Catamaran Trip to Ile au Cerfs with Lunch and GRSE waterfall

The best part of this day is the mix: a waterfall reached by boat, a snorkeling stop, a barbecue lunch, and time on Ile aux Cerfs, all on one outing. You are not simply sitting on a beach. You keep moving, but never so fast that the day feels like a checklist.

I like the open bar, which includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and the friendly onboard atmosphere with music and jokes. I also like the practical value: at $69 per person, lunch, drinks, a guide, several boat rides, and the island visit are bundled together. One thing to consider is that the advertised catamaran may not be the only boat used. Some departures include a speedboat transfer, and one booking was operated by speedboat instead of catamaran.

Key points at a glance

• Grand River South East Waterfall: Reach the falls by boat, with the final viewpoint about 500 metres upstream.
• Snorkeling in the lagoon: Stop for about 20 minutes on one reported departure to swim and look for tropical fish and coral.
• Barbecue lunch onboard: Expect chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad on the menu reported during one trip.
• Open bar throughout the day: Beer, wine, soft drinks, and other drinks are available onboard.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: Enjoy a swim, a stroll, snorkeling, or optional water activities on this popular east-coast island.
• Flexible transport: Hotel pickup is optional, and the boat arrangement can vary by departure.

What this east-coast boat day is really like

Mauritius has no shortage of pretty beaches, but this excursion gives you a broader look at the east coast. You see the river mouth, the waterfall, the lagoon, and Ile aux Cerfs in one long outing. That makes it a good choice if you want one full day of scenery and easy entertainment rather than several separate bookings.

The pace is relaxed in spirit, but the schedule is active. You board, visit the falls, stop to swim and snorkel, eat lunch, spend time on the island, and sail back to Trou D’Eau Douce. The complete outing lasts about 6 to 7 hours, so leave most of the day free.

I would choose this trip for a first visit to Mauritius if you want a social day on the water. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who like music and shared meals. If you prefer a quiet, private sailing trip with lots of personal space, this may feel too organized.

Starting at Grand River South East Waterfall

The day begins with Grand River South East Waterfall, one of the best-known natural sights on Mauritius’s east coast. The falls are found roughly 500 metres upstream from the river entrance, so the visit includes a boat ride along the river rather than a simple walk from a car park.

The river setting gives this stop its appeal. You see the waterway from the boat and reach a viewpoint that would not be as easy to access from land. Monkeys may be visible around the falls, as happened on one departure, which adds a bit of wildlife interest to the stop.

Do not expect a long hiking visit. This is a short boat-based look at the falls, built into a larger day rather than offered as a separate nature tour. The route can also be adjusted by the local crew, so the exact order of the waterfall and catamaran portions may change.

You may transfer from the dock to the main catamaran by speedboat. That is useful to know before booking because the phrase catamaran trip does not always mean every part of the day takes place on the large sailing boat.

Snorkeling in clear lagoon water

After the river stop, the boat heads into the lagoon for a swimming and snorkeling break. The water is described as clear, with coral reefs and tropical fish visible beneath the surface. One reported stop lasted about 20 minutes, which is enough for a quick look but not a long snorkeling session.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, and camera. Comfortable clothing and shoes will help during the transfers and time on shore. The operator asks you to report food allergies or illness in advance, and a vegetarian lunch is available if requested at booking.

The snorkeling is best viewed as a pleasant part of a larger cruise, not as a specialist marine excursion. You get a chance to swim and see local sea life, but the available information does not promise equipment details, expert reef instruction, or a long session. If snorkeling is your main reason for visiting Mauritius, you may want a tour built around that activity instead.

The stop can still be memorable. One departure included dolphin sightings during the sailing and swim portion. That is not something you should count on, but it shows how much the open-water setting can add to the day.

Barbecue lunch with drinks onboard

Lunch is served on the catamaran, which saves you from giving up more beach time to find a restaurant. The meal is described as a barbecue, with one reported menu including chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad.

That is a useful spread for a mixed group. You can choose among meat, fish, and side dishes, while the vegetarian option needs to be requested ahead of time. If anyone in your party has an allergy, tell the operator before the trip rather than waiting until lunch is being served.

The open bar is one of the stronger parts of the package. Drinks include beer, wine, soft drinks, and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices. You can enjoy a cold drink while watching the coast pass by, without having to calculate the cost of each beverage.

I would still keep your expectations sensible. This is a casual boat barbecue, not a formal restaurant meal. The attraction is eating outside on the water, with the breeze, music, and changing views doing much of the work.

Ile aux Cerfs and its postcard beaches

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop and the reason many people choose this outing. The island sits near Mauritius’s east coast and offers white sand, clear water, swimming, snorkeling, and optional water sports.

You get time to walk along the beach or settle in for a swim. The setting is made for photographs, with pale sand and bright sea surrounding the island. The beach visit also gives you a break from the boat, which matters on a 6 to 7-hour excursion.

The island is popular and has facilities and water activities, but it is not presented as an isolated beach with no development. If your ideal day means a completely quiet shore, the social nature of this stop may not suit you. For most people, though, Ile aux Cerfs works well as the relaxed middle or final chapter of the trip.

