Exclusive Private Catamaran Adventure: Ile aux Cerf (Full Day Cruise incl Lunch)

The best part of this Mauritius day trip is the mix of private sailing and island time. You leave from Trou d’Eau Douce, visit Grand River South East waterfall by speedboat, stop to snorkel, then settle in for lunch and several hours at Ile aux Cerfs.

I like the door-to-door pickup and the fact that the boat, guide, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear are bundled together. I also like the relaxed pace: this is not a quick photo stop. You have about three hours around Ile aux Cerfs. The catch is the high price and uneven value. At $993.32 for up to four people, it makes the most sense for a private group, not a solo visitor or couple expecting a polished luxury yacht.

Key points to know before booking

• The day begins at Trou d’Eau Douce, with catamaran departure at about 9:30 a.m. and hotel pickup starting around 8:30 a.m.
• Grand River South East waterfall comes first, reached by a short speedboat ride roughly 500 metres upstream.
• Snorkeling equipment is included, with a lagoon stop for swimming and a look at coral and tropical fish.
• Lunch is a three-course barbecue, with vegetarian and Halal choices available if requested in advance.
• The open bar includes local drinks, including wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum.
• Ile aux Cerfs water sports cost extra, including parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking.

A full day on Mauritius’s east coast

This outing covers the classic east-coast combination: a boat ride, a river waterfall, a coral lagoon, a barbecue lunch, and time on a white-sand island. You are not simply ferried to Ile aux Cerfs and left there. The route gives you several different views of Mauritius, from the fishing village of Trou d’Eau Douce to the palm-fringed beaches offshore.

The trip lasts roughly seven to eight hours. Pickup and drop-off are included from any accommodation or hotel in Mauritius, though your exact pickup time depends on where you are staying. The listed meeting time is 8:30 a.m., and the boat leaves Trou d’Eau Douce at about 9:30 a.m.

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. That matters most if you want to set the mood yourself. You can spend your time chatting with your own companions, listening to Mauritian music, or simply sitting quietly with a drink. Still, private does not automatically mean custom-built. One important criticism of this outing is that the boat and menu may feel more functional than luxurious, despite the premium price.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:30 a.m.

Your day starts with private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle. A certified guide and driver take you to Trou d’Eau Douce, a fishing village on the east coast. The supplied schedule places arrival at about 9:15 a.m., leaving a little time before boarding.

Once aboard, the catamaran begins its run across the lagoon. The crew may share local tales, jokes, and Mauritian music. That detail gives the sailing portion a more local feel than a silent transfer, though the tone will depend on the crew and on your group.

A catamaran is a good match for this route. Its broad deck gives you room to sit, look out over the water, and move around without feeling confined to a narrow boat. The trip is designed for an easy day rather than a serious sailing lesson. You should expect sightseeing and relaxation, not hands-on sailing instruction.

The open bar begins to make sense here. Wine, beer, rum, soft drinks, and water are included without a stated limit. If you prefer to stay clear-headed for snorkeling and swimming, water and soft drinks are available too. As always with an open bar on a boat, drink sensibly, especially in strong sun.

Grand River South East by speedboat

The first sightseeing stop is Grand River South East waterfall. The catamaran does not travel all the way into the narrower river. Instead, you transfer to speedboats for the run upstream, about 500 metres, to the waterfall.

The ride adds a little excitement and lets you reach a place the larger catamaran cannot. Along the riverbanks, you may see monkeys moving through old trees and fruit bats perched high above the water. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they are part of what makes this stop more than a simple waterfall photograph.

The waterfall visit lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a look and some pictures, but not enough for a long walk or extended time beside the river. You should also expect the stop to feel organized around boat access. If you want a quiet, solitary nature visit, this may feel brief.

After the speedboat returns you to the catamaran, the route turns toward Ile aux Cerfs. This ordering works well. You see the river before the main beach stop, leaving the longer part of the day for swimming, lunch, and time on the island.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

Before or around the Ile aux Cerfs portion, the catamaran stops in clear lagoon water for swimming and snorkeling. Equipment is provided, which saves you from packing fins and a mask. Bring your own towel and spare clothing, however. Those items are specifically not supplied.

The snorkeling stop is intended to show you coral and tropical fish in the lagoon. The description refers to bright-colored fish and a broad range of marine life. Conditions in any lagoon can change with weather, water movement, and visibility, so treat this as a pleasant reef stop rather than a guaranteed wildlife show.

You can swim even if you do not want to snorkel. That makes the break useful for a mixed group, where one person wants to inspect the water and another would rather float or remain aboard.

I would pay attention to the timing here. The day includes a waterfall, snorkeling, lunch, and island time, so no single stop is likely to feel like a private expedition. The benefit is variety. The tradeoff is that you will not spend all day at one reef or one quiet beach.

A three-course barbecue lunch

Lunch is served either on the beach or on the catamaran. The included meal is described as a three-course menu with vegetables, rice or pasta salads, grilled garlic bread, and grilled main dishes such as chicken and sausages. Vegetarian and Halal options are available, but you should request them when booking.

