Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

The best part of this seven-hour catamaran trip is the mix of open-sea sailing, island time, a waterfall stop, and lunch served on board. From Trou d’Eau Douce, you follow Mauritius’s east coast toward Ile aux Cerfs, with mountains behind you and plenty of sea air ahead.

I like the friendly crew and easygoing boat atmosphere, which have earned strong praise. I also like the value: for $64, you get the boat, the waterfall visit, island access, a three-course BBQ meal, and water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks. The main caution is that snorkeling and swimming depend heavily on sea conditions, tides, and the day’s exact route.

Key points

• Trou d’Eau Douce departure: Start from a scenic east-coast village and sail toward Ile aux Cerfs.
• Grand River South-East Waterfalls: See one of Mauritius’s best-known coastal sights, though the stop may be brief.
• BBQ lunch on board: Chicken, fish, sausage, salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included.
• Snorkeling is weather-dependent: Bring your own equipment, since masks and fins are not included.
• Ile aux Cerfs visit: Expect beach time and swimming, with around 1.5 hours reported on some departures.
• Important comfort note: Sun shelter and seating may feel limited when the boat is full.

Setting off from Trou d’Eau Douce

Trou d’Eau Douce is the launch point for this east-coast outing. Once aboard the catamaran, the day shifts from road travel to sea travel. You can look back toward Mauritius’s mountains, watch the coast recede, and settle into the steady rhythm of the water.

The trip lasts about seven hours, so this is not a quick boat transfer to Ile aux Cerfs. You are buying a full day on the water, with several stops and a meal built into the schedule. That makes the experience a good fit if you want a social day outside your hotel rather than a short beach visit.

The crew speaks English and French. Previous feedback gives the staff high marks for being attentive and creating a pleasant mood. That matters on a long boat trip. A relaxed crew can make the difference between a fun shared outing and a tiring day of waiting around.

The catamaran itself may not feel polished or spacious to everyone. One sharply critical account described a boat that looked patched up and offered too little shade for the number of people aboard. I would treat comfort as the main question to consider before booking. Bring sunscreen, a hat if you use one, and a light cover-up for the hottest part of the day.

Sailing the east coast toward Ile aux Cerfs

The cruise follows the picturesque east coast of Mauritius. The appeal here is not a guided lecture or a long list of monuments. It is the changing view from the water: the open ocean, coastal curves, and mountain silhouettes seen from a moving catamaran.

I like this part because the boat gives you a different view of Mauritius than you get from a beach or hotel pool. You have time to sit, talk, take photos, and watch the coast. The sea breeze can also make the heat easier to handle, though exposed seating means you should not mistake wind for protection from the sun.

The route and order of stops can change with the tide and water depth. That flexibility is practical, but it means you should not expect the same sequence every day. A waterfall visit might come before the island, and swimming or snorkeling may be scheduled at a different point than you expected.

Sea conditions matter even more. In rough water, the trip may be moved to another date. A little rain alone does not automatically cancel it, but rough seas or more serious weather can change the plan. If your Mauritius schedule is tight, leave some room around this outing rather than placing it on the only day you have available.

Grand River South-East Waterfalls

The Grand River South-East Waterfalls are one of the day’s main sights. The river drops through a green coastal setting before reaching the sea, creating a photogenic stop that breaks up the sailing and swimming.

The catamaran visit is about seeing the falls from the water, not taking a long hike or spending half a day at the river. You may get a close view, a few photographs, and a short pause before the boat continues. One unhappy account described only about three minutes at the waterfall, so I would keep expectations modest.

That short stop does not make it pointless. From a boat, the falls are easy to add to the day without arranging separate transport. If the water level, tide, or boat traffic affects the approach, the crew may need to adjust the timing. The result is a scenic interlude rather than a full waterfall excursion.

Try to have your camera ready before the boat arrives. Since the stop may be brief, you will have more time to enjoy it if you are not still searching through a bag for your phone.

Swimming and snorkeling near Ile aux Cerfs

Swimming and snorkeling are central to the sales pitch of this cruise, but they are also the least predictable parts. The water around Ile aux Cerfs can offer a pleasant place for a swim, and the trip is designed to let you see marine life from the surface.

You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment. Masks and fins are not included, so pack them if you already have a set. If you do not, you may still enjoy swimming, but you should not book this trip mainly for a guaranteed snorkeling session.

Current conditions can change the experience. One poor account reported no snorkeling and described the swimming area as too windy and unsafe. That complaint is important because it points to a real limit of any sea-based outing: the operator cannot safely use every planned water stop in every tide and wind condition.

The crew may change the order of the stops to suit water depth and tide. That is sensible, but it also means your water time may be shorter than expected. If your top priority is calm, extended snorkeling, ask about the day’s sea conditions before departure and keep your expectations flexible.

Lunch with chicken, fish, sausage, and drinks

Lunch is one of the stronger parts of this package. The included meal is a three-course BBQ spread with chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

That is useful value at $64. A separate beach day can quickly become more expensive once you add boat transport, lunch, drinks, and entry or transfer costs. Here, the main costs are bundled into one booking, which makes budgeting easier.

The meal is served on the catamaran, so you do not need to leave the boat to find a restaurant. It also gives the day a natural pause after the morning’s sailing and water activities. The combination of hot food, salad, dessert, and drinks is more substantial than simply receiving a snack box.

The alcohol is included, but use some judgment. The boat still needs to move, and the sea may not stay calm. One critical account felt that long commercial stops and freely available alcohol distracted from the main sights. I would enjoy the drinks as part of lunch, not treat them as the purpose of the trip.

