Luxury All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE Waterfall

The best part of this six-hour catamaran cruise is its easy mix of scenery and downtime. You glide out from Trou d’Eau Douce, pause at the GRSE Waterfall where fresh water meets the Indian Ocean, then spend about two hours at Ile aux Cerfs with lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and beach time built in.

I like two things right away: the open bar and BBQ lunch remove the usual small costs, and the day visits both a waterfall and a famous island beach. The small maximum of 25 people should also feel more manageable than a packed boat.

The main consideration is timing. Two hours on Ile aux Cerfs is enough for a swim, lunch, or a watersport, but not enough for an unhurried day on every part of the island. You also need to reach the Trou d’Eau Douce meeting point yourself.

Key points to know before booking

• GRSE Waterfall comes first: Allow about 10 minutes for the short waterfall stop where Grande Riviere Sud Est reaches the sea.
• Ile aux Cerfs gets about two hours: Use that time for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, a coconut drink, or optional watersports.
• Food and drinks are covered: BBQ lunch, snacks, bottled water, tea, coffee, soda, Mauritian beer, rum, and coconut water are included.
• Snorkeling equipment is included: You do not need to arrange or pay separately for basic snorkeling gear.
• The boat holds no more than 25 people: That is a useful limit for a social cruise without the feel of a very large excursion.
• The cruise starts and ends at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce: Private transportation is not included, so plan your way to the dock.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 am

Your day begins at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs meeting point at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce. The boat leaves at 9:00 am and returns to the same place, which makes the logistics simple once you have reached the dock.

Trou d’Eau Douce is the practical starting point for this side of Mauritius. You are not being picked up at your hotel as part of the experience, so check your own route to the meeting point before booking. The absence of private transport is the clearest extra cost to consider, especially if you are staying far from the east coast.

The boat carries a maximum of 25 people. That number matters. Catamaran cruises are social by nature, but a smaller group usually gives you more room to find a comfortable place on deck and makes it easier to get a drink, collect food, or ask a crew member a question.

The cruise lasts about six hours in all. It is long enough to make the boat trip feel like the main event, but short enough to fit into a larger Mauritius holiday. I would treat it as a relaxed half-day outing rather than a full beach day.

The ride to Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall

The first stop is Grande Riviere Sud Est, usually shortened to GRSE. Here, the river reaches the Indian Ocean in a waterfall setting that gives you a quick change from open lagoon views to rushing fresh water.

You have about 10 minutes at the waterfall. That is a short stop, so think of it as a photo and viewing pause rather than a long walk or nature visit. If you want a slow look at the falls, this schedule may feel brisk. If you prefer a day that keeps moving, the short visit works well.

This stop adds useful variety. A cruise to Ile aux Cerfs could otherwise become a straightforward beach transfer with drinks. The waterfall gives you a second setting and a clear reason to keep your camera ready before the boat moves on.

The information provided does not promise a guided nature talk or a land excursion at the falls. Expect to see the waterfall from the boat or immediate stop area, not a long inland exploration. That distinction helps set the right expectations.

Two hours at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main stop, with about two hours set aside for the island. This is where you choose your own pace. You can relax on white sand, swim in the turquoise water, snorkel with the provided equipment, or look into optional activities such as parasailing and a tube ride.

I like this flexible format because not everyone wants the same beach day. You can stay active while someone else in your group simply finds a place to sit with a coconut drink. The cruise does not force you into one set activity for the entire island visit.

The tradeoff is time. Two hours passes quickly once you account for getting off the boat, eating lunch, changing plans, and returning to the catamaran. If you want parasailing, a tube ride, snorkeling, and a long swim all in one visit, you may need to choose carefully.

A transat, or beach lounger, may also be available to book. The information provided does not state that this is included, so ask about the arrangement and any charge before settling in. The included list covers the cruise, food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment, not every beach service on the island.

I would decide your priority before you arrive. If your main goal is a calm beach break, head for a comfortable spot and keep the schedule loose. If you want a watersport, ask about it early so you do not lose most of your island time waiting or deciding.

What the all-inclusive part really covers

The price is listed at $111.02 per person. Its value depends on how much you would otherwise spend on a boat outing, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment in Mauritius.

Here, the core package includes alcoholic beverages, bottled water, coffee and tea, soda, snacks, lunch, and snorkeling equipment. The drinks specifically highlighted for the cruise include Mauritian beer, rum, and coconut water. That gives you choices beyond the standard soft drink and helps make the boat itself part of the day rather than just a way to reach the island.

The BBQ lunch is another strong point. You do not need to leave the beach in search of food or carry a separate lunch plan. Since lunch is included, you can think of the island stop in terms of how you want to spend your time, not where you will find your next meal.

