Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling + GRSE Waterfall, BBQ & Bar

The best part of this Mauritius catamaran cruise is the mix of water, scenery, food, and free time. You’ll visit Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall, then spend about two hours at Ile aux Cerfs, where you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or pay for activities such as parasailing and a tube ride.

I like the fact that lunch and drinks are included, not just a bottle of water and a token snack. I also like the relaxed choice of pace: you can chase water sports or claim a quiet patch of sand with coconut water. The main caution is crowd size. The official limit is 25, but one customer reported more than 30 people on board, so this may feel lively rather than private.

Key points to know before you book

• Two very different stops: A quick waterfall visit is followed by a longer break at Ile aux Cerfs.
• Seven hours on the water: The 9:00 a.m. start gives you most of the day for swimming, food, and island time.
• Food and drinks are covered: Barbecue lunch, snacks, bottled water, soda, tea, coffee, wine, rum cocktails, and other alcoholic drinks are included.
• A group cruise, not a private sailing: The stated maximum is 25 people, though a past account reported a larger group.
• Bring a plan for your valuables: You may leave belongings on the main boat during transfers, but one phone was reported stolen.
• No hotel transport is included: You need to reach the Debarcadere at Trou d’Eau Douce and arrange your return from the same point.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 a.m.

Your day begins at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs meeting point at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce. This is both the departure and return point, so you need to organize your own transport there and make sure it is ready for your return.

That detail matters. This is not a hotel pickup tour, and private transportation is not included. Build enough time into your morning to reach Trou d’Eau Douce without rushing. Your ticket is redeemed at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs location.

The tour lasts about seven hours. A morning start is useful because it leaves the afternoon open after you return, but the boat schedule also means you should arrive prepared for a full stretch outdoors. Bring sun protection, swimwear, and something secure for small valuables.

The group is advertised at a maximum of 25 people. That is a reasonable size for a social catamaran trip, though it will not give you the quiet, personal feel of a small private boat. One account described more than 30 passengers, so I would confirm the expected group size before booking if personal space matters to you.

Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall in about 10 minutes

The first stop is Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall, where freshwater meets the Indian Ocean. The visit lasts about 10 minutes, so think of it as a short scenic stop rather than a long walk or a full waterfall outing.

The setting gives the cruise a useful change of pace. You begin with open water, then see the river and waterfall meeting the sea. It is a quick chance to take photographs and get a sense of the coast before continuing toward Ile aux Cerfs.

Do not book this trip mainly for the waterfall. Ten minutes is enough to see it from the water, but not enough for an extended exploration. The real substance of the day comes later, with the island stop, meal, swimming, and time aboard the catamaran.

Two hours to shape your Ile aux Cerfs visit

Ile aux Cerfs is the main stop, with about two hours available for relaxing and activities. This is where the schedule becomes flexible. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, enjoy a coconut, or book paid activities such as parasailing and a tube ride.

I like this setup because it does not force everyone into the same program. If you want action, you can look into the available water sports. If you have already spent several days sightseeing around Mauritius, you can simply sit down, cool off, and enjoy the island.

The tradeoff is that two hours passes quickly. By the time you get settled, swim, take photographs, and consider a water sport, there may not be much time left. If parasailing or tubing is a priority, ask about the price and timing as soon as you arrive. Those activities are not listed among the included features.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but the information does not specify a particular reef, snorkeling site, or length of time in the water. Treat snorkeling as one option during the cruise rather than the central promise of the day. Conditions can also affect visibility and comfort.

I would also expect the island portion to feel busier than a private beach outing. The tour is designed around a popular island destination, and the shared boat format adds to the social feel. That is part of the fun for some people, but it is worth knowing before you compare this with a private charter.

A barbecue lunch with wine and rum cocktails

Food is one of the stronger reasons to consider this cruise. The package includes lunch, snacks, bottled water, soda, coffee, tea, and alcoholic drinks. Wine and rum cocktails are specifically part of the offering, along with coconut water and other beverages.

A barbecue lunch works well on a day like this. You can eat without leaving the boat or arranging a separate restaurant stop, and the meal gives the schedule a natural pause between swimming and sightseeing. Accounts of the trip praised the food, with one description calling the barbecue excellent.