Food is also a practical reason to choose this tour over a bare boat transfer. You know a meal is planned, and you can spend the day outdoors without arranging lunch on Ile aux Cerfs.

Time on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main destination, with sandy beaches, clear water, and time to get off the catamaran. You can walk along the shore, swim, sit in the sun, or simply enjoy a change of scene after several hours on the boat.

The island is attractive, but do not expect an untouched private beach. One assessment described it as less idyllic than it once seemed. That is fair guidance. Ile aux Cerfs is a popular stop, and the appeal comes from its setting and easy access, not from total solitude.

Your time may be limited. A departure has been described as allowing roughly 1.5 hours on the island. That is enough for a swim and a short walk, but not enough for a slow, all-afternoon beach stay. If you want several hours with your towel in one place, a dedicated beach day will suit you better.

The island stop works best as part of a varied day. You see the coast, make a waterfall visit, eat lunch, spend some time in the water, and then step onto the beach. I like that variety, but I would not book this catamaran solely to explore Ile aux Cerfs on foot.

The long pause and possible sales stop

One issue deserves special attention: the boat may make a long stop connected with optional activities such as parasailing and a banana boat ride. These activities are mentioned in direct feedback as being promoted through a partner.

If you want those extras, the stop may be useful. If you do not, it can feel like lost sightseeing time, particularly when the island visit and waterfall stop are already short. Ask the crew at the start how much time is planned for optional water sports and whether you can remain on board or use the pause to swim.

This is also where the difference between a good and poor day may come down to expectations. Someone looking for music, drinks, and a social boat outing may find the break entertaining. Someone who has paid mainly for Ile aux Cerfs and snorkeling may find it frustrating.

I would make your priorities clear early. If the crew knows you want beach time or water time, you can better understand how the schedule will work that day. The sequence may change, but the practical concern remains the same: seven hours can pass quickly when stops are spread across several activities.

Comfort, clothing, and what to bring

Pack a towel, beachwear, sunscreen, and a full change of clothes. The change is worth bringing because you may move between swimming, lunch, and dry seating several times.

Wear something that works for both sun and wind. The catamaran offers exposure to the elements, and the amount of shade may not satisfy everyone when the boat is busy. Reapply sunscreen even when the breeze makes the temperature feel comfortable.

You should also bring snorkeling equipment if you want to use it. The tour does not provide masks or fins. Keep personal items secure and compact, since the catamaran may have limited room for storing large bags.

This outing is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around the boat, swimming, and stepping ashore at Ile aux Cerfs all require a reasonable level of physical ease.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Trou d’Eau Douce yourself unless you arrange a separate paid transfer. Include that extra cost when comparing this tour with packages that collect you at your hotel.

Is $64 a fair price?

At $64 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a full shared day with food and drinks included. You receive the catamaran trip, Grand River South-East Waterfalls visit, Ile aux Cerfs stop, swimming opportunities, and a three-course BBQ lunch.

The value drops if your main goal is a long island stay or dependable snorkeling. You may spend only around 1.5 hours at Ile aux Cerfs, and water activities can be canceled or shifted when conditions are poor. The lack of included snorkeling gear adds another small cost if you need to rent or buy equipment elsewhere.

The package is strongest for people who want variety. You get scenery, beach time, food, and a social boat setting in one day. It is less convincing for someone seeking a quiet, carefully paced private cruise.

The included drinks are another plus, especially with a seven-hour outing. Water and soft drinks are covered, along with alcoholic drinks. Just remember that value depends on how much of the schedule is devoted to the activities you actually want.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day?

I would recommend this cruise to couples, friends, and active families who like a full day outdoors and do not mind sharing the boat. It suits you if you enjoy a mix of swimming, coastal views, food, and a lively group atmosphere.

It is also a sensible choice for a first visit to Mauritius when you want to sample several east-coast sights without arranging separate boat trips. The waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs are combined with lunch, which keeps the day simple.

I would be more cautious if you need lots of shade, dislike crowded boats, or want precise control over your schedule. The reported complaints about limited cover, short sightseeing stops, and a long optional-activity pause are not minor if comfort and efficiency matter most.

The tour has received an overall rating of 4.5 from 11 ratings, with especially warm praise for the crew, the atmosphere, and the meal. The spread of opinions also tells you something useful: the experience can be very good when the weather and schedule cooperate, but it is not a guaranteed version of a quiet island paradise.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want good all-round value: a seven-hour catamaran outing, a BBQ lunch, drinks, a waterfall stop, and time at Ile aux Cerfs for $64. The friendly English and French crew and relaxed boat mood are strong reasons to choose it.

Skip it if you are booking mainly for snorkeling, a long stay on the island, or a spacious shaded boat. Sea conditions can remove water activities, the waterfall stop may be quick, and some departures may devote considerable time to optional water sports.

My advice is to bring your own snorkeling gear, pack sun protection and dry clothes, and ask about the day’s route before setting off. With realistic expectations, this is a pleasant way to see Mauritius from the water. Just think of it as a varied shared cruise, not a private island escape.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Trou d’Eau Douce in Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about seven hours.

What places does the cruise visit?

The route includes the east coast of Mauritius, the Grand River South-East Waterfalls, and Ile aux Cerfs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a three-course BBQ meal with chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel.

Are swimming and snorkeling guaranteed?

No. The sequence of stops can change with the tide and water depth, and rough or unsafe sea conditions can affect swimming and snorkeling.

Are hotel transfers included?

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

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. If you plan to snorkel, bring snorkeling equipment as well.