Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling + GRSE Waterfall, BBQ & Bar

The best part of this day is its mix of Mauritius sights and easygoing sea time. You cruise from Trou d’Eau Douce to the Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall, then spend several hours around Ile aux Cerfs with snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, and optional watersports.

I like that lunch and drinks are included, so the $82.46 price covers more than a boat ride. I also like the generous island stop, which gives you time to relax instead of rushing from one photo stop to the next.

The main caution is crowd control. The advertised maximum is 25 people, but one account described more than 30 aboard and called the catamaran overcrowded. Keep your valuables close, too, since belongings left on the boat during a transfer were not completely secure.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different stops: You get a quick look at Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall, followed by a much longer stay at Ile aux Cerfs.
• A full meal is part of the fare: Barbecue lunch, snacks, water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, wine, and rum cocktails are included.
• A social group outing: The stated limit is 25 people, though capacity may feel less comfortable if the boat carries more than advertised.
• A practical departure point: You meet the crew at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 a.m. and return there.
• Good for active and relaxed days: You can snorkel or try watersports, or simply swim, sunbathe, and enjoy a coconut.
• Bring a secure way to carry valuables: Do not assume items left on the main boat are protected when you move to a smaller boat.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 a.m.

Your day begins at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce. The meeting point is the Debarcadere, where the local agent waits for you before boarding.

This is a start-and-finish boat trip, not a tour with private transport included. You need to arrange your own way to Trou d’Eau Douce and make sure your ride is ready at the same Debarcadere when the catamaran returns.

That detail matters. If you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius, leave enough time to reach the port in the morning. The published start time is 9:00 a.m., and the total experience lasts about seven hours, so this is a substantial half-day outing rather than a quick harbor cruise.

The group size is advertised as no more than 25 people. That should make for a friendly, social boat ride without being quite as packed as a large excursion vessel. Still, one account described more than 30 passengers and found the boat too crowded, so I would ask for a current head count if personal space is important to you.

The short stop at Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall

The first stop is Grande Riviere Sud Est, where the river meets the Indian Ocean. The waterfall is seen from the water, giving you a compact but memorable opening to the trip.

The scheduled stop lasts about 10 minutes. That is enough for a look and a few photographs, but not enough for a long walk, a detailed visit, or a quiet period by the falls. Think of it as a scenic introduction to the river mouth, not the main event.

This short timing also explains the shape of the day. The tour does not spend equal time at every point. The waterfall provides a quick natural sight, while Ile aux Cerfs gets the bulk of your time for swimming, beach time, snorkeling, and optional activities.

You may find the waterfall more impressive after rain, when the flow can be stronger. Weather also affects the mood of the whole trip, since the experience requires good conditions and can be moved or canceled if the weather turns poor.

Spending several hours around Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is where the outing slows down. The published schedule allows about three hours at the island, with roughly two hours described for relaxing or taking part in activities. Either way, this is the part of the day that gives you room to choose your own pace.

You can swim, sunbathe, have a coconut, or book a lounger. If you want more action, parasailing and tube rides are available as possible add-ons at the island. The tour itself includes snorkeling equipment, but the supplied details do not promise a particular reef, marine-life sighting, or length of snorkeling time.

That distinction is useful. If you are booking this mainly for serious snorkeling, you may find the outing less focused than a dedicated snorkeling trip. If you want a broad Mauritius day that combines a waterfall, an island, lunch, and time on the sea, the range of activities works in its favor.

I like the flexible setup. A couple can split up for a while, with one person taking part in a watersport and the other staying on the beach. Families and mixed-age groups may also appreciate having several low-key options, though the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

I would budget mentally for any activity not clearly included in the fare. Snorkeling equipment is included, but parasailing, tube rides, and a transat, meaning a reserved lounger, are presented as things you can book or arrange at Ile aux Cerfs rather than guaranteed inclusions.

Barbecue lunch, rum cocktails, and a social boat atmosphere

Food is one of the stronger reasons to consider this trip. The fare includes barbecue lunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, alcoholic drinks, wine, rum cocktails, and coconut water. You do not need to search for a restaurant during your island stop.

The barbecue has received especially warm praise, and one French-language account singled out both the food and the kind crew. Another described the drinks as plentiful and the mood as excellent, even during a rain shower at Ile aux Cerfs. That gives you a fair picture of the experience: it is built as a cheerful group day, not a quiet private charter.

Crew members named in connection with the outing include Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan. The human side matters here. A catamaran trip is only as enjoyable as the people serving lunch, pouring drinks, helping with equipment, and keeping the group moving, and the strongest feedback consistently points to friendly service and good energy.

