Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise with Lunch

The best part of this day is the easy rhythm: a catamaran ride along Mauritius’s east coast, a waterfall stop, time in the sea, and lunch served on board. I especially like the Grand River South East Waterfalls visit and the three-course BBQ with chicken, fish, sausage, salad, dessert, and drinks included.

You should know that the day depends heavily on wind, tide, and sea conditions. On some departures, snorkeling may not be possible, and one reported outing had only a brief waterfall stop and about 90 minutes at Ile aux Cerfs. The boat may also pause for optional water activities sold by a partner.

Key points at a glance

• Seven hours from Trou d’Eau Douce: The trip begins and ends at the same village, with no hotel transfer included in the base price.
• Grand River South East Waterfalls: You’ll view the falls from the water, although the length of this stop can vary.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: Expect sand, swimming, and time to relax, but do not count on having the entire day on the island.
• BBQ lunch and drinks aboard: Chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are included.
• Snorkeling depends on conditions: Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and your own equipment if you want to snorkel.
• Best for active beach days: The trip suits people comfortable with boat travel, swimming, sun, and changing plans.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce

Your day starts in Trou d’Eau Douce, a village on the east coast of Mauritius. This is the launch point for the catamaran, so you need to arrange your own way there unless you pay extra for a separate hotel pickup and drop-off.

Once aboard, the boat heads along the coast toward Ile aux Cerfs. The ride gives you open views of the sea, the coast, and the mountains farther inland. It is not a quiet sightseeing cruise in the museum-and-guide sense. The main attraction is the simple pleasure of being on the water, with the route, weather, and tide shaping the day.

The catamaran has space to sit in the sun and areas with some shelter, but available shade may feel limited when the boat is full. If you are sensitive to heat, bring a hat and use sunscreen before boarding. A change of clothes and a towel are also sensible, since swimming and sea spray are part of the plan.

English and French are available for the live guiding. No guide names are provided, but the crew handles the day’s stops, meals, drinks, and general flow of the cruise.

The Grand River South East Waterfalls stop

One of the trip’s most distinctive stops is Grand River South East Waterfalls, often shortened to GRSE Waterfalls. The falls are reached from the water, where fresh water drops through a wooded setting before meeting the river.

This stop adds something different from a standard beach day. You are not simply moving from boat to beach. You get a short look at one of the east coast’s natural sights, with the catamaran bringing you close enough to take photographs and appreciate the falling water.

Keep your expectations measured. The listed stop is part of the route, but the exact sequence and length can change with tide and water depth. On one reported outing, the waterfall viewing lasted only about three minutes. That does not make the stop pointless, but it means you should think of it as a quick scenic visit rather than a long walk or extended shore excursion.

If the waterfall is a major reason you want to book, ask about the expected timing on the day. The crew may alter the route to keep the boat safe and moving through suitable water.

Swimming and snorkeling near Ile aux Cerfs

The sea around Ile aux Cerfs is the heart of the activity. You can swim, spend time in the water, and try snorkeling when conditions allow. The island’s clear coastal water gives you a chance to see marine life below the surface, although no specific species or reef site is promised.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins if you have them, or be prepared to enjoy the water without snorkeling if equipment is unavailable. This small detail matters because the activity description includes snorkeling, but the included list clearly excludes the gear.

Weather can change the water experience. One outing was unable to offer snorkeling, and the designated swimming area was considered too windy and unsafe by the person who booked it. That is an important warning, not a minor footnote. A catamaran day is dependent on sea conditions, and the crew may cancel a water stop or move it to a safer location.

You should be a confident swimmer in open water and comfortable with a wet, active day. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users.

What to expect at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is known for its pale sand and inviting water, and it gives the tour its biggest beach break. After the boat reaches the island, you can walk ashore, swim, sunbathe, or simply sit by the water.

The island is attractive, but it is not an untouched private beach. One recent assessment found it less idyllic than expected. That is fair advice for planning your day: enjoy Ile aux Cerfs for its scenery and easy access from the sea, but do not picture a completely secluded island.

Time on the island may also be shorter than you expect. One reported schedule allowed about 90 minutes there. That is enough for a swim, a quick walk, and a little sand time, but not enough for a slow island afternoon. Much of the day is spent aboard the catamaran or moving between stops.

If your main aim is to spend several hours on Ile aux Cerfs, this may not be the right format. If you want a coastal cruise that includes the island as one part of a larger day, the timing makes more sense.

The BBQ lunch served on board

Lunch is one of the strongest practical features of the package. Rather than leaving you to find food on the island, the crew serves a three-course meal on the catamaran.

The menu includes BBQ chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks. That combination makes the $64 price easier to assess, since the fare includes both the boat trip and a substantial meal with drinks.

I like the setting. Eating on board keeps the day moving and lets you enjoy the sea views while you take a break from swimming. It also removes the need to budget for a separate island lunch, although you should still confirm any personal dietary needs before booking because no special menu information is provided.

