Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Trip w/ Lunch, Drinks & Transfer

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event here: a white-sand island reached by catamaran across the calm east-coast lagoon. You get a full day on the water, plus a waterfall stop, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and transport from your accommodation. The combination is convenient, especially if you want to see several east-coast sights without arranging each one yourself.

I like the relaxed boat ride with local music, jokes, and drinks, and I like that the BBQ includes fish, chicken, hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. The visit to Grand River South East adds more than a simple beach outing, while the island gives you time to swim, stroll, or try optional water sports.

The main caution is timing and weather. The boat schedule runs from roughly 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and one booking was changed from a catamaran to a speedboat. Weather cancellations have also occurred, so keep your plans flexible and bring water shoes for coral and sea urchins around the island.

Key things to know before booking

• Grand River South East comes first: You transfer to a speedboat for the short ride upstream to the waterfall, about 500 metres from the river mouth.
• The day includes more than a boat ride: Light snacks, a BBQ lunch, bottled water, and unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks are included.
• Ile aux Cerfs is beach time, not a private island escape: You will find beautiful sand and clear water, along with optional activities and other day visitors.
• Snorkeling is built into the outing: You stop in the lagoon for swimming and a look at coral and tropical fish.
• Transfers cover selected north-coast areas: Pickup and drop-off zones include Grand Baie, Pereybere, Cap Malheureux, Trou-aux-Biches, Balaclava, and nearby resorts.
• Pack water shoes: Coral and sea urchins can make barefoot walking uncomfortable in shallow water.

Starting from your hotel and reaching Trou d’Eau Douce

The day begins with pickup from your hotel or Airbnb in one of the listed service areas. These include Pointe aux Biches, Grand Baie, Pointe aux Piments, Balaclava, Pereybere, Triolet, Mon Choisy, Cap Malheureux, Trou-aux-Biches, and nearby locations shown at booking.

Your driver takes you in an air-conditioned vehicle to Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast. Arrival is planned for about 8:30 a.m., with the catamaran leaving at 9 a.m. That half-hour matters. Your driver is expected to help you find the right boat and make sure you board correctly, rather than simply leaving you at the waterfront.

This transfer is a real part of the value. A private taxi to the east coast, a boat outing, food, and drinks would take planning and could cost more when arranged separately. The tradeoff is that pickup times depend on your location, so your morning may begin earlier than the advertised boat departure.

The boat is described as a large catamaran, with a crew offering English, French, German, and Italian support. Local music, jokes, and stories help set an informal mood. This is not a silent sailing trip or a formal nature cruise. You should expect a social day with background music, shared food, and a steady flow of drinks.

Grand River South East and the short waterfall ride

The first water stop is Grand River South East, one of the better-known natural sights on Mauritius. You do not simply look at the falls from the catamaran. The group transfers to a speedboat and travels roughly 500 metres upstream to reach the waterfall.

The river banks may give you a glimpse of monkeys moving through the older trees. Fruit bats can sometimes be seen high above the water. These sightings are not guaranteed, so treat them as a lucky extra rather than a promised part of the outing.

The waterfall itself is attractive, but keep your expectations sensible. This is a short visit within a busy full-day schedule, not a long walk into a remote river valley. The speedboat transfer also means you get a closer look at the river than you would from the larger catamaran.

After the waterfall, you return to the main boat and continue across the lagoon. The change between the narrow river and the open, clear water is one of the nicer transitions in the day.

Snorkeling in the lagoon before lunch

The catamaran stops for swimming and snorkeling in clear water. Coral and tropical fish are part of the appeal, though visibility can change with weather and water conditions. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and camera, as well as a swimsuit under your clothes.

Life jackets are included. That is useful if you are not a confident swimmer or simply want to float without effort. The stop is also a good chance to cool down before the hottest part of the afternoon.

Snorkeling equipment is not specifically listed among the inclusions, so check the arrangements before departure if you do not have your own gear. The experience clearly includes the water stop, but the supplied information does not confirm exactly what equipment is provided.

I would pay close attention to your footing once you reach shallow water around Ile aux Cerfs. Coral and sea urchins can be present, making water shoes a smart addition. They take little room in your bag and are more useful here than fashionable beach sandals.

A BBQ lunch with drinks on board

Lunch is one of the stronger practical features of the outing. The menu includes fresh BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and the food is halal.

The meal is served on the beach or on the catamaran, depending on how the day is arranged. You should not expect a restaurant-style lunch with a long seated service. Think of it as a casual outdoor meal that fits around swimming and island time.

Drinks are unlimited and include soft drinks, juice, bottled water, beer, wine, and local rum. That makes the $115 price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise buy lunch, drinks, and transport separately. It also means you should pace yourself. A day under the sun, on a moving boat, with rum available from late morning is a poor time to test your limits.

Light breakfast snacks are included as well. The exact snack selection is not specified, so I would still eat something before pickup if you need a substantial breakfast.

The food has an important social role. Everyone gathers around the same BBQ and drinks, so the meal becomes part of the boat experience rather than a break from it. If you prefer quiet dining or strict control over meal times, this may feel loose. If you enjoy an easygoing group outing, it should suit you well.

