Mauritius: Catamaran Day Cruise to lle aux Cerfs with Lunch

The best part of this Mauritius day cruise is the time spent simply moving across the East Coast lagoon. You get a broad catamaran deck, warm sea air, music, drinks, and a proper BBQ lunch, with stops at GRSE waterfalls, a snorkeling site, and Ile aux Cerfs. It feels less rushed than a speedboat trip.

I like the generous food and drink setup, including fish, chicken skewers, salads, rice, pasta, garlic bread, pineapple, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water. I also like the crew’s friendly service. Guide Aldo has earned special praise for keeping people comfortable and included. The main thing to consider is the mood: music can be loud, and alcohol is served from the morning, so this suits a sociable boat day more than a quiet sailing outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Ile aux Cerfs is the main prize: Plan on beach time, clear water, and a chance to walk beyond the busiest landing area.
• GRSE waterfalls depend on the tide: The stop can be brief, and several boats may gather there at once.
• Snorkeling is included: Equipment is supplied, but currents and reef conditions can affect the quality of the stop.
• The BBQ is a real part of the experience: Fish, chicken, salads, rice, pasta, bread, and fresh pineapple are served onboard.
• The atmosphere leans lively: Music, drinks, and a friendly social mood are part of the package.
• You must reach Trou d’Eau Douce yourself: Hotel pickup is not included, and the meeting point is at the jetty beside the Mauritius flag.

A six-hour catamaran day on Mauritius’ east coast

At $65 per person, this cruise offers a lot for a half-day price. Your fare covers the catamaran, crew, drinks, snorkeling gear, lunch, Ile aux Cerfs, and GRSE waterfalls. Optional activities such as parasailing are extra, and transport to the jetty is also your responsibility.

You meet at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce, a village on the east coast. The boat then follows the lagoon toward the south, passing Ile aux Cerfs and stopping at the waterfall, snorkeling area, and island beach before returning to the dock.

I see this as a good middle ground. You are not paying for a private charter, but you get more room to stretch out than on a small speedboat. You also get a meal and drinks, which can make the price feel quite fair compared with booking separate boat trips, lunch, and snorkeling.

The six hours are divided between sailing and shore or water stops. That matters. If you want nonstop sightseeing, this may feel leisurely. If you want a relaxed day with plenty of time on deck, the pace is the point.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce

The cruise starts at the jetty next to the flag of Mauritius. Since there is no hotel pickup, allow enough time to reach Trou d’Eau Douce and find the correct meeting point. A taxi or your own transport is needed unless you arrange something separately.

Once onboard, you can settle on the wide deck and watch the coast slip past. The boat is designed for comfort rather than speed, so the sailing itself becomes one of the day’s main activities. You can sunbathe, sit in the shade if available, listen to music, and order a drink while the crew handles the route.

The crew is licensed and works in English and French. Service is one of the strongest parts of this trip. Aldo, one of the guides, is known for being especially attentive and helpful, checking that people are comfortable and enjoying themselves. That sort of personal attention matters on a shared boat, where a good crew can make the day feel easy.

The mood is friendly and social. Music is part of the experience, and the boat can take on a party atmosphere as the day goes on. Some people will love that energy. If you picture a silent sail with only the sound of the water, choose another type of excursion.

Passing Ile aux Cerfs from the water

Ile aux Cerfs is the cruise’s headline destination, but you first see it from the catamaran as you sail toward the southern part of the lagoon. The island is known for pale beaches, shallow clear water, and a tropical setting that looks best from offshore.

This pass-by section gives you time to take photographs and enjoy the changing views without immediately rushing ashore. The boat spends about an hour in this part of the route, including sailing and scenic views.

I like seeing the island from the water before landing. From the deck, you get a better sense of the sandbars and lagoon than you do when you are standing on one crowded beach. Keep your camera ready, but also leave time to enjoy the view without trying to record every minute.

The island is popular, and it is not an isolated beach escape. Other boats use the same waters, and busy areas are part of the setting. Still, Ile aux Cerfs is attractive enough to justify the stop, especially if you walk along the beach rather than staying right by the arrival point.

GRSE waterfalls and the monkey lookout

The Grand River South East waterfalls, often shortened to GRSE, are usually visited according to the tide. The catamaran heads toward the falls for a photo stop, and the route may offer views of monkeys along the way.

The waterfall stop is scenic but short. You may get only around 20 minutes in this section, and the boat does not always linger. The falls can also feel crowded when several tour boats arrive at the same time.

That is worth knowing before you book. The waterfalls are a pleasant part of the route, but they are not the reason I would choose this cruise. Think of them as a worthwhile stop on a larger day rather than a long nature visit.

Tide and boat traffic shape the experience. On a good run, you can enjoy a clear view, take photographs, and perhaps spot monkeys. At another time, the stop may feel hurried. The crew cannot control every part of that timing.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

After the waterfall visit, the boat stops at a snorkeling site for about 40 minutes. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask or fins. You can swim among tropical fish and see the lagoon from below the surface.

Water conditions vary. A strong current has made the stop less comfortable at times, and the site may not feel like a sheltered cove. The reef and fish life can also be less colorful than the best snorkeling areas around Ile aux Cerfs.

