Mauritius: Catamaran Day Cruise to lle aux Cerfs with Lunch

Mauritius’ east coast is best seen from the water, and this six-hour cruise gives you a full day of lagoon scenery without rushing from one land attraction to the next. You sail from Trou d’Eau Douce to the GRSE waterfalls, stop to snorkel, eat a BBQ lunch on board, and finish with time on Ile aux Cerfs.

I like the friendly crew and generous food, praised again and again for attentive service, good portions, and a relaxed mood. I also like the room on the catamaran. You can sunbathe, sit with your plate, listen to music, or simply watch the coast slide past. The main catch is the atmosphere: music can be loud, alcohol is served from the morning, and the snorkeling and waterfall stops may feel brief.

Key points at a glance

• A proper six-hour outing: You get sailing time, a waterfall stop, snorkeling, lunch, and about two hours on Ile aux Cerfs.
• A well-liked crew: Aldo is singled out for attentive help, while the wider crew earns praise for hospitality and organization.
• BBQ lunch included: Expect fish, chicken skewers, salads, garlic bread, pasta, rice, and fresh pineapple, plus drinks.
• A social boat, not a silent sail: Music and an encouraged party mood suit outgoing visitors more than people seeking total quiet.
• Snorkeling depends on conditions: The water can hold plenty of sea life, but currents may affect comfort and visibility.
• Bring extra money for Ile aux Cerfs: The island’s food, drinks, and water activities are not included in the cruise price.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce

You meet at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs departure point in Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’ east coast. Look for the jetty next to the flag of Mauritius. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the village.

That meeting point matters. Trou d’Eau Douce is the natural launch pad for the east-coast lagoon, and the cruise gets you onto the water quickly. You are not spending the morning on a long transfer before the actual outing begins.

The catamaran is broad enough to offer several ways to spend the day. You can stretch out on deck, find a shady place to sit, or stay near the front for the best views while sailing. The boat has room for lunch as well, so you do not need to balance a plate on your knees or rush through the meal.

The mood is social. Music plays during the cruise, drinks are available, and the crew works to keep people involved. That is a plus if you want a cheerful day with some energy. If you picture a quiet sailing lesson with only the sound of the wind, this is not that experience.

Sailing past Ile aux Cerfs

The first major part of the trip is the cruise through the east-coast lagoon toward Ile aux Cerfs. The island is a familiar Mauritius postcard scene, with pale sand, clear water, and beaches that invite you to slow down.

You get roughly an hour of sailing and scenic views before the other stops. This is not wasted time between activities. The boat ride is one of the better reasons to choose a catamaran over a faster speedboat. You have space to sit, talk, take photographs, and enjoy the water without being bounced around at speed.

The crew may raise the sails on the return journey when conditions allow. That gives the trip a more genuine sailing feel, even though much of the route is about relaxed cruising rather than hands-on sailing.

The water around the island is the star. Its color changes with the depth and light, from pale green near the shallows to stronger blue farther out. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole crossing behind it. The pleasure here is the easy pace.

The GRSE waterfall stop

The catamaran heads toward Grand River South East, commonly shortened to GRSE, for a brief look at the waterfall. The stop lasts around 20 minutes, including the photo opportunity and passage near the falls.

The waterfall is reached from the water, not by a long walk inland. You see it from the boat as part of the river and coastal scenery. Monkeys may be visible near the waterfall, which adds an entertaining touch if they happen to appear.

This is also the part of the outing that needs the most realistic expectations. The waterfall stop can feel short, and several boats may gather in the same area. You are unlikely to get a long, quiet look at the falls. Treat it as a scenic pause and photo stop rather than the main event of the day.

Tides affect the order of the stops, so the waterfall may come before or after snorkeling. That flexibility helps the crew work with sea conditions, but it means the exact sequence can change.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

The snorkeling stop lasts about 40 minutes. The crew supplies the equipment, so you do not need to pack your own mask and snorkel unless you prefer using personal gear.

The water is warm enough for snorkeling even during the Mauritius winter season, according to the practical experience shared by past customers. You can expect tropical fish and some sea life, but the quality of the stop depends on the exact location, current, and visibility on the day.

This is not promoted as Mauritius’ finest reef excursion, and you should not book it with that expectation. One stop has been praised as attractive, while another has been criticized for a strong current and less impressive coral. The crew can choose a suitable spot, but nature controls the final result.

If you are not a confident swimmer, stay within your comfort level and listen closely to the crew. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the experience is also listed as unsuitable for pregnant women.

For many people, the snorkeling is a pleasant extra rather than the centerpiece. The catamaran ride, lunch, and Ile aux Cerfs time carry more weight in the overall day.

BBQ lunch with fish, chicken, and fresh pineapple

Lunch is served on board during the cruise toward Ile aux Cerfs. The menu includes fish, chicken skewers, salads, garlic bread, pasta, rice, and fresh pineapple. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request, so state your needs when booking.

The meal is practical rather than fine dining. You get a filling spread that works well after time in the sun and water. Fish is a favorite, and several people have singled out the quality and quantity of the food. A vegetarian or gluten-free option makes the outing easier for mixed groups.

