Mauritius Catamaran Cruise to Ile Aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this day is the mix: you get a river waterfall, a catamaran sail, a BBQ lunch, and several hours at Ile aux Cerfs, one of Mauritius’s most popular beach stops. I like the generous drink service and the friendly crew atmosphere, and I like that lunch is cooked and served onboard rather than sending you to a separate restaurant.

I also like the chance to add parasailing or an underseawalk at the island. The main caution is that the day can feel crowded, and the opening transfer may be confusing. Pickup has also been late for some people, so confirm the meeting details and extra transport cost before you go.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Grand River South East Waterfall: Reach the Cascade Diamamouve area by boat for photos and possible monkey sightings along the riverbanks.
• BBQ lunch at sea: Expect a three-course halal BBQ meal with soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: The longest stop gives you time to swim, relax, visit the craft market, or pay extra for water activities.
• Weather matters: Snorkeling may be canceled in poor conditions, and the full cruise can be changed or refunded if weather makes sailing unsafe.
• A social catamaran: The maximum group size is listed as 35, though one account described a smaller boat with 22 people including crew, so ask about the vessel being used.
• Pickup needs checking: Hotel pickup is available only with the selected option, and one person reported a late driver and unexpectedly high pickup fees.

What This Mauritius Catamaran Day Actually Feels Like

This is a full, active day on the water rather than a quiet private cruise. You start at Green Island Beach Restaurant on B59 Coastal Road in Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:30 a.m., then make your way by boat toward the east coast’s river and lagoon attractions.

The listed sailing time is about 6 to 7 hours, with roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes of total transport between attractions. That matters because the day is not six straight hours on Ile aux Cerfs. You are moving, stopping for scenery, eating lunch, and changing activities.

I would choose this trip if you want a broad taste of Mauritius in one outing. You will not get a private-island atmosphere or unlimited time in the water, but you will see several headline sights without arranging separate transport, meals, and boat trips.

The tone is informal and social. Music, drinks, swimming, and food are central to the experience. If you prefer a small, quiet sailing trip with a guide giving detailed commentary at every stop, this may not be your best match.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce for Cascade Diamamouve

The first major stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, also known as Cascade Diamamouve. The boat travels upriver, where the waterway narrows and the forested banks frame the falls.

This is primarily a sightseeing and photo stop. You may spot monkeys moving through the trees along the riverbanks, which adds a bit of wildlife interest to what could otherwise be a quick waterfall visit.

I like this opening because it gives the day some variety right away. You are not simply sailing straight to a beach. The river route feels different from the open lagoon, and the waterfall gives you a clear first landmark.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not a long hike or a dramatic inland expedition. You stop by boat, take photos, and look around before continuing. The waterfall portion is scheduled for about an hour, including the river ride and sightseeing.

Some accounts describe a transfer onto a smaller boat for parts of the route. The instructions at that stage may not always be clear, so stay close to the crew and ask where you should sit or move. A little patience at the start can make the rest of the day easier.

Snorkeling, Swimming, and Lunch on the Catamaran

After the waterfall, the boat heads to a clear-water area for a snorkeling and swimming break. This is one of the most weather-sensitive parts of the day.

On calm, favorable days, you can get into the lagoon, look for marine life, and cool off before lunch. On rough or rainy days, snorkeling may be canceled. That is not a minor detail if swimming is your main reason for booking. The operator states that the activity requires good weather, with a different date or full refund offered if poor conditions force cancellation.

The water stop is followed by a three-course BBQ lunch served onboard. Food is halal, and the drink selection includes soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

The meal is a real value point. At $59 per person, you are paying for a boat day, the waterfall stop, the island visit, lunch, and a broad selection of drinks. Several people especially liked the amount of food and refreshments, including families traveling with children.

Service can be casual rather than polished. One person had to ask for beer despite it being included, so do not assume every drink will appear without asking. The crew may be busy serving a full boat, and a clear request is the quickest solution.

You should also remember that the catamaran is the dining room, lounge, and transport all at once. Space may feel tight when everyone is eating or gathering around the drinks. One account described the boat as crowded for its size, even while calling the day enjoyable.

Three Hours at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main attraction and the longest stop, with about three hours set aside for the island. The picture here is classic Mauritius: white sand, swaying palms, and a bright lagoon suited to swimming.

You can use the time in several ways. Swim in the lagoon, sit on the beach, walk around, or visit the local Arts and Crafts market. The market gives you a chance to buy Mauritius souvenirs, though shopping is an optional extra rather than a central part of the cruise.

Three hours is enough to make the trip worthwhile, but it is not an entire beach day. You may want to swim, browse the market, eat lunch, and try a paid activity. Doing everything will require some planning.

One of the strongest practical cautions is time in the water. A person who enjoyed the outing still wished there had been more swimming time. If swimming is your priority, head for the beach soon after arriving rather than lingering over every other activity.

Ile aux Cerfs can also be the busiest-feeling section of the day. The island is a popular stop, and the overall cruise may carry a sizeable group. You are buying access to a well-known beach experience, not solitude.

Optional Parasailing and Underseawalk Costs

Parasailing and tube riding are available at extra cost. An underseawalk is also offered. The supplied pricing lists double parasailing at Rs 2,500 and about Rs 1,000 per person in another note, while the underseawalk is listed at approximately Rs 2,000.

