Catamaran Trip to Ile au Cerfs with Lunch and GRSE waterfall

The best part of this outing is the mix: you get a catamaran cruise, a waterfall visit, a snorkeling stop, a barbecue lunch, and beach time at Ile aux Cerfs in one east-coast day. It is a lively package rather than a quiet boat ride, with music, drinks, and plenty of sun.

I like the easy all-in-one format and the fact that lunch and drinks are included. I also like the chance to see Grand River South East Waterfall from the water before spending time on one of Mauritius’s famous sandy islands. The main consideration is timing: the day can feel rushed in places, and the catamaran may be replaced by a speedboat for some transfers or sailings.

Key points to know before booking

• Grand River South East Waterfall comes early: You visit the falls about 500 metres upstream from the river entrance, sometimes using a speedboat transfer.
• The snorkeling stop is short: Plan on roughly 20 minutes in the water, enough for a quick look at coral and tropical fish.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect a BBQ spread with chicken, fish, sausages, rice, salads, pasta, and potato salad.
• The open bar is a real part of the day: Soft drinks, beer, wine, and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available.
• Ile aux Cerfs is your relaxed finish: You have time for white sand, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water activities.
• Pickup helps from Grand Baie: Yash, one reported Mauritius Taxi Service driver, communicated clearly about pickup times and hotel reception collection.

A busy but appealing east-coast day

At $69 per person, this trip is designed for value and variety. You are not paying for a long, private sailing experience. You are paying for a full outing that bundles transport on the water, a guide, food, drinks, entertainment, and several of the east coast’s best-known sights.

That matters in Mauritius, where separate boat trips, meals, taxis, and island visits can quickly become a pile of decisions. Here, you make one booking and spend six to seven hours moving through a set route. I like that simplicity, especially if you have limited time on the island.

The tradeoff is that each stop has a fixed rhythm. You will not have unlimited time at the waterfall or snorkeling area, and Ile aux Cerfs is part of a popular excursion circuit. If your ideal day is a silent sail with only a few people onboard, this is probably too social and too tightly packed.

If you want sun, scenery, food, and a bit of local music without planning every detail yourself, the format makes sense.

Setting out from Trou D’Eau Douce

Your day begins at the meeting point near Trou D’Eau Douce, where a representative briefs you before boarding. Arrive sharply. The boat schedule is not the sort of thing that can wait for late arrivals, and missing the departure could mean missing the entire excursion.

Hotel pickup is optional. If you use it, provide your accommodation location when booking. The driver is expected to meet you at the reception area. Pickup can be useful from Grand Baie, which is some distance from the east coast. One useful detail from the arrangements is the clear communication provided by Yash of Mauritius Taxi Service, who contacted passengers about pickup times.

The transfer setup may vary. One account describes arriving at the dock, then taking a speedboat onto the catamaran. Another describes receiving a speedboat rather than the advertised catamaran and finding the ride faster than comfortable. That does not mean every departure follows the same pattern, but you should be prepared for a speedboat connection or substitution.

The main boat is described as a 45-foot catamaran. That gives you room to move around, sit in the sun, and take in the coast, though the exact seating and crowd level are not specified. Bring a towel, sunscreen, a camera, comfortable clothing, and shoes that can cope with a boat and shore transfer.

Grand River South East Waterfall by boat

The first major sight is Grand River South East Waterfall. The falls are reached from the river, around 500 metres upstream, and the approach gives you a view that is more about the setting than a long waterfall walk.

In one reported arrangement, the catamaran sailed near the waterfall and passengers transferred to a speedboat for a 10 to 15 minute ride. That smaller boat took them to the falls, where monkeys were also seen. This makes the stop more active than simply looking at a cascade from a distant boat.

Allow for some variation in the order and length of this part of the day. The advertised plan places the waterfall before the catamaran reaches the main lagoon route, but one account described a longer lunch wait before continuing to the falls. Another person felt two hours for a meal stop was too long and would have preferred 60 to 90 minutes.

That is useful practical information. The waterfall itself may be brief, while the transfer, waiting, and group movement can take more of your schedule. I would treat the falls as a pleasant bonus and a scenic introduction, not the central reason to book the trip.

Snorkeling in the clear lagoon

After the river and waterfall portion, the boat heads into the clear lagoon for a swimming and snorkeling break. This is one of the strongest parts of the route for anyone who wants to get into the water rather than only admire it from the deck.

The stop is reported as around 20 minutes. That is enough time to put on your mask, swim out, and look for tropical fish around the coral, but it is not a full reef session. You will want your gear ready before the boat stops so you do not spend most of the break preparing.

The water and marine life received some of the most positive attention. One outing even included dolphin sightings, though dolphins are wildlife and cannot be promised. The sensible expectation is a quick look at coral and tropical fish in a warm lagoon, with the quality of the view depending on weather and water conditions.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. The provided information does not confirm whether snorkeling equipment is supplied, so check the booking details before departure rather than assuming you need nothing. If you do not want to snorkel, the stop still works as a swim or a chance to remain on deck.

BBQ lunch with drinks on the catamaran

The onboard lunch is a major part of the value. You are served a BBQ-style meal after the snorkeling stop, with chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad described as part of the spread.

That is a practical menu for a boat day. You get filling food rather than a small snack, and you do not lose more time looking for a restaurant on Ile aux Cerfs. The meal is also a social point in the trip, with everyone back onboard and the crew serving food while the boat continues its outing.

Vegetarian food is available, but you must request it at booking. You should also report food allergies or an illness in advance. Do not wait until lunch to raise an allergy concern, since the information specifically asks you to notify the operator ahead of time.

