Mauritius: Boat trip to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch/waterslide

A waterslide in the lagoon changes the usual boat trip. This six-hour outing from Trou d’Eau Douce combines snorkeling in clear water with a lively catamaran ride, a BBQ lunch, and free time on Ile aux Cerfs. I like the easy mix of swimming and sightseeing, and I especially like the local Sega music and dancing, which give the day a distinctly Mauritian feel.

The giant onboard waterslide is a real bonus for families and playful adults. Unlimited beer, rum, soft drinks, and water also make the $88 price easier to justify. The main drawback is that this is not a quiet, small-group sailing trip. Music, drinks, and entertainment are central to the outing, so you should choose another boat tour if peace and solitude matter most.

Key things to know before you book

• The waterslide drops straight into the lagoon, making this more active than a standard catamaran cruise.
• Snorkeling gear is provided, with a stop near coral reefs and marine life.
• The BBQ lunch is served onboard, with grilled meats, salads, fruit, and vegetarian food available if requested.
• Drinks are unlimited, including beer, rum, soft drinks, and water.
• Ile aux Cerfs offers free time, so you can swim, walk, relax, or pay extra for water sports.
• Mauritian music and Sega dancing add local character during the cruise and return sail.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce

The trip begins at the end of the jetty beside the Mauritian flag. Your exact pickup point depends on the option you select, but the boat departs from the Trou d’Eau Douce area on Mauritius’ east coast.

I would arrive with your swimwear already under your clothes and keep your towel, sandals, sunscreen, and phone in a small waterproof bag. You will move between the boat, the water, and the beach, so a complicated beach bag quickly becomes a nuisance.

The cruise lasts about six hours. That makes it long enough to feel like a proper day on the water, but not so long that the heat and salt become exhausting. The schedule includes roughly an hour of sailing at the start, a swimming stop, a short river-boat section, lunch, time at Ile aux Cerfs, and the return sail.

As the catamaran leaves shore, you get scenic views along the east coast. The pace is leisurely, with local snacks and music helping fill the first part of the journey. This is not simply transport to an island. The sailing itself is part of the day.

The scenic sail and Grand River South East stop

The first major section is the cruise across the coastal water toward Grand River South East. The listed sailing time is about one hour, giving you time to settle in, watch the coastline, and enjoy the boat’s social atmosphere.

The crew provides local snacks, and the boat has room for you to sit, stand, take photographs, or move closer to the water. With music and drinks available, the mood can become lively fairly quickly. I would claim a comfortable place early, especially if you want shade or a clear view.

The Grand River South East area is used for a swimming stop of around 40 minutes. This is the part of the trip where you can cool off and get into the water without waiting until you reach Ile aux Cerfs.

A short river-boat ride of about 20 minutes follows. It breaks up the open-water sailing and gives the route some variety. You are not spending the whole day on one straight cruise. The outing moves through coastal water, a river setting, a snorkeling area, and the island.

The timetable is useful, but it is not a minute-by-minute promise. Conditions on the water and the group’s pace can affect the exact order or length of stops. You should think of the schedule as a framework rather than a strict clock.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

The snorkeling stop is one of the strongest reasons to book this outing. Gear is supplied, and guides are available to help, which is useful if you have not snorkeled before or simply want reassurance in the water.

The stop takes place in clear water near coral reefs. You can expect the attraction to be the underwater setting rather than a formal marine-life lesson. The supplied information does not promise particular fish or guaranteed wildlife sightings, so keep your expectations sensible. Water clarity, weather, and sea conditions always affect what you see.

I like that snorkeling is included rather than offered as an expensive add-on. It gives the day some substance beyond food, drinks, and beach time. You get a chance to look below the surface, then return to the boat for the more playful waterslide portion.

Bring biodegradable sunscreen and apply it before boarding if possible. You should also rinse off excess sunscreen before snorkeling when practical, since the tour specifically asks you to bring a biodegradable type. Sandals are useful around the jetty and island, while bare feet are easier on the boat and in the water.

The built-in waterslide is the main twist

The waterslide is what separates this boat trip from a routine catamaran outing. It is built into the boat and sends you directly into the lagoon. You can use it repeatedly, making it a central activity rather than a one-time novelty.

Children are likely to love it, but the attraction is not limited to families. The supplied information specifically presents it as fun for adults as well, and that fits the general mood of the trip. You will probably see people switching between sunbathing, swimming, chatting, and taking another slide.

The slide also gives the boat a natural gathering point. If your group wants an active day, this helps keep everyone involved. If you prefer to read quietly on deck, you may find the noise and movement less appealing.

This is one reason I would not choose the trip solely for scenic sailing. The boat is designed for participation. You are encouraged to get wet, join the fun, and enjoy the social side of the cruise.

There is no stated restriction about age, height, or swimming ability in the supplied details. If someone in your party has concerns, ask the crew before using it. The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the combination of boarding, swimming, and sliding requires comfortable movement around the boat.

BBQ lunch with open drinks

Lunch is served onboard and includes a BBQ with grilled meats, salads, and fruit. Vegetarian options are available on request, so you should make that request when booking rather than waiting until the meal is served.

