Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs catamaran cruise Lunch with BBQ

The best part of this day is the easy mix of sea time and island time. You leave Trou D’eau Douce by catamaran, visit Grand River South East waterfall, stop for swimming and snorkeling, then eat lunch on board before reaching Ile aux Cerfs and its famous white beaches.

I like the friendly, festive crew and the fact that the price includes a full BBQ, snacks, and unlimited soft drinks, beer, wine, and local rum. I also like the return ride, when Mauritian Sega music and dancing turn the boat into a small party. The main drawback is organization at the jetty: one December departure reportedly lost about an hour while people waited to board, and morning music can be loud.

Key points before you book

• A full seven-hour outing: The catamaran leaves Trou D’eau Douce around 9:10 a.m. and returns at about 3:30 p.m.
• Waterfall, snorkeling, and beach in one day: You see Grand River South East, stop for swimming, and visit Ile aux Cerfs.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect a halal BBQ lunch, snacks, water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and local rum.
• The crew creates the mood: English and French service is available, with music and Mauritian Sega entertainment on the return.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the postcard stop: White sand, palm trees, and a clear lagoon make this the day’s main beach break.
• Plan for an early arrival: The meeting point is Trou D’eau Douce Debarcader fishing port, and the boat leaves at about 9:10 a.m.

Setting out from Trou D’eau Douce at 9:10 a.m.

Your day starts at Trou D’eau Douce Debarcader fishing port on Mauritius’s east coast. The stated arrival time is 9:00 a.m., with departure around 9:10 a.m., so this is not a morning to arrive casually. Give yourself time to find the correct boarding area and be ready before the crew calls people aboard.

The first practical point is that hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to arrange your own way to the fishing port, or ask separately about transfer options. This matters because the cruise itself is a long day, and a late start at the port can put pressure on the rest of the schedule.

The catamaran is the main setting for most of the outing. You can sit back, watch the water, and take in the mountainous views along the coast. The open-air format gives you a better sense of the sea than a closed boat, but you should also pack sun protection and accept that wind, spray, and weather are part of the deal.

The crew speaks English and French. Several comments about the day point to a warm, playful atmosphere, with the staff helping create a social mood rather than simply moving people from stop to stop. That suits you if you want a relaxed group outing, not a quiet private sail.

There is one important qualification. Boarding can be slower than expected. One departure involved a wait of roughly an hour while the boat organized passengers, and another person found the port confusing because the responsible staff arrived only shortly after 9:00 a.m. Arriving early is still the best move, but do not assume that every minute of the schedule will run perfectly.

Grand River South East waterfall by catamaran

The first named stop is Grand River South East waterfall, reached by boat. This gives you a scenic start before the group heads toward the open coastline.

The waterfall visit is valuable because it adds something beyond beaches. Mauritius is famous for its lagoons and sand, but a boat ride along the river brings a different view of the island, with water, rock, and green mountain country around you. You are not spending the whole day on one beach or in one floating restaurant.

The stop is a sightseeing visit rather than a long land excursion. Keep your camera handy, but protect it from spray and keep expectations sensible. The available information does not promise a long walk, a private viewpoint, or extensive time ashore, so think of this as a short scenic stop from the water.

This part of the route also helps break up the day. After the waterfall, the catamaran heads toward the coast for swimming and snorkeling. The order gives you a chance to settle into the boat before changing into swimwear or getting into the lagoon.

Swimming and snorkeling in the clear lagoon

After the waterfall, the catamaran pauses for a swimming and snorkeling break. This is one of the day’s most useful inclusions because it lets you enjoy the water without paying separately for a basic swim stop.

Bring your swimwear, sunglasses, beachwear, and camera. You may want a towel as well, although a towel is not specifically listed among the included items, so check before departure rather than assuming one will be provided.

The water is described as clear, and the cruise promises a coastline stop for both snorkeling and swimming. Still, conditions depend on weather and sea conditions. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, remember that the exact amount of time in the water can be affected by boarding delays, wind, rain, or rougher conditions.

One useful tip: do not wait until the last minute to change or gather your things. The morning has several parts, and the crew needs to serve lunch afterward. Having your swimwear on beneath your clothes will make this break easier, especially if facilities on the boat are limited.

The cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, or people over 70. That restriction is important here, since getting around a catamaran, entering the water, and moving between the boat and shore may be difficult. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator before paying.

A halal BBQ lunch with drinks on board

Lunch is served on the catamaran after the swimming and snorkeling stop. The meal includes a BBQ, snacks, and a selection of drinks: soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. Food is halal, and vegetarian options are available if requested in advance.

That combination gives the $59 price its strongest value. You are not paying only for transport to Ile aux Cerfs. The fare also covers the cruise, waterfall visit, water stop, lunch, and drinks, which makes the day easier to budget than an outing where every meal and beverage is an extra charge.

The food receives especially strong praise. One French-speaking party singled out the meal as delicious, including the vegetarian choices, while another described the BBQ as a highlight alongside the friendly service. That does not mean you should expect a restaurant menu or a choice of several formal courses. This is an informal meal served outdoors, with the sea as your dining room.

If you need a vegetarian meal, request it when booking. Do not wait until you are seated at lunch. The operator asks for advance notice, and booking at least two days before the outing is recommended.

The unlimited drinks are also worth reading carefully. The selection includes alcoholic drinks, but this is not a promise that every brand or cocktail will be available. You get the listed local drinks, including beer, wine, and rum, along with nonalcoholic choices. If you prefer to stay hydrated in the sun, water and juice are available, and you should make them your first choice.

