Exclusive Private Catamaran Adventure: Ile aux Cerf (Full Day Cruise incl Lunch)

The best part of this Mauritius day out is the mix of open-water sailing and island time. You leave from Trou d’Eau Douce, visit Grand River South East by speedboat, stop for snorkeling, eat a barbecue lunch, and still get several hours on the white sands of Ile aux Cerfs.

I like the private setup, since your group of up to four does not share the outing with strangers. I also like the practical inclusions: hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, a three-course lunch, and unlimited local drinks. The main caution is price. At $993.32 per group, this is a costly choice, and one three-star assessment described the boat as old, the food as only adequate, and the outing as more of a standard tourist trip than a highly tailored adventure.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat departs from Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:30 a.m., after pickup and a short transfer.
• Grand River South East comes first, with a speedboat ride roughly 500 meters upstream to the waterfall.
• Snorkeling equipment and a swimming stop are included, but sea conditions affect visibility.
• Lunch is a three-course barbecue, with vegetarian and Halal options available if requested in advance.
• Unlimited local drinks are included, including wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum.
• Parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking cost extra, as does a lobster lunch.

From your hotel to Trou d’Eau Douce

Your day starts with pickup at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. The listed meeting time is 8:30 a.m., though the exact pickup can change with your location. You ride in a fully air-conditioned vehicle with a guide and driver to Trou d’Eau Douce on the island’s east coast.

This transfer is useful because it removes the need to arrange a taxi or find the departure point yourself. It also makes the price easier to understand for a small group: transport is not an added cost, and the return ride to your hotel is included.

You are expected to reach the village around 9:15 a.m., with the catamaran leaving at 9:30. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes, a towel, and spare clothing. The operator specifically asks you to bring your own towels, so do not assume beach equipment will be supplied.

Sailing out from Trou d’Eau Douce

Trou d’Eau Douce is a fishing village and the launch point for this full-day cruise. Once aboard, the crew provides music, local stories, jokes, and drinks. That informal touch may suit you if you want a relaxed day rather than a quiet, formal yacht charter.

The boat is described as a luxury catamaran, but you should keep your expectations measured. The price suggests a polished private charter, yet the available assessment calls the boat old and the outing a tourist trip. That does not make the day a poor choice, but it matters if you are paying for a sleek, high-end vessel rather than a comfortable platform on the water.

A catamaran gives you room to sit in the sun, watch the coast, and move about more freely than on a small transfer boat. The tradeoff is that the experience depends on weather, wind, and the condition of the boat itself. If you want a highly customized sailing plan, ask the operator what can actually be changed before paying.

Grand River South East by speedboat

The first main stop is Grand River South East, where you leave the catamaran and continue by speedboat. The waterfall is about 500 meters upstream, so this is a short river excursion rather than a long inland visit.

The ride takes you toward the falls through old trees along the riverbanks. You might spot monkeys moving through the branches or fruit bats resting high above the water. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they add a little wildlife interest to what could otherwise be a quick photo stop.

The waterfall visit is listed at about 30 minutes. That is enough time for a look and some photographs, but not enough for a slow walk or extended exploration. If waterfalls are your main reason for booking, this cruise may feel brief. If you want several different experiences in one day, the short stop works well.

After the visit, you return to the catamaran and continue toward Ile aux Cerfs. The route changes pace here, from a fast river transfer to a slower sail across the lagoon.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

Before spending time on Ile aux Cerfs, the catamaran stops in the lagoon for swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as clear, with coral reefs and brightly colored tropical fish. Snorkeling equipment is provided, which saves you from packing or renting a mask and fins separately.

I like this part because it breaks up the beach time with something active. You can get into the water, look for fish, and then return to the boat for lunch or a drink. The lagoon setting is also more approachable than open-water snorkeling for many people, though the conditions still depend on weather and water clarity.

Do not treat the underwater description as a guarantee of a perfect reef session. Coral and fish sightings vary, and the tour information does not specify the exact snorkeling site, water depth, or time spent in the water. If snorkeling is especially important to you, ask the operator how long the stop normally lasts and what happens if sea conditions are poor.

Bring spare clothes, as requested. You will also want sun protection, though the supplied information does not confirm whether towels, reef-safe sunscreen, or dry bags are available. Keep valuables secure and avoid taking anything into the water that you cannot afford to lose.

A three-course barbecue lunch on the boat or beach

Lunch follows the snorkeling stop and may be served on the beach or aboard the catamaran. The meal is described as a three-course barbecue with vegetables, rice or pasta salads, and grilled garlic bread.

The main course includes grilled chicken and sausages, with the supplied description cut off before the full menu is shown. Vegetarian and Halal options are available, but you must request the appropriate meal when booking. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance.

This is a practical lunch rather than a reason to book the cruise on its own. One available three-star assessment found the food only so-so, so I would not choose this excursion expecting a standout culinary experience. The value is in having lunch arranged during a long day on the water, not in receiving a restaurant-level meal.

A lobster lunch is available for an additional charge. Since the standard meal already forms part of the package, confirm the extra cost before agreeing to the upgrade. The unlimited drinks help round out the meal and continue through the outing.

Ile aux Cerfs, from swimming to optional water sports

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event. As the catamaran approaches, you see palm trees, pale sand, and turquoise lagoon water. The island gives you a classic beach setting for swimming, sitting in the sun, and walking along the shore.

