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

Paradise comes with a barbecue. This seven-hour catamaran cruise links the Grand Riviere Sud Est waterfall with Ile aux Cerfs, giving you a full day of sea views, swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and included food and drinks. I like the easy mix of sightseeing and free time, and I like that wine, rum cocktails, soft drinks, coconut water, snacks, and lunch are included. The main caution is group size: the tour lists a maximum of 25, but one account reported more than 30 people aboard.

The day begins and ends at the Trou d’Eau Douce landing point, so you arrange your own way there and back. I also recommend keeping valuables close when moving between boats. One phone was reported stolen after passengers were told belongings could safely remain on the catamaran.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different stops: See the Grand Riviere Sud Est waterfall, then spend roughly three hours around Ile aux Cerfs.
• A social boat day: The advertised maximum is 25 people, with music, drinks, food, and a friendly group atmosphere.
• Lunch is part of the deal: Expect a barbecue meal, snacks, tea or coffee, bottled water, soda, and alcoholic drinks without separate charges.
• Water time is flexible: Use the snorkeling equipment, swim, sunbathe, or arrange activities such as parasailing and a tube ride.
• Start at Trou d’Eau Douce: You must reach the Debarcadere yourself by the 9:00 am start time.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations made at least 24 hours ahead are free.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 am

The practical side of this trip is simple, but it deserves attention. You meet the Blue Alizé Catamaran team at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’s east coast. The same place is used at the end, which makes the day easier if you are staying nearby or arranging a driver to wait for your return.

This is not a hotel pickup tour. Private transportation is not included, so you need to plan your route to Trou d’Eau Douce and your return from the landing point. Your transport should wait for you at the end rather than dropping you off and disappearing for the day.

The listed start is 9:00 am, and the activity lasts about seven hours. I would arrive with enough time to find the correct ticket redemption point and meet the agent. The instructions place the meeting point at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs, Trou d’Eau Douce.

The catamaran is a group boat, not a private charter. The stated limit is 25 people, a reasonable size for a social outing and far less intimate than a private sailing trip. Still, one account describes more than 30 passengers, so I would confirm the expected group size before booking if personal space matters to you.

The Grand Riviere Sud Est waterfall stop

The first stop takes you to the Grand Riviere Sud Est waterfall, where fresh water meets the Indian Ocean. The stop is brief, listed at about 10 minutes, so think of it as a scenic introduction rather than a full waterfall visit.

That short pause works well because the main appeal is the setting. You get to see the river pushing toward the sea and experience one of the area’s signature natural sights from the water. It breaks up the sailing time and gives you a clear sense of how the island’s rivers and coast connect.

Do not expect a long walk, a swim, or a detailed land tour here. The schedule gives you only about 10 minutes, and the admission is included. Bring your camera or phone ready, but remember the earlier warning about leaving valuables on board during boat transfers. A waterproof pouch that stays with you is the sensible choice.

The waterfall stop also gives you a useful preview of the day’s pace. This is not a slow, private sailing trip built around long quiet pauses. It is a packed outing with several activities, a meal, drinks, and a major island stop still ahead.

Three hours around Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event. The schedule allows about three hours on the island, enough time to split your day between rest and water activities. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, enjoy your included drinks, or arrange paid activities such as parasailing and a tube ride.

That free time is one of the strongest features of the trip. Some boat tours rush you from one photo stop to the next. Here, you have a proper block of time to settle into the island rather than simply step ashore and leave again.

If you want a quiet break, claim a place to sit, order or enjoy your coconut water, and spend time in the sun. If you prefer activity, use the snorkeling equipment or look into parasailing and tubing. The tour description does not say that parasailing or the tube ride is included, so treat those as optional extras unless the crew confirms otherwise.

The island stop will suit you best if everyone in your group wants something different. One person can swim while another rests. Someone else can snorkel, and a more adventurous member of the group can ask about parasailing. That flexibility is more useful than a tightly controlled program.

There are limits. Three hours can pass quickly once lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and any paid water activity are added together. If you want a long, quiet beach day, a dedicated island stay may suit you better. This cruise gives you a broad sample of Ile aux Cerfs, not an entire day there.

What the catamaran day feels like

The boat atmosphere appears to be a major part of the experience. The strongest praise centers on the crew, the food, the generous drinks service, and the good mood on board. Specific crew names attached to positive feedback include Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan, who were praised for taking care of passengers from check-in through the return.

That personal service matters on a group cruise. A friendly crew can make boarding, transfers, meal service, and equipment use feel easy. It also helps when the weather changes. One especially positive account described a storm at Ile aux Cerfs but still called the day a success because the crew kept the mood going.

Expect a sociable outing rather than a silent sail. Music, rum cocktails, wine, and a shared barbecue all encourage conversation. If you enjoy meeting people and having a little holiday cheer on the water, this setup should fit. If you want solitude, a calm reading day, or a private crew-to-passenger ratio, look for a smaller charter.