There is a tradeoff. A generous drinks package can encourage a louder party atmosphere, especially on a full boat. If you want a peaceful sail with little group interaction, this may not be the best fit. If you enjoy meeting people and sharing a meal on the water, the social format is part of the appeal.

What the $82.46 price really covers

At $82.46 per person, this is a solid value if you plan to use the included food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and several-hour island stop. Buying lunch, drinks, and transport between these sights separately could quickly narrow the price difference.

The value is strongest for people who want variety. In one outing, you get:

• A catamaran cruise from Trou d’Eau Douce
• A stop at Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall
• Time at Ile aux Cerfs
• Snorkeling equipment
• Barbecue lunch and snacks
• Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
• Coffee, tea, and bottled water

The price is less compelling if you want a private or premium experience. This is a group trip, and the advertised capacity is not a guarantee of spacious seating on every departure. One disappointed customer felt the boat was too crowded for the price and expected a more premium setup.

The provider also offers a separate luxury Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise. That is worth knowing if you care more about space and a higher-end setting than about keeping the cost down. This standard outing makes more sense when you see it as an all-inclusive social cruise with sightseeing, rather than as a luxury sailing day.

Protecting your phone and other valuables

Take the security warning seriously. During the day, you may move from the main catamaran to a smaller boat for part of the route. You may be told that bags can remain on the larger vessel, but one passenger reported a stolen phone from belongings left aboard.

I would bring only what you need and use a waterproof pouch or secure bag that stays with you. Keep your phone, passport, wallet, and camera under your control whenever possible. A phone case with a wrist strap can help around the water, though you should still avoid carrying loose valuables during swimming or snorkeling.

This is not a reason to reject the trip, but it is a reason to prepare properly. Boat days often involve wet surfaces, transfers, and moments when the group’s attention shifts to swimming or activities. Good personal habits reduce the risk of losing the one item that can sour an otherwise pleasant day.

Weather, rain, and what the schedule allows

This activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the departure, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time.

Do not read a passing rain shower as an automatic failure. A day at Ile aux Cerfs can still work in unsettled weather, and one account described a very enjoyable outing despite rain at the island. Still, clouds, wind, and rough water can affect swimming, snorkeling, visibility, and comfort.

The schedule leaves some room for a pleasant change of pace, but the tour is not a free-form private charter. The waterfall stop is short, the island stop has a set window, and the boat must return to Trou d’Eau Douce. If you want to linger at one place all day, choose a different arrangement.

Who will get the most from this catamaran day

I would recommend this outing to you if you want to see several of Mauritius’s popular east-coast attractions without arranging each part yourself. It suits couples, friends, and families who like a mix of scenery, food, swimming, and light adventure.

It is also a good match for a mixed group. One person can snorkel, another can try a tube ride, and someone else can simply sit with a drink and enjoy the sea. The included lunch and drinks make the day easy to manage, especially if you do not want to think about where to eat.

You may want another option if you need wheelchair access, dislike group activities, or expect a quiet luxury cruise. You should also look elsewhere if your main goal is extended snorkeling or guaranteed privacy.

The advertised maximum of 25 is worth confirming before booking. If the boat is full, the social atmosphere may be fun, but seating and movement can feel tight. The customer rating is 4.4 from nine ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience with a few meaningful concerns rather than universal approval.

Practical packing advice for a seven-hour boat day

Pack light, but bring the basics. You will want swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and clothing that can handle spray or rain. A dry bag is especially useful for your phone and wallet.

Carry enough cash or payment capacity for optional island activities, since parasailing, tube rides, and a lounger are not clearly part of the included package. Bring a secure way to keep your valuables with you rather than leaving them loose on the catamaran.

Wear something comfortable for boarding and moving between boats. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own unless you prefer a familiar fit. Remember that the meeting point and the return point are both at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce.

Should you book this Mauritius catamaran tour?

Book it if you want a lively, good-value day with a waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, barbecue food, drinks, and enough free time for both activity and rest. The friendly crew, particularly Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan, is a real part of the experience, and the included meal and drinks make the price easier to justify.

I would not book it expecting a private yacht, a quiet sail, or a specialist snorkeling trip. Confirm the expected passenger count, secure your valuables, and allow for changing weather. With those points understood, this is a practical way to fit several east-coast highlights into one well-fed day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

Is transportation to Trou d’Eau Douce included?

No. Private transportation is not included. You need to reach the Debarcadere yourself and arrange transport from the return point.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes barbecue lunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, alcoholic beverages, wine, rum cocktails, and coconut water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

Because the experience requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions gives you the choice of another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.