Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs catamaran cruise Lunch with BBQ

The best part of this outing is the easy rhythm: waterfall, swim, BBQ, beach, music. You leave Trou d’Eau Douce in the morning, trade the busy shore for open sea, and spend the day seeing several of Mauritius’ classic coastal sights without arranging separate transport.

I like the friendly crew and festive Sega music, which give the trip a local feel rather than making it just a boat transfer. I also like the simple value: for $59, you get the cruise, waterfall stop, swimming and snorkeling break, halal BBQ lunch, and a broad selection of drinks. The main caution is organization at the start. Some departures have had a slow boarding process, so arrive early and be ready for music that may begin at a fairly high volume.

Key points

• Grand River South East waterfall: Start with one of Mauritius’ best-known river sights before heading farther out along the coast.
• Swimming and snorkeling stop: Bring swimwear and sunglasses for a break in clear water before lunch.
• Halal BBQ on board: Lunch includes a choice of food, with vegetarian meals available if requested in advance.
• Ile aux Cerfs beaches: Spend time on white sand beside a clear lagoon, with a craft market nearby.
• Drinks included: Soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum are available during the cruise.
• Sega on the return: Local music, singing, and dancing add a cheerful finish to the ride back.

A full day from Trou d’Eau Douce to Ile aux Cerfs

This is a classic east-coast Mauritius day out, built around scenery and a relaxed boat ride rather than strenuous activity. You meet at the Trou d’Eau Douce fishing port and should arrive around 9:00 a.m. The catamaran is scheduled to leave at about 9:10 or 9:15, and the return is planned for roughly 3:30 p.m.

The advertised duration is seven hours, though the stated cruise window is closer to six hours and twenty minutes from departure to return. That difference is not a major issue, but it is useful to know when planning the rest of your day.

The boat takes you along calm coastal water toward the Grand River South East waterfall. From there, you head to a swimming and snorkeling area, eat lunch on board, and continue to Ile aux Cerfs. The final part of the trip brings music and Sega entertainment before you return to the jetty.

You are not spending the whole day at Ile aux Cerfs. The appeal is the mix of stops. If you want several famous east-coast sights in one outing, this schedule works well. If you want a long, quiet beach day with no timetable, a resort beach may suit you better.

Boarding early at the fishing port

The meeting point is the Trou d’Eau Douce Debarcader fishing port. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the port or organize a separate transfer.

Arrive before the stated departure time. One practical weakness is that the opening boarding period can be unclear, and one departure experienced a wait of about an hour before everyone was on board. Boats were reportedly making empty passes while people waited. That is not the ideal start to a tightly timed day, especially when every minute could otherwise be used for swimming or snorkeling.

My advice is simple: arrive around 9:00 a.m., confirm the correct boat as soon as you reach the port, and allow patience for the boarding process. The crew is often described as warm and attentive once the trip is underway, but the shore-side organization may not be as smooth as the rest of the day.

The catamaran is large enough for a social atmosphere rather than an intimate sailing trip. Music may begin early, and one passenger found it too loud at times. If you like an upbeat boat party, that energy will be welcome. If you prefer quiet mornings, bring realistic expectations.

Grand River South East waterfall first

The first major sight is Grand River South East waterfall, reached from the east coast by boat. This gives you a look at one of Mauritius’ best-known river settings before the outing shifts to open water and beach time.

The stop is included in the cruise, but the available details do not specify how long the catamaran remains there or whether you go ashore. Think of it as a scenic visit from the water, not a long waterfall hike.

This early stop also breaks up the ride nicely. You are not simply sailing straight to Ile aux Cerfs and waiting for lunch. You get a change of setting at the start, then move on to the water activities.

Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray. The boat, rather than a road vehicle, is the main way you see this part of the coast, which makes the approach part of the attraction.

Swimming and snorkeling before lunch

After the waterfall, the catamaran heads to the coastline for a snorkeling and swimming break. This is the most active section of the day, although it remains easygoing. You can get into the water, swim, and look beneath the surface before settling down for the meal.

Bring swimwear, beachwear, sunglasses, and a camera. The provided details do not confirm whether snorkeling equipment is supplied, so check before departure if you do not have your own gear.

The timing of this stop matters. If boarding takes longer than expected, the water break is one of the parts most likely to feel shortened. That is why arriving early is worthwhile, and why I would not plan anything demanding immediately afterward.

The clear water and lagoon setting are a strong reason to choose this excursion over a purely sightseeing boat ride. Still, sea conditions and weather can affect the experience. November and December are noted as months when rain and poor weather are more likely, so check the forecast before booking.

A halal BBQ served on the catamaran

Lunch is served on board after the swim. The meal is a BBQ, accompanied by a selection of drinks. The food is halal, and vegetarian options are available when requested ahead of time.

The drink package includes soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. That makes the $59 price easier to justify, particularly if you enjoy a social lunch with drinks included rather than paying separately throughout the day.

