Luxury All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE Waterfall

Sea, sand, and rum make an easy day out. This six-hour catamaran cruise from Trou d’Eau Douce pairs the GRSE Waterfall with two relaxed hours on Ile aux Cerfs, while lunch, drinks, snacks, and snorkeling gear are included. I like the simple all-inclusive setup, and I like that you visit both a natural river mouth and a famous beach island. The main consideration is the limited time ashore, especially if you want to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and try watersports in the same afternoon.

The cruise starts at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the same place, which keeps the day easy to manage. You should also know that private transportation is not included, so you need to reach the Debarcadere at Trou d’Eau Douce on your own. The boat holds a maximum of 25 people, giving the outing a more manageable feel than a large party vessel.

What makes this Mauritius catamaran cruise worth considering

• A two-stop route: See the GRSE Waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs on one organized outing.
• Drinks are part of the day: Mauritian beer, rum, coconut water, bottled water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included.
• A BBQ lunch is included: You do not need to budget separately for the main meal.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: You can use the equipment without arranging a separate rental.
• A small maximum group: The catamaran accepts no more than 25 people.
• Free cancellation with notice: Cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund, subject to the weather policy.

Setting off from Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 a.m.

Your day begins at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs meeting point at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce. This is both the start and end point, so you will not need to keep track of a second return location.

The schedule is useful for visitors who want a planned day without spending time comparing boat operators, arranging lunch, or hiring snorkeling equipment. I also like the fact that the boat accepts a maximum of 25 people. That is still a social group, but it is more contained than a high-capacity cruise.

You need to arrange your own way to Trou d’Eau Douce because private transportation is not included. Build enough time into your morning to find the correct departure point, since the tour begins at 9:00 a.m. The meeting point is listed as Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs, Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

The total outing lasts about six hours. That includes the boat ride, the waterfall stop, the island visit, lunch, drinks, and time for water activities. The exact order of lunch and onboard service is not specified, so you should treat the schedule as a guided framework rather than a minute-by-minute program.

Cruising the lagoon on an all-inclusive catamaran

The heart of the experience is the catamaran ride across the lagoon toward Ile aux Cerfs. You can settle into a day built around open space, warm-weather scenery, and easy access to food and drinks.

The all-inclusive element matters here. Your package includes alcoholic beverages, bottled water, soda, coffee, tea, snacks, and lunch. The drink selection specifically includes Mauritian beer, rum, and coconut water, giving you a chance to try local flavors instead of relying only on standard soft drinks.

I like this arrangement for a full-day water excursion because small purchases can add up quickly around popular beach areas. Having the main meal and drinks covered makes the $111.02 price easier to assess, particularly if you expect to have several drinks or want snorkeling equipment without another rental fee.

Still, all-inclusive does not mean every possible activity is automatically covered. Parasailing and tube riding are listed as options, but the provided details do not say that they are included in the tour price. If one of those activities is important to you, confirm the cost before committing.

The cruise also includes a BBQ lunch and snacks. That gives you a more complete day than a simple transfer to the island. You can enjoy the water without having to search for food during your short island stop.

The GRSE Waterfall stop takes about 10 minutes

The first listed stop is Grande Riviere Sud Est, better known here as the GRSE Waterfall. The waterfall meets the Indian Ocean, creating the distinctive sight of fresh water flowing toward the sea.

The stop lasts about 10 minutes, so set your expectations carefully. This is a quick viewing opportunity, not a long walk, swimming session, or extended nature visit. I see it as a scenic introduction to the river and coast before the cruise continues toward Ile aux Cerfs.

That short timing can work well if you want to see several highlights in one morning. It also means you will need to be ready when the catamaran reaches the waterfall. You will not have much time for a slow exploration or a long series of photographs.

The GRSE Waterfall gives the route some variety. Without it, the day would focus almost entirely on beach time and onboard relaxation. This stop adds a natural feature tied directly to the river mouth and the Indian Ocean.

Two hours on Ile aux Cerfs

The main shore stop is Ile aux Cerfs, where you have about two hours to choose your own pace. The island is known for white sand and turquoise water, and the schedule leaves room for simple beach time rather than forcing you into a tightly packed activity program.

You can swim, sunbathe, relax with coconut water, or use the available snorkeling equipment. You can also look into parasailing or a tube ride if you want more action. A transat, or beach lounger, is another option mentioned for the island stop, although the details do not specify if that carries a separate charge.

Two hours is enough for a pleasant break, but it is not generous if you want to do everything. If you swim and take photographs, your beach time will shrink. Add snorkeling or a motorized activity, and you may spend much of the stop watching the clock.

