All Inclusive Catamaran To Ile Aux Cerfs And Waterfall Visit

The best part of this day is the mix of open-water sailing and island time. You start with a drive to Trou D’eau Douce, then spend the day around Ile aux Cerfs, a 87-hectare island known for white sand and clear lagoons. A short stop at the Grand River South East waterfall adds a scenic change of pace.

I like two things here. First, the price includes the pieces that can quickly add up on a boat day: lunch, snacks, bottled water, snorkeling gear, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Second, private air-conditioned transport removes the need to arrange your own way to the east coast. The main caution is organization. Pickup and drop-off have gone smoothly for some people, but delayed departure, unclear check-in, and a reported return-transfer problem mean you should confirm the transport details before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• Ile aux Cerfs is the main event: Expect most of the day to center on its beaches, lagoon, restaurants, water sports, and sunbathing.
• The GRSE waterfall stop is short: The visit to Grand River South East Waterfalls lasts about 20 minutes.
• Food and drinks are covered: Mauritian barbecue lunch, snacks, bottled water, and unlimited beverages are included.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: You do not need to bring your own equipment for the blue lagoon stop.
• Transport is part of the package: Pickup is offered in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, but confirm the return plan.
• The advertised group limit is 24: One account described a boat carrying more than 40 people, so ask the operator to confirm the group size before departure.

A full east-coast day from Chamarel

This is not a quick boat ride. It is an approximately eight-hour outing built around Mauritius’s popular east-coast sights. The listed start time is 9:00 am, though pickup can be much earlier depending on where you stay and how far you are from Trou D’eau Douce.

One person staying in an apartment reported a 7:15 am pickup and a drive of about an hour and a half. That does not mean every pickup follows the same schedule, but it gives you a useful planning point: a 9:00 am boat departure may require an early morning start.

The road transfer is in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in Mauritius, where an east-coast excursion can involve a long road journey before you reach the water. A smooth transfer also lets you save your energy for the island and catamaran rather than dealing with directions, parking, or local transport.

The weak spot is not the concept but the handoff at the quayside. The boat check-in has been described as unclear, with passengers waiting while a staff member checked names from a clipboard. The boat has also reportedly left later than the advertised start time. If you arrive and do not immediately see your group, stay near the meeting area and contact the provider rather than wandering off.

Setting out from Trou D’eau Douce

Trou D’eau Douce is the departure point for this east-coast boat day. From here, the catamaran portion takes you toward the Grand River South East waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs.

The experience is designed as a social day rather than a quiet private cruise. Music, drinks, lunch, and a group boat create a relaxed holiday atmosphere. One account praised the combination of waterfalls, speedboats, fresh lunch, and music, which gives you a fair sense of the tone: this is part sightseeing, part beach outing, and part floating party.

The listing gives a maximum of 24 people. That is a reasonable size for a group catamaran, since you can still move around without feeling packed in. However, one account described more than 40 people aboard. That is a serious difference in comfort and space, especially during lunch, snorkeling, and boarding. Ask Paradise In Your Palm Tours to confirm the expected number of passengers for your date.

The timing also deserves a flexible attitude. A late departure can shorten time at the stops or push the return later than expected. This is not a reason to reject the trip outright, but it is a reason not to schedule an important evening booking immediately afterward.

Grand River South East Waterfalls in 20 minutes

The first major sight is the Grand River South East waterfall, also called GRSE. It is one of the east coast’s best-known attractions after Ile aux Cerfs, and the boat gives you a direct way to see it from the water.

The scheduled stop is about 20 minutes. That is enough for a look, photographs, and a sense of the river meeting the coast, but it is not a long waterfall visit. You should treat this as a scenic pause rather than a full nature walk or extended exploration.

The short stop works well because the main focus is Ile aux Cerfs. It breaks up the boat ride and gives the day another visual highlight without taking hours away from the beach and lagoon. If waterfalls are your top reason for booking, though, this outing may feel too brief.

Keep your camera ready before the boat arrives. With only 20 minutes, you will want to make the most of the stop instead of searching through a bag for your phone. The supplied information does not promise a guided talk or a walking route, so expect a simple visit by boat.

Mauritian barbecue on an island

Lunch is served at Ile aux Cerfs, and it is included in the $110 price. The meal is described as a Mauritian barbecue, giving the day a local food angle rather than relying only on packaged snacks.

The meal is practical as much as pleasurable. A day on the water, followed by snorkeling and time in the sun, can leave you hungry. Having lunch built into the schedule means you do not need to budget separately for a restaurant on the island.

Expect a casual island meal, not a formal dining experience. One Portuguese-language comment described the food as reasonable and praised the steady availability of drinks. That sounds like the right expectation: the barbecue helps keep the day moving and fed, but the food is not the main reason to book.

Snacks and bottled water are also included. Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are part of the package, with alcohol limited to people aged 18 and over. If you do drink, pace yourself in the heat. You still have snorkeling, sun exposure, and a boat ride back ahead of you.

What makes Ile aux Cerfs worth the time

Ile aux Cerfs is a 87-hectare island off Mauritius’s east coast. Its appeal is easy to understand: white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons, and room for a range of water and land activities.

