Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Trip w/ Lunch, Drinks & Transfer

Mauritius looks best from the water. This full-day catamaran outing combines mountain views, the Grand River South East waterfall, snorkeling, a BBQ lunch, and time on Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the included hotel transfer and the friendly crew, who keep the day moving with local music, drinks, and clear instructions.

I also like the generous food and drink package, which includes breakfast snacks, BBQ fish and chicken, salads, saffron rice, beer, wine, rum, juice, soft drinks, and water. The main caution is weather: one booking was canceled twice because of conditions, so you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Five details that shape the day

• A full eight hours on the east coast: Pickup is arranged from selected northern resort areas, with the boat running roughly from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• A speedboat visit to the waterfall: The catamaran anchors near Grand River South East, then a smaller boat carries you about 500 meters upstream.
• Lunch is part of the experience: The crew prepares grilled fish, chicken, hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice, with vegetarian food available.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop: Expect white sand, palm trees, clear water, and optional paid activities such as parasailing and tube riding.
• Bring footwear for the sea floor: Coral and sea urchins may be present near the island, so water shoes are a smart addition to the required towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and camera.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce

The day begins with pickup from your hotel or Airbnb in areas including Grand Baie, Pereybere, Cap Malheureux, Trou-aux-Biches, Pointe aux Piments, Mon Choisy, Balaclava, Triolet, and Pointe aux Biches. A certified driver takes you in an air-conditioned vehicle to Trou d’Eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast.

The planned arrival time is 8:30 a.m., giving you time to meet the boat team before departure. The catamaran leaves at about 9:00 a.m. and returns to Trou d’Eau Douce around 4:00 p.m., followed by the drive back to your accommodation.

That transfer is more useful than it may sound. You avoid arranging a taxi before sunrise, finding the correct river departure point, and worrying about the return trip after a day in the sun. One especially helpful touch is that the driver has been reported to check the tickets and make sure passengers board the right boat.

The exact pickup time depends on your location, and the advertised eight-hour duration refers to the main outing rather than necessarily the time from your hotel and back. Ask for the pickup details before the day begins, especially if you are staying far from the northern pickup areas.

Sailing the east coast lagoon

Once aboard, the pace is relaxed. You are not simply being ferried to the island. The catamaran cruise is meant to be part of the day, with open views of the coast, calm water, and mountain scenery inland.

The crew provides local Mauritian music and informal commentary. English, French, German, and Italian are listed as available languages, while the crew’s instructions are intended to explain the day’s plan clearly. That matters because there are several changes of activity: catamaran sailing, speedboat transfer, waterfall visit, snorkeling, lunch, and beach time.

The boat is described as large and comfortable, though no passenger capacity is given. If you prefer quiet sailing, keep in mind that music, drinks, and group activity are part of the appeal. This is better suited to people who enjoy a social boat day than to anyone seeking a private, silent cruise.

Grand River South East waterfall by speedboat

The first major stop is Grand River South East, one of the east coast’s best-known natural sights. The catamaran approaches the river, and you transfer to a speedboat for the short trip upstream to the waterfall, about 500 meters from the river mouth.

The change to a smaller boat gives you a closer look at the riverbanks and makes the waterfall visit feel more active than a simple photo stop. You might also spot monkeys moving through the older trees along the banks. Fruit bats may be resting high in the trees near the falls.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a short nature visit, not a long hike or a wilderness expedition. The attraction is the combination of river, forested banks, and falling water, followed by the fun of returning by speedboat to the catamaran.

Because the stop involves boarding a smaller craft, listen carefully to the crew and keep your belongings secure. A camera is worthwhile, but a waterproof pouch is sensible around the speedboat and snorkeling portions.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

After the waterfall, the boat heads through clear lagoon water to a swimming and snorkeling stop. The stated aim is to show coral reefs and tropical fish, though sea conditions affect visibility and the quality of any snorkeling session.

Life jackets are included. You should bring your own towel and sunscreen, and it is wise to protect your phone and camera from spray. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the safest way to use the life jacket and stay near the boat.

This stop is one of the most valuable parts of the trip because it breaks up the sightseeing with time in the water. It also gives you something to do beyond looking at beaches. Still, snorkeling is weather-dependent, and the exact marine life or water clarity cannot be guaranteed.

The trip description does not state that masks and snorkels are included, so confirm equipment arrangements before booking if you do not have your own. Do not confuse the included snorkeling stop with the paid water sports offered later at Ile aux Cerfs.

BBQ lunch with local drinks

Lunch is served after snorkeling, either on the beach or aboard the catamaran. The menu includes fresh BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and the food is halal.

I like this setup because the meal matches the setting. You are eating outdoors after time in the water, rather than leaving the boat to find a restaurant and losing more of the day. A light breakfast or snack is also provided earlier.

Drinks are included throughout the outing. The package lists water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and local rum. That can make the $115 price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, transport, a boat cruise, and a waterfall visit.