Keep an eye on the timing. One departure allowed about two hours for eating before continuing to the waterfall, and that felt longer than necessary to one passenger. The exact schedule may vary, but this is a useful reminder that organized boat days sometimes include generous waiting periods. You may welcome the extra time, or you may prefer a tighter plan.

Music, drinks, and the social side of the cruise

The crew provides music and entertainment during the sailing back to Trou D’Eau Douce. Local Mauritian music, jokes, and stories help keep the mood lively. This is not a silent nature cruise. The boat is designed for conversation, celebration, and easy fun.

That atmosphere is a plus if you like meeting people and sharing a meal at communal tables. It is also why I would not book this trip for solitude. The open bar and music naturally make the experience feel more like a day party on the water than a private yacht charter.

The crew speaks English and French, and one departure had staff who could communicate in several languages. You meet a representative at the meeting point, receive a boarding briefing, and then follow the crew’s directions for the boat and shore transfers.

The service has earned a solid overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 from 25 ratings. The strongest praise focuses on the friendly crew, tasty food, beautiful water, and relaxed island stop. The main cautions are the changing boat arrangements, the speed of some speedboat transfers, and occasional timing that can feel loose.

Catamaran or speedboat: what to expect

The experience is advertised around a 45-foot catamaran, but you should be prepared for more than one type of boat. At the dock, you may be carried by speedboat to the catamaran. On at least one departure, the main outing used a speedboat instead of a catamaran.

That difference matters. A catamaran usually gives you more room to sit, move around, and enjoy a steadier ride. A speedboat can feel quicker and more exposed to the motion of the sea. One passenger found the speedboat ride too fast, so tell the crew if you are uneasy with speed or rough movement.

The boat change can also affect the rhythm of the day. You may board at the meeting point, transfer by speedboat, and then continue on the larger vessel. The operator does not promise the same arrangement for every departure, so treat the catamaran as the planned centerpiece rather than a guarantee that every mile will be covered by catamaran.

Is $69 a good price?

At $69 per person, the value is strong if you plan to use the full package. You receive the waterfall visit, snorkeling stop, barbecue lunch, open bar, island visit, guide service, music, and entertainment. Booking these parts separately would likely take more planning, even before adding the cost of food and drinks.

The value is especially clear for visitors who want a simple day with few decisions. You do not need to arrange a separate restaurant reservation at Ile aux Cerfs or organize your own route between the waterfall and the island. The crew handles the movement between stops.

The price is less compelling if you want a private boat, a long snorkeling session, or a carefully controlled timetable. You are paying for a shared day with a set route and onboard social life. That is a fair trade for many people, but it is not the same product as a private charter.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional rather than included in the base experience. If you select pickup, provide your hotel or accommodation details when booking. The driver is expected to meet you at reception. This can be helpful if you are staying away from the meeting point, but check the pickup cost before confirming.

Timing, weather, and practical preparation

Arrive at the meeting point on time. The instructions are firm: a late arrival can mean missing the excursion. At the dock, a representative briefs you before boarding.

The trip depends on weather and water conditions. In extreme bad weather, the excursion can be canceled and rescheduled, or you can receive a full refund. Even in ordinary rain or cloud, the day may continue, so pack sunscreen and a towel alongside a light change of clothes.

I would bring:

• Comfortable shoes for the dock, boat, and island
• A towel and sunscreen
• Comfortable clothes that can handle spray
• A camera, ideally protected from water
• Details of any food allergy or dietary need

The weather can shape your impression of the trip. A cloudy or rainy day may soften the beach colors and make swimming less tempting, but the waterfall, food, crew, and boat ride still give the outing structure. On a clear day, the lagoon and Ile aux Cerfs are likely to be the visual highlights.

Who should book this excursion?

You should consider booking this trip if you want several Mauritius highlights in one day and like a friendly, shared atmosphere. It is particularly practical for first-time visitors, families, and couples who want lunch and drinks included instead of managing costs throughout the day.

It also suits you if you enjoy a gentle mix of activities: a short waterfall visit, a swim, snorkeling, a meal, beach time, and music. You do not need to be a serious snorkeler or an experienced sailor to take part.

Think twice if you dislike fixed schedules, speedboat transfers, or lively boat entertainment. You may also prefer another tour if your priority is a private experience, a quiet beach, or a long and detailed look at the reef.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip?

I would book it for a good-value full day on the east coast, especially if the open bar, barbecue, and social boat setting appeal to you. The combination of Grand River South East Waterfall, snorkeling, lunch, and Ile aux Cerfs gives you plenty for the price.

Before paying, confirm the meeting point, pickup fee, boat arrangement, and vegetarian or allergy requests. If you can accept a timetable that may shift and a possible speedboat ride, this is an easy, enjoyable way to see several of Mauritius’s most popular east-coast sights in one outing.

FAQ

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours.

What is included in the price?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional. You should provide your hotel or accommodation location when booking if you want pickup.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet a representative at the stated meeting point, where you receive a briefing before boarding the catamaran.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter services are available in English and French.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The route includes a snorkeling and swimming stop in the lagoon.

Is a vegetarian meal available?

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

What drinks are available?

The open bar includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are among the choices noted for the trip.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing.

What happens in extreme bad weather?

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