Mauritius Catamaran Cruise to Ile Aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this Mauritius day out is the variety: in one morning, you move from the river gorge at Grand River South East Waterfall to open-sea sailing, a lagoon swim, and the white beaches of Ile Aux Cerfs. It packs several classic east-coast sights into one outing without requiring separate bookings.

I like the generous onboard food and drink service, including a Halal three-course BBQ lunch, beer, wine, juice, soft drinks, water, and local rum. I also like the friendly atmosphere, especially when the crew adds Mauritian Sega music on the return sail. The main caution is space and timing: the catamaran can feel crowded, and some of the swimming time may be shorter than you hope.

Key points at a glance

• Grand River South East first: The cruise begins with a visit to Cascade Diamamouve, where you can photograph the waterfall and look for monkeys along the riverbanks.
• Food and drinks are included: You get a Halal BBQ lunch onboard, plus a range of local drinks rather than needing to buy lunch separately.
• Ile Aux Cerfs gets the longest stop: About three hours are set aside for beaches, lagoon swimming, crafts, and optional paid water activities.
• The day lasts six to seven hours: About 90 minutes of total transportation time between attractions is part of the schedule.
• Pickup needs checking: Hotel transfer is offered if selected, but pickup costs have caused confusion, so compare the fee with a local taxi fare.
• Weather can change the plan: Snorkeling may be canceled in poor conditions, with a different date or full refund offered if the entire outing is canceled.

Why this cruise works as a Mauritius day out

I see this as a good choice if you want a full day on the water but do not want to spend the whole time on a beach. The route gives you three different settings: a freshwater river and waterfall, a boat-based lunch and swim stop, and the famous sands of Ile Aux Cerfs.

The experience begins at Green Island Beach Restaurant on B59 Coastal Road in Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:30 a.m. If you arrange hotel pickup, the transfer may make the morning easier, particularly if you are staying away from the east coast. Still, I would confirm the exact pickup fee before booking. One person found the charge higher than expected after comparing it with the normal taxi cost to the port.

The cruise is listed at $59 per person. That is a fair package price when you count the catamaran, waterfall visit, lunch, drinks, snorkeling stop, and island time. The value is strongest if you plan to eat and drink onboard and want several sights in one day. It is less attractive if your main goal is a quiet, uncrowded beach or a long snorkeling session.

The maximum group size is listed as 35 people. Actual boat arrangements can vary, and the catamaran may feel tight when everyone is seated for lunch or moving around the deck. I would not book this expecting a private sailing trip. Think of it as a social group cruise with a lively holiday mood.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce

Trou d’Eau Douce is the launch point for the east-coast cruise. From the meeting point, you board the boat and begin the day on the water. The arrangement can involve a short transfer between boats, so pay attention during boarding and ask the crew where you should go if the process is not immediately clear.

That early organization matters. One of the less favorable experiences involved confusion at the start, including a late pickup and uncertainty about which boat passengers were using. This is a useful reason to arrive ready at the stated meeting point and keep the operator’s contact details available on your phone.

Once underway, the trip settles into a more relaxed rhythm. The crew serves drinks, and the boat becomes your base for the day. You will want sun protection, a swimsuit, a towel, and a secure way to carry your phone for photographs. The listing confirms a mobile ticket, so you do not need a printed voucher.

Grand River South East Waterfall and Cascade Diamamouve

The first main stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, also known as Cascade Diamamouve. The boat travels upriver, giving you a change of scenery from open lagoon to the narrower river setting.

This is primarily a sightseeing and photo stop, not a long waterfall hike. The schedule allows about one hour. You can photograph the falling water and watch the trees along the banks for monkeys. The monkeys are a possibility, not a guaranteed show, so keep your eyes open rather than expecting them to appear on cue.

I like this part because it gives the day a stronger sense of place. Ile Aux Cerfs is beautiful, but its beaches and clear water could belong to many tropical islands. The river visit feels more tied to Mauritius and breaks up the beach routine.

Do not expect a detailed guided nature walk here. The available information describes a sightseeing stop, and the boat-based format keeps the visit fairly simple. If you want a quiet, extended look at the waterfall, the one-hour schedule may feel brief. For most people, it is enough for photographs and a change of scene before returning to the sea.

The snorkeling and swimming break

After the river stop, the cruise heads to clear water for snorkeling and swimming. The purpose is straightforward: get into the lagoon, look for marine life, and cool off before lunch.

The water conditions control how good this section will be. Snorkeling has been canceled on days with poor weather, and that is a sensible safety decision. If the sea is rough or visibility is poor, you may still have a pleasant cruise, but you should not book this as a guaranteed snorkeling-focused excursion.

Bring your own snorkeling gear only if you prefer using personal equipment. The supplied details confirm a snorkeling and swimming break but do not specify equipment rental or whether gear is provided, so ask before departure if that detail matters to you.

Time can also feel limited. The formal schedule gives two hours to the snorkeling, lunch, and related stop, while the whole outing includes boat movement between locations. If you want a long, quiet swim, the island stop may offer a better chance to get in the water. The first swim is more of a refreshing activity built into a busy day.

A Halal BBQ lunch on the catamaran

Lunch is one of the stronger practical features. You receive a three-course BBQ meal onboard, and the food is Halal. That makes the cruise easier for anyone who needs Halal meals and useful for families who would rather not search for food during a tightly timed excursion.

