Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise to Ile Aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

The lagoon steals the show. This six-hour catamaran trip from Trou d’Eau Douce combines Grand River South East Waterfall, a swim and snorkel stop, a BBQ lunch, and several hours on Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the friendly crew and the generous food and drinks, both praised again and again by people who took the trip. The main caution is that the snorkeling stop can be short, and the boat may feel crowded on busy days.

I also like the mix of scenery and easy holiday fun. You get river views, open sea, white sand, local music, and a proper meal without having to plan each piece yourself. The waterfall stop can feel rushed, though, and the meeting point on the beach can be confusing when several catamarans are loading at once.

Key points to know before you book

• The trip begins at Trou d’Eau Douce, opposite Green Island Restaurant on the beach, with hotel pickup available on selected options.
• Grand River South East Waterfall is a photo stop, but strong currents or heavy boat traffic can sometimes shorten the visit.
• Lunch is cooked and served onboard, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. All food is halal.
• Drinks include water, soft drinks, juice, beer, wine, and local rum, and the crew keeps refreshments moving through much of the cruise.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you about two and a half hours, enough for swimming, beach time, photos, and a look at the craft market.
• Parking near the beach is limited, so a taxi or hotel pickup can be easier than driving yourself.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce

Trou d’Eau Douce is the launch point on Mauritius’s east coast, and the day begins opposite Green Island Restaurant, down on the beach. If you are driving, arrive early. The small nearby car park fills quickly, and you may end up leaving your car some distance away and walking back to the shore.

The beach departure can be a little untidy. Several boats may be gathering at the same time, and finding the right queue is not always obvious. Look for the crew connected with your booking and allow extra time rather than arriving at the last minute.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you select that option. This covers a wide spread of districts, including Flacq, Moka, Rivière du Rempart, Plaines Wilhems, Grand Port, Savanne, Pamplemousses, Port Louis, and Rivière Noire. The drive can make the morning much simpler, though one delayed pickup caused a near miss for a couple, so confirm your pickup time and keep a little breathing room.

Once you are aboard, the mood is social rather than quiet. The catamaran offers room to sit, move around, and watch the coast, but busy departures can become cramped. One toilet may serve the whole boat, which matters once lunch and drinks are in full swing.

The river ride to Cascade Diamamouve

The first major stop takes you upriver to Grand River South East Waterfall, also known as Cascade Diamamouve. The setting changes quickly from open sea to riverbanks lined with trees, and you may spot monkeys in the branches. It is a pleasant way to begin because the waterfall adds a little nature and local character before the swimming portion of the day.

The boat usually gets close enough for photographs, but do not expect a long visit. The listed stop is about 30 minutes, yet the actual time near the falls can be much shorter when other boats are waiting. Some people have had only a brief chance to take pictures after queuing for access.

Strong currents can also make the waterfall unreachable. If conditions are unsafe, the crew may skip it, so treat this as a welcome part of the trip rather than the sole reason to book. If the waterfall is important to you, ask the crew for a clear explanation if the stop changes.

The number of boats affects the experience. When the river is busy, the view can feel more like a boat queue than a private nature stop. Still, getting close to the falls by water is a worthwhile change from simply seeing them from a distant viewpoint.

Swimming and snorkeling along the coast

After the river, the catamaran heads to the coast for swimming and snorkeling. This is where expectations need adjusting. The water is often clear and shallow enough for some children to stand with help, and several people have seen colorful fish, turtles, or sea snakes. The stop can be a nice family break, especially if you are comfortable in open water.

The weak point is consistency. Some departures stop at a better section of reef with plenty to see, while others use an area near the port where the reef appears damaged and fish life is limited. A few people felt the crew attracted small fish with bread instead of choosing a more rewarding snorkeling site.

Time in the water can also be shorter than expected. If you want a serious snorkeling session, bring your own gear and keep your expectations modest. Snorkeling equipment is listed among the items to bring, so do not assume the boat will provide everything you need.

You may also have to wait while other water activities take place. On some departures, people who were not taking part in an activity waited on the boat rather than swimming during that time. The sea break is best understood as a refreshing swim with a bit of snorkeling, not as a dedicated reef tour.

BBQ lunch, local drinks, and the boat atmosphere

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the day. The crew serves a three-course BBQ meal onboard, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. The food is halal, which is useful for Muslim visitors who often have to check meal arrangements carefully before booking.

The portions are generally generous, and the BBQ is served fresh rather than being a boxed picnic. Dorado has been particularly well liked when available. There is also an optional lobster addition, and some people consider it worth the extra 3,000 Mauritian rupees, while others feel the surcharge is too high. I would decide based on how much seafood matters to you, not because the standard meal is lacking.

The drinks selection includes soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. The crew keeps glasses filled and refreshments available throughout the cruise, which helps explain why the $64 price feels strong for a full outing. You are paying for transport on the water, lunch, drinks, the waterfall visit, beach time, and entertainment in one package.

The social side is a major part of the appeal. Mauritian Sega music plays during the return sailing, and the crew often encourages singing, dancing, and birthday celebrations. This is not the trip for someone seeking a silent sail with only the sound of the sea. It suits you if you like a friendly boat, conversation, music, and a relaxed party mood.