Time on the white beaches of Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the longest and most anticipated stop. As the boat approaches, you see palm trees, pale sand, and clear turquoise water. The island is well suited to a few hours of simple beach time: swim, take a walk, sit in the shade, or find a place to watch the water.

This is where the tour earns its postcard reputation, but it is worth understanding what kind of visit you are getting. The island has facilities and optional activities, so it is not an untouched beach with no development. That can be useful if you want access to more than swimming, but it can reduce the feeling of solitude.

Optional activities include parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk. These are not included in the $115 price. The outing works perfectly well without them, so you do not need to budget for extras unless one is a main reason for booking.

For a relaxed visit, I would use the island time for a swim and a walk rather than trying to fit in every activity. The day already includes a river stop, snorkeling, lunch, sailing, and transfers. Rushing from one paid activity to another can turn a pleasant beach stop into a checklist.

The beach itself can have rough coral and sea urchins underfoot. Wear water shoes when entering the water, and keep your camera protected from spray during the boat portions.

Sailing back to Trou d’Eau Douce

After the island visit, you return by catamaran to Trou d’Eau Douce. The final sailing gives you a quieter stretch to enjoy the east-coast views, finish a drink, and let the day slow down.

The planned return is around 4 p.m. Your driver then takes you back to your hotel or Airbnb. This door-to-door arrangement is especially useful if you are staying in the northern resort areas and do not want to drive back after a full day in the sun.

The schedule is fairly full. The stated duration is eight hours, with the main boat activity running from about 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Delays can happen when several boats share the same stops, and weather may alter the order or type of transport.

One booking operated by speedboat rather than catamaran, despite the advertised catamaran format. That does not necessarily remove the waterfall, snorkeling, lunch, or island stops, but it changes the feel of the day. If sailing on a catamaran is essential to you, confirm the vessel close to departure.

Is $115 a fair price?

At $115 per person, this is best judged as a bundled day trip rather than a basic boat ticket. You receive hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, the boat excursion, the waterfall visit, snorkeling time, light snacks, lunch, bottled water, and unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

The package has good value if you would otherwise need to pay for a taxi to the east coast, a separate boat trip, meals, and drinks. It also removes the hassle of coordinating transport between Trou d’Eau Douce, Grand River South East, and Ile aux Cerfs.

The value is weaker if you only want a few hours on the beach, do not drink, or prefer to travel independently. You are paying for a full schedule and shared boat atmosphere. Optional water sports cost extra, so include those in your budget if you want parasailing, tube riding, or an undersea walk.

The published rating is 3.7 out of 5 from nine ratings. That suggests a generally positive but not flawless record. The strongest points are the friendly driver assistance, clear explanations from the crew, good BBQ lunch, and attractive island. The main concern is disruption from weather or changes in the planned boat service, including one unresolved refund complaint after cancellations.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful for a weather-sensitive boat day, but keep written confirmation of any cancellation or refund discussion.

Who should book this Ile aux Cerfs day?

I would choose this trip if you want to see several east-coast highlights in one day and prefer having transport, food, and drinks arranged. It is a good fit for couples, families, and groups who like a social boat setting and want both beach time and light sightseeing.

It also suits you if you want a flexible day on Ile aux Cerfs. You can swim and relax without paying for an activity, or add water sports if you want more action.

I would look elsewhere if you want a small private boat, a quiet sailing trip, or a carefully controlled timetable. This outing combines several stops and shared services, so the pace can feel busy. I would also avoid booking it immediately before an important flight, since weather and boat changes can affect the plan.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, a camera, and water shoes. Pack modestly, because you will move between vehicle, catamaran, speedboat, beach, and water. Vegetarians can eat, and the food is halal, but anyone with other dietary needs should confirm arrangements before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if the thought of a full day on clear water, a waterfall stop, a BBQ lunch, unlimited drinks, and several hours on Ile aux Cerfs sounds better than arranging the east coast yourself. The included transfer is valuable, and the combination of snorkeling, beach time, and casual onboard food gives you plenty for the price.

Skip it if your priority is peace and privacy, or if the catamaran itself matters more than the island and lunch. In that case, confirm the vessel and weather policy first. For most people seeking an easy, active day around Mauritius, this is a sensible package, provided you accept the shared atmosphere and possible schedule changes.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip last?

The experience lasts about eight hours. Pickup and the boat schedule are planned from roughly 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Where does the boat depart?

The catamaran departs from Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius at about 9 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off are included from listed areas such as Grand Baie, Pereybere, Cap Malheureux, Trou-aux-Biches, Balaclava, and nearby locations.

What food is included?

Light breakfast snacks and lunch are included. Lunch features BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and the food is halal.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited soft drinks, juice, bottled water, beer, wine, and local rum are included.

Are water sports included?

No. Parasailing, tube riding, undersea walking, and other water sports are optional and cost extra.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, and water shoes. Water shoes are especially useful because coral and sea urchins may be present around the island.