Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling + GRSE Waterfall, BBQ & Bar

The best part of this Mauritius catamaran trip is the mix of waterfall, island, and lunch in one seven-hour outing. You cruise from Trou d’Eau Douce to Grande Riviere Sud Est, then continue to Ile aux Cerfs for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or optional watersports.

I like the generous food-and-drink package, especially the barbecue, wine, rum cocktails, coconut water, snacks, and soft drinks. I also like the small advertised limit of 25 people, which should make the boat more pleasant than a large party cruise. The main caution is that one outing was reported to have more than 30 people, so crowding may be an issue on some departures.

Key points before you book

• Waterfall and island in one cruise: You visit Grande Riviere Sud Est before spending several hours around Ile aux Cerfs.
• Barbecue lunch and drinks are included: Wine, rum cocktails, coffee or tea, bottled water, soda, snacks, and lunch come with the fare.
• Three hours at Ile aux Cerfs: You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, relax with coconut water, or pay separately for parasailing and tubing.
• Meet at Trou d’Eau Douce: You arrange your own transport to the Blue Alizé Catamaran meeting point and back from the same place.
• Advertised maximum of 25 people: This is a group trip, not a private cruise, and actual crowding may vary.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refundable.

A full day on the water from Trou d’Eau Douce

This tour gives you a straightforward way to see two of eastern Mauritius’s best-known water attractions without arranging separate outings. You meet the Blue Alizé Catamaran team at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 a.m., collect or confirm your tickets, and board for the day.

I would treat the seven-hour duration as a relaxed half-day-plus outing, not a tightly timed sightseeing circuit. The schedule includes a short look at Grande Riviere Sud Est, a longer stay at Ile aux Cerfs, and the boat ride between them. The exact amount of time spent cruising, transferring, eating, and waiting can vary with conditions and the day’s arrangements.

The advertised group limit is 25 people. That is a useful number to know because a catamaran feels very different with 20 people than with more than 30. One report described a boat that was over capacity from the advertised figure, so I would not book this expecting the space of a private charter.

Grande Riviere Sud Est and its ocean-facing waterfall

The first stop is Grande Riviere Sud Est, where a waterfall runs toward the Indian Ocean. You spend about 10 minutes here, so this is a quick viewing stop rather than a long shore visit.

The appeal is visual. Fresh water meets the sea in a setting you can appreciate from the boat, and the stop breaks up the cruise before the longer island portion. Keep your expectations in check: 10 minutes is enough for a look and some photographs, but not for a full waterfall walk or extended exploration.

This short visit also explains why the tour works best as a combination outing. The waterfall alone would not fill a morning, and Ile aux Cerfs alone could feel less varied if you wanted a moving boat trip as well. Together, they give you a quick nature stop followed by several hours of free time.

Three hours at Ile aux Cerfs

Most of the day is built around Ile aux Cerfs. The schedule allows about three hours on or around the island, giving you time to choose your own pace rather than follow a fixed string of activities.

You can use the time in several ways:

• Swim and cool off in the sea.
• Use the included snorkeling equipment.
• Sunbathe or relax with coconut water.
• Book a transat if you want a dedicated place to sit.
• Pay separately for parasailing or a tube ride.
• Walk around, take photographs, or simply stay near the water.

This flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose the tour. You do not need to commit to parasailing or tubing to get value from the day. If you prefer a quiet afternoon, the island time works for that. If you want more action, paid watersports give you options beyond the basic cruise.

There is a practical tradeoff. Ile aux Cerfs is not an empty private beach reserved for your group. During busy periods, the island can feel active and shared, and a three-hour stop may be more than enough for someone who is not interested in swimming or watersports. I would especially recommend bringing a clear plan for your time. Decide in advance if you want to snorkel, relax, or price an activity, because three hours goes quickly once lunch and transfers are included.

The supplied information does not state the cost of parasailing, tubing, or a transat. Those items are therefore best treated as optional extras rather than part of the $82.46 fare.

Snorkeling without packing a full kit

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing fins, a mask, and related gear. That is a real convenience on a boat day, especially if you are already carrying beach clothes, towels, sunscreen, and a camera.

The tour does not promise a specific reef, marine animals, water visibility, or a guided snorkeling session. I would view snorkeling as an included option rather than the central reason to book. If your main goal is serious reef viewing, you may want an outing designed specifically around snorkeling. If you simply want to spend some time in the water, the included gear adds value.

You should still bring the basics that are not listed as included, such as swimwear, sun protection, and any personal medication. The information confirms bottled water, soda, coffee or tea, and other drinks are supplied, but it does not specify towels, lockers, or waterproof storage.

Barbecue lunch with wine and rum cocktails

Food and drinks are a major part of the package. Lunch, snacks, bottled water, soda, coffee or tea, alcoholic beverages, wine, rum cocktails, and coconut water are included in the published details.

The barbecue received especially strong praise. One French-language review described it as excellent, while another positive account paired good food with plentiful drinks and a lively mood. That makes the lunch more than a minor snack between stops. It helps the $82.46 price make sense, particularly if you would otherwise pay separately for a meal, drinks, and a boat trip.

Still, do not read the menu as a restaurant guarantee. The information does not list the exact meats, salads, vegetarian choices, serving time, or arrangements for dietary restrictions. If you have special food needs, ask the operator before booking. The same applies to alcohol. It is included, but you should pace yourself carefully in the sun, especially if you plan to swim or use watersports.

