Ile Aux Cerfs: Catamaran Cruise, island, waterfalls, Lunch

The best part of this six-hour catamaran cruise is the mix of sea time and stops. You sail from Trou d’Eau Douce along the east coast, visit Grand River South East Waterfalls, eat lunch on board, then reach Ile aux Cerfs for swimming and snorkeling.

I like two things here: the route gives you more than a beach transfer, and the BBQ lunch with drinks is included. The crew also received warm praise for taking good care of passengers, with one booking describing the team as excellent.

The main caution is Ile aux Cerfs itself. It is a beautiful, easy beach stop, but one French booking felt the island was not worth a special detour. If you want quiet, empty shores, this popular stop may feel too developed or busy.

Key points at a glance

• Grand River South East Waterfalls: See one of the east coast’s best-known natural sights from the water.
• Six hours on a catamaran: The sailing time is a major part of the experience, not just transport between stops.
• BBQ lunch on board: Your meal and drinks are included, so you do not need to arrange lunch separately.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: Swim, snorkel, and relax after the morning’s sailing.
• Flexible weather plan: Rough seas can lead to a new date or a full refund if no suitable date can be arranged.
• Three languages available: The live guide service is offered in Arabic, French, and English.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce

Your meeting point is the Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’s east coast. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the departure point.

That detail matters more than it may seem. If you are staying near Trou d’Eau Douce, the start is simple. If you are based elsewhere on the island, allow enough time to reach the port before departure. The activity lasts six hours, but the published information does not give a fixed daily departure time, so check the available start times when booking.

Once aboard, the trip follows the coast by catamaran. You can expect broad views of the sea and mountain scenery rather than a fast point-to-point boat ride. I like this format because the journey itself becomes part of the day. You have time to sit, watch the shoreline, and settle into the pace of island life.

The catamaran also gives you room to move around more easily than a small speedboat. That makes it a good choice if you want an outing that feels social and relaxed, with swimming and sightseeing mixed into the ride.

Sailing the east coast of Mauritius

The east coast is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. From the water, you see Mauritius from a different angle, with the coast, mountains, and open ocean forming the backdrop as the boat moves between stops.

This is not a tightly packed sightseeing schedule. The cruise is built around ocean time, and that can be its greatest strength. You are not rushing from one short photo stop to the next. Instead, the catamaran ride gives you a long stretch to enjoy the setting, talk with your group, and take in the changing views.

The tradeoff is that the exact amount of time at each stop can change. The order of the waterfalls and Ile aux Cerfs visits may be adjusted according to the tide and the water depth on the day. That is a practical safety matter, not a flaw, but it means you should arrive ready for a flexible plan.

The crew speaks Arabic, French, and English. The information provided does not name individual guides, but the live guide service is useful if you want help understanding the route or the stops as the day develops.

Grand River South East Waterfalls

The cruise includes a visit to Grand River South East Waterfalls, one of the day’s main sightseeing stops. The falls are reached by water, giving you a chance to see the river mouth and surrounding scenery as part of the boat journey.

This stop breaks up the open-water sailing with a clear natural feature. It also gives the day a stronger sense of place. You are not simply heading to a resort beach. You are following one of Mauritius’s waterways and seeing how the river meets the coast.

Keep your expectations sensible. The experience includes a visit to the waterfalls, but no long walking route or extended land excursion is described. The value lies in seeing the falls as part of a boat-based outing. If you prefer active hiking, this may feel brief. If you want a scenic stop without a demanding walk, it fits well.

The order of the stops can change because of tides and water depth. You may see the waterfalls before lunch and Ile aux Cerfs, or the schedule may be rearranged. The key point is that all the main parts of the trip are included, even if the sequence shifts.

A BBQ lunch with drinks on board

Lunch is served on the catamaran, with a barbecue meal and drinks included in the price. That is a useful benefit because you do not need to leave the cruise to find food, and you can keep the day moving between the waterfalls and Ile aux Cerfs.

A meal on board also adds to the relaxed character of the outing. You can eat with the sea around you rather than treating lunch as a separate stop. One booking gave the lunch especially strong praise and also highlighted the crew’s care toward passengers. That combination matters: a good meal is helpful, but attentive service can make the whole boat day more comfortable.

The supplied details do not specify the exact menu, drink list, or arrangements for dietary needs. If you have an allergy or a special diet, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the BBQ will suit you.

The lunch is one reason the $64 price can make sense. You are paying for a six-hour cruise, a guided experience, the waterfall visit, landing at Ile aux Cerfs, a meal, drinks, and crew service. It is not the cheapest possible way to reach the island, but it is more than a simple boat transfer.

