Luxury All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE Waterfall

The best part of this Mauritius cruise is the easy mix of scenery and free time. You glide from Trou d’Eau Douce along the lagoon, pause at the GRSE Waterfall, then spend about two hours at Ile aux Cerfs with lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and optional watersports already arranged.

I like the all-inclusive setup, since you are not counting every soda, beer, or piece of snorkeling gear. I also like the small maximum of 25 people, which should feel more personal than a large ferry outing. The main consideration is the short six-hour schedule: two hours at the island is enough for a taste, but not a full beach day.

Key points

• GRSE Waterfall stop: See where the Grande Rivière Sud Est meets the Indian Ocean during a brief 10-minute visit.
• Two hours at Ile aux Cerfs: Swim, sunbathe, snorkel, or arrange parasailing and a tube ride.
• Food and drinks included: BBQ lunch, snacks, bottled water, tea, coffee, soda, Mauritian beer, rum, and coconut water are covered.
• Small group size: The catamaran accepts a maximum of 25 people.
• Simple start and finish: Meet at the Blue Alizé Catamaran point at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 a.m.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

A morning on the water from Trou d’Eau Douce

This cruise is made for people who want Mauritius by boat without spending the day planning every detail. You meet at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs point in Trou d’Eau Douce, where an agent handles your boarding.

The tour begins at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the same place. That simple arrangement matters. You do not need to coordinate a separate boat transfer back from Ile aux Cerfs, and you can leave your larger day plan open before and after the cruise.

The trip lasts about six hours. That gives you a full morning and early afternoon on the water, but it is not an all-day sailing expedition. Think of it as a compact Mauritius outing with two main stops, lunch, and time to relax.

The catamaran format gives you several ways to spend the ride. You can sit back with a drink, watch the coastline and lagoon pass by, or prepare for swimming and snorkeling later. The pace is social and relaxed rather than private and secluded.

The published group limit is 25 people. That is large enough for a lively boat but small enough to avoid the feel of a packed excursion vessel. Still, the experience is shared, so this is not the right choice if you want a silent private sail or a custom route.

The GRSE Waterfall stop takes only 10 minutes

The first stop is Grande Rivière Sud Est, usually shortened to GRSE. Here you see the waterfall where the river meets the Indian Ocean.

The listed stop lasts about 10 minutes. That is enough for a quick look and photographs, but not enough for a long walk, extended swimming, or a slow nature visit. I would treat it as a scenic punctuation mark at the start of the cruise, not the main event.

The short stop also helps explain the schedule. The tour wants to include both the waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs while still making room for lunch and time on the beach. If the waterfall is your top priority, you may find this portion too brief. If you mainly want a boat day with a famous Mauritius sight added, the timing works well.

You should also keep your expectations practical. The information provided does not promise a guided nature talk, a landing at the waterfall, or a long viewpoint visit. You are stopping to see the meeting point of fresh river water and the Indian Ocean, then moving on.

Cruising toward Ile aux Cerfs

After the waterfall, the cruise continues toward Ile aux Cerfs. The route itself is part of the experience. You are not simply being dropped at a beach. You spend time crossing the lagoon, with the catamaran acting as your moving base for the day.

This is where the all-inclusive approach starts to pay off. You can have Mauritian beer, rum, coconut water, soda, bottled water, tea, or coffee without adding separate drink costs during the excursion. Snacks are included too, so you are not relying only on the scheduled lunch.

The open bar is useful, but it also calls for a little common sense. You have swimming and snorkeling ahead, and the cruise is only six hours. Pace yourself, drink water, and save room for the BBQ lunch. Coconut water and bottled water give you alternatives to alcohol, especially in the sun.

No individual crew names are provided, but the strongest praise focuses on the staff being kind and helpful. That is important on a cruise where the crew manages boarding, food, drinks, equipment, and optional activities in a short window. Friendly assistance can make the difference between a smooth outing and a confusing one.

Two hours at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main stop, with about two hours set aside for the island. You can use that time in several ways, and the best choice depends on the kind of day you want.

If you want to slow down, find a place on the white sand, swim, sunbathe, and enjoy your coconut water. If you prefer activity, snorkeling equipment is provided. You can also arrange parasailing or a tube ride for more excitement.

Two hours goes quickly. Once you arrive, you may need time to get organized, find a place to relax, eat lunch, and try an activity. Do not expect to fit every option into the visit. Pick one main priority, then use the remaining time for the beach or water.

The island portion also has a practical limitation: parasailing and tube rides are mentioned as available options, but their price is not included in the stated tour rate. Plan to ask about the cost before committing. The cruise covers the core outing, food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment, but optional motorized or adventure activities may require extra payment.

The beach time is best for a broad mix of interests. One person can snorkel while another swims or sits in the sun. That flexibility makes the tour suitable for couples, families, and small groups who do not all want to do the same thing.

