Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

Sun, sea, sand, and a barbecue afloat. This 7-hour catamaran trip from Trou d’Eau Douce brings together several east-coast highlights in one day: a sail along the coast, a stop at Grand River South East Waterfalls, time around Ile aux Cerfs, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch with drinks. I especially like the combination of scenery and food, plus the friendly crew praised by several customers.

The price, about $64 per person, is fair if you want a full day on the water without arranging each stop yourself. I also like that the trip includes chicken, fish, sausage, salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks. The main concern is consistency: rough seas can change the plan, and some outings have included little or no snorkeling, a short waterfall stop, and a long pause for optional water activities.

Key points to know before booking

• Departure from Trou d’Eau Douce: You meet the catamaran in this east-coast village, with no standard hotel transfer included.
• Grand River South East Waterfalls: The falls are part of the day, but the stop may be brief and the order can change with the tide.
• Ile aux Cerfs time: Expect beach time and swimming, but one reported outing allowed about 90 minutes on the island.
• Snorkeling depends on conditions: Equipment is not included, and rough water may make snorkeling unsafe or impossible.
• Lunch is included on board: The three-course barbecue includes chicken, fish, sausage, salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.
• Best for active beach days: The trip suits people comfortable with boat travel, swimming, sun, and uneven access points.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce

Your day begins at Trou d’Eau Douce, a village on Mauritius’s east coast. This is the meeting point for the catamaran, so you need to arrange your own way there unless you pay extra for a separate transfer.

The catamaran then follows the coast toward Ile aux Cerfs. From the deck, you get broad views of the sea, the coast, and the mountains inland. The boat ride is not simply transport between stops. It is a large part of the day, so think of this as a relaxed ocean outing rather than a fast sightseeing trip.

The tour lasts about seven hours. That gives you enough time for several stops, lunch, and time to sit on deck, but it also means you will spend many hours exposed to sun and wind. Bring sunscreen, a towel, beachwear, and dry clothes for the ride home.

The crew speaks English and French. Several highly positive comments praise the atmosphere and the team’s attention to passenger needs. Carol, who joined in March 2024, described the day as excellent and said the attentive team helped create a good mood. Patrick also gave the crew and the day top marks.

That praise matters because a boat trip depends heavily on the people running it. A friendly crew can make a change of plan feel easy. A poorly managed boat day can feel long, especially if the sea is rough or an activity is canceled.

Sailing the east coast of Mauritius

The east coast gives this outing much of its appeal. You see the shore from offshore, with the sea opening around you and the mountains forming a backdrop inland. I like this viewpoint because it gives you a different sense of Mauritius than a road trip or beach afternoon.

The catamaran provides space to move around, but comfort may vary depending on the boat and how many people are aboard. One February passenger described the vessel as patched up and said there was not enough shade for everyone. That is a serious point for anyone who dislikes strong sun or expects a polished luxury cruise.

You should treat the boat as a practical day vessel, not a private yacht. Find shade early if you need it, and keep sunscreen nearby. The combination of salt, wind, and tropical sun can become tiring long before the scheduled return.

The order of stops is not fixed. The crew may change the sequence according to the tide and water depth. This is normal for a coastal trip, but it means you should not expect the exact timing shown in your imagination. The waterfall may come before Ile aux Cerfs, or the swimming stop may be moved to suit conditions.

Grand River South East Waterfalls

Grand River South East Waterfalls is one of the day’s main sights. The falls drop through a green coastal setting, creating a striking contrast with the open water around the catamaran. You can expect a scenic viewing stop and a chance to take photographs.

The amount of time here may be the weak point. One passenger reported that the catamaran paused for only about three minutes. That is enough to see the falls, but not enough for a slow visit or extended photography.

I would treat the waterfall as a short scenic stop, not a separate waterfall tour. If the falls are your main reason for booking, this cruise may feel too limited. If you see them as one piece of a larger day at sea, the brief visit makes more sense.

The tide affects access and timing. The crew may adjust the schedule to keep the boat safe and to work with the water level. That flexibility is useful, but it can also shorten one stop to protect the rest of the day.

Swimming and snorkeling near Ile aux Cerfs

The water around Ile aux Cerfs is one of the biggest draws. The plan includes time for swimming and snorkeling, letting you cool off after the boat ride and see the coastal water from a different angle.

Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own gear if you have it. That small detail can affect the quality of your day. If you arrive expecting equipment to be waiting on board, you may lose time or skip the activity altogether.

You also need to keep expectations realistic. On one February outing, rough and windy conditions meant there was no snorkeling, and the swimming location felt unsafe to that passenger. The operator can reschedule in adverse weather or rough seas, but a trip can still be affected by conditions that are not severe enough to cancel the whole day.

This is not a guaranteed underwater tour. It is a boat trip with snorkeling offered when the water and location are suitable. I would book it for the coast, boat ride, and beach time first, then regard snorkeling as a welcome extra.

When conditions are good, the stop should appeal to swimmers who want a simple hour in the sea rather than a formal guided marine tour. You can swim, use your own mask and snorkel, and enjoy the clear water around the island. The exact length of the stop depends on the day’s schedule.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is known for its pale sand and clear coastal water. Once you reach the island, the pace changes from boat sightseeing to beach time. You can walk on the sand, swim, sit in the sun, or simply enjoy being away from the mainland for a while.