The open bar includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and a range of other beverages have been available on the route. This can make the price look particularly good if you expect to have several drinks, but pace yourself in the sun. A boat, strong light, alcohol, and swimming are not a smart combination when taken too quickly.

The timing deserves attention. The day is listed as six to seven hours, but the balance between lunch, waterfall time, snorkeling, and the island can shift. If a long meal pause bothers you, ask about the expected schedule when you meet the representative.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main payoff for many people. The island is known for white sand beaches and clear water, and the visit gives you time to slow down after the boat ride, waterfall transfer, and snorkeling stop.

You can stroll along the beach, swim, snorkel again, or simply sit in the sun. A range of water sports facilities and activities is available on the island, though the supplied details do not say which activities are included in the $69 price. Assume optional water sports cost extra unless the operator confirms otherwise.

I like having island time at the end rather than only passing the beach from the boat. It gives you a chance to choose your own pace. You can be active in the water, take photographs, or find a quiet patch of sand for a while.

Still, do not picture a deserted island. Ile aux Cerfs is a well-known stop on east-coast boat trips, and this excursion is built around a popular beach destination. The appeal is easy access, striking scenery, and free time, not isolation.

Your time here will also depend on the earlier stops. If the waterfall transfer or lunch runs long, the island portion may feel shorter than expected. For that reason, ask how much time is normally allotted to Ile aux Cerfs if beach time is your top priority.

Music, local stories, and the ride home

The return sail to Trou D’Eau Douce is part of the entertainment. The crew plays local Mauritian music, tells local tales, and uses jokes to keep the mood light. This is not a formal cultural presentation, but it adds a sense of place and gives the boat ride some character.

The hosts or greeters speak English and French. Several languages may be used onboard, which is helpful on a mixed group outing. You should expect a friendly, social atmosphere rather than a quiet naturalist cruise.

The entertainment will suit you if you enjoy music, conversation, and a drink while watching the coast pass by. If you prefer to read, nap, or hear detailed commentary about every landmark, the music may feel like more of a feature than a distraction.

The advertised boat is a catamaran, but the speedboat substitution described in one account is worth keeping in mind. A speedboat can make transfers quick, but it may feel rough or too fast if you are sensitive to motion. Bring any medication you normally use for seasickness, though the operator does not specifically provide a seasickness service.

What the $69 price really covers

The $69 price is strongest when you use the inclusions. You receive the waterfall visit, catamaran outing, BBQ lunch, open bar, guide service, Ile aux Cerfs visit, music, and onboard entertainment. Add optional hotel pickup if you need it, and confirm its cost before booking.

For a six to seven hour day, that is a solid bundle. The included meal alone saves you from arranging lunch, while the open bar adds value for people who plan to drink. You also get several different settings: river, waterfall, lagoon, boat deck, and island beach.

The value is weaker if you only want one activity. Someone focused on serious snorkeling may prefer a trip with a longer reef stop. Someone who wants a peaceful sail may not appreciate the music and group format. Someone who wants a full day on Ile aux Cerfs should check the timetable, since the waterfall and lunch take up meaningful hours.

I would compare the price against the total cost of arranging a taxi to Trou D’Eau Douce, a separate boat trip, lunch, and an island visit. In that comparison, the package is practical. Its strength is convenience and variety, not privacy or complete control over the schedule.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this trip to first-time visitors who want a broad taste of Mauritius’s east coast in one day. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who like a mix of swimming, sightseeing, food, and music.

It also works well if you are staying away from the east coast and want pickup arranged. Just remember that a long transfer from your hotel can add to an already full day.

You should think twice if you dislike fixed schedules, group entertainment, or speedboat transfers. The snorkeling break is short, the island time can vary, and the atmosphere is built for fun rather than quiet reflection.

Weather is another factor. The excursion can be canceled and rescheduled in extreme bad weather, or refunded if a suitable new date is not available. Even in ordinary cloudy or rainy weather, the trip may continue, but the water, photos, and beach time will not look as inviting as they do under strong sun.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a convenient, social east-coast day with a lot included for $69. The combination of waterfall, snorkeling, BBQ lunch, open bar, music, and Ile aux Cerfs gives you plenty of variety, and the food and crew friendliness are strong reasons to consider it.

Before paying, ask two questions: how much time will be spent on Ile aux Cerfs, and will your departure use the catamaran for the whole route or include speedboat transfers? If the answers suit your priorities, this is a sensible way to cover several Mauritius highlights without arranging each piece yourself.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The excursion lasts approximately six to seven hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What is included in the price?

The package includes the Grand River South East Waterfall visit, BBQ lunch onboard, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, a qualified guide, the visit to Ile aux Cerfs, music, and entertainment.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is optional rather than automatically included. Provide your hotel or accommodation location when booking if you want to request it.

Where does the activity meet?

You meet the representative at the stated meeting location near the departure point. The representative briefs you before you board the catamaran.

Is lunch suitable for vegetarians?

A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it when booking. Food allergies and illnesses should also be reported in advance.

What drinks are available onboard?

The open bar provides alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and other beverages are available during the trip.

Is snorkeling included?

A snorkeling and swimming break is included in the route. The stop is described as lasting around 20 minutes. The provided information does not confirm whether snorkeling equipment is supplied, so check before departure.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. Sunscreen and a towel are particularly useful for the swimming and snorkeling stops.

What happens in bad weather?

In extreme bad weather, the excursion may be canceled and rescheduled for a convenient date. If rescheduling is not suitable, a full refund is available. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.