Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling + GRSE Waterfall, BBQ & Bar

The best part of this Mauritius day is the mix of open-water cruising and island time. You glide from Trou d’Eau Douce to the Grand Riviere Sud Est Waterfall, then continue to Ile aux Cerfs for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and optional water sports.

I like the included food and drinks, which save you from paying for lunch and refreshments along the way. I also like the social feel of a catamaran with a small advertised maximum of 25 people, though one past departure had more than 30 aboard, so crowding is worth checking before you book.

The main caution is simple: keep your phone and valuables with you or secure them carefully. One passenger reported a stolen phone after leaving belongings on the main boat during a transfer to a smaller craft. The crew was friendly and the food earned strong praise, but basic care with valuables remains your responsibility.

Key points to know before you book

• The day begins and ends at Trou d’Eau Douce: You arrange your own way to the Blue Alizé Catamaran meeting point and return to the same area after the cruise.
• Grand Riviere Sud Est Waterfall is a short stop: You get about 10 minutes to see the river meet the Indian Ocean.
• Ile aux Cerfs receives the most time: Plan on roughly two hours on the island for swimming, relaxing, snorkeling, or optional activities.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Barbecue food, snacks, water, coffee or tea, soft drinks, wine, rum cocktails, and other alcoholic drinks are part of the package.
• The group is advertised at a maximum of 25: A past departure reportedly exceeded 30 people, so ask about the expected group size if personal space matters to you.
• The tour is not wheelchair accessible: Most people can participate, but the boat transfers and island setting require reasonable mobility.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 a.m.

Your morning starts at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’s east coast. The Blue Alizé Catamaran meeting point is also the end point, so your private driver, taxi, or other transport should return for you there after the cruise.

This setup is useful because you do not have to arrange a different return location. It also means transportation is not included. You need to reach Trou d’Eau Douce on your own, and the tour provider does not supply private transfers as part of the $82.46 price.

The boat leaves at 9:00 a.m., and the full outing lasts about seven hours. That gives you a full morning and afternoon on the water without taking up your entire day. Confirmation is provided at booking, so save the meeting details and allow enough time to find the Debarcadere.

The advertised group limit is 25 people. That is a reasonable size for a social catamaran trip, particularly if you want an easygoing day rather than a private charter. Still, one past departure was reported as having more than 30 passengers. If comfort, seating, and space around the buffet are important to you, contact the operator before paying and ask how many people are expected on your date.

The short visit to Grand Riviere Sud Est Waterfall

The first stop is Grand Riviere Sud Est, where a waterfall reaches the Indian Ocean. You spend about 10 minutes here, so think of it as a quick scenic stop rather than a full waterfall visit.

The appeal is the setting. Fresh water comes down toward the sea, creating a memorable meeting of river and ocean. From the boat, you get a distinct view of the falls without needing a long walk or separate inland excursion.

Ten minutes is enough for photos and a look around, but not enough for a slow exploration. If you prefer long stops with time to swim or walk, this part may feel brief. The tour gives the waterfall a visual introduction, then moves on to the main event at Ile aux Cerfs.

That pacing makes sense for a day centered on the sea. You are not paying for a land tour with a short boat ride. The waterfall is an attractive opening stop, while the island provides the longer break.

Cruising toward Ile aux Cerfs

The cruise then continues toward Ile aux Cerfs, one of the best-known island stops on Mauritius. The boat ride is part of the experience, not just transport. You get time on the Mauritian waters, a chance to settle into the group, and access to drinks and snacks as the day progresses.

The atmosphere can be one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. The crew has included Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan, names associated with a warm, attentive style of service. Their role is not only to handle the boat, but also to keep food, drinks, and the general mood moving along.

The social side will suit you if you like meeting people and sharing a day at sea. It may be less appealing if you want quiet, a private guide, or plenty of empty space. A catamaran day with lunch and rum cocktails naturally attracts people looking for fun rather than silence.

Rain can also affect the mood and the island stop. One highly positive account described a great day despite a rain shower at Ile aux Cerfs. That is useful context for Mauritius: the outing is weather dependent, and a passing shower does not automatically ruin the day, but you should be ready for conditions to change.

Two hours at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is where the schedule opens up. You have about two hours to relax, swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or choose an optional water activity. The island stop gives you a break from the boat and lets you set your own pace.

If you want a simple beach day, take your time with the water and the sun. If you prefer activity, parasailing and tube rides are available as options. The supplied details do not say that these activities are included in the $82.46 price, so plan to pay separately if you choose one.

Snorkeling equipment is included. That is a real money saver and removes the need to bring or rent your own mask and gear. The details do not promise a guided snorkeling session or identify a fixed snorkeling site, so you should view the equipment as access to a self-directed part of the day rather than a formal lesson.

You can also book a transat, or sun lounger, if you want a more settled place to rest. The information does not state whether that cost is included, so ask before arranging one. The same applies to optional water sports.

