Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Trip w/ Lunch, Drinks & Transfer

The best part of this day is the mix: a catamaran cruise, a short speedboat ride to Grand River South East waterfall, a swim stop, and several hours on Ile aux Cerfs. You get scenery, food, music, and time to do very little, which is often the right plan for a beach day.

I especially like the included hotel transfer and the unlimited drinks, since the pickup areas are far from Trou d’Eau Douce for some visitors. The crew also serves a proper BBQ lunch with fish, chicken, hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. The main caution is weather: one booking was cancelled twice, so keep plans flexible and confirm the boat is running.

Key points to know before booking

• Grand River South East comes first: A speedboat takes you roughly 500 metres upstream to the waterfall before the catamaran heads toward the island.
• The day runs from about 8:30 to 16:00: Pickup is followed by boarding at Trou d’Eau Douce and a full day on the water.
• Lunch is more than a snack: Expect grilled fish, chicken, hotdogs, salads, saffron rice, and vegetarian options.
• Drinks are included: Soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum are available without an extra charge.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop: You can swim, stroll, relax, or pay separately for activities such as parasailing and tube riding.
• Bring water shoes: Coral and sea urchins may be underfoot around the island, making bare feet a poor choice.

A full day from hotel door to Trou d’Eau Douce

The day begins with pickup at your hotel or Airbnb in places such as Grand Baie, Pereybere, Cap Malheureux, Mon Choisy, Balaclava, Pointe aux Piments, Pointe aux Biches, Triolet, and Trou-aux-Biches. You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to Trou d’Eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast.

The stated arrival time is around 8:30 in the morning, with the catamaran leaving at 9:00. That early start matters. You are not simply meeting a boat at a beach resort. You are crossing much of the island if you stay in the north or northwest, so the transfer saves you from arranging a taxi and finding the pier yourself.

The driver is also meant to help you get on the correct boat. That is a useful detail at a busy departure point, especially if several boats are leaving around the same time. The return transfer brings you back to your accommodation after the boat reaches Trou d’Eau Douce at about 16:00.

The outing is sold as an eight-hour experience, but your total day will be longer if you are staying far from the east coast. Pack breakfast or accept the light morning snacks on board. You will want sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, and a camera.

The catamaran ride across the east coast

Once aboard, the pace is easy. The crew plays local Mauritian music, tells local stories and jokes, and serves drinks through the day. English, French, German, and Italian are listed as supported languages, although the exact language mix can depend on the crew operating your boat.

The catamaran gives you room to sit, look out over the water, and move around more freely than you would on a small speedboat. The route passes through clear lagoon water with views toward Mauritius’s mountainous interior. This is not a quiet sightseeing boat in the strict sense. Music, conversation, food, and drinks are part of the atmosphere.

That social style will suit you if you want a relaxed group outing rather than a private cruise. If you are hoping for a silent morning of reading, the music and general activity may feel less peaceful. The boat also spends a fair amount of time moving between stops, so bring a cover-up and keep your belongings secure.

A practical point: one account describes the main outing as being done by speedboat rather than catamaran. The advertised plan is a catamaran cruise, but boat arrangements can change. If the type of boat matters to you, confirm it before departure.

Grand River South East waterfall by speedboat

The first stop is Grand River South East waterfall, reached by a short speedboat journey of about 500 metres upstream. This adds a welcome change of pace after boarding the catamaran.

The riverbanks are lined with large old trees. You might spot monkeys moving through the branches and fruit bats resting high above the river. The waterfall itself is attractive, but the stop is relatively short compared with the time spent at Ile aux Cerfs. Think of it as a scenic opening stop, not a long hike or a major nature excursion.

The speedboat ride gets you close to the falls in a way the larger catamaran cannot. It also means you need to step between two types of boat during the morning. Follow the crew’s instructions and expect a little spray.

After the waterfall, you return to the catamaran and continue through the lagoon. The sequence works well: river, open water, swim stop, lunch, then the beach island.

Snorkeling and swimming in the lagoon

The crew stops in clear water for swimming and snorkeling before lunch. The area is described as having coral reefs and tropical fish, so bring your own mask if you prefer a familiar fit. The tour includes life jackets, but snorkeling equipment is not specifically listed among the included items.

Conditions can affect how much you see. Water clarity, wind, and sea conditions are not fixed, and a boat trip should not be booked as a guaranteed wildlife encounter. Still, this is a useful chance to get into the water without paying for a separate snorkeling excursion.

You should bring a towel and sunscreen, and water shoes are a smart addition. They are especially useful later at Ile aux Cerfs, where coral and sea urchins may be underfoot. Flip-flops are fine on the boat but less helpful at the water’s edge.

The swim stop is also your chance to cool off before lunch. If you do not want to snorkel, you can stay aboard or simply swim with a life jacket. The supplied details do not promise a long snorkeling session, so do not expect the full day to revolve around reefs.

BBQ lunch and unlimited drinks on board

Food is one of the stronger parts of the package. The BBQ includes fresh fish, chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and the food is halal.

A light breakfast or morning snack is also included. The main meal is served after snorkeling, either on the beach or on the catamaran. The exact setting may depend on the day’s arrangement, but either way, you do not need to search for an expensive lunch on Ile aux Cerfs.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, juice, beer, wine, and local rum. That helps explain the $115 price. A cheaper boat ticket can look attractive until you add transport, lunch, and drinks separately. Here, the package covers the main costs of the day.