Even so, this is a useful included activity rather than a costly add-on. You can get into the water, cool off, and see marine life without giving up a large part of the day. If you are not a confident swimmer, take the current seriously and follow the crew’s instructions.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You will want sunscreen even if you spend much of the trip under cover, since the deck and reflected light from the water can add up quickly.

A generous BBQ served on the boat

Lunch is served onboard while the catamaran continues along the lagoon. The menu includes fish, chicken skewers, salads, garlic bread, pasta, rice, and fresh pineapple. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available when requested in advance.

The food is not presented as fine dining, and it does not need to be. The appeal is a hot, filling meal in the middle of a day at sea, with room to sit and eat rather than balancing a snack on a beach. Fish is a particularly good choice if you want something that fits the setting.

Portions are described as plentiful, with enough food to go around. The boat also supplies water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and other drinks. The all-inclusive feel adds real value to the $65 price, though you should remember that the drinks and music also help create the livelier atmosphere.

One small bonus has appeared on some outings: an afternoon samosa. It is not listed as a core part of the menu, so do not book for that, but it can be a welcome bite on the return journey.

If you have dietary needs, ask for the vegetarian or gluten-free option before the cruise. Do not assume the crew can change the meal at the last moment.

Two hours on Ile aux Cerfs

The final major stop gives you free time on Ile aux Cerfs. The schedule allows up to about two hours, although the actual beach time can feel closer to an hour and a half depending on the day’s timing.

That is enough for a swim, a walk, and some time on the sand, but it is not enough to explore every corner of the island. If you want the quietest stretch, walk about 20 minutes farther along the beach and look for smaller coves. The area right near the landing point is the easiest to reach, but it may not be the most peaceful.

You may also find water sports on or around the island, including parasailing. These activities cost extra. One important value point: parasailing booked through the boat may cost more and provide a shorter ride than an option available directly on Ile aux Cerfs. Compare prices before paying.

The island itself is beautiful, but prices for extras can be high. Carry some extra cash if you plan to buy activities or refreshments, and remember that these costs are separate from the cruise fare.

I would treat the island stop as time to slow down, not as a packed sightseeing visit. Swim, walk, find a comfortable patch of sand, and return to the boat on time. The cruise includes many moving parts, so a relaxed approach works best.

The return sail and onboard atmosphere

After the island, you return to the catamaran for the trip back to Trou d’Eau Douce. The return leg lasts about an hour and is often when the boat feels most relaxed. The sails may be raised, music continues, and people settle into a drink or a final stretch in the sun.

This is where the cruise differs from a basic transfer to Ile aux Cerfs. You are not simply being carried to the island and back. You have a social day on the water, with lunch, swimming, and time to enjoy the boat itself.

The music can be loud. One recent assessment made clear that the experience is not ideal for quiet people hoping for a peaceful sailing trip. I would book it for the company, the open deck, and the easygoing party mood, not for solitude.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who want several Mauritius highlights in one reasonably priced day. It works especially well if you enjoy swimming, casual food, music, and meeting other people onboard.

You will get the most from it if you are happy with a shared experience and flexible about the exact timing of each stop. The crew is accommodating, but tides, currents, and boat traffic affect the waterfalls and snorkeling.

This is less suitable if you want a private boat, serious reef snorkeling, a silent sailing trip, or a long stay on Ile aux Cerfs. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

The crew can provide English and French guidance. Dietary requests are possible for vegetarian and gluten-free meals, but make them known ahead of time.

Is $65 good value?

For $65, the package is strong. You get a six-hour catamaran cruise, licensed crew, drinks, snorkeling equipment, BBQ lunch, and visits to two well-known east coast sights. Paying separately for a boat outing, lunch, and drinks could easily reduce the savings.

The value is strongest if you plan to eat and drink onboard and enjoy the sailing time. It is weaker if you do not drink, dislike music, or mainly want to reach Ile aux Cerfs as quickly as possible.

The price does not cover hotel pickup, parasailing, or other water sports. Those extras can change your final spend, so compare costs before committing. I would not see the add-ons as necessary. The included day already has enough to fill six hours.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a sociable, good-value day with a friendly crew, a filling lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and time on one of Mauritius’ most popular islands. The staff, food, space onboard, and relaxed sailing are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if your ideal day means quiet water, a protected snorkeling cove, or a long, uncrowded stay on the beach. The waterfall stop may be brief, snorkeling conditions can be mixed, and the music is not subtle.

For most people who want an easy introduction to the East Coast lagoon, I think the balance works. Arrive ready to swim, bring sunscreen and a towel, request any special meal in advance, and save a little extra money only if you want parasailing or other activities. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while planning.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. Meet at the jetty next to the flag of Mauritius.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts six hours, including the sailing time, waterfall visit, snorkeling stop, onboard lunch, Ile aux Cerfs visit, and return to the dock.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to Trou d’Eau Douce.

What food is served for lunch?

The BBQ includes fish, chicken skewers, salads, garlic bread, pasta, rice, and fresh pineapple.

Are vegetarian and gluten-free meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available when requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. The cruise information also describes drinks as included onboard.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the cruise price.

What languages does the crew speak?

The live tour guidance is available in English and French.

Is the cruise suitable for everyone?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. You should also consider that music may be loud and the atmosphere can be lively, with alcohol served from the morning.