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

The best part of this day is the mix of open-water sailing and easy island time. You move from a river waterfall to a snorkeling stop, then settle in for a BBQ and several hours on Ile aux Cerfs, all without arranging separate transport.

I like the included hotel transfer and the friendly, music-playing crew. I also like that lunch, water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and local rum are covered in the price. The main consideration is weather: one booking was cancelled twice because of conditions, so keep your schedule flexible if possible.

Key points to know before booking

• Grand River South East comes first: A speedboat carries you about 500 metres upstream to the waterfall before the catamaran heads toward the island.
• The day runs roughly 8:30 to 16:00: Pickup time depends on your accommodation, with the boat leaving Trou d’Eau Douce at about 9:00.
• Lunch is a proper BBQ: Expect fish, chicken, hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices.
• Drinks are included: Water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and local rum are available throughout the cruise.
• Bring water shoes: Coral and sea urchins can be underfoot around Ile aux Cerfs and at the swimming areas.
• Water sports cost extra: Parasailing, tube rides, and an undersea walk are optional rather than part of the $115 package.

A full day from your hotel to the east coast

This excursion is designed to remove the awkward parts of a Mauritius beach day. A certified driver collects you from listed areas including Grand Baie, Pereybere, Cap Malheureux, Trou-aux-Biches, Pointe aux Piments, Balaclava, Triolet, Mon Choisy, and Pointe aux Biches.

You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to Trou d’Eau Douce, on the east coast. The stated meeting time is about 8:30 in the morning, followed by catamaran departure at 9:00. That early start matters because it gives you a full day on the water instead of a rushed afternoon visit.

The transfer is especially useful if you are staying in the northwest. You do not need to find Trou d’Eau Douce yourself, and the driver is expected to meet you again at the end of the day. One especially helpful detail is that the driver can make sure you receive your tickets and board the correct boat. That small bit of help can prevent a lot of confusion at a busy waterfront.

The tradeoff is the long road transfer from some pickup areas. Your day begins before the boat leaves, and the return to your accommodation comes after a full day in the sun. Still, for $115 per person, the transport adds real value if you are not hiring a car or arranging a private driver.

Sailing from Trou d’Eau Douce

Once aboard, the pace becomes much easier. The large catamaran carries you through clear lagoon water toward the island, with mountain views and open sky around you. The crew plays local Mauritian music, shares local tales and jokes, and explains the plan in English and French. German and Italian service is also offered.

This is a social boat trip, not a silent private charter. The music and unlimited drinks create a cheerful holiday mood, while the catamaran gives you room to sit, watch the water, and move around during the cruise. If you want a quiet, highly private sail, this is probably not the right format. If you like a relaxed group outing with food and music, it fits well.

You should use this first stretch to settle in and apply sunscreen again. Bring sunglasses, a towel, and a camera, but keep anything delicate protected from spray. Bottled water is included, so you do not need to buy it separately.

Grand River South East waterfall by speedboat

The first major stop is Grand River South East waterfall. The catamaran does not simply pass the falls from a distance. Instead, you transfer to a speedboat and go about 500 metres upstream to reach the waterfall.

The riverbanks are lined with old trees. You might see monkeys moving through the branches and fruit bats resting high above the water. The falls themselves are pretty rather than enormous, and the speedboat approach gives the stop a bit more energy than a standard river cruise.

This part of the day is short compared with the island visit, but it adds variety. You are not spending eight hours only on a beach or only on a boat. The speedboat transfer can also mean a wetter, livelier ride, so hold on to your camera and expect conditions to be less polished than a slow sightseeing stop.

After the waterfall, you return to the catamaran and continue across the lagoon. The route connects several different sides of Mauritius: river, open water, coral shallows, and beach.

Snorkeling in clear lagoon water

The catamaran stops for swimming and snorkeling before lunch. The water is described as clear, with coral reefs and tropical fish visible below the surface. Life jackets are included, which is useful if you are more comfortable floating than swimming.

You will need your own towel and sunscreen, while snorkeling equipment is not specifically listed among the included items. That means you should confirm equipment arrangements before booking if you do not have your own mask and snorkel.

The stop is a chance to cool off, but it is not presented as a specialist snorkeling trip. Conditions can change with weather and water movement, and the time in the water is part of a larger day. Think of it as a pleasant reef stop between the waterfall and lunch, not a long marine-life expedition.

Water shoes are one of my strongest practical recommendations. The beach and shallow water can contain coral and sea urchins, making bare feet a poor choice. Shoes also help when walking between the boat and shore.

BBQ lunch with drinks included

After snorkeling, the crew serves a BBQ lunch either on the beach or on the catamaran. The menu includes fresh BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available, and the food is halal.

That range makes the meal workable for a mixed group. You can choose a filling plate without needing to spend more at a beach restaurant. The meal is simple, outdoor excursion food, not fine dining, but it suits the setting and keeps the day moving.

Drinks are one of the strongest parts of the package. Unlimited options include bottled water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and local rum. This is useful in Mauritius heat, where buying several drinks separately can quietly raise the cost of a full-day outing.

Use the alcohol sensibly, especially before the swimming stop and in strong sun. The package includes alcoholic drinks, but it is still your responsibility to pace yourself. Water and soft drinks are available, so switching between them is easy.