The alcohol is a pleasant extra, but pace yourself. You are in the sun, on a moving boat, and swimming is part of the outing. Water is included, so keep drinking it even if the beer and rum are flowing.

Food quality can vary with the crew and conditions, but the BBQ is prepared on the day rather than being a simple packed lunch. If you have dietary needs beyond vegetarian food or halal requirements, ask in advance. The supplied information only confirms those two options.

Ile aux Cerfs and its postcard beaches

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event. As the catamaran approaches, you see palm trees, white sand, and clear turquoise water. The island is set up for a comfortable beach day, with space to swim, stroll, sunbathe, or sit with a drink.

This stop gives you more freedom than the waterfall and snorkeling sections. You can choose your own pace instead of following the group from one sight to the next. I like that balance. The morning has a schedule, but the island allows for a few hours of unhurried time.

The trade-off is that Ile aux Cerfs is a popular recreation stop rather than a remote island escape. Facilities and optional activities are part of the appeal, but the setting may feel less secluded than the promotional images suggest. You are paying for easy access to a famous beach, not solitude.

Water sports are not included. Parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk are listed as optional activities, so budget extra if you want more than swimming and walking. The package price covers the catamaran day, food, drinks, transfer, and island visit, not these add-ons.

For a simple visit, I would spend part of the stop walking along the beach and part in the water. Take your camera, but protect it from spray during the boat transfers. Water shoes are particularly useful here because coral and sea urchins can make shallow water uncomfortable.

Is $115 good value for Mauritius?

At $115 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Ile aux Cerfs. It can still be good value if you use the included parts: return transport, the catamaran, waterfall visit, snorkeling stop, BBQ lunch, and drinks.

The transfer has real value for anyone staying in northern Mauritius. You avoid arranging transport to Trou d’Eau Douce, and the driver is expected to return you to the same general pickup area. For a couple or family, that convenience may be worth more than trying to assemble the day independently.

The drinks also matter. Beer, wine, local rum, juice, soft drinks, and water can add up quickly on an island excursion. You are not paying only for a boat seat.

The value drops if you do not drink, dislike group boat trips, or plan to spend the whole day quietly on one beach. You may also feel the price more sharply if poor weather leads to cancellation and rescheduling. One booking record describes two cancellations and a delayed refund complaint, while other experiences went ahead smoothly. That is not a reason to avoid the trip, but it is a reason to confirm the weather and refund process.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it for couples, families, and first-time visitors who want a broad sample of Mauritius’s east coast in one day. You get several distinct experiences without arranging separate transport or restaurants.

It is also a good choice if you like a friendly, social boat. Music, jokes, drinks, and a shared BBQ create a holiday atmosphere. The crew is expected to explain the plan in English and French, with additional listed language support in German and Italian.

You may want another type of outing if you prefer a private boat, a quiet nature trip, or serious snorkeling. The island stop is designed for relaxation and optional recreation, not for a long guided study of marine life. Also keep in mind that the day includes transfers and several changes between boat types and locations.

The experience suits mixed groups well. One person can swim, another can relax with lunch, and another can pay for parasailing or tube riding. Nobody has to take part in every activity.

Practical advice before you go

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a towel, and a camera. Add water shoes, since coral and sea urchins are a specific concern at Ile aux Cerfs.

Wear a swimsuit under light clothing. You will move between the catamaran, speedboat, lagoon, beach, and possibly optional water sports. Keep a dry layer for the return ride.

Ask about the boat and weather before setting out. The standard plan is a catamaran, but one account records a speedboat substitution. Weather can also cancel or reschedule the trip, so do not place this outing on the only day you have available for a major connection.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful, particularly during a changeable weather period. The operator is Mauritius Luxury Tours & Transfer.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip?

Book it if you want an all-in-one Mauritius day with hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, waterfall, snorkeling, and beach time. The strongest points are the easy transport, the filling BBQ, the relaxed crew-led atmosphere, and the chance to see several east-coast highlights without extra planning.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed catamaran, quiet surroundings, or a fully private experience. Confirm the boat arrangement, watch the weather, and bring water shoes. At $115, it is a fair package for a full day, especially if you will use the lunch, drinks, and transfer. I would choose it for a sociable beach day, not for a secluded island adventure.

FAQ

How long does the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. The catamaran schedule is roughly 8:30 in the morning until 16:00, including transport to and from Trou d’Eau Douce.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from listed areas in northern Mauritius, including Grand Baie, Pereybere, Cap Malheureux, Mon Choisy, Balaclava, Pointe aux Piments, Pointe aux Biches, Triolet, and Trou-aux-Biches.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The catamaran departs from Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius. Pickup is arranged before you reach the departure point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes fresh BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices are available, and the food is halal.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks include water, soft drinks, juice, beer, wine, and local rum.

Is snorkeling included?

A snorkeling and swimming stop is part of the itinerary. Life jackets are included, but snorkeling equipment is not specifically listed among the inclusions.

Are water sports included in the price?

No. Activities such as parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk are optional and not included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera. Water shoes are also a sensible choice because coral and sea urchins may be present near Ile aux Cerfs.

What languages are available?

The tour lists English, French, German, and Italian as available languages.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.