Catamaran Trip to Ile au Cerfs with Lunch and GRSE waterfall

The best part of this East Coast outing is the mix: a waterfall visit, a snorkeling stop, a barbecue lunch with drinks, and beach time on Ile aux Cerfs, all in one day. I like that the cruise is not just a sail past pretty water. You get several chances to get off the boat and see Mauritius from different angles.

I also like the easy holiday rhythm. You can snorkel, eat, listen to Mauritian music, and stretch out on a white-sand beach without arranging separate transport. The main consideration is that the boat used may not always be the advertised catamaran. One recent booking used a speedboat instead, which made the ride much faster and less relaxed for that passenger.

Key points at a glance

• Grand River South East waterfall: Reach the falls about 500 meters upstream from the river, with a short transfer by boat.
• Snorkeling in the lagoon: Stop for around 20 minutes to swim and look for tropical fish and coral. Dolphins may also appear.
• Barbecue lunch onboard: Expect chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad, subject to the day’s menu.
• Open bar: Beer, wine, soft drinks, and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served during the cruise.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: Use the island for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, walking, or available water sports.
• Optional hotel pickup: Pickup can be arranged, including from the Grand Baie area, but you must provide your accommodation details when booking.

A full East Coast day for $69

At $69 per person, this is priced as a full-day Mauritius outing rather than a simple boat transfer. The cost includes the waterfall visit, catamaran cruise, snorkeling stop, lunch, drinks, guide, entertainment, and time on Ile aux Cerfs.

That matters because separate boat trips, meals, and transport can quickly add up. You are paying for convenience as much as scenery. The day is arranged so you do not need to work out how to reach the waterfall, find a lunch stop, and then continue to the island.

I would book this for someone who wants a broad taste of the East Coast in one outing. It suits couples, families, and groups who prefer a social boat day to a quiet private charter. It is less suitable if you want long, unhurried time at each stop or a guaranteed catamaran experience with no change of vessel.

The advertised duration is six to seven hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper day on the water, but short enough to leave room for dinner or another evening plan. Exact starting times depend on availability, so check the date before booking.

Starting at Trou D’Eau Douce

The meeting point is in Trou D’Eau Douce, where a representative briefs you before boarding. Arrive on time. The instructions specifically warn that a late arrival can mean missing the excursion, and a boat departure is not as flexible as a museum entrance.

Hotel pickup is optional. If you stay in the Grand Baie area, pickup can be arranged, and one recent booking had a driver named Yash who communicated clearly before collecting the passengers. The driver went to the hotel reception, which is useful when you are carrying towels, cameras, and beach gear.

You must give your hotel or accommodation location at the time of booking if you want pickup. Since the transfer is optional, confirm the arrangements rather than assuming transport is included in the $69 price.

At the dock, you may be moved by speedboat before reaching the main catamaran. That happened during one outing, and it is worth knowing in advance that the actual boat arrangement can vary. The advertised experience is built around a 45-foot catamaran, but the operator may use a speedboat for part of the transfer or, in some cases, for the main trip.

Grand River South East waterfall

The day begins with Grand River South East waterfall, usually called GRSE by visitors. The falls are found about 500 meters upstream from the river mouth, so you do not simply view them from the open sea.

The transfer to the waterfall can take around 10 to 15 minutes by speedboat, based on one account of the outing. That short ride adds its own excitement and gives you a closer look at the riverbanks. Monkeys were visible during one visit, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The waterfall itself is not the only point. This stop breaks up the boat time and gives you a short freshwater and river setting before the open lagoon. You should think of it as a scenic visit rather than a long walk or a strenuous nature excursion. The available information does not indicate a lengthy hike, so wear comfortable shoes but do not expect a full trail experience.

A practical note: one passenger felt there was too much time spent eating before moving on to the waterfall, while another part of the outing had a shorter 10 to 15 minute boat transfer to the falls. Timing may vary from one departure to another. If you prefer a tightly timed schedule, ask the crew about the order and length of each stop at the start.

Snorkeling in the clear lagoon

After the waterfall, the boat sails into the lagoon for a swimming and snorkeling break. The stop is reported to last about 20 minutes on one outing. That is enough for a quick look at tropical fish and coral, but it is not a long marine-life session.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. Comfortable clothing is important because the boat, water, and beach portion all call for a casual outfit. A camera is also listed among the recommended items, though you should protect it from spray and water.

The snorkeling stop is one of the most valuable parts of the trip because it changes the pace. You are not only looking at the lagoon from above. You get a chance to see the marine life directly, with coral reefs and tropical fish visible in the water.

One booking had a dolphin sighting during the cruise. Treat that as a lucky extra, not a promised feature. The dependable part is the scheduled swimming and snorkeling stop.

You should also keep expectations sensible. A short group stop may not suit an experienced snorkeler who wants a long session or specialized guidance. It works better for a first look at Mauritius’s lagoon and for mixed groups where some people want to swim while others prefer to stay aboard.

Barbecue lunch on the catamaran

Lunch is served onboard after snorkeling. The meal is barbecue style, with a selection reported to include chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad.

That menu gives you a more substantial meal than the light snacks often served on boat trips. It also means you can continue enjoying the water without spending part of the day searching for a restaurant on the island.

The food received strong praise, but the exact menu may change. If you have a food allergy or illness, notify the operator in advance. A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking, so do not wait until lunchtime to mention it.

The lunch timing is one point to watch. A passenger felt that two hours for eating was longer than needed and that 60 to 90 minutes would have been enough. That may not reflect every departure, but it tells you the meal can become a major part of the schedule.