The drinks also make the price easier to assess. A seven-hour outing with food, soft drinks, water, and alcohol included can offer decent value compared with booking a boat ride and then paying separately for lunch and refreshments. You should still check what is being served on your date, since the exact menu is not provided.

Alcohol is included, but remember that you are spending much of the day on a moving boat and in the sun. Pace yourself, drink water, and keep your swimming plans sensible. The package includes enough nonalcoholic choices to make that easy.

The mood can be lively. One account praised the crew, generous drinks, and strong atmosphere, even when rain arrived at Ile aux Cerfs. That is useful context: the crew appears to put energy into the social side of the trip, but weather can change the feel of the island stop.

Crew service and the social side of the cruise

The crew has been praised for friendly service and a warm approach. Crew members named in customer feedback include Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan. You may not have this exact team on your sailing, but the repeated praise for care and atmosphere suggests that the human side of the trip is important.

A good crew matters on a catamaran day. They manage boarding, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and transfers between boats or stops. Friendly service can turn a basic boat ride into a pleasant shared outing, especially when the group is large.

Still, service cannot solve every crowding problem. One customer felt the boat was overfilled and expected more from a premium-priced package. That criticism is fair to keep in mind. The standard product is a group experience, not a luxury cruise, despite the attractive food and drink package.

The provider also offers a separate luxury Ile aux Cerfs catamaran product. If you want extra space or a more polished setting, compare the two options before paying. This particular cruise is best judged as a social, all-inclusive day on the water.

What the $82.46 price really covers

At $82.46 per person, the price includes a lot of the basics: the catamaran cruise, the waterfall and island stops, lunch, snorkeling equipment, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snacks, tea, coffee, and bottled water.

That makes the package more than a simple transfer to Ile aux Cerfs. You are paying for about seven hours of organized time, with the main meal and refreshments handled for you. For someone who wants an easy day rather than a series of separate bookings, that is a practical advantage.

The value becomes less clear if you want privacy. You are sharing the boat, and there is no private transportation. You also need to pay separately for optional activities such as parasailing or a tube ride. A private or luxury cruise may cost more, but the extra expense could make sense if space and exclusivity are your priorities.

The tour is booked, on average, 13 days ahead. That gives you a useful planning clue. If your Mauritius dates are fixed, I would reserve it early, especially if you want a particular day with good weather.

Weather, belongings, and other practical matters

This experience depends on good weather. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful for a water-based outing, since rain and rough conditions can affect the waterfall view, snorkeling, island time, and meal service.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Mauritius time.

Take the security warning seriously. One customer reported that a phone disappeared after the crew said belongings could be left safely on the main boat while passengers transferred to a smaller boat. The operator offered to investigate, but you should still avoid leaving your phone, wallet, passport, or other important items unattended.

Use a waterproof pouch that stays with you, or carry only what you need. The supplied information does not promise lockers or personal storage, so do not assume your belongings will be protected during every transfer.

The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Most people can participate, but the combination of a boat, transfers, swimming, and island movement may not suit anyone who needs step-free access or specialized assistance.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius day most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want several Mauritius highlights in one outing. It suits people who like being on the water, sharing a meal with a group, and having a choice between activity and rest.

It is also a good match for couples, families with older children, and friends who want a full day without arranging every detail themselves. The included drinks and barbecue remove much of the planning work.

You may want a different option if you dislike busy boats, need a quiet setting, or expect a high-end premium experience. The positive accounts point to good food, generous drinks, and an engaging crew, but the crowding complaint shows that comfort can vary.

I would also skip it if the waterfall is your main goal. The visit is only about 10 minutes. Ile aux Cerfs, the food, snorkeling, and social boat ride are the real reasons to book.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran?

Book it if you want a well-filled island day with transport on the water, a quick waterfall stop, snorkeling gear, barbecue lunch, and drinks included. The $82.46 price is reasonable for that bundle, especially if you plan to enjoy the food and beverages rather than treating them as minor extras.

Think twice if you are paying for privacy or a luxury feel. Confirm the group size, secure your valuables, and remember that parasailing and tubing cost extra. With those points clear, this is a cheerful, practical way to see Ile aux Cerfs without having to arrange lunch, drinks, and a boat trip separately.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs meeting point at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts approximately seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch and snacks are included, along with bottled water, soda, tea, coffee, and alcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.