Mauritius: Boat trip to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch/waterslide

The best part of this Mauritius cruise is that the boat itself is part of the attraction. You can slide straight from the catamaran into the lagoon, then dry off over a BBQ lunch with beer, rum, soft drinks, and music. I like that the day mixes active fun with easy beach time, rather than making you choose between a boat outing and Île aux Cerfs.

I also like the stop for snorkeling gear, the short river-boat section, and the local Sega music on the return sail. The main thing to consider is that this is a lively group outing, not a quiet private cruise, and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• The waterslide is the main extra: You can use the built-in slide as often as you like during the boat portion.
• The BBQ is served onboard: Expect grilled meats, salads, fruit, vegetarian food on request, and unlimited drinks.
• Snorkeling gear is provided: The stop lasts about 40 minutes, with guides available to help.
• Île aux Cerfs gets its own free time: Swim, walk, relax on the sand, or pay extra for optional water sports.
• Local entertainment shapes the return trip: Mauritian Sega music, singing, and dancing add a cultural touch.
• The price is $88 per person: That includes the six-hour cruise, food, drinks, snorkeling gear, the slide, and island access.

Why this six-hour cruise works so well

I see this as a cheerful, all-in-one day on the east coast of Mauritius. You get scenic sailing, a swim stop, lunch, drinks, a famous island, and entertainment without having to arrange each piece separately.

The boat’s waterslide gives the trip a playful edge. It is especially useful for families and groups who want more than a simple sightseeing cruise. Adults can use it too, although the atmosphere is likely to be energetic rather than refined.

At the same time, you are not locked into nonstop activity. The Île aux Cerfs stop gives you room to slow down, walk along the beach, or swim in shallow water. That balance is the reason I would consider this a good choice for a mixed group, where one person wants water sports and another mainly wants sun and scenery.

Setting off from Trou d’Eau Douce

The cruise starts from Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’ east coast. The meeting point is at the end of the jetty beside the Mauritian flag. Depending on the option you choose, pickup arrangements may differ, so check the exact starting point before leaving your accommodation.

The first hour is spent sailing through coastal scenery. You can settle into the boat, take photographs, and enjoy local snacks while the crew prepares the day’s activities. This opening stretch is useful because it gives you time to get comfortable before the swimming stop.

I would arrive ready for the water rather than treating the first hour as a formal sightseeing presentation. The listed guide languages are English and French, and the crew provides entertainment as well as practical help.

The snorkeling stop near Grand River South East

The swimming and snorkeling stop lasts about 40 minutes near Grand River South East. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing a mask and fins or renting them separately.

The water is described as clear, with coral reefs and colorful marine life. Conditions in any lagoon can change with wind, tide, and visibility, so I would keep expectations sensible. This is a pleasant chance to see the underwater side of Mauritius, but it is not presented as a specialist marine expedition.

Guides are available to help, which matters if you are not a confident swimmer or have not used snorkeling equipment recently. Still, you should be comfortable entering the water and follow the crew’s instructions. Bring biodegradable sunscreen, and apply it before boarding so it has time to settle before you swim.

The 40-minute stop is long enough for a proper look around, though active snorkelers may wish it lasted longer. If your main goal is coral and marine life, you may prefer a dedicated snorkeling excursion. Here, snorkeling is one part of a varied day.

A short ride by river boat

After the water stop, the route includes about 20 minutes on a river boat. This gives the day a small change of pace. Instead of spending every minute on the open lagoon, you get another view of the waterways around the east coast.

The short length is a benefit for most people. You get a different setting without sacrificing much time from the beach and lunch stops. It also helps keep the schedule moving toward Île aux Cerfs.

Do not expect a long guided river journey. The provided details describe it simply as a 20-minute boat ride, so I would treat it as a scenic link in the route rather than a separate major attraction.

The onboard waterslide and swimming time

The waterslide is the feature that separates this outing from a standard catamaran cruise. It is built into the boat and sends you directly into the lagoon. Access is included, and you can use it during the cruise.

For children, this may become the day’s main event. For adults, it offers a silly, refreshing break from sitting on deck. The slide also makes the boat feel more like a floating activity center than just a platform for transport.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, and sandals. Keep in mind that a waterslide and swimming stop require you to move around the boat, climb to the slide, and enter the water. That is why the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

The slide is not the only way to enjoy the day. You can stay on deck, watch the scenery, eat, or join the music. That flexibility makes the outing easier for a group with different energy levels, though the overall mood will still be social and active.

BBQ lunch with drinks included

Lunch is served onboard and includes grilled meats, salads, and fruit. Vegetarian options are available if requested in advance. I recommend making that request when booking rather than waiting until lunchtime.

The included drinks add real value to the $88 price. You get water, soft drinks, beer, and rum, with unlimited access listed as part of the cruise. That means you are not constantly reaching for your wallet during the sailing.

Alcohol can change the feel of a boat trip, especially when music and dancing begin. If you are bringing children or prefer a calm afternoon, you can simply stick with water and soft drinks. The important point is that the package gives you a choice.

The meal is also convenient. You do not have to leave the boat to find lunch or lose beach time searching for a café. On the other hand, anyone expecting a restaurant-style meal should keep the setting in mind. This is a casual BBQ on a day boat, designed to keep the schedule flowing.

