Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Tour with Lunch and Drinks

The best days at sea need little planning. This full-day catamaran trip links Mauritius’s east-coast scenery with a waterfall visit, snorkeling, beach time, barbecue lunch, and drinks for $70 per person. I like the friendly onboard atmosphere and the chance to see several highlights in one outing. The open bar and included meal also make the price easier to justify.

The main thing to consider is the long day and the early start. You meet at Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m., sail at 9:00, and return around 4:00 p.m. Weather can also affect the experience, and one French-speaking guest found that conditions took a while to improve. Still, if the forecast is kind, this is a well-rounded way to spend a day on Mauritius’s east coast.

Key points before you book

• A full nine-hour east-coast outing: You combine a catamaran cruise, Grand River South East Waterfalls, snorkeling, lunch, Ile Aux Cerfs, and the return sail in one day.
• A small maximum group of 20: This should feel more personal than the crowded boats you may see around the coast.
• Food and drinks are included: The tour provides barbecue lunch and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• The crew shapes the mood: Expect local Mauritian music, jokes, stories, and active attention from the crew.
• Several water activities are available: Parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding may be included depending on the package you choose.
• The price is strongest for social beach days: At $70 per person, the inclusion of lunch, drinks, and several stops gives this tour good value for an easygoing day out.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 8:30 a.m.

Your day begins at Trou d’Eau Douce, a departure point on Mauritius’s east coast. The listed meeting time is 8:30 a.m., with the catamaran leaving around 9:00. Pickup is offered, but you should confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking because the stated start point remains Trou d’Eau Douce.

That early arrival matters. You want enough time to reach the boat without turning the first part of your holiday into a race. The full trip lasts about nine hours, so this is not a quick cruise squeezed between other plans. It is a main event for the day.

The group limit of 20 people is one of the more useful details here. You still share the boat with others, but the size should help the crew keep an eye on everyone and maintain a more relaxed feel. A larger boat can offer more room, but a smaller group often makes it easier to ask questions, get help, and find a comfortable place on deck.

Sailing from the east coast

Once the catamaran leaves Trou d’Eau Douce, the cruise becomes part sightseeing trip, part floating social gathering. The crew plays local Mauritian music, tells stories, and keeps the mood light with jokes. That may sound like a small touch, but it can make a real difference during a long day on the water.

I would choose this trip if you enjoy an active, friendly atmosphere rather than a silent sightseeing cruise. It is designed for conversation, music, and shared fun. If you prefer a quiet boat with little commentary, you may find the energy more noticeable.

The east coast is known for calm-looking lagoon water, palm-fringed shores, and views toward Mauritius’s mountainous interior. The boat gives you time to watch the coast from the water instead of rushing from one land-based viewpoint to another. Bring a camera, but keep it secure around the swimming and snorkeling stops.

Grand River South East Waterfalls and the monkeys

The first major stop is Grand River South East Waterfalls. The falls sit roughly 500 meters upstream, and the boat trip provides a short change of pace before the longer island portion of the day.

The river setting is part of the appeal. Tall old trees line the water, and you may spot monkeys moving through the branches. The tour description says you may feed them, and fruit bats can also be seen resting high in the trees as you approach the waterfall.

This stop lasts about 30 minutes, so keep your expectations sensible. You are getting a compact waterfall visit, not a long forest walk or a full nature hike. The short stop works well because it adds a different side of Mauritius to the day without taking away too much time from the lagoon and island.

I would keep your phone or camera ready before the boat reaches the falls. Wildlife is unpredictable, and the monkeys may be easier to spot than the bats. The stop is also a reminder that this tour is not only about beaches and drinks. You get a brief look at river scenery and local wildlife too.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

After the waterfall, the catamaran heads toward the Ile Aux Cerfs area through clear lagoon water. The schedule includes snorkeling and swimming breaks, with several planned stops where coral reefs and tropical fish are the focus.

This is one of the most valuable parts of the trip for anyone who wants more than a scenic boat ride. The lagoon is described as home to coral reefs, brightly colored fish, and possible sea turtle sightings. The exact wildlife you see will depend on conditions and luck, so treat turtles as a possibility rather than a promise.

You should be comfortable in the water before booking this as a snorkeling-centered day. The tour allows swimming and snorkeling, but the supplied information does not specify whether particular equipment sizes, flotation aids, or instruction are provided. Ask the operator what is included if you need gear or extra support.

The snorkeling stops also give you a break from sitting on the catamaran. After time in the sun and salt water, you can look forward to lunch. Take care with your belongings because you will be moving between boat, water, and beach areas during the day.

Barbecue lunch and the open bar

Lunch is a barbecue served either on the beach or on the catamaran. The description presents it as a full meal, and the tour also includes unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks through an open bar.

For a $70 tour, this is a major part of the value. A boat trip with several stops can become expensive once you add lunch, bottled drinks, and an afternoon drink at the beach. Here, those costs are built into the experience. One happy guest specifically praised the food, the steady flow of drinks, and the helpful crew.

