Mauritius: Ile aux Cerf Catamaran w/Waterfall Visit & Lunch

The best part of this Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise is its variety. In one day, you move from a river waterfall and wild monkeys to coral water, a barbecue lunch, Sega music, and a palm-fringed island. It is a busy day, but the pace is gentle enough for you to spend part of it simply stretched out on deck.

I like the small group limit of 15 people, which should make the boat feel more personal than a large party cruise. I also like the clear value at $70: lunch, snacks, drinks, snorkeling, the waterfall visit, and island time are bundled together. The main consideration is the long day and the open-water setting. If you want quiet sightseeing without music, swimming, or a social atmosphere, this may feel lively.

Key points before you book

• Grand River South East comes first: You transfer to a speedboat for the short ride upstream to the waterfall, with possible monkey and fruit bat sightings.
• The boat day is social: Expect Mauritian Sega music, jokes, local stories, snacks, and drinks served throughout the trip.
• Lunch is included: The barbecue includes fish, chicken, hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice, with alcoholic and soft drinks available.
• Snorkeling is part of the route: You get a swimming and snorkeling stop in clear lagoon water, with coral and tropical fish.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you free time: Use the island for swimming and walking, or pay extra for activities such as parasailing, tube riding, or an underwater walk.
• Bring sun protection: Pack sunscreen and a camera. Hotel or Airbnb pickup is optional, not included in the $70 price.

From Trou d’Eau Douce to the open lagoon

Your day begins at the docking station near Trou d’Eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast. Search for Debarcader Trou d’eau Douche on Google Maps, and aim to arrive by 8:30 a.m. The catamaran leaves at about 9:00 a.m., so you have a little time to find the meeting point and board without rushing.

The advertised experience lasts nine hours, with the boat schedule listed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. That makes this a full-day outing, not a quick boat ride squeezed between other plans. Leave your afternoon open, especially if you want time on Ile aux Cerfs rather than spending the whole day watching the clock.

The catamaran is the main attraction, not just transport between stops. You can look back toward the green mountains and coast, watch the water change from river to lagoon, and settle into the easy rhythm of a sailing day. The boat also gives you more room to move around than a speedboat, though the trip remains exposed to sun and weather.

The crew keeps things informal with local Sega music, jokes, and stories about Mauritius. That suits the setting. This is not a silent nature cruise. It is a cheerful day at sea, with the crew helping you feel part of the group and keeping the mood moving along.

Grand River South East waterfall by speedboat

The first major stop is Grand River South East, where the catamaran pauses and you transfer to a speedboat. The waterfall lies about 500 meters upstream, so the short ride takes you into a narrower river setting before you return to the larger boat.

This change of boat is one of the day’s useful touches. A catamaran cannot get as close to the falls, while a smaller speedboat can take you farther up the river. You see old trees along the banks and may spot monkeys moving through the branches. Mauritian fruit bats may also be perched high in the trees near the waterfall.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a scenic stop rather than a long hike or a major nature expedition. You visit the falls from the water, take photographs, and look for wildlife before heading back. Animal sightings are possible, not guaranteed, so enjoy the river setting even if the monkeys decide to stay out of sight.

The waterfall visit also breaks up the day nicely. Instead of spending every hour on the lagoon, you get a short freshwater detour with a different feel and a bit of local character.

Snorkeling in the clear lagoon water

After the waterfall, the catamaran heads through clear lagoon water toward a swimming and snorkeling stop. The attraction here is simple: coral reefs, tropical fish, and the chance to cool off in the sea rather than admire it from the rail.

Life jackets are included, which is helpful if you are not a strong swimmer. You can choose to snorkel, swim, or remain on the boat. That flexibility matters for families and mixed groups, since not everyone wants the same level of activity.

The water can look wonderfully clear, but conditions are still natural. Visibility and marine life can change with weather, water movement, and the exact stopping place. The trip offers several chances to snorkel, but it does not promise a private reef or a long guided marine biology session.

Bring sunscreen and a camera, but protect both from water. A camera is especially useful for the changing views, the waterfall, and the island, even if you prefer to leave your phone dry during the swim.

Barbecue lunch and drinks on board

Lunch is a strong part of the $70 package. The menu includes fresh barbecue fish, barbecue chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. You may eat on the beach or on the catamaran, depending on how the day is arranged.

This is practical food for a boat day. There is enough variety for people who want fish, meat, or a simpler plate, and the rice and salads help round out the meal. Do not expect a formal restaurant lunch. The point is to eat well without breaking the flow of the cruise.

Breakfast snacks are also included, along with bottled water. Drinks include soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. The unlimited arrangement adds real value if you plan to drink, though it is also perfectly reasonable to focus on water in the hot sun.

The crew’s service is part of the experience. Food and drinks are served in a relaxed setting, often while people are sitting around the boat rather than lining up for a formal meal. Remember that alcohol and swimming are a poor mix, so pace yourself if you plan to snorkel or swim after lunch.

Ile aux Cerfs and its famous beaches

Ile aux Cerfs is the postcard section of the day. As the catamaran approaches, you see white sand, palm trees, and bright turquoise water near the east coast of Mauritius. It is the kind of place made for photographs, but you should also give yourself time to put the camera away.

