’Eau Douce past clear lagoon water, stop at Grand River South East waterfall, snorkel, eat a BBQ lunch, and finish on the white beaches of Ile aux Cerfs. It is a full day, but the plan gives you plenty of time to relax between stops.

I like the included hotel transfer, which saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi across the island. I also like the open drinks policy, with beer, wine, local rum, juice, soft drinks, and water available on board. The main caution is that weather can affect departures, and one reported outing used a speedboat instead of a catamaran, so confirm the vessel if the sailing experience matters to you.

Key points

• Grand River South East first: You visit the waterfall by speedboat, with a chance to spot monkeys and fruit bats along the river.
• A full day on the east coast: Pickup and return transport are included from listed areas such as Grand Baie, Pereybere, Trou-aux-Biches, and Balaclava.
• Food is part of the experience: Light snacks, fresh BBQ fish, chicken, hotdogs, salads, saffron rice, and unlimited drinks are included.
• Snorkeling is built in: You get a swimming and snorkeling stop before lunch, with coral and tropical fish in the lagoon.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop: You can swim, walk, sunbathe, or pay extra for activities such as parasailing and tube riding.
• Pack for the shore: Bring sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, camera, and water shoes because coral and sea urchins may be underfoot.

Setting Out From Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30

Your day begins with pickup at your hotel or Airbnb in one of the listed northern and western areas of Mauritius. These include Pointe aux Biches, Grand Baie, Pointe aux Piments, Balaclava, Pereybere, Triolet, Mon Choisy, Cap Malheureux, and Trou-aux-Biches.

The drive takes you toward Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast. You are due at the departure point around 8:30 a.m., with the catamaran leaving at about 9:00. That early start matters. It gives you the best chance of fitting in the waterfall, snorkeling, lunch, and island stop without turning every part of the day into a rushed photo break.

Your driver is expected to meet you, help with the transfer, and make sure you reach the right boat. This is useful because the shore departure area can involve several boats and operators. On the return, the same arrangement takes you back to your accommodation, with an expected arrival at Trou d’Eau Douce around 4:00 p.m. The overall day runs about eight hours, not counting any extra time caused by pickup routes.

Sailing the East Coast Lagoon

Once aboard, the cruise follows the calm, clear water around the east coast. The setting is the real reason to choose this trip. You get broad views of the water, palm-fringed shorelines, and mountain scenery rather than spending the entire day at a single beach.

The crew provides local Mauritian music and keeps the mood informal. English, French, German, and Italian are listed as available languages, so you can expect trip information in several languages, though the exact guide may depend on the boat operating that day.

Light snacks are included early in the trip. Drinks include bottled water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and local rum. This is valuable on a warm day, especially since you are moving between sun, salt water, and the beach. It also means you do not need to plan around buying drinks at every stop.

The unlimited alcohol is best treated as an optional part of the holiday atmosphere, not the main reason to book. The route, beach time, lunch, and transfers carry the real value. If you drink, pace yourself in the sun and keep drinking water as well.

Grand River South East Waterfall by Speedboat

The first major stop is Grand River South East waterfall. The catamaran does not go all the way upstream. Instead, you transfer to a speedboat for the short ride, about 500 meters inland, to reach the falls.

The riverbanks add interest to this stop. You might see monkeys moving through the older trees, and fruit bats can sometimes be seen resting high above the river. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they give the ride more character than a simple waterfall photo stop.

The waterfall itself is attractive rather than huge. Allow yourself to enjoy the short river journey and the setting instead of expecting a long walk or a major hiking stop. The boat visit keeps the stop accessible and efficient, which helps the schedule, but it also means you spend only a limited time exploring the river.

After the waterfall, you return to the catamaran and continue toward the lagoon. If you are sensitive to speedboat movement, hold on during the transfer and keep your belongings secure.

Snorkeling in Clear Lagoon Water

The next stop is for swimming and snorkeling. The boat pauses in clear lagoon water where coral and tropical fish may be visible. Life jackets are included, and they are useful if you are not a confident swimmer or simply want to float without effort.

This is a good chance to bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, since the supplied information does not confirm that snorkeling gear is included. The trip does confirm the snorkeling stop, not equipment rental. Pack your towel, camera, sunscreen, and a waterproof way to protect your phone.

Conditions can change with wind, tide, and visibility. On a calm day, the stop should give you a pleasant look at reef life. On a rougher day, the main pleasure may be swimming in the clear water rather than seeing much below the surface.

I would keep expectations sensible. This is a short holiday snorkeling stop, not a specialist reef excursion. You get a taste of the lagoon before lunch and the beach, which suits most people who want variety in one day.

BBQ Lunch With Local Drinks

Lunch is served either on the beach or on the catamaran, depending on the arrangement that day. The listed menu includes fresh BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available, and the food is halal.

That menu works well for a boat trip because it is filling, familiar, and easy to serve outdoors. The grilled food is prepared by the crew, and the meal gives you a proper break after the water activities. If you have dietary needs beyond vegetarian food, check before departure rather than relying on a general request made at the dock.

Drinks remain available with lunch. You can choose bottled water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, or local rum. The combination of food, drinks, and transport makes the $115 price easier to assess. You are not paying only for a boat ride. You are also covering a full-day route, hotel transfers, two forms of boat transport, a meal, snacks, and drinks.

Still, value depends on how much of the package you will use. If you do not drink alcohol, the price remains reasonable because the lunch, transfer, island visit, and cruise are included. If you prefer a quiet, small-boat trip with carefully planned food, this larger group format may feel less personal.