I would choose one main goal before arriving. If you want a quiet beach visit, find a place to relax and make time for a swim. If parasailing or tube riding is your priority, ask about arrangements early so you do not lose half the stop sorting out details.

The island segment is likely the most appealing part for anyone who wants classic Mauritius scenery. White sand, clear-looking water, and an easy two-hour pause create the kind of beach break many visitors picture when planning a day on the coast. The tradeoff is that the cruise gives you a taste of Ile aux Cerfs rather than a full day there.

Food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment included

The food and beverage package is one of the strongest practical features. Lunch is included along with snacks, so you can enjoy the excursion without carrying a separate meal plan.

The open bar includes alcoholic drinks, with Mauritian beer and rum specifically noted. Coconut water adds a nonalcoholic option with local character, while bottled water, soda, coffee, and tea give you familiar choices throughout the day.

I like the range because it suits different moods. You can keep the day quiet with water or coconut water, order a beer with lunch, or try rum as part of the island atmosphere. The package is especially useful for couples and families who prefer to know the core cost before boarding.

Snorkeling equipment is also included. That removes one common bit of planning and makes it easier to decide on the day. You do not need to pack or rent your own set according to the tour details.

The information does not describe the snorkeling site, water conditions, or the amount of dedicated snorkeling time. I would therefore view snorkeling as an available extra activity rather than the central purpose of the cruise. The main structure is a catamaran ride, waterfall stop, lunch, and Ile aux Cerfs visit.

How the $111.02 price measures up

At $111.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs. The value depends on how much you use the included package.

You are paying for about six hours on a catamaran, a stop at the GRSE Waterfall, around two hours on Ile aux Cerfs, a BBQ lunch, snacks, an open bar, nonalcoholic drinks, and snorkeling equipment. If you would otherwise buy lunch, several drinks, and snorkeling gear separately, the bundled price becomes easier to justify.

The price also buys simplicity. You do not need to plan the route, decide where to eat, or arrange a separate boat between the mainland and island. That convenience has real value, especially if you have limited time in Mauritius.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a long stay on the beach. Since the Ile aux Cerfs stop lasts about two hours, you are paying for the full cruise format rather than an extended island day. You are also responsible for reaching the departure point because private transport is not included.

I would compare this experience with your priorities. Choose it for a social, food-and-drink-focused day with several highlights. Look elsewhere if your main aim is a quiet, independent beach visit lasting most of the day.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I think this outing suits first-time visitors who want several major Mauritius sights arranged in one package. You can see the GRSE Waterfall, reach Ile aux Cerfs, eat lunch, have drinks, and use snorkeling equipment without coordinating each part yourself.

It also works well for couples and small groups who want a festive day on the water. The open bar and BBQ lunch create a relaxed social setting, while the maximum of 25 people keeps the group from becoming enormous.

Families may appreciate the flexible island stop, since everyone can choose between swimming, relaxing, snorkeling, and possible watersports. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator before booking.

This is less suitable if you dislike organized schedules. The waterfall stop is brief, the island stay is fixed at about two hours, and the boat returns to Trou d’Eau Douce after the cruise. You have choices within the schedule, but you do not control the overall timing.

Practical points to settle before booking

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience begins.

The 24-hour rule is firm. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Mauritius time.

The cruise starts and ends at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce. Since transportation is not included, you should plan your route to the meeting point in advance and avoid treating the catamaran as a hotel pickup service.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the maximum group size is 25. Those details make the outing fairly easy to organize once you have settled the transport question.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from five submitted ratings, and the strongest praise centers on a fun excursion with kind, helpful staff. That matches the tour’s main appeal: it is designed to remove much of the work from a beach day while keeping enough free time for you to choose your own activities.

My verdict on the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran day

I would book this cruise if I wanted an easy, social introduction to the east coast of Mauritius. The combination of the GRSE Waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, BBQ lunch, open bar, snorkeling equipment, and a six-hour schedule gives you a lot in one day.

The key question is how you feel about the two-hour island visit. That is plenty for a swim, a drink, and some sand, but it will feel short if you want a full day of beach time or several paid watersports.

Book it for convenience, included food and drinks, and a well-rounded route. Skip it if you prefer independent travel, need private transportation included, or want to spend most of the day on Ile aux Cerfs itself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

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

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch and snacks are included in the tour price.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The package includes alcoholic beverages, bottled water, soda, coffee, tea, and coconut water, along with the use of snorkeling equipment.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the start time.