The drink selection includes soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. The generous supply is part of the package’s value, especially for a full day in the sun. You should still pace yourself, since the boat continues moving and the afternoon includes beach time and swimming.

The meal is served on the catamaran rather than at a separate restaurant. That keeps the day moving and gives you the fun of eating on the water, but it also means limited space. A crowded boat can make lunch feel less leisurely, particularly when people are standing, collecting drinks, and finding seats.

Service appears to depend on clear communication. One complaint described a passenger having to ask for beer that was supposed to be included. I would simply confirm drink availability with the crew early in the day. The food and hospitality have also been praised, with positive comments about the quantity, friendly staff, and overall atmosphere.

Three hours on Ile Aux Cerfs

Ile Aux Cerfs is the main event for many people. The island has bright white sand, palm trees, and a clear turquoise lagoon. The planned stop is about three hours, giving you more time here than at the waterfall or the first swimming point.

You can relax on the beach, swim in the lagoon, or stroll through the local arts and crafts market. The market adds a small shopping option if you want a Mauritius souvenir without making a separate town visit. It is also an easy way to fill time if you prefer staying dry after lunch.

Optional activities include double parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking. These cost extra. The supplied prices are about Rs 2,500 for double parasailing, around Rs 1,000 per person in one part of the information, and about Rs 2,000 for undersea walking. Because the figures are not presented consistently, confirm the current price and whether the amount is per person before paying.

I would treat the paid activities as optional extras, not part of the tour’s core value. The cruise already includes the waterfall, snorkeling break, lunch, drinks, and island visit. If the water is calm and you want more action, parasailing or a tube ride can add excitement. If you prefer a simple beach day, the island is worthwhile without spending more.

The main drawback is that the island can feel busy, and three hours passes quickly. One particularly useful piece of advice is to keep an eye on the return meeting time. It is easy to wander toward the beach or market and lose track of where the boat will collect you.

The sail back and Mauritian Sega music

The return trip brings the group back to Trou d’Eau Douce, with local Mauritian Sega music providing entertainment along the way. Sega is an important part of the island’s cultural identity, and hearing it during the sail gives the day more local character than a standard boat ride with recorded pop music.

This part is social rather than educational. You are not promised a cultural talk or a detailed musical presentation. Instead, expect music, drinks, conversation, and a final chance to enjoy the coast from the boat.

The tour ends back at the original meeting point. The listed duration is six to seven hours, although the exact finish can depend on sea conditions, boat movements, and the pace of the group.

What the reviews reveal about the weak spots

The overall rating is 3.6 from 14 ratings, which tells you to set realistic expectations. Many people had an enjoyable day, but the experience is not perfectly consistent.

The most repeated strengths are the crew’s hospitality, plentiful food and refreshments, the beauty of Ile Aux Cerfs, and the combination of several activities. Specific praise also goes to a driver named Avish, who provided a good pickup experience for one family. Driver assignments are not guaranteed, but that detail shows how much the land transfer can affect the start of the day.

The serious complaints focus on late transportation, unclear boarding arrangements, limited information from a guide, and crowding. One account described a boat that felt full for its size, while another found the start disorganized and the instructions too vague. These are not minor points if you dislike uncertainty or need a calm, well-structured outing.

There was also a complaint about lunch facilities during a speedboat version of the day, including a lack of toilets at the lunch location. The described tour here serves lunch on the catamaran, so do not assume every boat or variation follows exactly the same setup. Ask which vessel and lunch arrangement you are receiving if the booking page gives you options.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want a broad taste of Mauritius in one day. The combination of scenery, swimming, food, drinks, music, and beach time gives you plenty to do, and the included meal makes the planning simple.

It is also a good match for anyone who values a lively group atmosphere. The crew has been praised for friendliness and hospitality, and the drinks and music help create a festive mood.

I would be more cautious if you want solitude, precise guiding, or a long snorkeling session. The boat may feel crowded, instructions may be brief, and the schedule gives you only a set amount of time at each stop. People with limited mobility should ask the operator about boarding and boat transfers, since the provided information says most people can participate but does not give detailed accessibility information.

The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

My booking verdict

Book this cruise if you want good value through variety. For $59, the included lunch, drinks, waterfall, island visit, and boat ride make a strong package, provided you are comfortable with a group setting.

Before paying, check three things: the pickup price, the exact boat arrangement, and the current cost of optional activities. If those details are clear and your priority is a fun east-coast day rather than a private or highly polished sailing experience, this is a sensible choice. Ile Aux Cerfs is the highlight, while the waterfall, BBQ, and Sega music give the trip enough variety to make the journey worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting point is Green Island Beach Restaurant, B59 Coastal Road, La Pelouse, Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius 42207.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six to seven hours. Transportation time between attractions totals about one hour and 30 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if that option is selected. Confirm the pickup charge before booking, since the fee may be higher than a taxi to the port.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a BBQ lunch served onboard the catamaran. The food is Halal.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Are parasailing and undersea walking included?

No. Parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking are optional activities that cost extra. The listed approximate prices include Rs 2,500 for double parasailing and Rs 2,000 for undersea walking, but you should confirm current prices.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.