Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs catamaran cruise Lunch with BBQ

The best part of this day is the mix: you get a waterfall visit, lagoon swim, island beach stop, and onboard BBQ without changing boats or arranging separate excursions. I like the easy rhythm of it, especially the chance to see Grand River South East, eat lunch on the water, and finish with Mauritian Sega music.

I also like that the price includes a broad drink selection, including beer, wine, and local rum, along with soft drinks, juice, and water. The main drawback is timing at the jetty. You need to arrive by 9:00 a.m. for a 9:10 departure, and one account describes a long boarding delay, so the morning may not run with clockwork precision.

Key points to know before booking

• Grand River South East waterfall: The cruise begins with a visit to one of Mauritius’s best-known natural sights.
• Seven hours on the water: The day runs roughly from 9:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the catamaran as your base.
• BBQ and drinks included: Lunch is served onboard, with halal food and vegetarian options available by request.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: Expect white sand, palm trees, clear lagoon water, and time for swimming or browsing the craft market.
• Sega to finish the day: Local music, singing, and dancing give the return sail a distinctly Mauritian touch.

A full day from Trou d’Eau Douce

This excursion leaves from the Trou d’Eau Douce fishing port on Mauritius’s east coast. You should be at the dock around 9:00 a.m., because the boat is scheduled to leave at 9:10. That early arrival matters. The port can involve a little finding-your-way-around time, and one participant found the tour staff arrived only shortly before departure, making the meeting point unclear.

The cruise itself lasts about seven hours, generally from 9:10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. That is long enough to make the trip feel like a proper day out rather than a quick boat ride, but it also means you should be comfortable spending most of the day in the sun, around water, and on a moving vessel.

English and French are the listed guide languages. No individual guide names are provided, so the quality of the day will depend more on the onboard crew and sea conditions than on booking a named guide.

The catamaran is described as large, which should give you room to move around, sit in the sun, or find shade when you need it. Exact passenger capacity is not provided, so do not book this expecting a small, private sailing trip. It is better suited to people who enjoy a social boat outing with music, food, and a relaxed group atmosphere.

Grand River South East starts the sightseeing

The first major stop is Grand River South East waterfall. This is a useful opening to the day because it gives you a Mauritius sight beyond the beaches. You will see the river meeting the coast and the surrounding mountainous scenery from the water, an appealing change from a standard beach-only excursion.

The waterfall visit is part of the cruise rather than an optional extra. That helps the value of the $59 price, especially if you want several east-coast highlights in one outing.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is a boat tour stop, not a long inland waterfall walk or a private nature expedition. The exact time at the falls is not specified, and the overall schedule also includes snorkeling, lunch, Ile aux Cerfs, and the return entertainment. Think of it as a scenic boat-side visit that fits into a busy day.

Swimming and snorkeling in the lagoon

After the waterfall, the catamaran heads toward the coast for a snorkeling and swimming break. This is one of the most useful parts of the itinerary because it gives you time in the water before lunch and before the busier island stop.

The water is described as crystal clear, but visibility always depends on weather and sea conditions. Bring swimwear, a towel if your accommodation has provided one, sunglasses, and a camera that can handle a wet environment. The tour information specifically recommends swimwear, beachwear, sunglasses, and a camera.

The snorkeling stop is also where the schedule may feel tight. One account describes waiting for about an hour while people boarded, with a wish for that time to have been used for snorkeling instead. That does not mean every departure will be delayed, but it is a fair reminder that a group boat can lose time at the start.

If swimming is the main reason you are booking, keep this in mind. The cruise includes a water break, but it is not presented as a dedicated snorkeling tour with extended guided water time. If you mainly want scenery, food, and a taste of the lagoon, the balance should work well.

BBQ lunch with drinks on the catamaran

Lunch is served onboard after the swimming and snorkeling stop. The meal includes a BBQ, snacks, and a selection of drinks. Listed drinks include water, soft drinks, juice, beer, wine, and local rum.

That makes the price easier to assess. At $59 per person, you are not paying only for transport to Ile aux Cerfs. You are also covering the catamaran ride, the waterfall visit, the lagoon stop, lunch, and a generous drink package. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip and lunch, this is a practical package.

The food is halal, and vegetarian options are available on request. You should arrange the vegetarian meal in advance rather than assume a suitable plate will appear on the boat. The meal has received particularly strong praise for both taste and service, including a positive mention of the vegetarian food.

The relaxed setting is part of the appeal. You eat with the sea around you instead of stopping at a formal restaurant. That also means this is not the right choice if you want a quiet, polished dining experience. Music may start early, and one account found it a little loud. For many people, that is part of the fun. For others, especially anyone sensitive to noise, it is worth knowing before booking.

Ile aux Cerfs brings the postcard scenery

The main destination is Ile aux Cerfs, a small island known for white beaches, palm trees, and clear turquoise water. The island stop gives you time to leave the boat, stretch your legs, swim, and relax on the sand.

This is the part of the day most likely to match the classic Mauritius picture in your mind. The pale beach and bright lagoon make a strong setting for photographs, but the value is not only visual. After several hours around the catamaran, getting onto solid ground gives the day a welcome change of pace.

