Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs catamaran cruise Lunch with BBQ

The best days in Mauritius often happen offshore. This seven-hour cruise combines Grand River South East waterfall, snorkeling, a BBQ lunch, drinks, and time on Ile aux Cerfs, all from a large catamaran sailing the east coast. I like the generous mix of swimming, scenery, food, and beach time, and I especially like the crew’s friendly, festive approach. The main drawback is the morning organization, which can be slow if boarding takes too long.

I also like that the price, about $59 per person, covers much more than a boat ride. Your fare includes lunch, soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum, plus the island visit and waterfall stop. Just arrive early at Trou d’Eau Douce, since the boat is scheduled to leave around 9:10 a.m. and delays at the start have been reported.

What makes this cruise worth your day

• The east coast setting: You sail from Trou d’Eau Douce through clear water with mountain views in the distance.
• A full day for one price: The fare includes the catamaran trip, waterfall visit, swimming, snorkeling, BBQ lunch, and a broad selection of drinks.
• Grand River South East waterfall: The cruise includes a stop at one of Mauritius’ best-known natural sights.
• Ile aux Cerfs beaches: You get time for white sand, palm trees, swimming, and a look around the local craft market.
• A festive finish: Mauritian Sega music, singing, and dancing give the return sail a local touch.
• Useful food planning: The meal is halal, and vegetarian food is available if you request it ahead of time.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce around 9 a.m.

Your meeting point is the Trou d’Eau Douce Debarcader fishing port on the east coast of Mauritius. Plan to arrive by 9 a.m., not at the last minute. The cruise is scheduled to leave at about 9:10 a.m., with some information also giving a 9:15 a.m. departure.

That small timing difference matters because the boat will not wait indefinitely for late arrivals. The port can also be confusing at first, especially if staff are not yet clearly positioned. One useful lesson from the experience is simple: give yourself extra time, find the correct boarding point, and ask for the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran as soon as you arrive.

The opening part of the day may not feel perfectly polished. Boarding has sometimes taken close to an hour, and boats have reportedly made empty circuits while passengers waited. If smooth organization is your top priority, this is the main concern to keep in mind.

Once you are aboard, the mood improves. The large catamaran gives you room to sit, stand, take photographs, and watch the coast. You are not simply being ferried from one point to another. The boat ride is a major part of the experience, so choose a spot where you can enjoy the breeze and keep your camera ready.

Sailing the east coast of Mauritius

The ride from Trou d’Eau Douce takes you along peaceful coastal water with views toward the mountainous interior. The scenery changes as the catamaran moves away from the port, and the clear water makes the boat itself feel like a good viewing platform.

I like this part because it slows the day down. You have time to look at the coast, chat with the people around you, and settle into the rhythm of the boat. The cruise is social rather than quiet and formal, so music may begin early. For some people, that creates the right holiday mood. If you prefer a silent morning at sea, the music can occasionally feel too loud.

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, beachwear, and a camera. You will want to move between the shaded and sunny parts of the catamaran, and you should expect to get into the water later. A towel is not listed among the required items, so check what you need before setting out.

Grand River South East waterfall stop

The first major sightseeing stop is Grand River South East waterfall. This is one of Mauritius’ best-known waterfall sights, and reaching it by boat gives the visit a different feel from a road excursion.

The waterfall stop is included in the cruise, so you do not need to arrange a separate trip for it. You can take photographs and enjoy the contrast between the moving water, the surrounding rock, and the calm river mouth. The stop also breaks up the sailing before the more active part of the day.

Expect this to be a scenic visit rather than a long hiking outing. The supplied details do not promise an extended walk or a private viewing area, so keep your expectations focused on seeing the waterfall from the water and nearby boat routes.

This is one reason the cruise works well for first-time visitors to Mauritius. In a single morning, you get a coastal boat ride and one of the island’s familiar natural sights without having to organize several separate transfers.

Snorkeling and swimming in clear water

After the waterfall visit, the catamaran heads toward the coastline for a snorkeling and swimming break. This is your chance to get off the boat, cool down, and see the water at close range.

The appeal is straightforward: the water is described as crystal clear, and the stop adds activity to a day that might otherwise be mostly sightseeing and eating. You can swim in the lagoon and use the break to take photographs from the water, though conditions can change with the weather.

There is no detailed equipment list provided, so check the arrangements before you board if snorkeling gear is important to you. The experience specifically includes a snorkeling and swimming stop, but it does not list a separate equipment rental or instruction service.

I would treat this as a relaxed swim rather than a specialist snorkeling trip. If your main goal is serious marine-life viewing, you may want a dedicated snorkeling excursion. If you simply want time in warm, clear water during a scenic boat day, this stop fits nicely.

BBQ lunch, halal food, and unlimited drinks

After the water stop, lunch is served on board. The meal is a BBQ, with vegetarian options available upon request. The food is halal, which makes the cruise easier to plan for people who need that option.

The drink selection is one of the strongest points in the price. It includes soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. This means you are not constantly paying extra for basic refreshments during a seven-hour outing.

The meal is not presented as a luxury dining experience, and you should not book it expecting a restaurant setting. Its value comes from convenience and atmosphere. You eat on the catamaran, surrounded by sea views, without giving up part of your island time to find a restaurant.

Vegetarians should make the request in advance rather than waiting until boarding. The booking guidance recommends arranging the trip two days ahead, which is also a sensible window for confirming dietary needs.

Alcohol is included, but drink responsibly. The day already includes sun, swimming, and boat movement. Water and juice are important parts of the selection, not just backup choices.

