Catamaran Trip to Ile au Cerfs with Lunch and GRSE waterfall

Sun, sea, lunch, and a waterfall make a fine day. This 6 to 7-hour outing from Mauritius’ east coast combines a visit to Grand River South East Waterfall, a snorkeling stop, a barbecue lunch, and time on Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the open bar and the chance to see Mauritius from the water rather than from a bus or taxi. The crew also adds music, local stories, and jokes, which helps the trip feel social rather than simply transport from one stop to another.

I also like the easy mixture of activity and downtime. You can swim and snorkel, then stretch out on the beach or sit down for lunch. The main consideration is that the schedule can feel uneven: one account found two hours of waiting before the waterfall too long, while another experienced a speedboat transfer and a speedboat ride instead of the advertised catamaran for part of the day. Arrive sharply on time, and understand that the exact boat arrangements may change.

Key points at a glance

• The day begins at Grand River South East Waterfall: You reach the falls about 500 meters upstream, sometimes by a short speedboat transfer.
• Snorkeling comes before lunch: The catamaran stops in the lagoon for swimming and a look at coral and tropical fish.
• The barbecue is a real strength: Expect chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad based on the meal details provided.
• The open bar runs onboard: Beer, wine, soft drinks, and other alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are included.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the relaxation stop: You get time for white sand, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water sports.
• The $69 price covers a lot: Lunch, drinks, guide service, entertainment, the waterfall, and Ile aux Cerfs are included, but hotel transport costs extra.

A six-hour east coast day by catamaran

At $69 per person, this is designed as an all-in-one Mauritius day rather than a bare boat transfer. The price includes the waterfall visit, catamaran cruise, snorkeling break, barbecue lunch, open bar, guide, music, and time on Ile aux Cerfs. That combination makes the fare good value if you plan to drink, eat onboard, and enjoy several stops without arranging separate transport.

The experience begins at the meeting point, where a representative briefs you before boarding. Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional. If you choose pickup, give your accommodation details when you book, and the driver is expected at the hotel reception.

That transfer can be useful if you are staying away from Trou D’Eau Douce, the departure area. One pickup from Grand Baie was handled by Yash from Mauritius Taxi, who communicated clearly about timing and received praise for being friendly. Still, island roads and pickup arrangements can take time, so do not treat the listed 6 to 7 hours as the full door-to-door duration.

The host or greeter speaks English and French. Music and entertainment are part of the day, so this is not the right choice if you want a quiet, private sailing trip. It is better suited to you if you enjoy a friendly group setting, drinks, conversation, and a little onboard noise.

Grand River South East Waterfall comes first

The first major stop is Grand River South East Waterfall, often shortened to GRSE Waterfall. The falls sit roughly 500 meters upstream from the river mouth. You visit the river area before the catamaran continues through the lagoon toward Ile aux Cerfs.

The waterfall stop gives the day a useful change of pace. Instead of spending every hour on open water, you get a short look at one of the east coast’s well-known natural sights. The surrounding greenery, river setting, and chance to see monkeys add interest, according to the details from one excursion.

You may reach the falls by a small boat transfer from the catamaran. That transfer took around 10 to 15 minutes in one reported version of the trip. This is worth knowing because the experience may involve more than simply walking off the main boat at a dock.

The timing here can vary. One account described roughly two hours before continuing to the waterfall and felt that one to one and a half hours would have been enough. That does not mean every departure follows the same schedule, but it is a useful warning: some waiting or slower transitions may be built into the day.

If you are most excited about swimming and Ile aux Cerfs, the waterfall may feel like a brief side trip. If you like adding scenery and wildlife to a beach day, it helps make the outing more varied.

Snorkeling in the lagoon before lunch

After the river and waterfall visit, the catamaran heads into clear lagoon water for a snorkeling and swimming break. This is one of the most appealing parts of the itinerary because you are not only looking at the sea from the deck. You get time to enter the water and see tropical fish and coral reefs.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing. Comfortable shoes are also recommended, especially for moving between the meeting point, boats, beach, and waterfall transfer.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a short group snorkeling stop, not a specialist marine tour with hours in the water. The aim is to give you a pleasant look at local sea life and a chance to cool off. One person enjoyed the snorkeling and another reported seeing dolphins during the swim and sailing portion, though dolphin sightings are not promised.

The water is a major reason to book this outing. Even on a cloudy and rainy day, one report described the sea as breathtaking and the overall trip as enjoyable. Mauritius weather can change the mood and visibility, so the experience is strongest when the skies cooperate, but the setting can still be attractive in less-than-perfect weather.

Barbecue lunch with drinks flowing

Lunch is served onboard after the snorkeling session. The meal is barbecue-style, with chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad described as part of one serving. The food received especially strong praise, with one person calling it tasty and another describing the barbecue as delicious.

This matters because a boat trip can quickly become expensive if you must buy lunch and drinks separately. Here, the meal is included, and you can eat while remaining close to the water. It also removes the need to search for a restaurant during a busy island visit.

Vegetarian food is available, but you must request it when booking. You should also report any food allergies or illness in advance. Do not assume that a vegetarian meal or allergy adjustment will appear automatically on the boat.

The open bar includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and other beverages were available on one departure. This is a pleasant feature if you want a relaxed afternoon on deck, but remember that the sun, sea air, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly. Drink water as well, even if the bar menu makes the other choices more tempting.