I see this as a benefit if you want a slow, social day with drinks and music. If your priority is maximum beach time or a longer snorkeling stop, a generous lunch period may feel like time taken from the island.

Open drinks, music, and the social side

The open bar includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Beer, wine, and soft drinks were available on one outing, with drinks offered throughout the trip.

This inclusion helps explain the price. You do not have to buy each drink separately while moving between the waterfall, lagoon, and island. It also shapes the mood: this is a social cruise with music, jokes, local tales, and entertainment from the crew.

The atmosphere will depend on the group aboard. Some people will enjoy the easygoing music and open bar. Others may prefer a quiet sail. You should choose this trip for a friendly, shared boat experience, not for solitude.

The crew speaks English and French, and the guide is included. The crew also provides local stories and music during the return sail. That small cultural touch gives the trip more character than a simple transport service, though the main appeal remains the scenery and swimming.

Drink responsibly, especially after snorkeling and in the sun. The cruise provides water and beverages, but you still need sunscreen and sensible breaks from direct sun.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop and the part most people picture when they imagine this outing. The island sits near Mauritius’s East Coast and offers white sand, clear water, and space for a relaxed afternoon.

Once you arrive, you can walk along the beach, swim, snorkel, or sit in the sun. The island also has water sports and other facilities, though the package does not specify which activities are included in the $69 price. Plan to pay separately for any optional activity unless the crew tells you otherwise.

This is a useful stop because it gives you freedom. The waterfall and snorkeling break follow a set plan, while the island lets you choose your own pace. You can stay active in the water or simply find a beach spot and let the day slow down.

Do not expect the island to feel like an untouched private beach. Ile aux Cerfs is a popular attraction with facilities and water sports. Its appeal is easy access to beautiful sand and swimming, not complete isolation.

The amount of time on the island is not fixed in the provided details, so ask the guide when you arrive and when you must return to the boat. That simple question prevents you from losing track of time while walking or swimming.

The sail back to Trou D’Eau Douce

The return trip is intended to be part of the fun, not just a ride back. The crew may play Mauritian music, share local tales, and keep the mood light with jokes.

This final sail can be one of the nicest parts of the day because the major stops are finished. You can sit back, look at the coast, and talk with the people in your group. If the sea is lively, the open-air catamaran can also feel more active than a land tour.

The boat substitution is the main practical uncertainty. One passenger received a speedboat instead of a catamaran and felt the driver traveled too fast. A speedboat can be thrilling, but it does not offer the same space, shade, or relaxed sailing feel as a 45-foot catamaran.

If the catamaran itself is important to you, confirm the vessel with the operator before departure. If you mainly want the waterfall, snorkeling, lunch, and Ile aux Cerfs, the wider experience may still work well even if the transport changes.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack lightly, but bring the basics:

• Comfortable shoes for the meeting point and waterfall visit
• A towel for swimming
• Sunscreen and comfortable clothes
• A camera, preferably protected from water
• Any information about food allergies or dietary needs

Arrive at the meeting point on time. The representative will explain boarding, and the excursion cannot wait indefinitely for late arrivals.

If you need vegetarian food, mention it when booking. The same applies to allergies or illness. The operator states that a vegetarian option is available, but advance notice is the sensible way to make sure the kitchen is prepared.

Bad weather can change the plan. In extreme conditions, the excursion may be canceled and rescheduled, or you can receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

I would recommend it to you if you want several Mauritius highlights in one organized outing. It is especially useful when you have limited time and would rather combine the GRSE waterfall, lagoon, lunch, and Ile aux Cerfs than arrange separate trips.

It also suits people who enjoy a social atmosphere. The open bar, music, jokes, and shared barbecue meal make it more lively than a quiet sightseeing cruise.

Families may appreciate the range of choices, since one person can swim, another can snorkel, and someone else can relax onboard or on the beach. Couples should book it if they are comfortable sharing the boat with other people and do not need a private setting.

I would hesitate if you want a private, slow-paced sailing trip, a long snorkeling session, or total certainty about the vessel. The 20-minute snorkeling stop is fairly brief, and the boat may be changed. You should also consider your comfort with sun exposure and a full six to seven hours of activity.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip?

Book it if you want good variety for $69 and like the idea of lunch, drinks, music, swimming, a waterfall, and a famous beach island in one day. The food, friendly crew, clear water, and relaxing island stop are the strongest reasons to go.

Before paying, confirm three things: your pickup arrangement, the expected boat type, and the timing of the lunch and island stop. Those details matter more here than the basic sightseeing list.

I would choose this outing for a first visit to Mauritius’s East Coast, especially when convenience matters. I would skip it in favor of a private charter if your ideal day is quiet, flexible, and free from group timing.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The excursion lasts approximately 6 to 7 hours.

Where does the experience take place?

The trip is based around Trou D’Eau Douce and the East Coast of Mauritius, including Grand River South East and Ile aux Cerfs.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is optional, not automatically included. You should provide your hotel or accommodation location when booking if you want pickup.

What languages are spoken?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served onboard.

What food may be served?

The reported barbecue menu includes chicken skewers, fish, chicken sausage, rice, pasta, salad, and potato salad. The exact menu may vary.

Is a vegetarian meal available?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available if you notify the operator when booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Open bar service includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Beer, wine, and soft drinks have been available.

Is snorkeling included?

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

What happens in bad weather?

If extreme bad weather makes the excursion unsafe, it may be canceled and rescheduled, or you may receive a full refund.