Ile aux Cerfs and its picture-postcard beaches

The main destination is Ile aux Cerfs, an island near Mauritius’s east coast. As the catamaran approaches, you see palm trees, white sand, and clear turquoise water. The island is set up for a relaxed beach day, with time to swim, stroll, sunbathe, or simply sit near the shore.

Ile aux Cerfs is also the most developed and popular part of this excursion. You should expect a famous beach attraction with facilities and optional activities, not a remote island where you will have the coast to yourself. That is not a flaw for everyone. Families, first-time visitors, and anyone wanting an easy beach stop may prefer the convenience.

You can add activities such as parasailing, tube riding, or an undersea walk, but these are not included in the $115 price. If you choose one, budget extra and allow time for it. If you skip them, there is still plenty to do: walk along the sand, swim in the sea, or rest after lunch.

The beach is also where water shoes matter most. Coral and sea urchins can be underfoot, so do not assume every entry point is soft sand. Your camera will be useful here, but protect it around the water and boat transfers.

Returning across the lagoon

After your time on Ile aux Cerfs, you sail back toward Trou d’Eau Douce. The return is a pleasant final stretch, especially after the busier stops. You can sit with a drink, listen to the Mauritian music, and watch the coast recede.

The expected return to Trou d’Eau Douce is around 4:00 in the afternoon. Your driver then takes you back to your hotel or Airbnb in the same general pickup areas. The full day is long, but the schedule gives you enough time to see the waterfall, swim, eat, and visit the island without trying to cram in another major attraction.

Keep your evening plans light. Travel times back to northern areas can vary, and you will have spent much of the day outdoors. This is best treated as the day’s main activity.

What the $115 price really covers

At $115, this is a good-value package if you use the inclusions. You receive hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned transfer, the catamaran cruise, the waterfall visit, Ile aux Cerfs, a light breakfast snack, BBQ lunch, unlimited drinks, bottled water, and life jackets.

The value is strongest for visitors who would otherwise pay separately for transport, a boat trip, lunch, and drinks. The package also saves you from coordinating a car ride to the east coast and finding the right boat once you arrive.

The price does not include water sports. Parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk can change the total cost, so ask about prices before committing at the island. You may find that the included beach time is enough, especially if your main goal is swimming and scenery.

The overall rating is 3.7 from nine ratings, which suggests a mixed but generally favorable picture. The most positive experiences focus on the friendly crew, good organization, BBQ lunch, and safe transfers. One serious concern involved cancellations for weather and a delayed refund, so I would confirm the refund status and weather arrangements with the provider if your plans are tight.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius catamaran day

I would choose this trip for you if you want one organized day that combines several classic east-coast sights. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value included food and transport more than a private boat or specialist reef tour.

It is also a good fit if you like a friendly boat atmosphere. The crew provides music, jokes, local stories, and service in several languages. The cruise feels designed for easy enjoyment rather than formal guiding.

You should think twice if you dislike group excursions, loud music, or a fixed schedule. The day moves from transfer to boat, waterfall, snorkeling, lunch, island, and return. You have free time at Ile aux Cerfs, but you do not control the full timetable.

It may also be less suitable for anyone who wants extensive snorkeling or a quiet, untouched beach. The main island is popular and activity-focused, and the snorkeling stop is only one part of a broader sightseeing day.

Practical packing advice

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, and a camera. Add water shoes because of coral and sea urchins, and pack a dry bag or other protection for electronics around the speedboat and catamaran.

Wear clothing that dries reasonably quickly. You may swim, sit in spray, and walk on the beach before returning to the vehicle. Keep a light cover-up handy for the ride back.

The crew provides life jackets, lunch, drinks, and bottled water. Food is halal, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. You do not need to plan a separate lunch stop, but you should tell the operator about any dietary needs when booking rather than relying on last-minute arrangements.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather can affect sailing, so avoid placing this trip on the final day of your Mauritius stay if a cancellation would cause you to miss the experience entirely.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a well-packed east-coast day with transport, a waterfall, snorkeling, a BBQ, drinks, and beach time bundled together. The helpful driver service, multilingual crew, and included meal make the $115 cost reasonable for many visitors.

I would not book it solely for the optional water sports or serious snorkeling, since those cost extra and the snorkeling is only one stop. I would also leave a little room in your schedule for weather changes and confirm cancellation and refund terms before departure.

For a first look at Mauritius’s east coast, this is a practical choice. Pack water shoes, pace the rum, and expect a lively group day rather than a private escape.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The catamaran departs from Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius at about 9:00 in the morning.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels or Airbnbs in listed areas including Grand Baie, Pereybere, Cap Malheureux, Trou-aux-Biches, Pointe aux Piments, Balaclava, Triolet, Mon Choisy, and Pointe aux Biches.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, with the main schedule running from approximately 8:30 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon.

What food is served at lunch?

Lunch includes BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options are available, and the food is halal.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks include water, juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, and local rum.

Is snorkeling included?

A snorkeling and swimming stop is included. The provided information does not confirm that snorkeling equipment is supplied, so check this before departure if you do not have your own equipment.

Are water sports included in the price?

No. Parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk are optional activities and are not included.

Is the waterfall visit done from the catamaran?

The catamaran takes you toward Grand River South East, then a speedboat carries you about 500 metres upstream to visit the waterfall.

Which languages are available?

The tour is offered with live service in English, French, German, and Italian.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Weather-related changes may affect the sailing date, so keep your plans flexible.