Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

The best part of this seven-hour catamaran cruise is the setting: you sail along Mauritius’s east coast, with open sea, mountain views, and a stop at Grand River South-East Waterfall before reaching Ile aux Cerfs. It is a full day built around sun, water, food, and easy island scenery.

I like the barbecue lunch with drinks included, since that makes the $64 price easier to judge. I also like the mix of stops: a waterfall, a sand-and-sea break at Ile aux Cerfs, and time for swimming or snorkeling rather than only sightseeing from the boat.

The main caution is that the day can change with tides, water depth, wind, and sea conditions. Snorkeling may not happen, and one outing received criticism for a short waterfall stop, limited shade, and a long pause linked to optional water activities.

Key Points Before You Book

• Departure from Trou d’Eau Douce: The cruise starts in the east of Mauritius and returns to the same meeting area.
• Ile aux Cerfs stop: Expect beach time and swimming, with about 1.5 hours reported on one outing, though timing can vary.
• Grand River South-East Waterfall: The falls are included, but the visit may be brief and the order of stops can change.
• Lunch on board: The three-course meal includes barbecue chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.
• Snorkeling is condition-dependent: Equipment is not included, and rough or windy water can prevent a proper snorkeling stop.
• English and French service: A live guide is available in both languages, but no individual guide names are supplied.

Setting Sail From Trou d’Eau Douce

Your day begins at Trou d’Eau Douce, a useful starting point for exploring the east coast of Mauritius. From here, the catamaran heads out toward Ile aux Cerfs, giving you several hours of sea views rather than a quick boat transfer.

I like this part because the journey itself is part of the outing. You get open views of the coast, mountains, and ocean, with a steady sea breeze and plenty of time to settle into the relaxed pace. This is not a fast sightseeing circuit where you rush from one photo stop to the next.

The exact starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule before booking. Hotel pickup and return are not included in the $64 price. You can arrange transportation separately for an added cost, or make your own way to the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

The boat is a catamaran, which generally gives you space to sit outside and watch the coast pass by. Still, do not assume every seat is shaded. One particularly unhappy account described a boat with limited room for everyone to sit out of the sun and questioned its condition. That may not define every departure, but it is a useful reminder to bring sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your shoulders if you burn easily.

Grand River South-East Waterfall

The Grand River South-East Waterfall is one of the day’s scenic highlights. The falls drop through a green coastal setting, and the boat brings you close enough to appreciate the sound and spray. It is a natural contrast to the broad ocean views around the rest of the cruise.

The stop is worth having, but keep your expectations in check. On one outing, the waterfall visit lasted only about three minutes. That is enough for a quick look and a few photographs, not enough for a long nature walk or a quiet hour beside the falls.

The order of the waterfall and island stops can change with the tide and water depth. This matters because the crew may adjust the route for safety and access. You should treat the published sequence as a general plan, not a minute-by-minute promise.

If the waterfall is your main reason for booking, this cruise may feel too brief. If you see it as one piece of a day on the water, the short stop is easier to accept.

Swimming and Snorkeling Around Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop. You leave the catamaran and get time on the sand, with clear coastal water suitable for swimming when conditions are safe. The island gives the day a welcome change of pace after the boat ride.

The advertised snorkeling is appealing, especially if you want to see some of Mauritius’s coastal sea life without booking a separate snorkeling trip. But the word to remember is when conditions allow. Snorkeling equipment is not included, and one outing did not include snorkeling at all because the sea was too windy and the swimming area felt unsafe.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to try, but equipment alone cannot solve rough water. The crew may move the swimming area, alter the order of stops, or skip snorkeling if the sea is not suitable. That flexibility is sensible, though it can be disappointing if underwater activity is the chief aim of your day.

I would book this for the overall sea experience, not as a dedicated snorkeling excursion. If you mainly want reef time, look for a tour that focuses more tightly on snorkeling and provides equipment as part of the price.

Ile aux Cerfs is attractive, but it is also a well-known stop rather than a quiet, untouched island. One French-speaking participant described the island as less paradisiacal than expected. That is a fair warning for anyone picturing an empty beach. You can still enjoy the sand and water, but the visit is better understood as a popular recreation stop within a larger cruise.

A Three-Course Barbecue Lunch at Sea

Lunch is one of the stronger practical features of this experience. The crew serves a three-course meal on the catamaran, with barbecue chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, and drinks.

Water and soft drinks are included, along with alcoholic drinks. That makes the meal more than a basic sandwich stop and helps explain why the total price can work well for a full day. You do not need to leave the boat to find lunch, and you can keep the day moving between the coast and Ile aux Cerfs.

The food also gives the outing a social rhythm. You spend part of the day looking at the coast, part of it in the water, and part of it eating with the sea around you. A French participant specifically praised the lunch and the atmosphere on board, which fits the experience’s strongest appeal: it is as much a relaxed boat day as it is a sightseeing trip.

Do remember that included drinks can change the tone of the boat. One account felt that a long commercial pause for optional parasailing and inflatable rides was softened by the flow of alcohol. If you prefer a quiet, tightly timed excursion, ask the crew about the schedule for optional activities before settling in.

The supplied information does not promise a choice of vegetarian, vegan, halal, or allergy-safe meals. If you have dietary needs, confirm them before booking rather than assuming the barbecue menu can be changed.