Still, I would not book this only for a gourmet meal. The supplied information does not give a menu, so you should expect a practical barbecue rather than a carefully designed restaurant lunch. The food is there to keep you going through a long day of swimming, sailing, and sun.

The alcohol also changes the character of the trip. It can make the boat more cheerful and social, especially with music playing, but anyone seeking a peaceful or family-focused cruise should consider whether an open-bar setting suits them. You do not need to drink to enjoy the trip, since non-alcoholic drinks are included as well.

Ile Aux Cerfs: beach time and optional activities

Ile Aux Cerfs is the main destination. As the catamaran approaches, you get views of white sand, palm trees, and bright blue-green water. The island offers time to stroll, swim, snorkel, or simply sit on the beach.

I like that the schedule leaves roughly two hours for the island itself. The day is not only a sequence of quick photo stops. You have time to slow down, enjoy the shore, and choose your own pace after the more structured waterfall and snorkeling portions.

The island also offers optional activities, depending on the package you book:

• Parasailing for a high view over the coast and water.
• Undersea walking for a closer look beneath the surface.
• Tube riding for a faster, more playful water activity.

Do not assume every activity is included in the $70 price. The wording says these options depend on your package, so check the exact inclusions before you pay. This is especially important if parasailing or undersea walking is the main reason you want to visit Ile Aux Cerfs.

The island can suit several moods. You can spend the time in the water, take a walk, or find a quiet stretch of sand. At the same time, the combination of beach facilities and optional activities means it may not feel like an untouched island escape. It is best understood as a comfortable recreation stop with good scenery.

The return sail to Trou d’Eau Douce

After the island visit, you return by catamaran to Trou d’Eau Douce, arriving around 4:00 p.m. The final sail gives you another chance to enjoy the coast from the water, listen to the music, and settle into the relaxed rhythm of the day.

This return timing is useful when planning the rest of your evening. You should not schedule a tight connection immediately afterward, especially if weather or water conditions slow the boat. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

The sailing time also gives the crew another opportunity to keep the group engaged. The best parts of this experience are not just the named stops. The jokes, local tales, music, and attention from the crew help turn transportation between stops into part of the outing.

One especially useful comparison comes from the feedback provided: a guest noticed other catamarans that looked overcrowded and badly managed, while praising this crew for being attentive and focused on making the day enjoyable. That is important at Ile Aux Cerfs, where many boats may be operating at the same time. A smaller group and good staff can make the difference between a pleasant day and a tiring one.

What the $70 price really covers

At $70 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want a packed day with many inclusions. You get roughly nine hours, catamaran transport, the waterfall stop, snorkeling and swimming opportunities, beach time, barbecue lunch, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

The price is less compelling if you plan to skip the snorkeling, do not drink, and want only a quiet cruise. You may be paying for inclusions you will not use. It is also worth checking the details of the activity package, since parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding may not all be part of the base cost.

I would compare this tour with the cost of arranging a boat trip, meals, drinks, and a visit to Ile Aux Cerfs separately. The convenience has value. You do not need to organize transport between the waterfall and island, find lunch, or work out how to return to the mainland.

The small maximum group of 20 further improves the value. The tour may still feel lively, but it should avoid the worst crowding. That matters when you are trying to move around a boat, get into the water, or speak with the crew.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a social, easygoing day that combines several Mauritius highlights. It is a good fit for couples, friends, families, and anyone who likes music, water activities, beach time, and a drink with lunch.

It also works well for first-time visitors who want to see the east coast without arranging multiple excursions. The mix of waterfall, wildlife, lagoon, snorkeling, barbecue, and island time gives you a broad sample of the area in one day.

You may want another type of outing if you prefer a quiet sailing experience, a long snorkeling session, or a more private boat. The nine-hour schedule is full, and the atmosphere appears designed to be cheerful rather than hushed.

I would also be cautious if poor weather is forecast. The excursion requires good conditions, and one account described a slow wait for the weather to improve. Cancellation due to weather comes with the choice of another date or a full refund, but a weather delay can still affect your holiday plans.

Booking terms are straightforward: you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Most people can participate, service animals are allowed, and public transportation is nearby.

Should you book this Ile Aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want a good-value full day with a friendly crew, food, drinks, snorkeling, and plenty of scenery. The strongest reasons are the small group limit, the included open bar and barbecue, and the range of stops packed into one east-coast outing.

I would skip it if your ideal day is private, quiet, or built around one long specialist activity. For everyone else, especially those comparing several boat trips around Mauritius, this tour gives you a lot for the money and keeps the day simple. Check the exact optional activities in your package, watch the forecast, and arrive ready for a long sunny day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius. The listed meeting time is 8:30 a.m., with the catamaran departing around 9:00 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce, with the return expected around 4:00 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served either on the beach or on the catamaran.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks through an open bar service.

Are parasailing and other water activities included?

Parasailing, undersea walking, and tube riding are available depending on the package. Check your selected package to confirm which activities are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.