Unlimited alcohol is not a reason to treat the catamaran like a floating bar. The sun, sea, and boat motion can catch up with you quickly. I would alternate alcoholic drinks with water, use sunscreen often, and eat before drinking. The crew’s job is to keep the group comfortable, not to encourage anyone to overdo it.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

The final major stop is Ile aux Cerfs, a small island off Mauritius’s east coast. From the water, the scene is classic island postcard material: white beaches, palm trees, and pale turquoise water.

The island offers time to choose your own pace. You can swim, walk along the beach, sit in the sun, or simply find a quiet place to cool off. The description also lists optional activities including parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk.

Those water sports are not included in the tour price. If you want one, ask about the cost and timing before committing, since the included schedule already contains several activities and the island visit has a fixed end point.

A practical warning is worth taking seriously here. Coral and sea urchins may be underfoot in shallow water, so water shoes are a better choice than bare feet. You should also keep your sunglasses and camera protected, since beach areas and boat transfers can be windy.

Ile aux Cerfs is beautiful, but it is also the busiest and most developed part of this excursion. The attraction is convenience: beach time, optional activities, swimming, and facilities in one stop. If you want an untouched island with no other visitors, this is not the right expectation.

The return sail to Trou d’Eau Douce

After the island visit, you return to the catamaran for the sail back. This is often the calmest part of the day. You have already seen the waterfall, used the snorkeling stop, eaten lunch, and spent time on the beach, so the final cruise is a chance to sit back and watch the coast pass by.

The return is planned for around 4:00 p.m. at Trou d’Eau Douce. Your driver then takes you back to the same general pickup area. If you are tired after swimming and sun exposure, the included air-conditioned vehicle is a welcome part of the package.

Weather can affect this schedule. One booking was canceled and rescheduled because of weather, and the replacement outing was also canceled. The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, but weather-related changes should still be clarified promptly with the provider. Keep a spare day available if this cruise is one of the main highlights of your Mauritius stay.

Is $115 a fair price?

At $115 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs. It is also not just an island transfer. The price covers pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, the catamaran, the waterfall visit, snorkeling, breakfast snacks, lunch, life jackets, bottled water, and unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks.

That makes the package good value if you want a full day with most costs settled in advance. A couple or family can avoid adding separate transport, meals, and a boat booking. The value is strongest for people who plan to use the lunch and drink package and want the waterfall and snorkeling included.

The value is weaker if you do not drink alcohol, dislike group boat trips, or mainly want a few quiet hours on Ile aux Cerfs. You are paying for the complete schedule, so someone seeking only beach time may prefer a simpler transfer or shorter excursion.

The experience provider is Mauritius Luxury Tours & Transfer. The supplied score is 3.7 from nine ratings, which suggests a mixed but generally workable experience rather than a flawless one. The strongest points are the helpful transport arrangement, friendly boat crew, good BBQ lunch, and attractive island stop. The main concern is the handling of weather cancellations and refunds, so keep confirmation records and ask clear questions if plans change.

Who should book this boat day?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several east coast highlights in one organized day. It suits couples, families, and groups who like a mix of sailing, swimming, music, food, and optional activities.

It is also a practical choice if you are staying in one of the listed northern areas and do not want to arrange transport to Trou d’Eau Douce. The multilingual setup helps mixed-language groups, and the halal menu plus vegetarian option makes lunch easier for many people.

I would hesitate if you want a private charter, a quiet sailing experience, or a guaranteed snorkeling session with exceptional reef visibility. I would also avoid booking it on the final day of a short Mauritius trip, since weather changes could disrupt your plans.

What to pack for a smoother day

Bring sunglasses, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera. Add water shoes if you have them, since the sea floor around Ile aux Cerfs may contain coral and sea urchins.

A waterproof bag is useful for phones and valuables during the speedboat and snorkeling stops. You should also bring a light change of clothes if you dislike sitting in wet swimwear during the return ride.

My booking verdict

I like this excursion because it gives you a lot in one day: a scenic catamaran ride, a river waterfall, snorkeling, a substantial BBQ, drinks, and time on one of Mauritius’s best-known beaches. The included transfer removes much of the day’s practical hassle.

Book it if you value convenience and variety more than privacy. Skip it if your ideal island day means avoiding group entertainment, paid add-on activities, and weather uncertainty. Before paying, confirm the pickup time, snorkeling equipment, and the provider’s process for weather cancellations. Those three details will tell you whether the $115 package fits your plans.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. The catamaran is scheduled to leave Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 a.m. and return around 4:00 p.m.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from prescribed hotels or Airbnbs in listed areas such as Grand Baie, Pereybere, Cap Malheureux, Trou-aux-Biches, and several nearby locations.

Where does the catamaran depart?

The catamaran departs from Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and the food is halal.

What drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The trip includes a snorkeling and swimming stop in the lagoon. Life jackets are included, but the provided information does not confirm whether masks and snorkels are supplied.

Are water sports included at Ile aux Cerfs?

No. Parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk are optional activities and are not included in the tour price.

What languages are available?

The activity is offered with live guidance in English, French, German, and Italian.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Weather-related cancellations should be confirmed directly with the provider, especially if your plans need to be rescheduled.