Two hours is long enough to enjoy the island without making the day feel slow. It is not a full beach resort stay. If you want hours of unhurried swimming and a long lunch, the island portion may seem short. If you like a day that keeps moving between sights, boat time, food, and beach time, the schedule works well.

A barbecue lunch with wine and rum cocktails

Food is one of the clearest strengths of this tour. Barbecue lunch is included, along with snacks, bottled water, coffee or tea, soda, and alcoholic drinks. Wine and rum cocktails are specifically part of the offering, and coconut water is also included in the tour description.

That package matters at this price. A day on a popular island can become expensive once you add lunch, drinks, snacks, and equipment. Here, those basics are covered before you start considering optional activities.

The food has received particularly warm praise. One account called the barbecue excellent, while another noted that the food was good and the drinks plentiful. The details do not provide a full menu, so do not book expecting a specific dish or a specialist dining experience. Think of it as a hearty shared meal designed to keep you going through an active day.

The drink selection also shapes the mood. Soda and water suit people who want to stay refreshed, while wine and rum cocktails add a celebratory touch. Alcohol is included, but you are still out on the water and may be in the sun, so pacing yourself is sensible.

The barbecue also makes the trip easier for families and mixed groups. One person can focus on swimming, another can enjoy a drink, and someone else can simply eat and watch the scenery. You do not need to build a separate lunch plan around the island stop.

Snorkeling, swimming, and optional water sports

This is a flexible outing rather than a tightly programmed activity. You can use the included snorkeling gear, swim, lie in the sun, or pay for parasailing and tubing. That range is helpful when people in the same group want different kinds of fun.

You should bring the mindset of an independent participant. The supplied information confirms equipment, but not a guide-led snorkeling talk, underwater briefing, or guaranteed marine life sightings. Conditions at sea and weather will affect what you see and how comfortable the water feels.

Parasailing and tubing add cost, but they can make the trip more exciting if you want something beyond swimming. Ask the crew about current prices and availability before committing. The tour price covers the main catamaran experience, not every activity offered around Ile aux Cerfs.

The island stop is also a good reason to pack carefully. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a dry way to store your phone. Most importantly, do not leave valuables loose on the boat when you move to a smaller craft or go ashore. A theft report connected to that exact situation is the clearest practical warning attached to this experience.

Is $82.46 good value?

At $82.46 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a full day package rather than a bare boat transfer. You receive about seven hours, two scenic stops, snorkeling equipment, a barbecue meal, snacks, water, hot drinks, soft drinks, and alcohol.

The value improves if you would otherwise buy lunch and several drinks on the island. It also improves if you plan to snorkel, since equipment is supplied. The cost is less attractive if you will skip the food and drinks, dislike group outings, or want a quiet private boat.

The tour is not advertised as a luxury cruise. One passenger expected a premium package and found the boat too crowded. The operator pointed that person toward a separate luxury Ile aux Cerfs cruise, which suggests you should not confuse this outing with a high-end private-style experience.

In practical terms, you are paying for a lively shared day with a good number of inclusions. You are not paying for guaranteed spacious seating, private service, or a fully guided water-sports program. That distinction helps set the right expectation.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day?

I would suggest this trip to you if you want several Mauritius highlights in one outing. It suits couples, friends, and families who like swimming, casual snorkeling, a barbecue lunch, and drinks without having to organize each part separately.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy a friendly group atmosphere. The crew’s warm service and upbeat approach have been central to the best days on this cruise. You should choose another option if you want peace and quiet, a private boat, or a carefully controlled small group.

The experience may work for most able-bodied participants, but it is not wheelchair accessible. Boat boarding, transfers, swimming, and the island stop all require mobility. The operator says most people can participate, yet anyone with specific mobility needs should ask detailed questions before booking.

The weather requirement matters too. Poor conditions can lead to a changed date or a full refund. That protects you from being forced onto the water in bad weather, but it means you should avoid placing this tour on the final day of a short Mauritius visit if you have no room to reschedule.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran day if you want a well-priced, social Mauritius outing with food, alcohol, snorkeling gear, a waterfall view, and beach time in one package. The friendly crew, generous drinks, and barbecue are the strongest reasons to go.

Before booking, confirm the expected passenger count and ask about the price of parasailing, tubing, and sun loungers. Keep your phone secure, arrive ready for weather changes, and arrange your own transport to and from Trou d’Eau Douce.

Skip it if overcrowding would spoil your day or if you are seeking a luxury cruise. For everyone else, the combination of Ile aux Cerfs, a short waterfall stop, included lunch, and a seven-hour schedule offers solid value at $82.46.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran outing lasts approximately seven hours.

Is transportation included?

Private transportation is not included. You need to arrange your own transport to Trou d’Eau Douce and have it wait for you at the end point.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes barbecue lunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee or tea, soda, alcoholic beverages, wine, rum cocktails, and coconut water.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

How long do you spend at Grand Riviere Sud Est Waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs?

The waterfall stop lasts about 10 minutes. You spend approximately two hours at Ile aux Cerfs, with the wider tour schedule lasting about seven hours.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.