Full-day Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch

The most appealing part of this day is the change of pace: a quick speedboat ride to the secluded Grand River South East waterfall, followed by a slow catamaran trip along the coast. I like the easy mix of water, scenery, food, and free time. The fresh BBQ lunch and unlimited water, soda, beer, and local rum also make the $65 price look fair.

I also like that you are not locked into one activity all day. You can snorkel, walk Ile aux Cerfs, try a water activity, or simply sit by the beach. The tradeoff is that some stops can feel crowded and commercial, while snorkeling conditions may be less impressive than the polished description suggests.

Key points to know

• The day starts with the GRSE waterfall: A speedboat takes you upriver before the catamaran cruise.
• Lunch is cooked aboard the catamaran: Expect BBQ chicken, fish, sausages, salads, fries, fruit, dessert, and included drinks.
• Snorkeling time may feel short: Several stops are planned, but one-hour-long sessions are not guaranteed.
• Ile aux Cerfs is beautiful but busy: Its white sand is attractive, yet the island can feel heavily visited.
• Pickup is optional and costs extra: You can choose a 07:00 option with pickup or a 09:00 option without pickup.
• Bring your own snorkel set if you care about fit: Equipment and swim jackets are supplied, but the provided gear may not suit everyone.

A Water-Filled Day on Mauritius’ East Coast

This is a long, active day built around Mauritius’ southeast coast. You travel first by speedboat to the Grand River South East waterfall, return to Trou d’Eau Douce, and then spend most of the day aboard a spacious 42-foot catamaran.

The boat is the main setting. You get coastal views, swimming stops, a BBQ meal, music, drinks, and transport to Ile aux Cerfs. The day runs until about 16:00, so it is best treated as one of your main holiday outings rather than a short add-on.

I see this as a good choice if you want several classic Mauritius sights in one booking. You do not need to arrange a separate waterfall trip, snorkeling outing, island visit, and lunch. The downside is just as clear: combining so much into one day means no single activity receives unlimited time.

The atmosphere appears to lean social rather than quiet. Some people enjoy the music, friendly crew, and easygoing mood. If you picture a silent sailing trip with only the sound of the sea, this probably is not that experience.

The Grand River South East Waterfall by Speedboat

The first special stop is the Grand River South East waterfall, often called the GRSE waterfall. From the launch point at Trou d’Eau Douce, a speedboat carries you along the river toward the falls.

This is a useful opening to the day because the boat gets close to a river setting that is only accessible by water. The river feels more enclosed and peaceful than the open coast, while the waterfall provides a short burst of drama before the slower cruise begins.

You might spot fruit bats or monkeys in the area, but these sightings are not promised. The waterfall visit is also not a private wilderness outing. It is a popular stop, and the area can be busy with other boats.

The speedboat ride itself adds some fun and variety. It is quicker and more energetic than the catamaran, so you get two very different types of boat travel in the same morning. If you are sensitive to speed, spray, or a bumpy ride, keep that in mind.

After the waterfall, the speedboat returns you to Trou d’Eau Douce. You then board the catamaran for the main part of the day. The transfer is simple in theory, but the pier is one place where you should allow extra patience. One passenger described confusion at check-in, with staff sending the group to different people before the names on the list were confirmed.

That problem may not happen to you, but the practical lesson is useful: arrive with your booking details ready, and do not assume the first person at the pier handles every group.

Sailing Toward Ile aux Cerfs

Once aboard the catamaran, the mood changes. The larger boat gives you room to sit, eat, talk, and move around while the crew follows the east coast toward Ile aux Cerfs.

The catamaran is described as full-serviced, with drinks available throughout the day. Water and soft drinks are useful in the heat, while beer and local rum suit the more festive side of the outing. Drink responsibly, especially in the sun, and keep water in hand even if you plan to enjoy the alcoholic options.

The crew received some of the strongest praise in the feedback. I would place a fair amount of value on that. A long boat day depends heavily on how the staff handle food, drinks, swimming stops, and passenger needs. Reports describe the crew as warm, attentive, professional, and accommodating.

Music is part of the atmosphere. One family found the mood welcoming and suitable for an 11-year-old child. Another passenger disliked the loud music. Neither response is surprising. The sound level can shape your whole impression, so choose this cruise for a friendly group setting, not for a quiet sailing retreat.

The boat offers a comfortable base between stops, but you should still prepare for strong sun and wind. Bring sunscreen and a towel, as requested. A hat, sunglasses, and a dry bag would also be sensible, though only the towel and sunscreen are specifically listed as items to bring.

Snorkeling in Warm Coastal Water

The catamaran stops at several snorkeling points along the coast. Snorkel gear and swim jackets are supplied, and you may bring your own equipment.

The appeal is straightforward: warm water, coral, and tropical fish without having to book a separate snorkeling trip. For a first look at Mauritius’ underwater life, this can be a convenient part of the day. You can also choose not to snorkel and simply remain aboard or enjoy the surrounding water.

I would bring my own mask and snorkel if you already have a set that fits well. One person found the snorkeling disappointing and advised using personal equipment. Another felt there was not enough time in the water. The conditions may vary by stop, but you should not book this outing solely for a long, serious snorkeling session.

The water can also contain algae, and the marine life may be less abundant than you expect from promotional photos. The exact quality of the experience depends on the selected locations, visibility, weather, and how much time the crew allows at each point.