Exploring Île aux Cerfs

Île aux Cerfs is the main destination, known for white sand beaches and shallow lagoons. The cruise allows free time on the island after lunch, so you can decide how much of your visit is spent walking, swimming, or simply sitting near the water.

I like this part because it prevents the day from feeling like a tightly controlled group schedule. After the snorkeling stop, river ride, slide, and lunch, you get a chance to set your own pace.

The island is also the place to consider optional water sports. These cost extra, so the $88 price does not cover them. You should budget separately if you already know you want to add activities.

A practical point: free time is limited within a six-hour outing. The itinerary allows about an hour around the island, followed by additional time for sightseeing and walking, but the cruise must return to Trou d’Eau Douce. You can enjoy a taste of Île aux Cerfs, but this is not an all-day beach stay.

If your ideal visit means several quiet hours on one beach, book a simpler island transfer instead. If you want the island combined with food, music, snorkeling, and a slide, this format makes better use of your day.

Sega music on the return sail

The return trip includes onboard music, singing, and Sega dancing. Sega is a traditional Mauritian music and dance style, and its presence gives the cruise a local character beyond the usual tropical playlist.

This is one of the most distinctive parts of the experience. The entertainment has been praised for making the day memorable, and the crew’s energy is clearly important to the overall mood. You can join in, watch from the deck, or continue enjoying the coastal views with a drink.

I would choose this cruise partly for that atmosphere. It is not a silent nature trip, and the music may not suit you if you want a peaceful return. For couples and groups who enjoy a shared celebration, though, it gives the final hour a clear sense of occasion.

What the $88 price really covers

At $88 per person, the cruise is not the cheapest way to reach Île aux Cerfs. Its value comes from the number of included pieces:

• A six-hour catamaran cruise
• Scenic sailing along the east coast
• A snorkeling stop
• Snorkeling equipment
• The onboard waterslide
• BBQ lunch
• Vegetarian food on request
• Unlimited beer, rum, soft drinks, and water
• Time on Île aux Cerfs
• Music and crew entertainment

If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and island transport, the package can make financial sense. The unlimited drinks are especially useful for a long day in the sun.

The price is less attractive if you want only beach time. You will spend part of the day sailing, swimming at a designated stop, eating onboard, and joining the return entertainment. That variety is the product.

The current rating is 4.2 from 27 ratings, with especially strong praise for the crew, entertainment, local singing, and music. I would read that as a sign that the human side of the trip matters as much as the scenery. Book it for a social day with an active crew, not simply as a ferry to the island.

Who should book this Mauritius boat trip

I think this cruise suits families, couples, and groups who want several activities in one booking. The slide gives children and playful adults something to look forward to, while the island and lunch offer easier stretches for people who want to relax.

It also works for visitors who like a planned day. You do not need to organize a separate snorkeling stop, lunch reservation, drink supply, or island transfer. The crew keeps the experience moving from one part to the next.

I would be more cautious if you:

• Have a mobility impairment
• Want a quiet, low-key boat ride
• Need several hours of uninterrupted beach time
• Prefer to choose your own restaurant and drinks
• Want a long, specialist snorkeling session

The six-hour duration is long enough to feel like a proper day out, but not so long that you lose an entire day to one activity. Check the starting time when booking, since availability varies.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sandals, and biodegradable sunscreen. You will move between the boat, the lagoon, and the island, so simple clothing is easier than a carefully styled beach outfit.

Keep your belongings compact. The supplied information does not specify storage arrangements, so I would avoid bringing anything you cannot keep secure and dry.

If you want vegetarian lunch, request it before the trip. The option is available, but it is not described as an automatic part of every meal.

Bring enough sun protection for the full six hours. The boat, lagoon, and beach all expose you to strong sun, and the water activities make it easy to forget how much time has passed.

The meeting point is easy to identify: go to the end of the jetty beside the Mauritian flag. Drop-off is listed at the jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, with two locations shown for the operator’s boats. Confirm your exact option so you do not wait at the wrong place.

The booking terms are flexible. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those terms help if your Mauritius schedule is still changing.

My call: book it for fun, food, and local music

I would book this cruise if I wanted a lively east-coast day that combined Île aux Cerfs with snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a waterslide. The package offers solid value for $88 when you would use most of the inclusions.

I would skip it if my priority were silence, privacy, or a long stretch of empty beach. The music, dancing, slide, and unlimited drinks create a sociable outing, not a secluded escape.

For most families and groups, the mix is the strength. You get time in the water, time on land, a meal without extra planning, and a return sail with a distinctly Mauritian touch.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is at the end of the jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, next to the Mauritian flag.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts six hours. Check availability for the specific starting time.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided for the stop near Grand River South East.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a BBQ served onboard, with grilled meats, salads, and fruit. Vegetarian options are available on request.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, beer, and rum are included.

Can I use the waterslide more than once?

The onboard waterslide is included, with unlimited access during the cruise.

Is Île aux Cerfs included?

Yes. The cruise visits Île aux Cerfs, where you have free time to relax, swim, walk, or arrange optional water sports at an extra cost.

What languages are spoken on the tour?

The live guide and crew support English and French.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sandals, and biodegradable sunscreen.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.