Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Tour with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of this day is its mix of easygoing sailing and varied stops. You start on Mauritius’s east coast, visit Grand River South East waterfall, swim and snorkel in the lagoon, eat barbecue lunch, then spend time on the white sands of Ile aux Cerfs. It feels like a full day at sea rather than a quick boat ride.

I like the small maximum group of 20 people, which should feel more personal than the packed catamarans you may see nearby. I also like the crew’s role in the day: local music, jokes, stories, food, and drinks turn the crossing into a social Mauritian outing rather than silent transport.

The main consideration is the length. At about nine hours, this is a full commitment, and the day depends on good weather. The exact optional activities included may also depend on the package you select, so check that detail before paying.

Key Points Before You Book

• Grand River South East comes first: You visit the waterfall before reaching Ile aux Cerfs, with a chance to spot monkeys and fruit bats near the river.
• The boat carries no more than 20 people: That is a useful advantage if you want room to move and a friendlier crew-to-passenger feel.
• Lunch and drinks are built into the day: Expect barbecue food plus an open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Several water stops are planned: You can swim and snorkel in the lagoon, with coral and tropical fish as the main attraction.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you about two hours ashore: Use it for beach time, a swim, a walk, or package-dependent activities such as parasailing.
• The tour runs from about 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting point is Trou d’Eau Douce.

Setting Sail From Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00

Your morning begins at Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’s east coast. The stated arrival time is 8:30 a.m., with the catamaran leaving at 9:00. Pickup is offered, but you should confirm the arrangement when booking because the listed start point remains Trou d’Eau Douce.

The opening sail is part of the appeal. You move along calm coastal water with mountain views in the distance, rather than rushing straight to the beach. The crew supplies local Mauritian music and may share stories and jokes along the way, so the mood is designed to be informal and lively.

The catamaran is limited to 20 people. That does not guarantee a quiet trip, especially with music and an open bar, but it should reduce the crowded feel common on larger boat excursions. If you like meeting people and want a day with a social pulse, this setup should suit you. If you prefer a silent, private sailing trip, the music and group atmosphere may feel less appealing.

Grand River South East Waterfall Comes Before the Beach

The first proper stop is Grand River South East waterfall, about 500 meters upstream. The catamaran takes you toward the river before the main island portion of the day, giving you a short nature stop early in the morning.

The setting includes tall old trees, river scenery, and the waterfall itself. You may see monkeys moving through the branches and Mauritian fruit bats resting higher up. The description also says you may feed the monkeys, but I would follow the crew’s instructions closely and avoid treating wildlife as a guaranteed show.

This stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a look and some photos, but not enough for a long walk or a slow exploration of the river. Think of it as a scenic introduction to the island’s inland side, not a full waterfall hike.

The stop also breaks up the sailing nicely. Rather than spending the entire morning on the boat before reaching Ile aux Cerfs, you get a change of scene and a glimpse of local wildlife. If waterfalls are your main reason for booking, keep your expectations in check. The boat visit is brief.

Lagoon Swimming and Snorkeling Near Ile aux Cerfs

After the river stop, the catamaran heads toward Ile aux Cerfs through clear lagoon water. The plan includes swimming and snorkeling breaks, with several scheduled stops in areas known for coral and tropical fish.

This is where the tour becomes more than a sightseeing cruise. You can get into the water, look for brightly colored fish, and explore the coral areas at your own pace. Sea turtles are also listed among the marine life you may see, but wildlife sightings are never certain, so treat them as a welcome possibility rather than a promise.

You will want swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and anything you personally need for time in the water. The supplied details do not specify whether snorkeling equipment is provided, so confirm that before departure instead of assuming it is included.

The snorkeling stops are valuable because they give you more than a quick look at Ile aux Cerfs from the boat. Still, the quality of each stop can depend on water conditions and visibility. If the sea is choppy or the weather changes, the swimming portion may feel less impressive than the photographs suggest.

Barbecue Lunch and an Open Bar at Sea

After snorkeling, you get a barbecue lunch either on the beach or aboard the catamaran. The meal is included in the $70 price, along with an open bar offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

That package changes the value calculation. You are not paying only for a boat transfer to a famous island. The price also covers a full day of sailing, the waterfall stop, snorkeling breaks, lunch, and drinks. For someone who plans to spend the day by the sea anyway, that is a practical bundle.

The food is described as barbecue rather than a restaurant meal, so expect a casual outdoor lunch. That fits the setting. You can eat with the water around you, continue chatting with the crew, and avoid losing time searching for lunch on a busy beach.

The open bar can also make the boat feel festive, especially once the music starts. You should pace yourself, since the tour lasts until roughly 4:00 p.m. The non-alcoholic options matter too, particularly during a long day in the sun.

One point of caution: the wording says unlimited food and alcoholic drinks, but it does not provide a detailed menu. If you have dietary restrictions, ask the operator what barbecue choices are available before booking.

Two Hours on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main destination, with white sand, palm trees, and bright blue-green water. The island is built for a relaxed beach stop, so you can stroll, swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, or simply enjoy the shore.