Ile aux Cerfs Beach Time

Ile aux Cerfs is the main destination and the place where the day slows down. As you approach, you see pale sand, palm trees, and bright lagoon water. The island has the postcard look many people expect from a Mauritius beach day.

You can swim, walk along the sand, sit in the sun, or simply find a quiet stretch and let the schedule do less work for a while. The island also offers optional paid activities, including parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk. These are not included, so budget separately if you want more than beach time.

Bring water shoes. One useful practical warning is the presence of coral and sea urchins in parts of the shallows. Bare feet may be fine on soft sand, but water shoes are a safer choice when entering the water or walking over rocky patches.

I would also bring a cover-up and use sunscreen often. The beach can feel wonderfully open, but that means limited shade in some places. Your towel, sunglasses, camera, and sunscreen are all on the recommended packing list for good reason.

The island is not presented as a remote, untouched beach. It is a popular day destination with facilities and optional activities. That makes it convenient, but it can also mean a less private beach experience than you might find on a quieter coast. The benefit is choice: you can be active, social, or completely lazy without leaving the island.

The Return Sail and Hotel Drop-Off

After Ile aux Cerfs, you return by boat to Trou d’Eau Douce. The sail back is a final chance to enjoy the coast without needing to plan another activity. The driver then takes you back to your hotel or Airbnb in the listed pickup areas.

The transfer is one of the strongest practical features of the package. Mauritius has attractions spread around the island, and reaching the east coast from the north or west can take planning. With pickup and drop-off included, you do not need to arrange a separate driver or worry about finding the correct dock.

Pickup times may vary by accommodation and route, even though the boat schedule begins around 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. Confirm your exact pickup time before the day. A long route with several pickups can also make the total day feel longer than eight hours.

Boat Type, Weather, and What Can Change

The experience is advertised around a large catamaran, but the operating boat can vary. One reported outing used a speedboat instead, while the standard plan describes a catamaran cruise. If sitting on a wide, steady catamaran is important to you, ask the provider to confirm the vessel before you commit.

Weather is another real consideration. The trip can be cancelled or rescheduled when conditions are judged unsafe. That can be frustrating, particularly if the sea looks usable elsewhere on the same day, since different boats and routes handle conditions differently.

The cancellation terms allow a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your island plans are still shifting. Those terms do not remove the risk of a weather change, but they do make advance planning less stressful.

The crew is expected to explain the plan in multiple languages and help keep the group moving. The exact level of commentary may vary, so choose this tour for its route and included comforts rather than for a detailed cultural lecture.

Who Will Get the Most From This Day

I would choose this trip if you want to see several east-coast sights in one outing without organizing separate transport. It suits couples, families, and groups who want a blend of scenery, swimming, food, music, and beach time.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy a social boat atmosphere. The local music, shared BBQ, and unlimited drinks make the day feel relaxed and festive. You do not need to be an expert swimmer, since life jackets are included, though you should still be comfortable around open water.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet private charter, a serious snorkeling session, or a long nature walk. The day is built around variety and convenience. Each stop is enjoyable, but none is designed as a deep specialist experience.

Is the $115 Price Fair?

At $115 per person, the package offers solid value if you use most of what is included. Hotel or Airbnb transfers, an air-conditioned vehicle, the catamaran, the waterfall visit, snorkeling stop, snacks, lunch, bottled water, and unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks make it more than a basic boat ticket.

The fresh BBQ menu is a useful inclusion, especially because buying lunch and drinks separately at a popular island stop can add up quickly. The transport is also important. A self-arranged version would require getting to Trou d’Eau Douce, finding the correct boat, and arranging your return.

The weak point is the fixed group format. You pay for the whole package even if you skip snorkeling, avoid alcohol, or do not want optional water sports. Those activities are not included, so check the price before agreeing to parasailing, tube riding, or the undersea walk.

Should You Book This Ile aux Cerfs Trip?

Book it if you want a well-filled east-coast day with transport handled for you. The waterfall, snorkeling stop, BBQ, unlimited drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs beach time create a good range of experiences, and the included return transfer removes a lot of hassle.

Before booking, confirm the exact pickup time, boat type, and weather policy. Pack water shoes, sunscreen, a towel, and a camera. If you want a calm catamaran day with plenty of beach time and do not mind a shared group setting, this is a practical choice. If your priority is privacy or serious reef exploration, spend the money on a smaller, more focused excursion instead.

FAQ

Where does the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip depart?

The cruise departs from Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius. Pickup and drop-off are available from listed areas including Grand Baie, Pereybere, Balaclava, Triolet, Mon Choisy, Cap Malheureux, Pointe aux Biches, Pointe aux Piments, and Trou-aux-Biches.

What time does the trip start and finish?

You are expected to reach Trou d’Eau Douce around 8:30 a.m., with the catamaran leaving at about 9:00 a.m. The return to Trou d’Eau Douce is expected around 4:00 p.m., and the full experience lasts about eight hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your prescribed hotel or Airbnb are included in an air-conditioned vehicle. The listed pickup areas are mainly in the north and northwest of Mauritius.

What food is included?

The trip includes light snacks and a BBQ lunch with fresh fish, chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and the food is halal.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited local drinks are included, such as bottled water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and local rum.

Is snorkeling included?

A snorkeling and swimming stop is included. Life jackets are provided. The supplied information does not confirm that snorkeling equipment is included, so you should ask before departure or bring your own equipment.

Are water sports included in the price?

No. Optional activities at Ile aux Cerfs include parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk, but these are not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, a camera, and sunscreen. Water shoes are also a smart choice because coral and sea urchins may be present underfoot around the island.