This is a useful inclusion because a full day on the water makes buying lunch on the spot inconvenient. You do not need to leave your group, search for a restaurant, or carry extra food while swimming. The drinks are included too, which strengthens the value for a group that would otherwise spend more on refreshments.

The meal may be the weakest part of the premium claim. The food is presented as a practical barbecue rather than a refined restaurant lunch, and one available assessment described the meal as only average. If you are booking mainly for food, the standard menu may disappoint. A lobster lunch is available for an additional charge, but the price must be obtained from the operator.

Tell the provider about food allergies or illness in advance. The available information specifically asks you to do so, and this is not the place to assume that last-minute substitutions will be easy.

Three hours at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event. As the catamaran approaches, you see white sand, palm trees, and turquoise water around the island. The setting is made for an unhurried break after the morning’s boat and river stops.

You have about three hours allocated to the island portion. Use that time according to your group’s interests. You can stroll along the beach, swim, sit in the sun, or return to the water. The long stop is especially helpful for families and groups with different energy levels. Someone can relax while others take part in an activity.

Several water sports are available for extra fees. The listed choices include parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking. These are not included in the package price, so ask for the cost before committing. The private cruise does not turn those optional activities into part of the all-inclusive fare.

The island can also be the busiest-feeling part of the day, simply because it is a popular beach destination. Your private boat gives you privacy during the cruise, but it does not make the public island itself private. If your ideal Mauritius day means a deserted shore, this outing may not deliver that. If you want the postcard scenery along with swimming and activities, it is a sensible choice.

Sailing back to Trou d’Eau Douce

After the island visit, you return by catamaran to Trou d’Eau Douce. The planned arrival is around 4 p.m., followed by the drive back to your hotel.

The return sail is a pleasant chance to slow down. By this point, you will have had a full day of sun, water, food, and boat movement. Keep some water handy and bring spare clothes so the ride back in the air-conditioned vehicle is comfortable.

The included private transfer is more valuable than it first appears. Without it, you would need to arrange transport to the east coast early in the morning and find your own way back after a long day. Pickup is offered from any accommodation or hotel in Mauritius, though the schedule can vary with your location.

What the $993.32 group price really buys

The listed cost is $993.32 per group of up to four people. Split four ways, that works out to about $248.33 per person. For two people, the same booking costs nearly $496.66 per person, making the value much harder to defend.

That price includes private transportation, a private catamaran outing, a qualified guide and driver, the waterfall visit, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and unlimited listed local drinks. A larger group that values privacy can get reasonable convenience from the bundle.

The word luxury needs a little caution here. The outing is sold as a luxury catamaran adventure, but one available three-out-of-five assessment described the boat as old and the overall trip as too expensive for the level of customization provided. I would book it for privacy and convenience first, not for a guaranteed high-end yacht standard.

There is also a minimum of two people per booking. Solo booking is not available under the stated terms. For four friends or a family group, the per-person rate is much more attractive.

Weather, packing, and practical details

The cruise requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The information also refers to a full refund if the operator cancels because of a cyclone or torrential rainfall alert.

Your own cancellation terms are strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. That makes travel insurance and a firm holiday schedule worth considering before you pay.

Pack these basics:

• A towel
• Spare clothes
• Swimwear
• Sun protection
• Any allergy or dietary information to give the operator in advance

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation, though private pickup is offered. The available details do not describe special accessibility arrangements, so contact the provider if your group needs specific support.

Who will enjoy this private cruise most

I would consider this tour for a family or group of friends that wants one organized east-coast day without sharing a boat with strangers. The private format, hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, and gear remove much of the usual planning.

It also suits a group that wants variety. You get a river stop, a speedboat ride, snorkeling, a beach island, and optional water sports in one day. That range is more useful than a simple point-to-point transfer.

I would hesitate if you are a couple on a tight budget, a serious sailor, or someone seeking a very personal itinerary. The private label does not guarantee that every stop, meal, or boat detail will be tailored to your wishes. I would also ask about the current catamaran before booking if the condition of the vessel matters to you.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran?

Book it if four people can share the cost and you value privacy, hotel pickup, a full open bar, and a day with several east-coast highlights. The three hours at Ile aux Cerfs and the included snorkeling stop give you more than a quick beach visit.

Think twice if you are paying for two people, expect a new luxury boat, or care most about gourmet food and highly customized service. The setting is beautiful, but the price is high and the standard barbecue may feel ordinary. For the right private group, this is a convenient, scenic day on the water. For everyone else, compare the cost carefully before committing.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran tour last?

The activity lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours. The planned return to Trou d’Eau Douce is around 4 p.m.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The catamaran leaves from Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius. Pickup from your accommodation or hotel is included.

What time does pickup begin?

The listed start time is 8:30 a.m. Your exact pickup time may vary based on your location.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates. The booking requires at least two people and allows up to four people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course lunch is included, with vegetables, rice or pasta salads, grilled garlic bread, and grilled main dishes. Vegetarian and Halal options are available if requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The included open bar offers locally available wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided. You should bring your own towel and spare clothing.

Are Ile aux Cerfs water sports included?

No. Parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking require additional payment. A lobster lunch also costs extra.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Cyclone or torrential rainfall cancellations by the operator can also qualify for a full refund.