Because the parasailing figures are not perfectly consistent, confirm the current price and whether the amount is per person or per pair before paying. These activities are not included in the $59 cruise price.

This arrangement can work well for families and mixed groups. One person can relax on the sand while another pays for an activity. It also keeps the base price reasonable for people who only want the cruise, lunch, and beach time.

Do not count on the optional activities if your schedule is tight. The island stop has a fixed window, and paid activities may use part of your three hours. Ask the crew when you arrive so you know how much time remains for swimming.

Food, Drinks, Music, and the Social Mood

The crew’s hospitality is one of the strongest parts of this experience. The overall mood is friendly and relaxed, with a steady supply of food and drinks. The day is designed to feel festive, not formal.

On the return to Trou d’Eau Douce, local Mauritian Sega music provides the entertainment. Sega is an important part of Mauritian culture, and hearing it as you sail home gives the final stretch a local touch instead of making the return trip feel like dead time.

The music may not suit someone hoping for a silent sunset-style cruise. You should expect conversation, activity, and a group atmosphere. That is part of the appeal for families and friends, but less so for people seeking privacy.

A few practical habits will help. Keep water nearby even though it is supplied, protect your phone before the boat and swimming stops, and ask the crew when drinks or food service begins. The service seems generous, but it may not always be explained clearly at each stage.

Pickup, Meeting Point, and Group Size

The standard meeting point is Green Island Beach Restaurant, B59 Coastal Road la Pelouse, Trou d’Eau Douce 42207, Mauritius. The activity ends back at that same meeting point.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you select that option. Do not assume pickup is automatically included in the $59 price. One person found the pickup fee excessive after comparing it with the local taxi cost, while another described a driver arriving an hour late.

I recommend confirming three things before the morning of departure:

• Your exact pickup time and location
• The transport price, if pickup is selected
• Whether you should go directly to the restaurant instead

The advertised start time is 9:30 a.m., so lateness can cut into the waterfall, swimming, or island time. If you are staying at a hotel, ask what a normal taxi to Trou d’Eau Douce would cost. That gives you a useful comparison before accepting a transfer charge.

The listed maximum is 35 people. However, one account refers to a boat with a maximum of 22 people including crew, while a group of 15 was reportedly loaded with a full crew. This suggests that boat arrangements may vary. If space is important to you, contact Atlantis Tours Mauritius and ask how many people will be on your specific catamaran.

Who Will Get the Most from This Trip

I think this is a good fit for you if you want a convenient sampler of Mauritius’s east coast. It works especially well for people who value lunch and drinks being included, families who want several choices during the day, and couples or friends who enjoy a lively boat setting.

The trip also suits anyone who wants Ile aux Cerfs without arranging a separate boat, meal, and transfer. The waterfall stop adds variety, while the island offers enough free time to make the outing feel more than a short photo visit.

You may want another option if your priorities are:

• A private or very small boat
• Long, uninterrupted snorkeling time
• Detailed historical or naturalist commentary
• A guaranteed quiet atmosphere
• A completely flexible beach schedule

The excursion is also less appealing if you dislike changing boats or uncertain weather plans. Snorkeling is not guaranteed, and the opening transfer may feel disorganized.

Is $59 a Fair Price?

At $59 per person, the value is solid if you use the included elements. You receive a full-day catamaran outing, the waterfall visit, a swimming and snorkeling stop, a halal BBQ lunch, drinks, Ile aux Cerfs, and return transport to the meeting point.

The price looks even better for someone who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip and lunch. Beer, wine, and local rum are included, not just water and soft drinks. Families should still budget for optional activities and possibly hotel transport.

The value drops if you mainly want several hours of snorkeling. Weather can remove that part of the plan, and the island stop may feel short if you also want parasailing or an underseawalk.

The overall rating supplied for the experience is 3.6 out of 5 from 14 ratings. That middling score reflects a real split in expectations: many people enjoyed the food, drinks, crew, island, and atmosphere, while others had problems with late pickup, crowded boats, unclear transfers, or weak communication.

Booking and Weather Advice

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The activity requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can take a different date or receive a full refund. Since the cruise depends on the sea, keep your schedule flexible if possible.

Confirmation is supplied at booking, and the activity is listed as suitable for most people. The mobile ticket is useful for a quick check-in, but keep the meeting address and pickup details easy to access.

Should You Book the Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise?

I would book this if you want a good-value east coast day with plenty built in: waterfall scenery, a beach island, a BBQ, drinks, music, and optional water sports. The crew hospitality, food, and relaxed atmosphere are the strongest reasons to go.

I would not book it expecting a private cruise or a perfectly timed operation. Confirm pickup fees, ask about the actual boat capacity, and understand that snorkeling depends on the weather. If you can accept those limits, this is a practical way to see several Mauritian highlights in one day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

It starts at Green Island Beach Restaurant, B59 Coastal Road la Pelouse, Trou d’Eau Douce 42207, Mauritius.

What time does the activity start?

The listed start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours. Transportation time between attractions totals about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you choose that option when booking. The supplied information does not state that pickup is included in the base price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course BBQ lunch is served onboard the catamaran, and the food is halal.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Is snorkeling guaranteed?

No. Snorkeling depends on the weather and may be canceled in poor conditions.

How much do the optional activities cost?

Double parasailing is listed at Rs 2,500, with another note giving an approximate price of Rs 1,000 per person. The underseawalk is approximately Rs 2,000. Confirm the current parasailing price before booking the activity.