BBQ lunch and an open bar

Lunch is included, with a BBQ served as part of the cruise. Snacks are also provided. The available information does not specify the exact menu, dietary choices, or serving time, so you should ask Island Cove Mauritius directly if you have allergies or special food requirements.

The value here is convenience. A beach outing can become expensive when you add lunch, drinks, snacks, and equipment rental. This package folds those basics into one price, so you can enjoy the day without constantly reaching for your wallet.

The drinks list is generous for a six-hour boat trip. You receive alcoholic beverages, soda, bottled water, coffee, and tea, with Mauritian beer, rum, and coconut water specifically highlighted. That gives you a local touch without making the day dependent on alcohol.

I would still bring a sensible attitude toward the open bar. The purpose of the cruise is to see the lagoon, swim, and enjoy Ile aux Cerfs. Too much drinking can make the boat ride less pleasant and can be a poor match with hot weather and water activities.

Snorkeling is included, while thrill rides may cost more

Snorkeling equipment is included, which is one of the better details in the package. You do not need to arrange a separate rental before boarding, and you can decide on the day if you feel like getting in the water.

That flexibility is useful because conditions and energy levels change. Some people plan to snorkel and then prefer to stay dry once they see the beach. Others may find the water inviting and spend their island time swimming and using the equipment.

The cruise also lists parasailing and tube riding. These are the choices for an adrenaline rush, but they are not part of the included list. The information does not state their prices, operating times, or availability on every departure, so confirm those details at the start.

This is one place where the tour can suit two different moods. You can keep the day calm with a drink and a swim, or add a more active experience if the option is running and the price fits your budget.

What $111.02 buys you

At $111.02 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: the catamaran cruise, a stop at GRSE Waterfall, access to snorkeling equipment, BBQ lunch, snacks, bottled water, hot drinks, soda, and an open bar with alcoholic drinks.

The value is strongest for you if you would otherwise buy lunch and several drinks on the island. It is also useful if you want a planned route instead of comparing boat operators, arranging equipment, and figuring out how to combine the waterfall with Ile aux Cerfs.

The price is less attractive if you only want transportation to the island and plan to spend a quiet hour on the beach. You would be paying for the food, drinks, boat atmosphere, and convenience, not simply for a ride.

The small group limit improves the value compared with a very large outing, although it does not turn the cruise into a private charter. If you care about personal space, ask how full your departure is likely to be. The maximum is 25 people, but the actual number can vary.

The tour is also booked, on average, 17 days in advance. That suggests planning ahead, especially if your Mauritius dates are fixed. A high rating of 4.8 from five submitted ratings and strong praise for a kind, helpful crew add confidence, but the sample is small. I would treat the feedback as encouraging rather than conclusive.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a ready-made Mauritius water day with a good mix of scenery, food, beach time, and optional activity.

It fits especially well for:

• Couples who want a relaxed outing without organizing every detail
• Families or small groups with different interests
• First-time visitors who want to combine GRSE Waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs
• People who like an open bar and included lunch
• Anyone who prefers a smaller group over a large boat excursion
• Visitors who want snorkeling equipment available without a separate rental

You may want another option if you prefer a private boat, a longer stay on Ile aux Cerfs, or a detailed guided visit at the waterfall. The 10-minute waterfall stop is brief, and the two-hour island visit leaves little spare time if you want to swim, eat, snorkel, and try parasailing.

The tour also depends on good weather. A rainy or rough day could change the plan. If conditions cause cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund, but that may not help if you are leaving Mauritius soon.

Meeting point and booking details

You meet at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs at Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce. The catamaran leaves at 9:00 a.m. and returns to the same location.

Private transportation is not included. You must make your own way to Trou d’Eau Douce, so allow enough time to arrive before boarding. The meeting point and return point are the same, which keeps the day straightforward once you reach the harbor.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, though the supplied details do not give more specific accessibility information. If you have mobility concerns or need help boarding, ask the provider before reserving.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Mauritius time.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want one organized half-day that combines a lagoon crossing, GRSE Waterfall, Ile aux Cerfs, BBQ lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. The helpful crew, 25-person maximum, and simple start-and-finish point make it a practical choice for a first visit to this part of Mauritius.

Skip it if your main goal is a long, quiet beach stay or a private sailing trip. The waterfall visit is quick, the island time is limited to about two hours, and parasailing or tube rides may cost extra.

For most people, the $111.02 price is reasonable when you plan to use the included food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. Arrive ready for a social boat day, choose one or two priorities at Ile aux Cerfs, and you should get good value from the six-hour schedule.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at 9:00 a.m.

Where do I meet the catamaran?

You meet at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

Where does the cruise end?

The cruise ends at the same Blue Alizé Catamaran meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included, along with snacks.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are alcoholic beverages, bottled water, coffee, tea, soda, Mauritian beer, rum, and coconut water.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour.

How much time is spent at Ile aux Cerfs?

You spend approximately two hours at Ile aux Cerfs.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Poor weather may also lead to a different date or a full refund.