The group-size issue deserves a clear warning. The official limit is 25, but a separate account reported more than 30 people and called the boat overcrowded. That is not a small difference. Extra passengers can affect seating, movement, access to snorkeling gear, and the general comfort of transfers to a smaller boat.

I would ask the operator to confirm the planned headcount before departure. The provider is Island Cove Mauritius, and the operator’s response to the overcrowding complaint pointed to a separate luxury Ile aux Cerfs cruise for people seeking a more premium option. That suggests a useful distinction: this tour is built around value and a lively group, not maximum space.

The barbecue, drinks, and overall value

At $82.46 per person, the price is easier to judge when you count what is included. You receive lunch, snorkeling equipment, alcoholic drinks, coffee or tea, snacks, soda, and bottled water. The description also specifically mentions wine, rum cocktails, and coconut water.

That package can offer good value for a full seven-hour day. You are paying for the catamaran outing, two major stops, food, equipment, and a selection of drinks. You also avoid the usual small charges that can creep into a day on the water, especially for water, soft drinks, and lunch.

The barbecue receives strong praise. One French-language account described it as excellent, while several positive accounts praised both the meal and the amount of drinks available. I would not book this as a fine-dining event. Think of it as a relaxed outdoor lunch that supports a day at sea.

Alcohol is included, but that does not mean you need to drink. Water, soda, tea, coffee, and coconut water are also listed, so you can keep the day comfortable in the tropical heat. Drink water regularly, especially if you spend time in the sun and add rum cocktails to lunch.

The value is weaker if you plan to skip the meal, avoid drinks, or spend little time in the water. It is stronger if you want a full package and would otherwise pay separately for lunch, refreshments, and snorkeling equipment. Optional activities such as parasailing and tubing may cost extra, so ask about prices before committing.

Snorkeling and optional water activities

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, which removes one bit of planning. You can use it during the island portion, though the supplied details do not specify the exact snorkeling location, water conditions, or how long the equipment remains available.

That uncertainty is worth noting. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask the operator where the snorkeling stop takes place and whether the equipment includes masks, snorkels, and other items. The description confirms use of snorkeling equipment, but it does not promise a particular reef, marine life, or visibility.

For a mixed group, the arrangement is helpful. You do not have to spend the whole day snorkeling. You can take a short swim, return to the beach, have a drink, and still enjoy the boat and lunch. The island also offers parasailing and a tube ride for people who want a faster, more thrilling activity.

Again, these activities are presented as things you can indulge in or arrange, not as confirmed inclusions. Check the cost and timing with the crew. If you book an optional activity, protect enough time for lunch and the return boat.

Safety, comfort, and what to pack

This activity is not wheelchair accessible. The route includes catamaran travel, transfers, island time, and access to water activities, so you should be comfortable with the physical demands of a boat day.

Keep your belongings with you whenever possible. The phone theft account is the clearest negative warning connected with this outing. The crew may tell you that items left on the boat are safe, but you should still use a waterproof pouch or another secure method for your phone, cash, passport, and room key.

Pack light. Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a dry change of clothes if you have room. A phone case or waterproof bag is especially useful because the day includes swimming and boat transfers. These are practical suggestions rather than listed inclusions, so do not assume the operator supplies them.

Weather can shape the whole day. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. A rain shower does not necessarily ruin the outing, as one positive account described enjoying the day despite heavy rain at Ile aux Cerfs. Still, wind and rough water can affect comfort and activity options.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to combine several east-coast highlights in one day. It suits couples, families with independent older children, and friends who enjoy a social boat atmosphere. It is also a good fit if you want food and drinks included rather than managing every expense once you are on the water.

You will get the most from it if your ideal day includes variety: a waterfall view, a catamaran ride, an island stop, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a few drinks. The flexible Ile aux Cerfs period is useful for groups with different energy levels.

I would be more careful if you need a quiet boat, a guaranteed small group, or a carefully paced snorkeling trip. The reported overcrowding is the main concern, especially because the listed capacity and the reported headcount do not match. Ask about the group size before paying.

This is also not the right choice if you need wheelchair access or private transport from your hotel. You must reach Trou d’Eau Douce, and you must arrange your return from the same landing point.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The experience is weather dependent. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Confirmation is sent when you book, and most people can participate, subject to the physical limits and accessibility note.

The experience is commonly booked about 13 days ahead. That is a useful planning guide, but it is not a guarantee of availability. If you are visiting Mauritius for a short stay, book early enough to leave room for a weather change.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran?

Book it if you want a lively, all-in-one day with a barbecue, drinks, snorkeling, a waterfall stop, and several hours on Ile aux Cerfs. The friendly crew, well-liked food, and included refreshments give the $82.46 price a solid value case.

Before booking, confirm two points: the expected number of passengers and the cost of optional activities. If the operator confirms a group close to the stated maximum and you are happy with a social boat, this is an appealing way to see the east coast. If you want more room, privacy, or a quieter pace, choose the operator’s luxury catamaran option instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and finishes at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather cancellations can result in a different date or a full refund.