Eating on the boat keeps the day moving. You do not lose time leaving the vessel, finding a restaurant, ordering, and returning to the group. It also means the meal comes with views and the sound of the water, which is part of the appeal.

The included drinks are generous for a six-hour outing: beer, rum, soft drinks, and water. This matters when judging the $88 price. A cheaper boat ticket can quickly become less affordable once you add lunch, bottled water, beer, and activities. Here, many of the day’s basic costs are bundled together.

Still, unlimited alcohol is not a reason to overdo it. You are spending part of the day swimming and using a waterslide in the sun. Drink water regularly, eat before getting on the slide, and pace yourself. The best version of this trip is energetic and fun, not a floating hangover clinic.

The food is best understood as a casual boat BBQ, not a restaurant meal. If you want a polished dining setting or a long, quiet lunch, this will feel informal. If you value convenience, a hot meal, fruit, salad, and drinks without leaving the boat, it works well.

Ile aux Cerfs and its white-sand beaches

After the water activities and lunch, the cruise heads to Ile aux Cerfs. The island is known for white sand and shallow lagoons, making it the most traditional beach section of the day.

You get free time here for relaxing, swimming, walking, and sightseeing. This pause is important because the earlier part of the trip is fairly active. You can use the island as a reset: dry off, stretch your legs, and enjoy a slower hour by the water.

Optional water sports are available at extra cost. They are not included in the $88, so treat them as separate spending. The included snorkeling and waterslide already give you plenty to do if you prefer not to add another activity.

I would not expect Ile aux Cerfs to feel deserted. It is a famous island and a popular stop, and the trip is built around seeing it as part of a social boat day. Its appeal is easy access to sand, shallow water, and a tropical setting, not isolation.

The amount of free time may feel short if you want a long beach session. The boat also includes several other activities, so this is not a full-day island stay. You are sampling Ile aux Cerfs as one part of a broader outing.

Sega music on the return sail

The return journey is more than a ride back to the jetty. The crew provides onboard music and entertainment, including Sega dancing and traditional Mauritian music.

Sega is a Mauritian musical and dance tradition, and its inclusion gives the cruise a local touch that a generic party boat might lack. You can watch, listen, or join in. The atmosphere becomes especially social as the drinks continue and the coastline comes back into view.

This entertainment receives some of the strongest praise attached to the outing. The staff are repeatedly singled out for being friendly and entertaining, and the local singing and music are described as especially enjoyable. That tells you something useful about the tour: the crew’s energy is a major part of the value.

You should not book this expecting a formal cultural performance with a long explanation of Sega. It is part of the entertainment program, woven into the cruise. That informal approach can be more fun, though it may not satisfy someone seeking a detailed cultural tour.

The boat returns to Trou d’Eau Douce, with drop-off points listed at the jetty area and Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs. Check your selected option carefully so you know where you need to finish the day.

How the $88 price measures up

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs. The value comes from the number of elements included in one booking: catamaran sailing, snorkeling gear, a BBQ lunch, unlimited drinks, the waterslide, island time, and entertainment.

I see it as a good value for a family or group that would otherwise pay separately for food, drinks, a boat ride, and water activities. The waterslide is included, which helps if your party plans to use it often.

For a couple seeking a peaceful romantic cruise, the calculation is different. You may enjoy the scenery, snorkeling, lunch, and island, but the music and social atmosphere could make a quieter tour a better match. You are paying for energy and variety as much as for the route.

The score attached to the activity is 4.2 from 27 ratings, with particularly strong praise for the crew and entertainment. The most useful takeaway is not simply the number. It is that the human side of the trip matters. A friendly crew can make a basic BBQ cruise feel memorable, while a quiet group would likely judge the same energy differently.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families with children who want swimming and a waterslide
• Groups of friends looking for music, drinks, and a social boat day
• Couples who enjoy casual entertainment rather than a silent cruise
• First-time visitors who want snorkeling and Ile aux Cerfs in one outing
• Anyone who values an all-inclusive-feeling day with lunch and drinks covered

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, since the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. I would also look elsewhere if your priority is a small boat, a quiet deck, detailed marine education, or a long stretch of private beach time.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sandals, and biodegradable sunscreen. Request the vegetarian lunch option in advance if needed. Since the starting time depends on availability and your selected option, confirm those details before setting off.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Mauritius plans are still shifting, but the bigger booking decision is the style of the day.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want a lively six-hour package that combines snorkeling, a waterslide, BBQ lunch, open drinks, and beach time without arranging each piece yourself. The local Sega music and the crew’s friendly entertainment give it more personality than a simple transfer to Ile aux Cerfs.

Skip it if you want quiet sailing or a carefully paced cultural excursion. For the right group, though, the $88 buys a full and varied day on the east coast, with enough water time for active people and enough island time for anyone who needs to slow down.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The activity lasts approximately six hours. The day includes sailing, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, time at Ile aux Cerfs, and the return cruise.

Where does the boat leave from?

The trip departs from Trou d’Eau Douce. The meeting point is at the end of the jetty next to the Mauritian flag.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided, and guides are available to assist during the snorkeling stop.

What food is included?

A BBQ lunch is served onboard. It includes grilled meats, salads, and fruit. Vegetarian options are available on request.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Unlimited drinks include beer, rum, soft drinks, and water.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.