Alcoholic drinks are included, but remember that the day also involves a boat, sun, and swimming. Pace yourself. The drinks should be an addition to lunch, not the main way to get through a schedule you do not enjoy.

The atmosphere can be sociable and lively. That will appeal to you if you want a relaxed group outing rather than a private charter. It may be less appealing if you want a quiet meal or lots of personal space.

A closer look at the $64 value

At $64 per person, this is a reasonable package for a seven-hour day if you use the included features. You get the catamaran cruise, the waterfall visit, Ile aux Cerfs, lunch, and drinks in one fare.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a ready-made day at sea. You do not need to organize separate transport between the waterfall and island, find lunch, or plan a route along the east coast. The crew handles the basic structure.

The value is weaker if your priority is one specific stop. A person booking mainly for Ile aux Cerfs may be disappointed by about 90 minutes on the island. Someone booking mainly for snorkeling should also accept that the activity can be canceled or changed when the sea is rough.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so add that cost if you need it. You also need to supply snorkeling equipment, beachwear, sunscreen, a towel, and a change of clothes. These are small expenses, but they affect the real total.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. If adverse weather or rough seas make the trip unsafe, it may be moved to another date. If no suitable alternative can be arranged, a full refund is offered.

Timing, tide, and the shape of the day

The tour lasts about seven hours, but the order of the stops is not fixed. Tide and water depth can change the sequence, so the waterfall may come before the island, after the swimming stop, or at another point that suits the conditions.

This flexible order is useful for the crew, but it can make the day feel less predictable. You may not know exactly when you will swim, eat, or reach the island. Bring what you need from the start rather than expecting a fixed timetable.

A reported departure also included a long pause connected with optional parasailing and inflatable rides sold through a partner. This may be welcome if you want to add a paid activity, but it can feel like dead time if you only want the cruise, swimming, and island visit. Ask before departure how much time is planned for optional water activities.

The boat itself has drawn mixed impressions. Some people found the team attentive and the day well run, while another described the vessel as patched and short on shaded space. I would treat this as a casual catamaran outing, not a polished luxury cruise.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this tour to you if you like a social day on the water and want several Mauritius sights bundled together. It is a good match for couples, friends, and families with older children who can handle sun, swimming, and boat movement.

You are likely to enjoy it if you value:

• A full day with a clear route and included lunch
• Scenic views from the sea
• A chance to swim near Ile aux Cerfs
• A lively crew and relaxed group setting
• Drinks and food included in the price
• Flexibility when the tide or weather changes the schedule

I would be cautious if you want a quiet, private cruise, a long stay on Ile aux Cerfs, guaranteed snorkeling, or generous shade. The activity is also a poor fit if you have limited mobility or cannot safely manage boarding and swimming stops.

The strongest praise has focused on the crew, the good mood aboard, and the meal. Those details matter because a seven-hour boat trip depends as much on the people and pacing as on the scenery.

What to pack for a better day

Pack light, but bring the items that make a sea day comfortable:

• Swimsuit or other beachwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• A change of clothes
• Your own snorkeling mask and snorkel
• Sun protection for your head
• A waterproof way to protect valuables

The official packing advice specifically calls for beachwear, a towel, sunscreen, and spare clothing. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so add it if seeing marine life is important to you.

Wear clothes that can get wet. Even if you do not swim, spray and damp boarding areas are possible on a catamaran. You should also apply sunscreen before the boat leaves, since the open deck can expose you to strong sun for much of the day.

Final decision: book or skip?

Book this cruise if you want a convenient, good-value day that combines the east coast, GRSE Waterfalls, Ile aux Cerfs, swimming, and a BBQ lunch. The included food and drinks make the $64 fare attractive, and the friendly crew is a major part of the appeal.

Skip it if your entire plan revolves around snorkeling or spending a long afternoon on Ile aux Cerfs. Weather can remove the snorkeling stop, the island visit may be brief, and optional activity sales can take up part of the schedule.

My advice is to book with realistic expectations: this is a lively all-in-one catamaran day, not a private island escape. Check the sea forecast, bring your own snorkeling gear, and ask how much time is planned at each stop. If you are happy with a flexible route and a social boat atmosphere, Starline Tours offers a practical way to see several east coast highlights in one outing.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius, and returns to the original starting point.

How long does the activity last?

The catamaran cruise lasts about seven hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price, but they may be arranged separately for an additional cost.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Swimming and snorkeling are part of the experience, but snorkeling equipment is not included. You should bring your own equipment if you want to snorkel.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes BBQ chicken, fish, sausage, green salad, dessert, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

Can the tour be changed or canceled because of weather?

Yes. Rough seas or adverse weather, other than ordinary rain, can lead to a rescheduled date. If a suitable alternative cannot be arranged, a full refund is offered.