Still, all-inclusive does not mean every possible activity is included. Parasailing, tube riding, and a beach transat are mentioned as options, but the provided inclusions do not list them. I would budget for those separately and confirm the price before choosing one.

The drinks also deserve a practical note. Alcoholic beverages are included, but you should not book this solely as a drinking cruise if you want a quiet, low-key day. The appeal is the combination of food, drinks, scenery, swimming, and island time.

Snorkeling, parasailing, and tube riding

Snorkeling equipment is included, which is handy for anyone who wants to test the water without packing their own gear. You can bring your interest in the activity without adding a rental stop to the morning.

The available details do not promise a particular reef, marine species, or length of snorkeling time. Conditions can shape what you see, and your actual water time will depend on the day’s schedule. Think of snorkeling as one choice during the Ile aux Cerfs stop, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

Parasailing and tube riding provide the faster option. They are useful if you want a burst of excitement between lunch and beach time. The package description presents them as activities you can try, but it does not say they are included in the $111.02 price, so confirm the cost before booking on the island.

This mix suits groups with different energy levels. One person can swim, another can snorkel, and another can sit with a drink. A family or group of friends often gets more from this arrangement than from a tightly scripted excursion where everyone must follow the same activity.

Lunch, drinks, and the pace of the boat

The food and drink service gives the cruise much of its luxury feel. You can have a BBQ lunch without arranging a restaurant booking, and you have access to snacks, water, coffee or tea, soda, and alcoholic drinks during the outing.

I like the way this simplifies the day. You do not need to carry a cooler or worry about finding a shop on Ile aux Cerfs. A coconut water in the heat and a cold Mauritian beer after swimming are small details, but they shape how comfortable the day feels.

The word luxury should be read in context. This is an informal catamaran day, not a private yacht charter. You share the boat with other people, follow a set departure and return time, and use the same planned stops as the group. The advantage is value and convenience, not complete privacy.

The crew is described as kind and helpful in the available feedback, and the overall rating is 4.8 from five reviews. That is a positive early signal, though the sample is small. The strongest praise centers on the good time, helpful service, and friendly atmosphere, which are exactly the qualities that matter on a social boat trip.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several Mauritius highlights in one booking. It works especially well if you like a boat ride, want included meals and drinks, and prefer choosing between activity and rest once you reach the island.

It is also a good fit for couples and families who do not all want the same thing. The flexible two-hour stop lets you split up without arranging separate excursions. The maximum group size of 25 should help keep the mood friendly and prevent the boat from feeling enormous.

You may want a different plan if you prefer long, quiet time on one beach. Two hours at Ile aux Cerfs is the key limit. You may also be disappointed if you expect a private cruise, a long waterfall visit, or a full watersports package at no extra cost.

This is not the right choice for anyone who needs hotel pickup included. You meet at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, and private transportation is specifically not included. That is manageable for many people, but it needs to be settled before the morning of departure.

Weather, group size, and cancellation details

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Since the experience depends on calm enough water and outdoor stops, this weather rule is sensible.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Mauritius time.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can take part, and the group maximum is 25. The available information does not give a detailed accessibility statement, so if you have specific mobility needs, contact Island Cove Mauritius before booking.

Is the $111.02 price good value?

At $111.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs. The price makes more sense when you count what comes with it: a catamaran cruise, a waterfall stop, an island visit, BBQ lunch, snacks, open bar, soft drinks, bottled water, hot drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

The package is strongest for someone who would use several of those inclusions. If you plan to eat lunch, have a few drinks, snorkel, and enjoy the boat ride, you avoid the small add-on charges that can make a beach excursion feel less simple.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick transfer to the island and plan to skip the food, drinks, and activities. In that case, a basic boat option may suit you better, though this tour gives you a fuller day with less planning.

I would also keep optional watersports outside the headline price. Parasailing and tube riding are offered as choices, but they are not listed among the included items. Your final cost can rise if you add them.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, social day that combines GRSE Waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs without arranging lunch, drinks, or snorkeling gear yourself. The small group cap, friendly service, open bar, and range of beach choices make it a solid fit for a first visit to Mauritius or for anyone who wants a simple east-coast outing.

Think twice if your ideal day means a private boat, a long stay on the beach, or guaranteed time for several paid watersports. The schedule is fixed, the waterfall stop is brief, and you must arrange your own transport to Trou d’Eau Douce.

For most people, the decision comes down to convenience. If you value having the main food and drink costs handled and want more than a single beach stop, the $111.02 price is reasonable. Arrive ready to choose between snorkeling, relaxing, and an adrenaline activity, because two hours on Ile aux Cerfs will not allow every option at a leisurely pace.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs meeting point at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the cruise depart?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the cruise end?

The cruise returns to the same Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included, along with snacks.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes alcoholic beverages, bottled water, coffee or tea, soda, and coconut water. Mauritian beer and rum are also provided.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.