All inclusive CATAMARAN with BBQ : Ile aux cerf & GRSE waterfall

The best part of this Mauritius day trip is the mix of GRSE Waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs in one boat outing. You get a scenic waterfall stop, time around blue water and white sand, a BBQ lunch, drinks, music, and snorkeling without arranging each piece separately.

I like the private pickup and return, which removes a lot of fuss from a full-day outing. I also like the easygoing social side: Sega music, dancing, food, rum, cocktails, and beer can turn the catamaran into a cheerful floating lunch party.

The catch is that this is a shared boat, not a quiet luxury cruise. With up to 35 people, boarding can take time, the schedule may feel loose, and the vessel can seem crowded during busy periods.

Key points to know before you book

• GRSE Waterfall by boat: See a popular photography stop that can be difficult to reach independently.
• Ile aux Cerfs time: Enjoy blue water and white sandy beaches on one of Mauritius’s best-known islets.
• Lunch and drinks included: BBQ food, dessert, rum, cocktails, beer, and other drinks are served during the day.
• Private transport included: Pickup and return are provided from a location in Mauritius in a private air-conditioned car.
• Snorkeling stop included: Equipment is supplied, though time in the water can depend on the size and pace of the group.
• Shared catamaran atmosphere: Music and social energy are part of the experience, with a maximum group size of 35.

A full day on the east coast water

This is an eight-hour outing built around easy logistics. Your driver collects you from your chosen location in Mauritius, explains something about the island along the way, and takes you to the boat departure point.

The early start matters. The listed start time is 7:30 a.m., and you are advised to reach Trou d’Eau Douce by 9:15 a.m. to avoid being late. Exact pickup timing will depend on where you are staying, so keep your morning free and be ready before the driver arrives.

Once you reach the departure area, you are assigned to your catamaran. A captain gives the safety briefing, then the day settles into a mix of open-water views, food, music, and stops along the coast.

I like this arrangement because the driver handles the road portion while the crew handles the boat. One of the strongest parts of the experience is the return transport, especially if you would rather not work out local connections after a long day in the sun.

What the catamaran is really like

The boat is designed for a social day out. Music plays onboard, drinks are served through the day, and the atmosphere may include dancing and Sega music. If you enjoy meeting other people and want a relaxed holiday outing rather than a silent sailing trip, this setup should suit you.

The package includes toilets onboard, continuous drink service, food, and the snorkeling stop. That makes the catamaran more than simple transport between two points. You can stay on the boat for much of the day and avoid returning to shore every time you want food or a drink.

Still, set your expectations correctly. This is not presented as a luxury catamaran, and the boat may feel crowded when the group is full. The maximum is 35 people, which is manageable for a shared excursion but large enough to affect boarding, serving food, and getting into the water.

A couple of direct accounts describe delays of more than an hour while passengers and food supplies were loaded. That is not guaranteed, but it is a useful warning. Bring patience, especially during busy periods around December, January, and the end-of-year holiday season.

The GRSE Waterfall stop

The Grand River South East Waterfall, usually shortened to GRSE Waterfall, is one of the main reasons to choose this trip. The boat takes you to a scenic waterfall area that is difficult to access by ordinary land transport.

This is a good stop for photography. You can expect to see the falls from the water, with the boat providing a viewpoint that is part of the appeal. The stop is short compared with the whole day, so think of it as a memorable photo and sightseeing break rather than a long walk or a full waterfall hike.

The water conditions and boat traffic can affect how long you stay near the falls. Since the trip combines several activities, the crew has to keep the group moving. If your main goal is to spend hours at a waterfall, this is not the right format. If you want to add a striking natural stop to a beach and catamaran day, it fits well.

I would keep your camera ready but protect it from spray. The information provided does not promise a separate guided walk, so do not expect a land-based waterfall tour. The value here is reaching the area by boat and seeing a well-known Mauritius sight as part of a larger outing.

BBQ lunch, dessert, and the drink service

Food is included, which makes the price easier to judge. During the day, the crew serves a BBQ lunch along with dessert and drinks. Options include rum, cocktails, beer, and other beverages, so you are not left to buy each drink separately.

That is useful on an eight-hour trip. Food stops can eat into sightseeing time, while a meal served onboard keeps the day moving. You can eat, listen to music, and continue enjoying the views without arranging a separate restaurant booking.

The style is casual rather than formal. You are on a shared boat, and serving several dozen people takes coordination. Food may not arrive exactly when you expect, and the overall meal experience depends on how smoothly the crew is working that day.

I would treat the BBQ as a convenient included meal, not the main reason to book. The strongest food-related reports praise the combination of BBQ, music, and Sega dancing. At the same time, one account described the food and organization as only passable. If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special menus, so ask the operator before booking.

The included alcoholic drinks also deserve a practical note. Rum, cocktails, and beer can make the return ride lively, but pace yourself in the sun. Water and shade are not specifically described in the information provided, so you should plan your own sun protection and stay sensible with alcohol.

Snorkeling from the catamaran

A snorkeling stop is included, with gear provided onboard. This gives you a chance to get into the water without arranging a separate snorkeling trip.

The stop is part of a group schedule. Time in the water can change depending on how many people are swimming and how quickly everyone gets organized. If you are an experienced snorkeler hoping for a long, private session, you may find this brief.