I like the fact that lunch is part of the sailing experience instead of requiring another transfer to shore. You can eat while staying close to the water and keep the day moving. The meal is also practical for mixed groups because halal and vegetarian needs are addressed.

Request a vegetarian meal before the trip rather than waiting until the boat is serving lunch. The supplied information does not list the exact BBQ menu, so anyone with strict dietary requirements should confirm what will be available in advance.

Alcohol is included, but the day also involves sun, swimming, and time on a moving boat. Keep water in hand and use sensible judgment. The unlimited-drinks setup is a bonus, not a reason to overdo it.

Ile aux Cerfs and its postcard beach

After lunch, you head to Ile aux Cerfs, the trip’s main beach stop. The island is known for palm trees, white sand, and clear turquoise water. You can swim in the lagoon, relax on the beach, or walk around at your own pace.

This is the part most people picture when they think of a Mauritius catamaran day. The beach is attractive and easy to enjoy, with no complicated plan required. Put your towel down, take a swim, or simply sit near the water and let the day slow down.

The island also has a local craft market where you can look for Mauritius souvenirs. It is a useful extra if you want something more than beach time, though shopping is not the main reason to book this cruise.

Watersports at Ile aux Cerfs are not included. If you want additional activities there, budget separately. The included program gives you beach access and swimming, but not a package of paid watersports.

You should also keep an eye on the clock. The beach stop is one part of a wider itinerary, so you will not have unlimited time on the island. That trade-off is worthwhile if you want variety, but less so if your priority is spending most of the day in one place.

Sega music on the way home

The return sail includes local Mauritian Sega music. Singing and dancing are part of the entertainment, and this is where the outing takes on its most distinctly local character.

Sega is not just background music here. It gives the last stretch of the cruise a social, celebratory mood. The crew has been praised for its energy, friendliness, and willingness to join the fun, with several especially positive comments about the singing and dancing at the end.

The atmosphere will not suit everyone. Music can be lively from the morning, and one person found the volume too strong. If you want a peaceful sunset sail, this is not that kind of trip. If you enjoy a cheerful group setting, the entertainment is a real strength.

By the time you reach Trou d’Eau Douce, the day has covered several distinct experiences: river scenery, open-water sailing, snorkeling, a meal, beach time, and local music. That variety is the reason this works well as a first full-day introduction to the east coast.

Is $59 a fair price?

At $59 per person, the package is good value if you use the included features. The price covers the catamaran cruise, Grand River South East waterfall, swimming and snorkeling stop, BBQ lunch, Ile aux Cerfs visit, and drinks including beer, wine, and local rum.

Comparable costs can add up quickly if you arrange a boat trip, meal, drinks, and island transfer separately. Here, the basic plan is handled in one booking, which makes the day straightforward.

The value is strongest for couples, friends, and families who want a social outing with food and drinks built in. It is less compelling for someone who does not drink, dislikes group entertainment, or wants a quiet private boat.

The price does not cover hotel transfers or watersports at Ile aux Cerfs. Those are the two expenses most likely to affect your final budget. You should also allow for your transport to and from the fishing port.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. That flexibility is useful for a sea-based activity, especially during wetter periods.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this cruise if you want a full, easy day with several highlights and do not mind sharing the experience with a lively group. The crew’s friendly manner and the Sega performance are important parts of the appeal.

It suits:

• Couples looking for a relaxed day on the water
• Families and friends who enjoy swimming, food, and music
• First-time visitors who want to see Grand River South East and Ile aux Cerfs together
• People who value an included lunch and drinks
• Anyone interested in a social, festive boat atmosphere

I would think twice if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or are over 70, since the activity is listed as unsuitable for those groups. It is also not a strong match if you need a quiet boat, dislike fixed schedules, or want a private beach experience.

Pets and fireworks are not allowed. Those restrictions are unlikely to affect most people, but the more important planning point is weather. November and December can bring rain and poor conditions, so look at the forecast before committing.

English and French are the available tour languages. No individual guide names are provided, so you should expect crew-led service rather than a named personal guide.

Should you book it?

Book this Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise if you want good all-round value, a friendly crew, a halal BBQ, included drinks, and a day that mixes sightseeing with swimming and beach time. The waterfall, lagoon, island, and Sega finale give you plenty for the price.

Skip it if your ideal Mauritius day means silence, privacy, or hours on one beach. The opening organization can be slow, music may be loud, and paid watersports are extra. For everyone else, arrive early, check the weather, request vegetarian food ahead of time, and bring swimwear. This is a cheerful east-coast sampler, not a quiet sailing retreat.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is the Trou d’Eau Douce Debarcader fishing port on the east coast of Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at about 9:00 a.m. The cruise is scheduled to leave the jetty around 9:10 to 9:15 a.m.

How long is the experience?

The stated duration is seven hours. The listed sailing schedule runs from about 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be arranged separately.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes a BBQ lunch and drinks such as soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. The food is halal.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available upon request, and you should request one before the trip.

Are watersports at Ile aux Cerfs included?

No. Watersports at Ile aux Cerfs are not included in the cruise price.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

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