Ile aux Cerfs and its white-sand beaches

After lunch, the catamaran heads to Ile aux Cerfs, the island that gives the excursion its classic beach appeal. Expect palm trees, white sand, and clear turquoise water around the lagoon.

This is the least structured part of the day, which is a good thing. You can relax on the beach, swim, take photographs, or simply enjoy the view after the more active morning. The visit is designed for easy pleasure rather than a demanding tour.

Ile aux Cerfs is also where you can visit a local craft market. It gives you a chance to look for small Mauritius souvenirs, though you should treat shopping as an optional extra rather than a central part of the cruise.

Watersports at Ile aux Cerfs are not included. If you want to add an activity there, budget separately and check the arrangements on the day. The included program already has swimming and snorkeling, so you can enjoy the island without buying anything else.

The beach stop can also feel short if you want a full afternoon on the sand. The total cruise lasts about seven hours, and that time includes the port departure, waterfall, water break, lunch, island visit, and return entertainment. You get variety, not unlimited time at Ile aux Cerfs.

That tradeoff is central to the decision. I would choose this trip if I wanted to see several east-coast highlights in one day. If I cared most about a long, quiet beach session, I would look for a beach-focused outing instead.

Mauritian Sega on the ride home

The return journey includes local music and Mauritian Sega entertainment. Sega is a traditional Mauritian music and dance style, and this is one of the more distinctive parts of the day because it gives the cruise a local cultural touch rather than ending with a silent ride back to port.

The crew’s singing and dancing receive repeated praise, with one German-speaking party calling the performance at the end particularly enjoyable. Another group described the atmosphere as festive and dance-focused, while several short comments praised the staff’s friendliness and energy.

You should know what kind of mood to expect. Music may begin early and can sometimes be loud. If you want a peaceful, low-volume sail from start to finish, this is not the safest choice. If you like a social boat with music, drinks, and a little dancing, the return trip may be the most memorable part.

The atmosphere is especially suited to couples and groups who enjoy shared entertainment. A couple described the whole day as relaxed and enjoyable, while other bookings praised the crew for being attentive, funny, and easy to approach. The staff’s attitude appears to matter as much as the scenery.

What the $59 price really covers

At $59 per person, the cruise is priced as a full-day package rather than a simple boat transfer. You receive approximately seven hours on the water, the Grand River South East waterfall visit, a snorkeling and swimming stop, BBQ lunch, drinks, the Ile aux Cerfs visit, and Sega entertainment.

That is good value if you plan to use the full package. The included alcohol, meal, and transport by catamaran can add up quickly if booked separately. The halal food and advance vegetarian option also make the package practical for mixed groups with different dietary needs.

The value is less clear if you do not want a group atmosphere, alcohol, music, or multiple stops. You may spend part of the day waiting for other people, and one departure had a notable delay before leaving the jetty. The cruise works best when you see the social setting as part of the experience, not as background noise.

The price also excludes your journey to the port, hotel transfers, and watersports at Ile aux Cerfs. Add those costs before comparing it with another Mauritius boat trip. The main package is generous, but it is not an all-inclusive hotel excursion.

Weather, comfort, and who should book

Weather matters on this route. November and December can bring rain and poor conditions, and the operator advises checking the forecast before booking. If bad weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The boat leaves early, so bring sunglasses, swimwear, beachwear, and a camera. Sun exposure can be strong even when the air feels pleasant, and the sea breeze may make the ride feel cooler than the beach. Keep valuables protected around water.

I would recommend this cruise to:

• Couples who want scenery, food, swimming, and music in one day
• Friends who enjoy a lively catamaran rather than a silent boat ride
• Families and mixed groups who value included food and drinks
• Visitors who want to combine Grand River South East with Ile aux Cerfs
• People who appreciate halal food and can request a vegetarian meal in advance

I would be more cautious if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, are over 70, or need a quiet and highly precise schedule. The cruise is also a weaker fit if you want a long snorkeling session or several unhurried hours on the beach.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want a well-filled east-coast day with a friendly crew, a BBQ lunch, included drinks, a waterfall, a water stop, and time on one of Mauritius’s best-known beaches. The strongest parts are the staff, the meal, the Sega entertainment, and the number of experiences included for $59.

Before booking, check the weather, request vegetarian food if needed, and arrange your own transport to Trou D’eau Douce. Arrive early, since boarding and port instructions may not be perfectly smooth.

Skip it if your ideal boat trip means silence, privacy, or a long stretch of snorkeling. For an outgoing group that wants scenery and a little dancing with lunch, this is a sensible and enjoyable way to see several east-coast highlights in one day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Trou D’eau Douce Debarcader fishing port on the east coast of Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at about 9:00 a.m. The catamaran leaves the jetty around 9:10 a.m., so arrive on time.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours, from approximately 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be arranged separately.

What food is served?

A BBQ lunch and snacks are served on board. The food is halal, and vegetarian options are available upon request.

What drinks are included?

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

Does the cruise visit Grand River South East waterfall?

Yes. Visiting Grand River South East waterfall is part of the cruise.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The program includes a snorkeling and swimming break.

Are watersports at Ile aux Cerfs included?

No. Watersports at Ile aux Cerfs are not included in the cruise price.

What languages are available?

The live tour service is available in English and French.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, beachwear, and a camera.

Is the cruise suitable for everyone?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people over 70.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund.

How far in advance should I book?

Booking at least two days before the cruise is recommended.