For a casual swim and a look beneath the surface, it adds good value. You do not need to rent equipment separately, and the catamaran remains your base while you are in the water.

The operator states that most people can participate, but you should still judge your own comfort in open water. No specific details are provided about water depth, flotation equipment, or the exact snorkeling site, so ask before departure if those points matter to you.

Time at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the beach portion of the day. After the boat ride and the waterfall visit, you get time around the islet’s blue water and white sandy beaches.

This is the moment to slow down. You can enjoy the shoreline, take photographs, or simply sit by the water after lunch and the boat activities. The beach stop gives the itinerary a useful change of pace: GRSE Waterfall is mainly a scenic boat visit, while Ile aux Cerfs gives you time on land.

Do not assume that the entire day is spent on the island. The trip also includes transport, boarding, the waterfall stop, snorkeling, lunch, and the return sail. Your exact time ashore depends on the day’s operation and the pace of the group.

The return to the catamaran includes more drinks and music before you head back to Mauritius. This final stretch seems to be part sightseeing and part social time. If you prefer a peaceful boat ride, the ongoing music may feel like a lot. If you like a festive finish, it is part of the appeal.

How good is the private pickup?

Private pickup and return are among the most useful inclusions. A certified driver collects you, gives explanations about Mauritius, takes you to the departure area, and waits to return you to your resort in a private air-conditioned car.

The driver service has received especially strong praise. One account singled out the driver as excellent and described the experience as personal. That matters because the road transfers bookend the boat trip, and a calm, helpful driver can make an early start much easier.

There is one detail to clarify when you reserve: the information says pickup is available from any location in Mauritius, while the meeting instructions also focus on reaching Trou d’Eau Douce by 9:15 a.m. Confirm your pickup point and timing in advance rather than assuming every hotel has the same schedule.

The shared part begins once you reach the catamaran. Your vehicle may be private, but the boat experience is not. That distinction helps explain why some people enjoy the transport yet find the main outing crowded or less organized than expected.

Value at $113.97 per person

At $113.97 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Mauritius. The value comes from how many separate costs are bundled together: private return transport, an eight-hour boat experience, BBQ lunch, dessert, alcoholic drinks, music, snorkeling gear, GRSE Waterfall, and Ile aux Cerfs.

If you were arranging transport, a boat trip, meals, drinks, and snorkeling separately, the package could be convenient and competitively priced. You also avoid the time and uncertainty of coordinating several operators.

The value drops if you want a small boat, polished service, or a quiet experience. A shared catamaran with up to 35 people cannot offer the same privacy as a private charter. Busy holiday periods may bring longer boarding times and a more crowded feel.

The overall rating is 4.2 from 22 ratings, which points to a generally positive but not uniform experience. The pattern is clear: drivers and some boat crews receive warm praise, while the main complaints concern crowding, delays, organization, and the boat not feeling luxurious.

I would book it for the convenience and the range of included activities. I would not book it purely for comfort or privacy.

Who will enjoy this day most?

You are a good match for this trip if you want a simple, full-day Mauritius outing with several highlights in one booking. Couples, families, and groups of friends who enjoy music, drinks, beach time, and casual social energy should find plenty to like.

It also works well if you are staying away from the departure area and want hotel transport arranged. The private car removes one of the harder parts of planning a boat day.

You may want another option if you dislike crowds, need a tightly timed itinerary, or want a high-end sailing experience. The same is true if your priority is extended snorkeling, a long waterfall visit, or a quiet beach day without music.

For families, the package includes most of what you need for a day on the water, but the details provided do not specify child pricing or child-specific equipment. Check those points directly before booking.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Keep your morning flexible and be ready before 7:30 a.m. The operator advises reaching Trou d’Eau Douce by 9:15 a.m., and lateness could cause problems with boarding.

Wear swim clothing beneath something comfortable, since the day includes snorkeling and beach time. Bring sun protection, a towel, a waterproof way to carry your phone, and any personal medication you need.

Do not plan another fixed activity immediately after the scheduled return. The outing lasts about eight hours, but shared boat operations can run loosely, particularly when loading passengers, food, and equipment.

If you are booking during December, January, or the end-of-year rush, expect more people and less breathing room. The operator has acknowledged that this period can be especially busy.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Otherwise, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this Mauritius catamaran trip?

I would book this tour if you want maximum variety in one day and value private transfers, included food, drinks, and snorkeling more than luxury. GRSE Waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs give you two very different settings, while the BBQ and music keep the long boat day from feeling like simple transport.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, carefully timed cruise. The possible delays and shared group atmosphere are real considerations, not minor footnotes.

The safest way to make the call is to decide what matters most. Choose this package for convenience, scenery, beach time, and a friendly party mood. Choose a smaller or private boat instead if space, calm, and personal attention matter more than the all-in-one price.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran experience last?

The activity lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 7:30 a.m. You are advised to reach Trou d’Eau Douce by 9:15 a.m. to avoid lateness.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Private pickup and drop-off are offered from locations in Mauritius, with return transport in a private air-conditioned car.

Is lunch included?

Yes. BBQ lunch, dessert, and alcoholic drinks such as rum, cocktails, and beer are included.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?

Yes. The catamaran provides gear for the included snorkeling stop.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.