The scheduled time here is about three hours, although the itinerary also places lunch and snorkeling within the broader Ile aux Cerfs portion. That means the day is not three uninterrupted hours on the beach. Your actual free time depends on the order of the stops and the pace of the crew.

You can relax on the sand or swim in the lagoon. Optional activities include parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking. These are not included in the advertised price, so treat them as add-ons rather than part of the base experience.

This matters for families and mixed groups. One person can sit in the shade or swim while another pays separately for a water sport. On the other hand, the private booking does not mean every activity is included or that the entire island is reserved for your group. You are visiting a popular beach destination, and the tour description does not promise exclusive access to the shore.

If your idea of a good day is a slow lunch, a few swims, and time in the sun, the schedule should suit you. If you want long, quiet stretches away from organized beach activity, the island stop may feel more developed and tour-focused than the word private suggests.

The open bar and the real value of the package

The package includes unlimited locally supplied drinks: wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum. This can add real value, especially for a small group that plans to spend all day aboard the boat. You do not need to keep buying drinks at each stop, and the crew can serve refreshments during the sail back.

Still, unlimited alcohol is not the same as premium drinks. The information specifies local selections, not imported labels or a full cocktail service. If you do not drink alcohol, the soft drinks and water remain useful, but the package may feel less valuable than it does for a group that will use the open bar.

At $993.32 for up to four people, the price works out to about $248 per person if you fill the booking. With the minimum two-person booking, it is about $496.66 per person. That difference is enormous. This outing makes far more financial sense for four people than for two.

The cost covers a private activity, hotel transport, the catamaran, a guide and driver, lunch, snorkeling equipment, the waterfall stop, and drinks. Those inclusions are substantial. But the available rating is 4.1 from seven assessments, and one detailed three-star assessment specifically questioned the value, describing the boat as old and the service as less individualized than the price suggests.

My advice is simple: book it for privacy and convenience, not because you expect a top-end yacht charter. If you are comparing it with a shared cruise, the extra cost buys control over who is in your group and includes door-to-door transport. If you are comparing it with a true luxury charter, inspect the boat details and ask direct questions before booking.

Who will get the most from this day

This trip suits a couple, family, or group of friends who want one easy package for a full day. A group of four gets the best price per person, while the private format is helpful if you want to stay together and avoid a crowded shared excursion.

It also works well if you want variety. In a single day, you get a road transfer, village departure, catamaran sailing, a river waterfall, snorkeling, barbecue lunch, beach time, and optional water sports. You will not spend long at every stop, but you will see and do a lot.

Vegetarians and those requiring Halal food can join, provided you give notice. Anyone with food allergies should also advise the operator in advance. Most people can participate, but the supplied details do not explain accessibility arrangements for the vehicle, boat, beach, or water activities, so ask before booking if that is important to you.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet, minimalist sailing day. The music, jokes, local stories, open bar, river speedboat, and optional activities create a social holiday outing. It is also not ideal for anyone seeking a guaranteed high-end boat or gourmet lunch.

Timing, weather, and booking cautions

Plan on seven to eight hours, including pickup and drop-off. The boat leaves Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:30 a.m. and is expected back around 4 p.m., followed by the drive to your hotel.

The activity needs good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. Cyclone or torrential rain alerts also qualify for a full refund when the operator cancels.

Your own cancellation terms are much stricter. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. Because of that, confirm your hotel location, dietary needs, group size, and preferred date before payment.

The tour requires at least two people, and only your group participates. Mobile tickets are offered, and confirmation is issued when you book. Pickup time can vary by accommodation, so keep your morning free rather than arranging a tight connection afterward.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book it if you value privacy, a full itinerary, and simple logistics more than a flawless luxury product. A group of four can spread the cost across the private vehicle and catamaran, making the package much easier to justify. The included drinks, lunch, snorkeling gear, waterfall visit, and return transfer also reduce the number of extras you need to arrange.

Think twice if you are booking for only two people or if the boat itself is central to your idea of luxury. The available assessment raises fair concerns about an older vessel, ordinary food, and limited personalization despite the high price. I would ask for current boat photographs, confirm the lunch menu, and request the exact pickup time before committing.

For a relaxed Mauritius day that covers the east coast highlights in one go, this is a useful, convenient choice. For the strongest value, fill all four places and go in with realistic expectations: this is a private sightseeing and beach cruise with a festive onboard atmosphere, not necessarily a bespoke yacht day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The catamaran departs from Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius.

What time does the experience start?

Pickup is listed for 8:30 a.m., with arrival at Trou d’Eau Douce around 9:15 a.m. The catamaran is scheduled to leave at 9:30 a.m. Pickup time can vary by accommodation.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately seven to eight hours. The expected return to Trou d’Eau Douce is around 4 p.m., followed by hotel drop-off.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available at any accommodation or hotel in Mauritius, using a fully air-conditioned private vehicle.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course lunch is included, with vegetables, rice or pasta salads, grilled garlic bread, and grilled items. Vegetarian and Halal options are available if requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited local drinks are included, including wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the itinerary includes a snorkeling and swimming stop in the lagoon.

Are parasailing and other water sports included?

No. Parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking are optional activities with additional charges. Lobster lunch also costs extra.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, cyclone conditions, or torrential rainfall alerts, you can receive a full refund or choose another date. If you cancel yourself, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed.