Ile Aux Cerfs: Catamaran Cruise, island, waterfalls, Lunch

The best part of this outing is the mix of open-water sailing and island time. You cruise from Trou d’Eau Douce along Mauritius’s east coast, stop at Grand River South East Waterfalls, then reach Ile aux Cerfs for swimming, snorkeling, and beach time. The barbecue lunch and drinks are included, which keeps the day simple.

I like the chance to see two of the east coast’s main sights in one trip, and I like that you spend much of the day on a catamaran rather than being shuttled from one short stop to another. The main consideration is Ile aux Cerfs itself: one French booking described the sailing as pleasant but felt the island was not worth a special detour. If beaches and a relaxed boat day are your aim, that matters less than it would to someone seeking a quiet or remote island.

Key points to know

• Six hours on the east coast: The trip begins and ends at Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce.
• Two major stops: You visit Grand River South East Waterfalls and land on Ile aux Cerfs.
• Swimming and snorkeling included: Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen for time in the water.
• Barbecue lunch on board: Food and drinks are part of the $64 price.
• No hotel transfers: You must make your own way to the Trou d’Eau Douce meeting point.
• Weather can change the plan: Rough seas may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce

This six-hour cruise starts at Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce, a useful point to note when comparing excursions. Hotel pickup is not included, so your transport to the meeting point is your responsibility. That can make this tour better value if you are already staying nearby, but less convenient if you are based far from the east coast.

Once aboard, the catamaran follows the coast with views of the ocean and mountains. The appeal here is the pace. You are not rushing between road stops. The boat gives you time to sit, watch the coast pass, and enjoy the sea before the sightseeing begins.

The crew is included, and live guiding is available in English, French, and Arabic. No individual guide names are provided, so you should book this for the route and boat experience rather than for a particular named guide.

The boat setting also shapes the day. You are sharing an open-water outing with other people, and conditions can change with the sea. The operator may alter the order of the stops according to the tide and water depth. That is practical rather than a flaw, but it means you should not expect the schedule to follow the same sequence every day.

Grand River South East Waterfalls by boat

The first main sight is Grand River South East Waterfalls. Reaching the falls by boat gives this stop a different feel from a roadside viewpoint. You approach along the river, with the water and surrounding scenery providing the setting before you continue to lunch and the island.

The waterfall visit is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a simple beach transfer. It adds a natural sight to the day and breaks up the time spent on Ile aux Cerfs. If your ideal Mauritius outing includes more than sand and swimming, this stop gives the itinerary useful variety.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The supplied details do not promise a long walk, a private viewing area, or an extended stop at the falls. The trip is built around a boat visit, not a full hiking excursion. Tide and water depth can also affect when this part takes place.

That flexibility is worth accepting. The exact order may change, but the key sights remain part of the plan unless weather makes the trip unsafe. Rough seas, rather than ordinary rain alone, are the main reason the cruise may be rescheduled.

A barbecue lunch on the catamaran

Lunch is served on board after the waterfall visit, with drinks included. This is a small but important part of the price. You do not need to arrange a separate meal during a six-hour outing, and you can keep enjoying the water and scenery instead of losing time at a restaurant.

The barbecue is also one of the most praised parts of the experience. One booking review specifically described the lunch as very good and the crew as attentive to passengers. That matches the practical strength of the setup: the meal is part of the boat day, not an extra purchase or a rushed stop ashore.

The information does not specify the menu, dietary choices, or drink list. If you have particular food needs, ask before booking rather than assuming the barbecue will suit you. For most people, though, an included lunch and drinks make the $64 price easier to justify.

A meal on a catamaran is best treated as casual. You are at sea, and conditions may affect how comfortable eating feels. If you are prone to seasickness, keep that in mind when planning your day, though no seasickness provisions are specified.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop. You leave the catamaran and have time to relax on the island, swim, and snorkel in the clear water around the shore. For many people, this is the part they picture when they think of an east coast boat trip in Mauritius.

The island works well for a simple day by the sea. You can spend your time in the water, sit on the beach, or enjoy the setting without a formal activity schedule. The included landing is important because it lets you experience the island directly rather than viewing it only from the boat.

The honest warning is that Ile aux Cerfs may feel too developed or too ordinary if you are searching for a secluded island experience. One French booking rated the sailing positively but said the island did not deserve a special detour. That is a useful distinction. The catamaran ride, waterfall visit, lunch, and swimming make up the full experience. The island alone may not justify the trip for you.

I would choose this outing if you want a well-rounded day with several elements. I would think twice if your only goal is to find the quietest beach in Mauritius. The itinerary is about combining popular coastal sights, not escaping all signs of organized tourism.