Drinks are included. The information provided lists water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and other available drinks, and past experiences describe generous supplies. Alcohol is served from the morning, which is worth knowing before you choose this trip for a family day or a quiet escape.

There may also be a samosa on the return journey. It is a small detail, but it shows how the cruise is built around keeping everyone fed and comfortable rather than treating lunch as an afterthought.

The lunch setting is part of the appeal. You eat with the lagoon around you, rather than leaving the boat for a restaurant. There is enough room to sit and eat comfortably, and the broad deck helps the meal feel unhurried.

Two hours on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs receives about two hours of free time, though the exact time in some departures has felt closer to an hour and a half. That is enough for a walk, a swim, and a little beach time, but it goes quickly.

The island is the most flexible part of the outing. You can stay near the landing area, walk farther along the beach, search for quieter coves, or simply sit with a drink. One useful tip is to walk around 20 minutes farther along the beach. The scenery becomes more rewarding, and you may find smaller bays away from the first stretch.

Do not assume every island activity is included. Parasailing and other water sports cost extra, and the price can be higher at the operator’s chosen stop than on Ile aux Cerfs itself. If you want to try parasailing, compare the price and duration before paying. One past experience found the off-island option shorter and more expensive.

The island can also be busier than its photographs suggest. Its beauty is real, but you share it with other boat groups. The best use of your time is to accept the public-beach setting, then walk away from the first landing area instead of expecting solitude right beside the jetty.

Pack some extra cash if you plan to buy anything on the island. Prices for food, drinks, and activities can be higher than you expect, and those costs are not part of the $65 cruise price.

The return sail to Trou d’Eau Douce

After the island visit, you return to the catamaran for roughly an hour back to Trou d’Eau Douce. This is when the trip settles into its easiest rhythm.

You can dry off, enjoy another drink, listen to music, and watch the coast from the deck. When the sails are raised, the return feels especially pleasant. It is a good time to stop trying to fit more sightseeing into the day.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Aldo has been especially noted for checking that people are comfortable and enjoying themselves. Other crew members are described as helpful, friendly, and accommodating, including in situations where transport problems threatened to make the day difficult.

That service matters because a boat outing depends on small practical details. Equipment must be handed out, lunch organized, drinks kept moving, and people guided through the water stops. Here, hospitality is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular cruise.

Is $65 good value?

At $65 per person, the trip offers solid value if you want several east-coast highlights in one outing. The price covers the six-hour catamaran cruise, professional crew, drinks, snorkeling equipment, BBQ lunch, GRSE waterfall visit, and Ile aux Cerfs stop.

You would pay separately for transport to the jetty, island purchases, and optional water sports. That does not make the cruise poor value, but it changes the final budget. Add hotel transport if needed, and keep extra money for the island.

The strongest value comes from the combination. A speedboat may get you between stops faster, but the catamaran gives you more room and a more sociable setting. A beach day alone may offer more time on the sand, but it will not include the waterfall, snorkeling, sailing, and lunch in one package.

I would choose it for a couple, family, or group that wants a convenient day on the water and does not mind sharing the boat. I would look elsewhere if your priority is a small private charter, serious reef snorkeling, or a quiet, alcohol-free atmosphere.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This outing suits you if you like a day with a clear plan but enough free time to relax. You get several stops without having to organize boats, snorkeling gear, food, and island transport separately.

It works particularly well for:

• First-time visitors who want a broad taste of the east coast
• Couples looking for a scenic day with food and drinks included
• Families who appreciate an organized schedule, provided everyone is comfortable with the boat setting
• Groups who enjoy music and meeting other people
• Anyone who values a generous lunch and attentive crew

You may want a different experience if you dislike loud music, want long stretches of silence, or hope to spend most of the day snorkeling. The waterfall is short, the snorkeling can be affected by current, and the island visit is not long enough for every beach and activity.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your route to the jetty at Trou d’Eau Douce carefully. The cruise is available with English and French-speaking guides, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your island plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want good value and a lively day on the water. The best parts are the spacious catamaran, the warm service, the included meal and drinks, and the chance to combine GRSE, snorkeling, and Ile aux Cerfs without arranging separate excursions.

Go in with sensible expectations. The waterfall is brief, snorkeling is condition-dependent, and the island can be busy. The music and drinks create a party-friendly mood, not a hushed sailing trip.

For $65, this is a strong choice for a relaxed east-coast sampler. You get the most from it by walking farther along Ile aux Cerfs, bringing extra cash for optional activities, and treating the sailing and lunch as equal parts of the experience rather than mere transport between attractions.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, next to the flag of Mauritius.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to the jetty.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts six hours, including the sailing, waterfall visit, snorkeling, lunch, Ile aux Cerfs stop, and return to Trou d’Eau Douce.

What food is included?

The BBQ lunch includes fish, chicken skewers, salads, garlic bread, pasta, rice, and fresh pineapple.

Are vegetarian and gluten-free meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available on request.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included, with water, soft drinks, beer, and wine listed among the available choices.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the cruise price.

How much time do you get on Ile aux Cerfs?

The planned visit is about two hours, although the exact time can vary with the schedule and conditions.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Extra cash is useful for purchases or optional activities on Ile aux Cerfs.