The best way to think about snorkeling here is as one part of a broad day. You may see colourful coral and fish, but the itinerary gives equal weight to the waterfall, lunch, sailing, and Ile aux Cerfs. Strong swimmers and keen snorkelers may want a dedicated reef trip instead.

A BBQ Lunch Served on the Catamaran

Lunch is one of the most substantial parts of the package. The crew prepares a BBQ buffet aboard the catamaran, with chicken, fish, sausages, fries, pasta salad, other salads, fruit, dessert, and vegetarian choices.

I like this arrangement because you do not have to give up your beach time to search for food on Ile aux Cerfs. You eat on the boat, with the coast and water around you, then have the afternoon free on the island.

The menu is broad enough for a mixed group. Meat eaters have several choices, while salads and other vegetarian items provide alternatives. The food was praised as delicious, and the grills received especially warm approval.

Do not expect a formal restaurant meal. This is a casual boat buffet, and conditions are shaped by wind, sun, and the number of people aboard. Still, the inclusion of lunch, fruit, dessert, and drinks adds real value to the $65 cost.

The free-flowing drinks matter financially, too. Buying a full lunch and several beverages separately on a popular island could quickly raise the day’s cost. The package is strongest for people who expect to eat and drink aboard rather than buy extras at every stop.

Free Time on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the final major draw. The island is known for white sand, clear water, and open time to choose your own pace.

You can walk along the beach, look for quieter nature paths, swim, try one of the available water activities, or simply sit near the sea. This unstructured time is valuable after a morning of boat transfers and scheduled stops. You are not being led from one sight to the next all afternoon.

At the same time, keep your expectations realistic. Ile aux Cerfs is not an untouched private island in the usual sense. It can feel crowded and tourist-oriented, and one assessment found the beach overrated for that reason.

I still think the island works well as a relaxed final stop. Its appeal is less about solitude and more about the chance to spread out, enjoy the sand, and decide how active you want to be. If you need an empty beach with no commercial activity, this is not the right promise to attach to the trip.

The amount of time on the island is described as several hours, but the exact balance between waterfall, snorkeling, lunch, and beach time can vary. That is another reason to book this for variety rather than for one perfect beach afternoon.

What the $65 Price Really Covers

At $65 per person, the package includes a lot: the catamaran, the GRSE speedboat visit, snorkeling equipment, swim jackets, BBQ lunch, dessert, water, juice, soda, beer, local rum, and access to Ile aux Cerfs.

That is good value if you would otherwise pay separately for boat transport, food, drinks, and a waterfall visit. The catamaran also saves you the effort of arranging several activities along the southeast coast.

Pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price. They can be arranged for an extra fee after booking. You can instead drive yourself to the starting point, with directions provided. The two timing choices are important: one option starts at 07:00 with pickup, while the no-pickup option starts at 09:00 and runs until about 16:00.

Before booking, confirm the exact departure details and meeting point. The check-in confusion at the pier shows why this matters. A delayed start can cut into snorkeling or island time, even if the crew later does its best to keep the day moving.

The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your plans are still changing. You can also cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Those terms make the booking less risky, but you should still check the final pickup charge and meeting instructions.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most

I would recommend this trip to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Mauritius’ east coast. It suits people who enjoy being around others, like having food and drinks handled, and want both guided stops and free time.

It also works well for a family group. The boat, beach, lunch, and short waterfall visit give children several different things to do. Swim jackets are supplied, but supervision remains important because the day includes open water and boat transfers.

You will likely enjoy it less if your top priorities are silence, uncrowded beaches, or serious reef snorkeling. The music may be loud, the island may be busy, and the snorkeling can be variable.

The language options are Dutch, English, and French. That gives the cruise a useful level of flexibility for an international group, though no individual guide names are provided.

Should You Book the Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a convenient, fairly priced full day with the GRSE waterfall, coastal sailing, snorkeling, a cooked lunch, drinks, and beach time in one package. The crew and food appear to be the strongest parts, and the $65 rate is attractive once you count what is included.

Skip it if you want a quiet sailing trip or if snorkeling is your main reason for going. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, pack sunscreen and a towel, and confirm the departure arrangements before setting out.

For most people, this is best viewed as a lively sampler of Mauritius’ southeast coast. It gives you a lot in one day, but it does not promise solitude or perfect underwater conditions.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The full-day activity runs until about 16:00. The listed start is 07:00 when pickup is included, or 09:00 when you make your own way to the departure point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price, but they can be arranged for an additional fee after booking.

What is included in the $65 price?

The price includes the catamaran cruise, the speedboat visit to the Grand River South East waterfall, snorkeling equipment, swim jackets, BBQ lunch, and drinks including water, soft drinks, beer, and local rum.

What food is served at lunch?

The BBQ buffet includes chicken, fish, sausages, fries, pasta salad, other salads, vegetarian choices, fruit, and dessert.

Are snorkeling supplies provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and swim jackets are provided. You may also bring your own equipment.

How much time do you spend at Ile aux Cerfs?

The itinerary provides several hours on Ile aux Cerfs in the afternoon. You can spend that time walking, relaxing on the beach, using available water activities, or exploring nature trails.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. You may also bring your own snorkeling equipment if you prefer your personal mask and snorkel.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.