You can swim in the lagoon or simply find a place on the beach. The tour also allows time to visit a local craft market for Mauritian souvenirs. That is a small but useful addition if you want to take home something connected to the island rather than spend the entire stop in the water.

Watersports at Ile aux Cerfs are not included. If you want to add activities there, you will pay separately. The exact options and prices are not supplied, so I would treat the included beach and swimming time as the core experience and consider any watersports an optional extra.

The island stop also means the boat trip is not nonstop. If you prefer a full day sailing without getting off the catamaran, this may feel too interrupted. If you like variety, the sequence works well: waterfall, water break, lunch, beach, then music on the way home.

Mauritian Sega makes the return memorable

The cruise returns to Trou d’Eau Douce with local Mauritian Sega music. Singing and dancing are part of the entertainment, and the crew’s energy is one of the most praised parts of the experience.

Sega is not simply background music. It is a local music and dance tradition, and it gives the final stretch of the cruise a stronger sense of place than a generic playlist would. You can join in, watch from your seat, or just enjoy the atmosphere.

The crew is described as friendly, attentive, and fun. That human element matters on a seven-hour boat trip. A good crew can keep lunch moving, help with the practical details, and make a shared outing feel easy. Several accounts praise the staff, with special approval for the singing and dancing at the end.

The tradeoff is volume. Music begins early in the day, and it may be loud at times. I would not choose this excursion if you are looking for a silent sailing trip. Choose it for the social mood, local music, and good-natured fun.

How the $59 price works in practice

At $59 per person, this is a strong value if you want a broad day package. The fee covers the cruise, Grand River South East waterfall visit, snorkeling and swimming stop, BBQ lunch, listed drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs.

The unlimited drinks are a notable part of the price. Beer, wine, and local rum are included along with nonalcoholic choices, so you do not need to keep buying refreshments onboard. Water and juice also make it workable for anyone who does not want alcohol.

The price does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to reach the Trou d’Eau Douce fishing port yourself, or arrange transport separately. That extra cost can change the total value, particularly if your accommodation is far from the east coast.

Watersports on Ile aux Cerfs are also extra. The included plan is already full, so you do not need to add anything to have a complete day. Still, budget separately if you want more than swimming and beach time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. Booking at least two days ahead is advised, and checking the forecast is sensible, especially in November and December when rain and poor conditions are more likely.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and families who want a relaxed day with several highlights packed into one booking. It suits you if you like swimming, beach time, shared meals, drinks, and local music more than you like a tightly scripted sightseeing tour.

It is also a good match if you want to see Ile aux Cerfs without arranging separate transport, a boat charter, and lunch. The itinerary gives you a simple way to combine the island with the waterfall and lagoon.

You should think twice if you need precise timing. The scheduled departure is early, but boarding may take longer than expected. Arrive by 9:00 a.m., keep your plans after 3:30 p.m. flexible, and do not schedule another important activity immediately afterward.

The cruise is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people over 70. The operator also advises checking the weather before booking. If you are sensitive to heat, sun, or loud music, bring suitable clothing and be ready for a lively rather than quiet atmosphere.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear swimwear under your clothes or bring it where you can reach it easily. Beachwear, sunglasses, and a camera are specifically recommended.

I would also bring sun protection, though it is not listed in the supplied information, because the day places you around open water and white sand. Keep valuables limited and protect your phone or camera from splashes.

Arrive at the Trou d’Eau Douce fishing port by 9:00 a.m. The boat is scheduled to leave at 9:10, and missing the departure could mean missing the entire excursion. Since the meeting point is a working fishing port, allow time to identify the right boarding area.

Request vegetarian food when booking. The meal is halal, but special meal needs should still be stated in advance. Check the forecast before committing, with extra care for November and December.

Should you book this Mauritius cruise?

Book it if you want a social, all-in-one day on the east coast, with scenery, swimming, food, drinks, Ile aux Cerfs, and Sega entertainment. The $59 cost is appealing because so many of the day’s main expenses are included.

Skip it if you want a quiet private boat, a long uninterrupted snorkeling session, or perfectly controlled timing. You should also look elsewhere if you need hotel transport included or plan to add several watersports at the island.

For most people who want an easy taste of Mauritius by catamaran, I would book it, arrive early, request any food needs in advance, and treat the schedule as flexible. The friendly crew, halal BBQ, generous drink selection, and lively music give this outing its real personality.

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 9:00 a.m. The cruise is scheduled to leave the jetty at 9:10 a.m.

How long does the excursion last?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes BBQ lunch, snacks, soft drinks, juice, water, beer, wine, and local rum. The food is halal, and vegetarian options are available upon request.

Does the cruise visit Grand River South East waterfall?

Yes. Visiting Grand River South East waterfall is included before the snorkeling and swimming stop.

Are watersports at Ile aux Cerfs included?

No. Watersports at Ile aux Cerfs are not included in the cruise price.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the cruise is cancelled because of poor weather.