Time on Ile aux Cerfs

The cruise then reaches Ile aux Cerfs, the picture-postcard island that gives the excursion its name. Here you get white sandy beaches, palm trees, and bright turquoise lagoon water.

This is the most relaxed section of the day. You can swim, sit on the sand, take photographs, or simply enjoy a slower hour away from the boat. The beach setting is the classic Mauritius image, and it gives you the kind of open, tropical scenery many people hope to find on the island.

Ile aux Cerfs is also more than a beach stop. You can visit the local craft market and look for Mauritius souvenirs. This is useful if you want a small reminder of the island without setting aside a separate shopping trip.

The tradeoff is that the island is popular and organized around tourism. You should expect a well-known beach destination, not an empty stretch of coast. For a first visit, that popularity is also part of the point: you get easy access to the island’s famous sand and lagoon without arranging your own boat.

Watersports activities at Ile aux Cerfs are not included. If you want to add one, budget separately and confirm the details on the day. The base tour already provides swimming and snorkeling, so you can have a complete beach visit without paying for an extra activity.

Mauritian Sega music on the return sail

The return trip to Trou d’Eau Douce includes local music, with Mauritian Sega singing and dancing. This is more than background entertainment. Sega is part of Mauritius’ cultural identity, and hearing it on the water gives the final part of the excursion a local character.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and fun. Several details point to the same pattern: the staff help create a festive mood, the singing and dancing are a highlight, and the atmosphere works well for couples and groups.

Music begins early, according to one account, and can sometimes be loud. That is worth knowing before you book. The cruise is designed to be sociable and celebratory, not a quiet sailing meditation.

If you enjoy joining in, the return journey may be your favorite section. If you want peace and quiet after a full day in the sun, you may find the entertainment a little much. The good news is that the music gives the day a clear finish rather than ending with a plain ride back to the port.

What the $59 price really includes

At about $59 per person, this is a strong package for a full seven-hour day. You are paying for the boat, the waterfall visit, a swimming and snorkeling stop, lunch, drinks, the Ile aux Cerfs visit, and entertainment on the return.

The included drinks make a real difference. Beer, wine, and local rum can add up quickly on a day out, while soft drinks, juice, and water cover the basics. The BBQ also saves you from searching for lunch during your limited time on the island.

The price does not include hotel transfers or watersports at Ile aux Cerfs. You need to reach the Trou d’Eau Douce port yourself unless you arrange a separate pickup and drop-off service. That extra transport cost should be included in your calculation.

For a couple or a group looking for a simple, all-day outing, I think the value is good. You are not paying for a highly private or custom trip, but you are getting a wide range of experiences in one booking.

Weather, comfort, and who should skip it

Weather matters on the east coast. November and December can bring rain and poor conditions, so check the forecast before booking. Bad weather can lead to cancellation, in which case you may be offered another date or a full refund.

A cloudy day does not automatically ruin a boat trip, but rough water can affect comfort, swimming, visibility, and the overall schedule. A clear forecast gives you a better chance of enjoying the water and the beach as intended.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people over 70. The boat, port, water stops, and island setting require a level of mobility, and the experience is not presented as accessible.

This cruise suits you best if you want:

• A full day on the water without planning every detail yourself
• A mix of sightseeing, swimming, food, and beach time
• A friendly, musical atmosphere
• Included alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
• A first look at Grand River South East and Ile aux Cerfs
• A halal meal, with vegetarian food available by request

You may want a different excursion if you need quiet, fully independent timing, step-free access, or a specialist snorkeling program.

Practical tips for a better day

Arrive at the port by 9 a.m. The boat is expected to leave around 9:10, and early arrival also helps if the meeting point is not immediately obvious.

Book at least two days ahead. That gives you time to confirm the departure, request vegetarian food, and check the weather.

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, beachwear, and a camera. Add sun protection and a towel if they are not supplied, since the provided information does not confirm those items.

Keep some flexibility in your schedule. The morning boarding process may take longer than expected, and weather can affect the day. The cruise runs roughly from 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but you should avoid scheduling an important appointment immediately afterward.

English and French are available during the activity. That makes the cruise easier to follow for many visitors, though the atmosphere is as much about enjoying the day as listening to a formal guided talk.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later if that option is available when you book. A full refund or another date is offered if poor weather causes the operator to cancel.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

I would book it if you want a good-value, all-in-one Mauritius day trip with a friendly crew, a BBQ lunch, plenty of drinks, a waterfall stop, clear-water swimming, and time on a famous beach island.

I would be cautious if you dislike loud music, need exact timing, or want a quiet and highly organized sailing. The early boarding process can be untidy, and the cruise has a party-friendly mood.

For most able-bodied visitors who want to see several east-coast highlights in one day, the balance is favorable. Arrive early, check the forecast, request special food ahead of time, and treat the cruise as a relaxed group outing rather than a perfectly timed private charter.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Trou d’Eau Douce Debarcader fishing port on the east coast of Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at the docking station at 9 a.m. The catamaran is scheduled to leave around 9:10 a.m., with some details stating 9:15 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours, running approximately from 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch on board is included in the price.

What drinks are included?

The included selection contains soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Is vegetarian food available?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available upon request. It is best to make the request when booking, ideally at least two days in advance.

Does the cruise visit Grand River South East waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs?

Yes. The itinerary includes a visit to Grand River South East waterfall and time on Ile aux Cerfs.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be arranged separately.