The atmosphere can be a selling point. Positive accounts describe friendly service and a cheerful mood, even during a rain shower at Ile aux Cerfs. Crew members named Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan have been associated with warm, attentive service. Since staffing can change, take those names as useful possibilities, not a promise that the same four people will be aboard.

How the group size affects the day

This is a group catamaran cruise, with a stated maximum of 25 people. That size can offer a good middle ground: more social and affordable than a private boat, but potentially less hectic than a large excursion.

The important word is stated. A complaint described more than 30 passengers and called the boat overcrowded. That concern matters because crowding affects seating, movement around the deck, transfers to smaller boats, and how easily you can keep track of your belongings.

The overall rating is 4.4 from nine ratings, with several very positive scores for the crew, barbecue, drinks, and planning. There is also a lower score connected to crowding and a serious complaint about a stolen phone. I would take both points seriously without assuming either outcome will define every departure.

Keep your valuables with you whenever practical. During one transfer, passengers were told they could leave belongings on the catamaran, and a phone was later reported stolen. The operator responded by asking the customer to contact them through WhatsApp so an enquiry could be made. That response does not remove the risk, so I would not leave a phone, wallet, passport, or camera unattended simply because a crew member says the boat is safe.

What the $82.46 price really covers

At $82.46 per person, this is not just a boat transfer. You are paying for the catamaran outing, the waterfall stop, island time, snorkeling equipment, barbecue lunch, and a broad selection of drinks.

That package can be good value if you plan to eat and drink on board and want both Ile aux Cerfs and Grande Riviere Sud Est in one day. Alcoholic drinks alone can add up on an island outing, and the included meal means you are not starting the day with a separate lunch reservation.

The value is weaker if you want a quiet, private boat or if you do not drink, eat much, or plan to use the beach time. You may also need to budget for transport to Trou d’Eau Douce, a transat, parasailing, or tubing. Private transportation is not included, so the listed price is not the final cost for anyone who needs a taxi or other ride to the meeting point.

I like the fact that the tour keeps the core activities included and leaves the more specialized watersports optional. That lets you control some of your spending. Just ask about extra prices before you commit to an activity at Ile aux Cerfs.

Meeting at Trou d’Eau Douce

The start and finish point is the Blue Alizé Catamaran office or meeting area at Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce. Your own transport should bring you there for the 9:00 a.m. start and wait for you at the same general end point after the cruise.

This arrangement is simple if you are already staying nearby or have a car. It is less convenient if you are based on another part of Mauritius and need a long taxi ride. Since private transportation is not included, allow enough time to find the correct boarding point and arrive before departure.

Confirmation is provided at booking. I would keep the meeting details easy to reach on your phone, but protect that phone during the cruise. The ticket redemption point is also listed as Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs in Trou d’Eau Douce.

The tour is not wheelchair accessible. The boat, beach transfers, and island activities may require you to move between vessels or manage uneven access, so this is not the right choice if you need wheelchair-friendly transport.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

This outing depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is helpful in Mauritius, where sea conditions can change your plans.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Mauritius time.

I would check the forecast shortly before the outing and avoid scheduling an important flight or long-distance transfer immediately afterward. The cruise ends back at Debarcadere, but the day’s exact pace can be affected by weather, transfers, and conditions on the water.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied requirements. The tour is best suited to people who can handle a boat day, swimming, snorkeling, and movement between the catamaran, smaller boats, and shore areas.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a simple package with several activities already covered. It suits couples, families with older children, and friends who like a social boat atmosphere, a barbecue, drinks, and free time rather than a tightly guided schedule.

It is also a good pick if you have only one free day on Mauritius and want to combine two popular eastern-coast stops. The waterfall visit is brief, but it adds variety. Ile aux Cerfs supplies the longer beach break, and the onboard meal keeps you from having to organize lunch separately.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, need guaranteed personal space, or want a private and quiet sailing experience. The over-capacity complaint is not proof that every boat is crowded, but it is enough to keep the possibility in mind. If a calm, spacious deck matters most, ask the operator to confirm the expected passenger count before paying.

This is also not the strongest match for a dedicated snorkeling specialist. The gear is included, but the outing places equal weight on the waterfall, island relaxation, barbecue, and optional watersports.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran?

Book it if you want a well-filled day at a reasonable package price, with lunch and drinks already handled. The combination of Grande Riviere Sud Est, Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling equipment, and free time gives you a lot to do without arranging several separate bookings.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a shared catamaran, not a private yacht. The group may feel larger than expected, valuables need careful attention, and parasailing, tubing, transats, and private transport cost extra.

For me, the strongest reasons to book are the included barbecue and drinks, the long Ile aux Cerfs stop, and the chance to see the waterfall in the same outing. I would choose it for an active, social day on the water. I would skip it only if guaranteed quiet, wheelchair access, or a specialist snorkeling program matters more than convenience and variety.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs at Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is included, along with snacks, bottled water, soda, coffee or tea, and alcoholic beverages.

Are snorkeling equipment and watersports included?

Snorkeling equipment is included. Parasailing and tubing are optional activities at Ile aux Cerfs, and the supplied information does not state that their prices are included.

Is private transportation included?

No. You arrange and pay for transportation to Trou d’Eau Douce and should arrange transport from the same meeting point after the cruise.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.