Reaching Ile aux Cerfs

After the cruise and the waterfall visit, you land at Ile aux Cerfs, the island that gives the excursion its name. Here, the pace changes. You can leave the catamaran, settle on the beach, swim, and spend time in the clear water.

The island is the most familiar part of the day. Its appeal is straightforward: beach, warm water, and a chance to stop moving for a while. If you want an easy place to swim after the morning’s cruise, this is convenient.

Snorkeling is also included as an activity opportunity. The tour description points to clear water and local marine life, but it does not promise specific fish, reef conditions, or provided snorkeling equipment. Bring your swimwear, towel, and sunscreen, and confirm equipment arrangements if snorkeling gear is important to you.

I would treat Ile aux Cerfs as a pleasant part of a wider day, not the sole reason to book. One person who booked the trip felt the island did not deserve a special detour. That is a useful warning for independent beach lovers. If you already have access to excellent beaches at your accommodation, the island may feel less distinctive. If you want a simple, organized beach stop reached by catamaran, it works better.

How the day feels in practice

This is a good fit for someone who wants several Mauritius highlights in one outing without arranging separate transport, meals, and boat rides. You get coastline views, a waterfall, lunch, beach time, swimming, and snorkeling in a single six-hour plan.

The day is also flexible in a way that suits island conditions. The operator may reschedule when the weather creates rough seas. Ordinary rain alone is not necessarily enough to cancel the trip, but adverse conditions can lead to a different date. If no date works for everyone, a full refund is offered.

That policy is helpful because sea conditions matter more than sunshine alone. A cloudy day may still allow a good cruise, while rough water can affect comfort and safety. Keep some room in your schedule if possible, especially if this trip is one of the main events of your Mauritius visit.

You should also remember that a catamaran day is exposed to the sun and wind. The essential packing list is short: swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. A hat or light cover-up may also be sensible, although those items are not specifically listed as required.

Value at $64 per person

At $64 per person, the experience offers solid value if you plan to use most of what is included. The package covers the catamaran trip, crew, live guide service, Grand River South East Waterfalls, landing at Ile aux Cerfs, BBQ lunch, and drinks.

The price is less compelling if your only aim is to sit on Ile aux Cerfs for a few hours. In that case, you may prefer a simpler beach transfer, if available. This outing earns its price through the combination of sailing and stops rather than through the island alone.

I also like that you can reserve now and pay later. That keeps your plans flexible, which is useful when your schedule depends on weather and tides. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, subject to the booking terms.

The overall rating is 4 out of 5 from nine bookings, with praise focused on the lunch, the crew, and the general quality of the day. The feedback is not perfectly uniform, which is exactly what you want to know before booking: the service and food appear to be strong points, while the island itself will depend on your expectations.

Who should book this cruise?

You should consider this trip if you want an easy, all-in-one day on the water. It suits couples, families, and small groups who would rather have the route organized than arrange a boat, lunch, and beach visit separately.

It also fits people who enjoy variety. You will not spend the full six hours in one place. The schedule moves from coast views to the waterfalls, then to lunch and island time. That variety helps if you want a broad taste of east Mauritius in one outing.

You may want to skip it if you dislike open-water boat trips, want a quiet and uncrowded beach, or have already planned a better beach day elsewhere. The six-hour duration is long enough to feel like a main activity, so do not book it as a quick add-on.

Before paying, check the starting time, confirm how you will reach the Trou d’Eau Douce meeting point, and look at the forecast. Also remember that the stop order can change with the tide. A little flexibility will make the day easier.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you value the complete day rather than one individual stop. The combination of east coast sailing, Grand River South East Waterfalls, an included BBQ lunch, drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs beach time is a practical way to see several attractions without handling the details yourself.

I would not book it solely for Ile aux Cerfs. The island may feel too ordinary if you are searching for a remote beach. But at $64, the cruise is a reasonable choice for a first look at Mauritius’s east coast, especially if you want a relaxed boat day with food and swimming built in.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is at the Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts six hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transport to and from Trou d’Eau Douce.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the catamaran trip, lunch, drinks, crew service, a visit to Grand River South East Waterfalls, and landing at Ile aux Cerfs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served on board the catamaran.

Can I swim at Ile aux Cerfs?

Yes. The itinerary includes time to swim and relax on the island’s beaches.

Is snorkeling part of the experience?

Yes. You have the opportunity to snorkel in the waters around Ile aux Cerfs and see local marine life.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Arabic, French, and English.

Can the schedule change?

Yes. The order of the waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs visits may change according to the tide and water depth.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The trip may be moved to another date if weather conditions create rough seas. If no suitable alternative date can be arranged, a full refund is offered.