You have about two hours here according to the schedule. That is a useful amount of time for a swim and a walk, but it is not a whole afternoon. Keep an eye on the meeting time, especially if you leave the main beach area or join an optional activity.

The island also offers facilities and paid or package-based activities. Depending on your booking, you may be entitled to parasailing, undersea walking, or tube riding. These should not be treated as automatically included in every version of the tour. Check the package description carefully, since the included activities can affect the final value.

Parasailing gives you a high view over the coast and the water. Undersea walking offers a different way to see the marine environment, while tube riding is aimed more at simple waterborne fun. If one of these is the main reason you want to book, get written confirmation that it is part of your selected package.

The beach time is also your chance to slow down. After the waterfall, swimming, food, and music, you may appreciate doing very little. I would use these two hours for a planned balance: swim first, take a short walk, then leave time to sit on the sand before returning to the boat.

The Sail Back to Trou d’Eau Douce

The return trip begins after the Ile aux Cerfs visit, with arrival back at Trou d’Eau Douce expected around 4:00 p.m. The final two hours are not simply dead time. You continue sailing, enjoying the coast, music, and included drinks.

The schedule makes this a long but clearly shaped day: morning departure, river waterfall, lagoon stops, lunch, island time, then the return sail. That structure helps you know what you are committing to. You should not book it if you want a short morning activity followed by an open afternoon.

The ride back may be the most relaxed part of the trip. The main activities are over, and you can watch the coast from the catamaran. Since weather affects the outing, conditions can shape how pleasant the return feels. The operator offers a different date or full refund if poor weather forces cancellation.

Is $70 a Fair Price?

At $70 per person, the tour offers solid value if you intend to use most of what is included. A separate boat outing, lunch, drinks, waterfall visit, snorkeling stops, and island time could cost more when arranged independently. The small group limit adds another useful advantage.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a ready-made day with few decisions. You do not need to arrange a separate route to Grand River South East, find a boat to Ile aux Cerfs, locate lunch, or plan how to get back to Trou d’Eau Douce.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike group music, or mainly want quiet beach time. In that case, part of the package may not matter to you, and a simpler island transfer could be a better fit.

The optional activities deserve special attention. Parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding are described as package-dependent. Compare the exact version you are booking, because a low headline price may not include the activity you most want.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Day?

I would recommend this excursion to couples, families, and groups of friends who want several Mauritius highlights in one day. It suits you if you like being on the water, trying a little snorkeling, eating outdoors, and having a crew that keeps the mood moving.

It is also a good match if you want a social day but dislike very large boat groups. A maximum of 20 people gives the outing a more manageable scale, and the crew can focus more easily on the people aboard.

You may want to choose another activity if your priority is a private cruise, serious snorkeling, a long nature walk, or a quiet luxury sailing trip. The day is broad rather than specialized. It gives you a taste of several settings, but each stop is limited in time.

The tour is also a reasonable choice for first-time visitors to Mauritius who want an efficient introduction to the east coast. You see river scenery, a waterfall, the lagoon, coral and fish, and Ile aux Cerfs without having to organize each piece yourself.

Practical Details That Affect the Day

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. and lasts about nine hours. The catamaran departs at 9:00 and returns around 4:00 p.m. Pickup is offered, but check the exact pickup details because the listed meeting point is Trou d’Eau Douce.

Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation is provided at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, although the supplied information does not give more specific guidance about mobility needs.

The tour requires good weather. If weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Bring practical beach gear. Swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a way to protect your phone from water will make the day easier. Since equipment details are not specified, ask whether snorkeling gear is supplied.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want a full east-coast day with food, drinks, swimming, music, and a small group. The combination is hard to beat at $70, especially if you expect to use the open bar and enjoy the barbecue lunch.

Think twice if you want a private or peaceful cruise, need a detailed dietary plan, or are choosing the tour mainly for parasailing or another optional activity. Confirm exactly what your package includes before booking.

For most people looking for an easy, social day around Ile aux Cerfs, this is a sensible choice. The strongest features are the friendly crew atmosphere, the range of stops, and the fact that the day keeps moving without feeling like a simple boat transfer.

FAQ

Where does the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran tour start?

The listed starting point is Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. You should arrive at about 8:30 a.m., with the catamaran scheduled to leave at 9:00 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The catamaran returns to Trou d’Eau Douce, the same place where the activity begins.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts about nine hours. The expected return time is around 4:00 p.m.

Is pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The supplied details still list Trou d’Eau Douce as the meeting point, so confirm the pickup arrangement when you book.

What is included in the price?

The $70 price includes the catamaran excursion, the Grand River South East waterfall visit, snorkeling and swimming stops, barbecue lunch, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from the open bar.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You receive a barbecue lunch, served either on the beach or aboard the catamaran.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes open bar service with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

What marine life might I see?

The lagoon is described as having coral reefs and tropical fish. You may also see sea turtles, although sightings are not guaranteed.

Are parasailing and other water activities included?

That depends on the package. Possible activities include parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding, so confirm what is included in your selected option.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.