The island is scenic, but it may not feel quiet or untouched. Eve, who joined in February, enjoyed the catamaran atmosphere and lunch but felt Ile aux Cerfs was no longer as idyllic as expected. That is useful advice if you picture a completely private tropical island.

You may find organized activities and other visitors around the island. The provided trip information specifically mentions optional parasailing and banana boat activities being promoted during a long stop on one outing. If you are interested in those activities, this may be a bonus. If you want uninterrupted beach time, it may feel like a distraction.

Time on the island is another point to check. One passenger reported about 90 minutes there. That allows a swim and a short walk, but not a slow exploration of every beach area. You will need to choose what matters most: swimming, photos, sitting on the sand, or optional activities.

For me, Ile aux Cerfs works best as the relaxing middle or final chapter of a boat day. It is not the right choice if you want a long, independent island visit with hours to explore at your own pace.

Barbecue lunch and drinks on the catamaran

Lunch is one of the strongest practical features of this cruise. The included meal is a three-course barbecue with chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

Eating on the catamaran keeps the day simple. You do not need to leave the water to find a restaurant, and the meal becomes part of the social atmosphere on board. Eve specifically praised the lunch, while other high-scoring comments also point to the pleasant mood during the day.

The menu gives you several main options, which is useful for a mixed group. A barbecue with fish, chicken, and sausage is more substantial than a light snack, especially after swimming. The included drinks also improve the value of the $64 price.

Still, do not confuse this with a quiet restaurant meal. You may be eating on a moving boat, with sun, wind, and other people around you. The meal is best understood as a generous included lunch that supports a full day at sea, not as a fine-dining event.

Alcohol is available, so drink sensibly. One strongly negative account felt that the amount of alcohol helped distract from too much waiting and poor scheduling. That is a reminder to judge the cruise by its sightseeing and service, not by the drinks alone.

What the $64 price really covers

At about $64, the price covers a seven-hour catamaran cruise, the waterfall visit, Ile aux Cerfs, swimming, snorkeling when conditions allow, and a full barbecue lunch with drinks. If you wanted to arrange boat transport, food, and island access separately, the convenience would likely be worth something.

The value is strongest for you if you want a complete day with little planning. You can spend the day on the east coast, see the falls, reach Ile aux Cerfs, and have lunch without changing vehicles or choosing a restaurant.

The value is weaker if your main goal is one specific activity. Snorkelers may be disappointed if the sea is rough. People focused on the waterfall may find three minutes too short. Beach lovers may feel 90 minutes on Ile aux Cerfs is not enough.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Trou d’Eau Douce yourself, or arrange a transfer at an additional cost. Add that expense before comparing this trip with hotel-based excursions.

The overall score of 4.5 from 11 ratings suggests that many people find the day enjoyable, but the spread from top marks to very poor ratings shows that conditions and expectations matter. This is a good-value shared cruise, not a guaranteed luxury outing.

Timing, weather, and comfort

The tour takes about seven hours, though the precise starting time depends on availability. The sequence may change because of tide and water depth, so keep your schedule flexible.

Adverse weather can lead to a new date. If the sea is rough or conditions are otherwise unsuitable, the outing may be rescheduled. If no suitable alternative date can be arranged, a full refund is offered.

Rain alone does not necessarily cancel the trip. The more important concern is rough sea and unsafe water conditions. If you are prone to seasickness, boat travel in changing conditions may be uncomfortable, although the available information does not provide a specific seasickness policy.

Pack:

• Sunscreen
• A towel
• Beachwear
• A change of clothes
• Your own snorkeling equipment, if you want to snorkel

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. Boat access, swimming stops, and movement between the catamaran and shore require a reasonable level of physical ability.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Mauritius plans are still taking shape.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a social, all-in-one day on the water. It suits couples, families with active older children, and anyone who prefers a planned outing to arranging separate boat rides and meals.

You will probably enjoy it most if you:

• Like swimming and beach time
• Are happy sharing a catamaran
• Want lunch and drinks included
• Enjoy scenic boat rides
• Can cope with sun, wind, and changing plans
• See snorkeling as optional rather than guaranteed

I would be cautious if you need reliable snorkeling, extensive shade, a long stay on Ile aux Cerfs, or a calm luxury boat. I would also think twice if you dislike sales stops for optional activities or want every minute devoted to sightseeing.

The best way to approach this cruise is with flexible expectations. The sea controls much of the day. A calm outing can deliver a lovely mix of coast, falls, food, swimming, and beach time. A windy day may bring a shortened waterfall visit, no snorkeling, and less comfortable swimming.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, full-day catamaran outing with a hearty barbecue lunch and several east-coast sights in one package. The friendly crew, good onboard atmosphere, and included drinks are genuine strengths.

Skip it if Ile aux Cerfs is your sole priority or if snorkeling is essential. In that case, look for an outing that promises longer island time, confirms equipment, and gives clearer details about the boat and swimming sites.

For most people, I would call this a worthwhile but weather-sensitive day trip. Arrive with sunscreen, a towel, your own snorkel gear, and a willingness to accept schedule changes. That mindset gives you the best chance of enjoying the sea, the food, and the scenery without expecting a private island fantasy.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts about seven hours. Starting times vary, so you should check availability for the date you want.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes barbecue chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

Can the trip be canceled because of weather?

Rough seas or adverse weather conditions can lead to rescheduling. Rain alone is not listed as a reason for cancellation. If a suitable alternative date cannot be arranged, a full refund is offered.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or pregnant women.