Food quality is not perfectly uniform. Most people find it tasty and plentiful, but one person found the meal average. That is a fair warning: expect a good boat BBQ, not a fine-dining lunch.

Ile aux Cerfs and its famous white sand

Ile aux Cerfs is the postcard portion of the trip. Palm trees, pale sand, and clear turquoise water create the classic Mauritius scene, and the island gives you about two and a half hours away from the boat. You can swim in the lagoon, stretch out on the beach, take photographs, and visit the local arts and crafts market.

The island is beautiful, but it is not always peaceful. Several boats may arrive at once, and popular beach areas can become crowded. One departure found litter and poor conditions in parts of the beach and surrounding bushes. That is not the polished picture shown in many holiday photographs, so keep your expectations realistic and choose your swimming and sitting area with care.

You are largely left to explore independently. The crew may not provide a detailed orientation explaining where to go, which can be freeing if you like wandering but less helpful if you want a planned island walk. The visit is mainly about the beach and lagoon, not a guided cultural tour.

Optional activities are not included. Water sports may be available, but you pay extra for them. If you want a calm day, simply swim and enjoy the sand. If you are looking for more action, ask about the available choices and prices before committing.

Sailing back with Mauritian Sega

The return trip brings the day back toward Trou d’Eau Douce, often with local Sega music onboard. Sega is a Mauritian music and dance tradition, and hearing it on the water gives the cruise a local note rather than making it feel like a generic resort excursion.

The crew is repeatedly praised for being attentive, funny, and willing to help. Names such as Cedric and Yona have received special thanks, and the general service is a clear reason this tour scores well. Crew members have helped with drinks, family needs, birthdays, and basic reassurance in the water.

Departure and return times are generally described as reasonably prompt, though the morning beach loading process can be chaotic. If you have an evening flight, a fixed dinner booking, or another time-sensitive plan, leave a generous buffer after the advertised six-hour duration.

Is $64 good value?

At $64 per person, this is a good-value day on the water if you want several experiences bundled together. The price includes the catamaran, waterfall visit, swim and snorkel stop, BBQ lunch, drinks, Ile aux Cerfs, and return entertainment. Hotel transport adds convenience when that option is selected.

The value is strongest for families, couples, and groups who want a simple all-in-one outing. You do not need to arrange a separate boat, lunch, island transfer, and beach visit. Drinks also add real value, especially if you plan to spend much of the day in the sun.

The price is less compelling if your priority is excellent snorkeling, a quiet boat, or a long waterfall visit. The snorkeling may be brief, the reef may be disappointing, and crowded departures reduce comfort. You are buying a sociable island cruise with food and scenery, not a specialist marine excursion.

What to bring and who will enjoy it most

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable shoes, a change of clothes, a camera, and snorkeling gear. A dry change of clothes is especially useful after the swim and boat spray.

This trip fits you best if you:

• Want a relaxed introduction to Mauritius’s east coast
• Enjoy music, shared meals, and a friendly group atmosphere
• Are happy with a short, variable snorkeling stop
• Want several scenic stops without arranging separate transport
• Are traveling with family, including young children
• Value halal meal choices and drinks included in the price

It may not suit you if you dislike crowds, need a quiet and private boat, or want several hours devoted to snorkeling. Wheelchair users can take part, but you need to stand briefly when getting on and off the shuttle boat, with crew assistance available.

The tour operates in English and French. Infants aged one to four go free. Since the experience depends on good weather, poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, which gives you useful flexibility when planning around Mauritius weather.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

I would book it if you want a well-priced, easy-going day that blends a waterfall, a boat ride, swimming, lunch, drinks, music, and beach time. The crew is the heart of the experience, and the combination is hard to beat for $64.

Book with hotel pickup if parking or beach queues sound stressful. Arrive early if you drive, and ask at the start how long the waterfall and snorkeling stops will be. If you accept that both can vary, this is a cheerful and practical way to see Ile aux Cerfs without overplanning your Mauritius holiday.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise to Ile aux Cerfs?

The experience lasts about six hours, including the waterfall visit, swimming and snorkeling stop, lunch, time on Ile aux Cerfs, and the return sail.

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is opposite Green Island Restaurant on the beach at Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are available when you select an option that includes transport. Pickup is made at your hotel reception or outside your accommodation.

What food is served onboard?

You receive a three-course BBQ lunch onboard, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. All food is halal.

Which drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling is part of the experience, but snorkeling gear is listed among the items to bring. You should bring your own gear unless your selected option states otherwise.

How much time do you get on Ile aux Cerfs?

The island visit is scheduled for about two and a half hours. You can swim, relax on the beach, enjoy the lagoon, and visit the arts and crafts market.

Is the waterfall visit guaranteed?

No. The waterfall stop depends on conditions, including currents. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, but wheelchair users need to stand briefly to board and leave the shuttle boat. The crew assists with this transfer to the catamaran.

Are children allowed on the cruise?

Yes. Infants aged one to four go free of charge. The cruise is also suitable for families, although children should be comfortable with boat travel and supervised swimming.