Snorkeling and swimming around the island

The cruise includes time to swim and snorkel around Ile aux Cerfs. Bring your own swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. The clear water and local marine life are central to this part of the day, though the supplied details do not specify the exact snorkeling location, equipment arrangements, or length of time in the water.

That last point matters. You should not book this expecting a specialist snorkeling expedition. It is a general catamaran cruise with snorkeling as one of several activities. You get the chance to see the water and marine life, but the day also includes sailing, a waterfall stop, lunch, and beach time.

I like this balance for couples, families, and mixed groups where not everyone wants the same thing. One person can enjoy the scenery, another can swim, and someone else can simply relax on the beach. The tradeoff is that dedicated snorkelers may want a tour built around reefs and longer water sessions.

Sunscreen is essential, especially during several hours on the water. A towel and swimwear are listed as items to bring, so pack them rather than assuming they will be provided. The activity information confirms drinks are included, but it does not confirm whether snorkeling equipment is supplied, so check that detail before departure.

What the $64 price really covers

At $64 per person, the price includes the catamaran trip, crew, lunch, drinks, the waterfall visit, and landing at Ile aux Cerfs. That is a fair bundle if you value convenience and want to see both the river falls and island in one six-hour outing.

The price is strongest when you compare it with arranging separate boat transport, meals, and sightseeing. You get a full route, a meal on board, and a crew to manage the day. It also saves you from piecing together several east coast activities yourself.

The value is less clear if you do not care about Ile aux Cerfs or if you are already planning another boat trip. The island is a major part of the outing, and one booking rated it as a weak reason to make the journey. In that case, the included lunch and waterfall stop may not be enough to make this your best choice.

The absence of hotel pickup is the main cost detail to add to your calculation. You need to reach Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce on your own. If that requires a long or costly transfer, the total price of the day will be higher than the advertised fare.

The crew and overall tone of the day

The crew receives the clearest praise in the available feedback. One French booking described the team as excellent, while another highlighted attentive care for passengers along with a good lunch. That suggests the human side of the trip is a real strength.

You should still separate good service from a private experience. This is an organized catamaran outing, not a custom charter. You will share the boat and follow the day’s general structure. The crew can make that feel easy and friendly, but they cannot remove the basic limits of a group cruise.

Guiding is available in Arabic, French, and English. That makes the experience accessible to a broad range of passengers, especially during the coastal sightseeing and waterfall visit. Since no guide names are supplied, there is no particular person to request.

The rating information gives the experience an overall score of 4 from 9 reviews. That points to a generally positive but not flawless outing. The pattern is useful: people praise the crew, lunch, and sailing, while the island itself may divide opinion.

Weather, tides, and a flexible schedule

The sea controls more of this day than a land tour. The operator can reschedule if conditions are adverse and the sea is rough. Ordinary rain alone is not listed as an automatic reason for a change, so a cloudy forecast does not necessarily cancel the cruise.

If the trip cannot run, an alternative date is offered. If no suitable date can be arranged for everyone, a full refund is offered. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps keep your plans flexible.

The order of the stops may change because of the tide and water depth. This means you might visit Ile aux Cerfs before the waterfalls, or the other way around. Pack your swim items where you can reach them and avoid building another fixed activity too close to the cruise.

This flexibility is normal for a water-based trip. It also explains why the itinerary should be viewed as a set of promised experiences rather than a strict minute-by-minute schedule.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise

I think this outing suits you best if you want:

• A full half-day or day-style boat experience without arranging each part yourself
• A mix of scenery, swimming, snorkeling, a waterfall, and beach time
• An included barbecue lunch and drinks
• A relaxed east coast excursion from Trou d’Eau Douce
• English, French, or Arabic guiding
• A group-friendly activity with several ways to enjoy the same day

It may suit you less if you want a remote beach, a quiet private boat, or a serious snorkeling trip. It is also less convenient if you are staying far from Trou d’Eau Douce and do not want to arrange transport to the meeting point.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want variety and ease for $64. The waterfalls, catamaran ride, barbecue, drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs stop make a sensible package, and the crew and lunch are the strongest parts of the experience.

Before booking, decide how much the island matters to you. If you are happy with a popular beach stop as part of a wider day, this is a good fit. If Ile aux Cerfs is the only reason you are considering it, the mixed view of the island is a warning to compare other options first.

FAQ

Where does the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts six hours.

What is included in the price?

The $64 price includes the catamaran trip, crew, lunch, drinks, a visit to Grand River South East Waterfalls, and landing on Ile aux Cerfs.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I swim and snorkel during the trip?

Yes. The itinerary includes opportunities to swim and snorkel in the waters around Ile aux Cerfs.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

What languages are available for the live guide?

The live guide is available in Arabic, French, and English.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The trip may be rescheduled if adverse weather creates rough sea conditions. An alternative date will be offered, or a full refund will be provided if a suitable replacement date cannot be arranged.