You can stroll, swim, sit on the beach, or simply enjoy the island’s open setting. The visit adds welcome freedom after the more structured waterfall and snorkeling stops. You are not expected to spend every minute in the water.

Optional activities include parasailing, tube riding, and an underwater walk. These are not included in the $70 price, so budget separately if one catches your eye. One useful point from the trip’s feedback is that the crew may help arrange an underwater sea walk during the day, but you should confirm the price before agreeing. The activity can cost more when arranged locally or on the spot than through online vendors.

Ile aux Cerfs can also be the busiest-feeling part of the outing, since it is a popular beach destination with several activity options. If you want the calmest version of the stop, use your free time for a walk or swim away from the main activity areas rather than trying to do every paid option.

The return sail to Trou d’Eau Douce

The final stretch is a gentle sail back toward Trou d’Eau Douce. After the waterfall, snorkeling, lunch, and island visit, this is your chance to slow down and watch the coast from the water.

The return can be one of the most enjoyable parts if you are not trying to fill it with another activity. Sit back with a drink, listen to the music, and take in the mountains, greenery, and sea from a different angle. The boat’s unhurried pace is a good match for this scenery.

The crew’s attitude matters here. A friendly, attentive team can make a long day feel easy, and this outing puts a lot of weight on the staff. The strongest praise centers on safety, cheerful service, helpfulness, and the ability to keep the group entertained without making the day feel forced.

What the $70 price really covers

At $70 per person, this is good value if you want a complete day rather than a bare boat transfer. You receive the catamaran cruise, the waterfall visit, Ile aux Cerfs, snacks, barbecue lunch, unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks, bottled water, life jackets, and snorkeling opportunities.

The price is less compelling if you do not drink, do not eat much, or plan to avoid the included activities. In that case, you are still paying for the boat, scenery, lunch, and access to the route, but the unlimited drinks become less important.

Hotel and Airbnb pickup are not included. You need to make your own way to the Trou d’Eau Douce meeting point unless you arrange a separate transfer. That extra transport cost should be part of your calculation, especially if your accommodation is far from the east coast.

Optional island activities cost extra as well. Parasailing, tube riding, and underwater walking can add up quickly, so decide in advance how much you want to spend. The base tour already provides a full day, and you do not need to buy an add-on to make the trip worthwhile.

Group size, languages, and the practical details

The group is limited to 15 participants, which is a useful middle ground. You get the social feel of a shared boat but avoid the scale of a large cruise crowd. The small group also makes it easier to ask the crew questions or request help with activities.

Live guiding is available in English, French, German, Italian, Hindi, and Spanish. The exact language mix on your departure may vary, but the range makes this a practical choice for an international group.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your weather plans are still shifting, though you should still check the current departure details when booking.

Bring sunscreen, a camera, swimwear, and a towel if you have one. The supplied information specifically calls out sunscreen and a camera, but a boat day also rewards simple preparation: protect yourself from the sun, keep valuables secure, and expect to get wet during the snorkeling stop.

Who should book this catamaran day

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a little of everything: scenery, a waterfall, swimming, snorkeling, beach time, food, music, and a social crew. It is especially well suited to couples, families, and friends who have different ideas of fun but want to stay together for the day.

It also works well for a birthday or other celebration. The music, drinks, shared lunch, and relaxed service give the outing a festive feel without requiring you to plan each part yourself.

You may want a different experience if you prefer a private boat, a quiet wildlife trip, or a highly focused snorkeling excursion. This is a broad Mauritius day, not a specialist reef trip. The cruise gives you variety and convenience, but you trade some solitude for the shared atmosphere.

The physical demands are moderate. You can swim and snorkel, but you can also stay aboard or relax on the island. The speedboat transfer to the waterfall and the boat’s movement are worth keeping in mind if you are sensitive to motion.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want strong value from one full day on Mauritius’s east coast. For $70, you get a well-filled schedule, a substantial barbecue lunch, a wide drink selection, two very different scenic stops, and plenty of time on the water.

The biggest reason to choose it is the balance. You are not locked into one activity, and the crew creates a friendly setting with Sega music, jokes, local stories, and practical help. The main reason to skip it is simple: the day is long, social, and exposed to the sun.

For the best experience, arrive early, bring sunscreen, keep some cash or a payment method available for optional island activities, and do not overdo the alcohol before snorkeling. If that sounds like your kind of Mauritius day, this catamaran trip is an easy choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

The meeting point is near Trou d’Eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast. Search for Debarcader Trou d’eau Douche on Google Maps.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at the docking station at 8:30 a.m. The catamaran cruise starts at about 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The activity is listed as nine hours. The boat schedule runs from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes fresh barbecue fish, barbecue chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. It may be served on the beach or on the catamaran.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks include water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and local rum. Breakfast snacks and bottled water are also included.

Does the trip visit Grand River South East waterfall?

Yes. You travel by speedboat about 500 meters upstream from the Grand River to visit the waterfall before returning to the catamaran.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The itinerary includes swimming and snorkeling stops in clear lagoon water, with coral reefs and tropical fish.

Are hotel or Airbnb transfers included?

No. Pickup and drop-off from your hotel or Airbnb are optional services and are not included in the $70 price.