The schedule gives this island the largest share of the day, about seven hours in the listed stop breakdown. That is useful because Ile aux Cerfs is not just a photo stop. You have time to eat, swim, snorkel, lie in the sun, and enjoy the surroundings without racing from one activity to the next.

The island also has restaurants, water sports, and land activities. The tour does not state that these extras are included, so budget separately if you want to use anything beyond the catamaran’s snorkeling equipment and scheduled activities.

The trade-off is that a popular island with many facilities may feel less secluded than a remote beach. You are booking convenience and variety rather than a deserted-island experience. For a first visit to Mauritius, that can be a good bargain. For someone seeking silence and solitude, the busy group format may be less appealing.

Sun protection is important here. The supplied information does not specify how much shade is available, so bring protection suitable for a long day outdoors. You may find yourself alternating between the beach, the water, and the catamaran depending on the weather and your comfort.

Snorkeling in the blue lagoon

Snorkeling is one of the included activities, and equipment is provided. The boat proceeds to a blue lagoon area where you can get into the water and look beneath the surface.

This is a useful inclusion because you do not have to pack or rent a mask and snorkel separately. It also adds something active to a day that could otherwise become a long stretch of sitting in the sun.

The description does not promise a particular marine species, reef, visibility level, or length of time in the water. Keep your expectations sensible. Water conditions can change, and the tour requires good weather. The operator may adjust the day if conditions are poor.

If you are not a confident swimmer, confirm the practical arrangements before booking. The information says most people can participate, but it does not provide details about flotation aids, lifeguards, or swimming instruction. You can still enjoy the boat and island even if you choose not to snorkel, but the tour does not list an alternative guided activity for non-swimmers.

The value of $110 per person

At $110 per person, this is a broad package rather than a bare boat transfer. The price covers private air-conditioned transport, a full-day catamaran trip, lunch, unlimited drinks, snacks, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, the waterfall stop, and time at Ile aux Cerfs.

That bundle can offer good value if you plan to use most of it. A separate trip to the east coast, a boat ride, food, drinks, and snorkeling could cost more once transport and equipment are added. The inclusion of return transport is especially useful if your accommodation is away from Trou D’eau Douce.

Value depends heavily on delivery. A well-run day with reliable pickup, a comfortable boat, and a clear return plan makes the price easier to justify. A late start, overcrowding, or missing hotel transfer changes the calculation quickly, because the convenience is one of the main reasons to choose an all-inclusive package.

The overall rating of 3.9 from 14 ratings suggests a mixed but generally workable experience. The strongest praise centers on helpful staff, smooth pickup, fresh lunch, music, waterfalls, and drinks. The lower marks focus on organization, delayed departures, overcrowding, and a return transfer that did not arrive.

I would not book this solely because every detail is guaranteed to run like a clock. I would book it because it puts several east-coast highlights into one day and includes enough extras to make the price sensible. Before paying, ask for written confirmation of pickup time, return transport, departure time, and the expected number of people on the boat.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day

This outing suits you if you want a busy, social day with many inclusions. Couples, families with older children, and groups of friends can all find something here: scenery, beach time, food, drinks, music, and snorkeling.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in or near Chamarel and do not want to arrange several separate activities. The private vehicle removes much of the transport work, while the boat covers the main east-coast sights in one package.

You may want a different kind of excursion if you prefer a small private boat, a quiet sailing trip, a detailed nature tour, or exact timing. The advertised group limit is 24, but the reported higher passenger count makes it especially important to confirm the group arrangement.

People under 18 can participate in the general activity, since the stated age rule applies to alcoholic drinks. The information says most people can take part, but it does not give detailed accessibility information or specific swimming requirements.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity must be booked at least two days before the date. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. If you cancel within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cause the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached, with the choice of another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Because the tour begins at 9:00 am but pickup can be earlier, wait for the exact collection time before planning your morning. Keep the provider’s contact information handy on the day, particularly at the end of the trip when the return transfer is most important.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want one convenient day covering Ile aux Cerfs, GRSE Waterfalls, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and transport. The package has strong value when the logistics work, and the island gives you plenty of time rather than a rushed photo stop.

I would be cautious if crowded boats or loose scheduling would spoil your holiday. Ask the provider to confirm the 24-person maximum and the return pickup in writing. If those answers are clear, this is a sensible way to see the east coast. If they are vague, choose a smaller or more directly managed boat trip.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart?

The catamaran departs from Trou D’eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am. Your pickup time may be earlier, depending on the location provided at booking.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Is hotel pickup offered?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and transport is provided in a private, air-conditioned vehicle.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the full-day catamaran trip, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, private air-conditioned transport, lunch at Ile aux Cerfs, bottled water, snacks, and snorkeling equipment.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Mauritian barbecue lunch at Ile aux Cerfs is included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included. You must be at least 18 years old to consume alcohol.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

How long is the waterfall visit?

The visit to Grand River South East Waterfalls lasts about 20 minutes.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations may result in another date or a full refund.