What the Seven Hours Really Give You

Seven hours sounds generous, and it is enough time for a full coastal outing. You get the cruise from Trou d’Eau Douce, the waterfall, lunch, time around Ile aux Cerfs, and opportunities for swimming and snorkeling.

The tradeoff is that those seven hours are shared among several activities. You will not receive a long stay at every stop. A reported 1.5-hour visit to Ile aux Cerfs leaves much of the day for sailing, lunch, the waterfall, and possible pauses for optional water sports.

That balance suits you if you want variety. I would choose it for a sunny day when the boat ride matters as much as the island. You can watch the coastline, enjoy the crew’s service, eat on board, and make a few water stops without arranging separate transport.

It suits you less if you want maximum beach time. If your ideal day means planting yourself on Ile aux Cerfs for hours, a shorter transfer or island-focused option could be a better match.

Crew, Languages, and Onboard Mood

Starline Tours provides a live guide in English and French. No individual guide names are given, so you should not book expecting a particular named host. The crew is described as attentive and friendly in some accounts, and the strongest ratings praise the good atmosphere and helpful service.

That warmth matters on a shared boat. The crew handles the meal, points out the main sights, and manages changes caused by weather or tides. A good crew can make a mixed group feel at ease, especially during a long day where everyone is sharing shade, seating, food, and access to the water.

The mood may be lively rather than quiet. Alcoholic drinks are included, and optional parasailing or inflatable rides may be offered through a partner during the day. If you want music, conversation, and a holiday feel, that can be a plus. If you want a calm nature cruise, the commercial pause and social atmosphere may test your patience.

The score of 4.5 from 11 ratings suggests that the experience is often well received, but the small number of ratings also means you should pay attention to the conditions and limitations. The praised elements are the crew, lunch, and overall day out. The weak points are snorkeling availability, shade, boat condition, and time spent at the headline stops.

Is $64 a Good Value?

At $64 per person, the price is reasonable for a seven-hour outing that includes the catamaran, waterfall visit, Ile aux Cerfs, lunch, and a broad selection of drinks. You are paying for a package rather than just a boat ride.

The value is strongest when you use most of the included features. If you eat lunch on board, enjoy the sailing, swim safely, and appreciate the island stop, the cost compares well with arranging several separate activities. The included drinks also reduce the small expenses that can build up during a full day beside the sea.

The value drops if you book mainly for snorkeling and the sea is too rough, or if you expect an extended visit to Ile aux Cerfs. Snorkeling equipment costs extra or must be supplied by you, and hotel transport is not part of the package.

I would also factor in the possibility of a paid transfer to Trou d’Eau Douce. The cruise price is clear, but your true day-trip cost may be higher if you need pickup and drop-off.

What to Pack for the East Coast

Pack a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and a change of clothes. The change is useful after swimming, especially if you plan to continue sitting on the boat for the return trip.

I would add a hat, sunglasses, and a dry bag for your phone and wallet. These are sensible additions for any open-water day, though only the first four items are specifically required by the tour information.

If snorkeling matters to you, bring your own equipment because it is not supplied. Even then, be ready for the crew to cancel or change the snorkeling stop if the water becomes rough or too windy.

You should also protect yourself from the sun when seated on board. Shade may not cover everyone at all times, so sunscreen and a light cover-up are not optional luxuries here.

Weather, Safety, and Who Should Skip It

The cruise may be rescheduled because of adverse weather, except for rain alone, or because of rough seas. You receive an alternative date, and if no suitable date can be arranged, a full refund is offered.

That policy is important in Mauritius, where a rainy morning does not necessarily mean the day is lost, but rough water can affect both comfort and safety. The crew can also change the stop order based on tide and water depth.

This outing is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. The information provided does not give further details about boarding assistance, so you should not assume the catamaran or island access will work for limited mobility.

I see this as a good fit for couples, friends, and families who want a broad taste of the east coast in one day. It is especially useful if you value a ready-made lunch and a social boat atmosphere. It is a weaker choice for anyone needing guaranteed snorkeling, long beach time, full accessibility, or a quiet and tightly controlled schedule.

My Verdict on the Ile aux Cerfs Cruise

Book this catamaran trip if you want a convenient day combining sailing, a waterfall, beach time, lunch, and drinks for $64. The crew and meal appear to be the strongest parts, and the range of activities gives you a good chance of enjoying the day even if one stop changes.

Book with realistic expectations. Ile aux Cerfs may feel busy rather than remote, the waterfall stop may be quick, and snorkeling can disappear when wind or water conditions turn poor. Bring your own snorkel gear, protect yourself from the sun, and ask about the timing of optional water activities.

I would choose it as an all-round Mauritius east coast day, not as a pure snorkeling tour or a long island escape. With that distinction clear, the price makes sense and the experience offers plenty for a first visit.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at the rendezvous point in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius, and returns to the original starting point.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran cruise lasts seven hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but they may be arranged separately for an additional cost.

What places does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits the Grand River South-East Waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs. It also includes opportunities for swimming and snorkeling when conditions permit.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring or arrange your own snorkeling equipment if you want to snorkel.

What food and drinks are included?

The three-course lunch includes barbecue chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.

Can the route or stop order change?

Yes. The sequence of stops may change according to the tide and water depth. Rough seas or adverse weather can also lead to rescheduling.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.