The lunch period may also affect the rhythm of the day. If the group is large or the boat is waiting for another transfer, the meal stop can stretch. That is not necessarily a problem if you enjoy lingering over food, music, and drinks. It can feel slow if you want constant sightseeing.

Ile aux Cerfs and the white sand beaches

The final main destination is Ile aux Cerfs, an island near Mauritius’ east coast. Its appeal is simple: white sand, clear water, and time to choose your own pace. You can swim, snorkel, walk along the beach, relax in the sun, or look into water sports offered on the island.

This is the point where the excursion becomes less structured. The waterfall and snorkeling stops have a set purpose. Ile aux Cerfs gives you room to decide what sounds good after lunch.

If you want to be active, go for a swim or try one of the island’s water sports. If you have already spent the morning in the water, a beach walk and a quiet hour may be the better use of your time. Bring sunscreen and a camera, but keep an eye on your belongings while you move around.

The island is also the strongest photo stop of the day. The view from the catamaran as you approach is particularly attractive, and the combination of pale sand and clear sea creates the classic Mauritius image many people hope to see.

Do not expect an untouched private island. The description points to facilities and water sports, so the experience is built around a popular leisure destination. That can be useful because services are available, but it also means the atmosphere may be more active than secluded.

The sail back to Trou D’Eau Douce

After Ile aux Cerfs, you return by boat toward Trou D’Eau Douce. The return trip is part of the entertainment rather than a silent commute. The crew plays Mauritian music, tells local stories, and uses jokes to keep the mood going.

Crew friendliness is one of the day’s strongest features. The team was described as friendly and able to speak several languages. That can make a real difference when you are moving between a catamaran, a small transfer boat, a waterfall, and an island.

The trip is also social by design. If you want a lively atmosphere, the music and open bar work in your favor. If you prefer a calm sailing experience with long stretches of silence, you may find the entertainment more than you need.

One important practical note: a speedboat may replace the catamaran for part of the route, depending on the operation that day. One person received a speedboat instead of a catamaran and felt it traveled too fast. A separate account described being transferred by speedboat onto the catamaran. You should treat the exact boat sequence as changeable rather than guaranteed minute by minute.

Is $69 a fair price?

For $69, the outing offers strong value if you want a full package. You are paying for around six to seven hours, several boat journeys, a waterfall visit, a snorkeling stop, a barbecue lunch, drinks, an island visit, a guide, and entertainment.

The value is best for couples, friends, and families who would otherwise need to arrange separate transport, meals, and activities. The included drinks make the price more attractive than it may first appear. Hotel pickup is extra, so add that cost before comparing it with other east coast excursions.

The price is less compelling if you want a private boat, a long snorkeling session, or a tightly timed sightseeing program. The day has a group-tour rhythm, and the pace can slow around meals and transfers.

The overall rating of 4.1 from 25 ratings suggests a generally good experience with some inconsistency. Strong points include the food, friendly crew, snorkeling, waterfall, and attractive island setting. The main concerns are timing and the possibility of a speedboat substitution.

Who should book this Mauritius boat trip?

I would recommend it if you want to combine several east coast highlights in one outing. It works particularly well for a first visit when you want to see the waterfall, get on the water, eat lunch, and spend time on Ile aux Cerfs without planning each part yourself.

It also suits you if you like an easygoing party-boat atmosphere. The open bar, music, jokes, and local stories make the return sail more enjoyable for people who like company.

Families can appreciate the choice of activities, since one person can swim while another relaxes on the sand. Couples should book it if they enjoy shared excursions rather than a private romantic cruise.

I would be cautious if you dislike crowds, loud music, alcohol-centered outings, or schedule changes. You may also want a different trip if snorkeling is your main goal and you want a longer or more technical session.

For the best day, arrive at the meeting point on time, wear clothes that can handle sun and water, bring a towel and sunscreen, and tell the operator about dietary needs before departure. Check the weather forecast, but remember that poor conditions can lead to cancellation and rescheduling or a full refund.

Final verdict: a good-value east coast sampler

Book this tour if you want a cheerful, well-fed day that covers the main pleasures of Mauritius’ east coast. The strongest reasons are the tasty barbecue, open bar, friendly multilingual crew, snorkeling stop, and beautiful time on Ile aux Cerfs.

Skip it if you need a quiet private boat or precise control over every minute. The waterfall timing can run long, and the boat arrangement may change. For most visitors who value variety and convenience at $69, however, this is a practical way to sample the east coast without making the day complicated.

FAQ

How long is the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip?

The activity lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours. Pickup time and travel from your accommodation are additional if you choose optional hotel transport.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the Grand River South East Waterfall visit, barbecue lunch, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks onboard, guide service, a visit to Ile aux Cerfs, music, and entertainment.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional. You should provide your hotel or accommodation details when booking, and the driver is expected to meet you at reception.

Which languages are available?

The host or greeter service is available in English and French.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The catamaran stops in the lagoon for swimming and snorkeling, with opportunities to see coral reefs and tropical fish.

Is a vegetarian lunch available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you must request it when booking.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing. Clothes suitable for swimming and sun exposure are practical for the boat and beach stops.

What happens if the weather is extremely bad?

In extreme bad weather, the excursion may be canceled and rescheduled for a convenient date, or you may receive a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible.