Exclusive Private Catamaran Adventure: Ile aux Cerf (Full Day Cruise incl Lunch)

The best part of this private catamaran cruise is the freedom to spend a full day on Mauritius’ east coast without sharing the boat with a large tour group. You’ll sail from Trou d’Eau Douce to Ile aux Cerfs, with a waterfall stop, lagoon snorkeling, beach time, barbecue lunch, and an open bar built into the day.

I like the door-to-door pickup and the fact that vegetarian and halal meals can be arranged. I also like the mix of activity and downtime: you can snorkel, swim, listen to Mauritian music, or simply sit with a drink as the boat moves through the lagoon.

The main caution is value. At $993.32 for up to four people, this is a costly outing, and one available 3-out-of-5 assessment describes the boat as old, the meal as average, and the experience as more of a standard tourist trip than a highly personal adventure.

Key points at a glance

• Private group of up to four: You get the boat experience with only your own party, rather than joining a large shared excursion.
• Grand River South East first: The day begins with a speedboat ride to a waterfall, with possible views of monkeys and fruit bats.
• Three-course barbecue lunch included: Choose from non-vegetarian or vegetarian food, with halal needs and allergies to be advised in advance.
• Open bar included: Locally available wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum are served without a separate drink charge.
• Snorkeling equipment provided: You can visit the lagoon’s coral reefs and look for tropical fish without bringing your own gear.
• Paid water sports: Parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking are available at additional cost.

A full day from Trou d’Eau Douce to Ile aux Cerfs

This is an east-coast day rather than a quick boat outing. Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m., although the exact time depends on your accommodation. You ride in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to Trou d’Eau Douce, arriving around 9:15 a.m. The catamaran is scheduled to leave at 9:30 a.m., and the return to the village is expected around 4 p.m.

That timing matters. You get roughly seven to eight hours of activity, but some of that time is spent in transport and moving between stops. The day is best for you if you want several sights and activities in one package, not if you prefer to spend every hour quietly on an empty beach.

The private setup is the clearest advantage. For a couple, family, or group of friends, the $993.32 price works out to about $248 per person when four people share it. For only two people, it becomes close to $497 per person, so the value changes sharply with group size.

A certified guide and driver accompany the day. The crew is expected to share local stories, jokes, and Mauritian music during the cruise. No guide names are supplied, so you should not book this expecting a particular named host.

Grand River South East and its short waterfall visit

The first major stop is Grand River South East, one of the east coast’s main river attractions. The catamaran does not travel all the way upstream. Instead, you transfer to speedboats for the roughly 500-meter trip to the waterfall.

The boat ride adds a little excitement and lets you approach the falls through the river rather than viewing them only from the coast. Keep your eyes on the old trees along the banks. The planned highlights include monkeys moving through the branches and Mauritian fruit bats resting high above the water, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The waterfall visit lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a look and some photographs, but not for a long walk or extended exploration. I would think of this as a scenic opening stop rather than the main reason to choose the tour.

Afterward, you return to the catamaran and continue toward Ile aux Cerfs. If you dislike frequent transfers, note that the day includes the hotel vehicle, catamaran, speedboat, and then the catamaran again. For most people, the variety is part of the fun. For anyone who wants a calm, uninterrupted sail, it may feel busy.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

Near Ile aux Cerfs, the catamaran stops in clear lagoon water for swimming and snorkeling. Equipment is provided, which saves you from packing fins and a mask. You should still bring your own towels and spare clothes, as those are specifically recommended for the water stops.

The lagoon is described as having coral reefs and large numbers of brightly colored tropical fish. Conditions can vary with weather, water clarity, and the exact stopping place, so treat the snorkeling as a chance to see local marine life rather than a guaranteed reef spectacle.

This is one of the tour’s strongest inclusions. A boat trip to Ile aux Cerfs can otherwise become mostly a beach visit, but the snorkeling gives the middle of the day a clear purpose. You can swim, look beneath the surface, and then return to the boat for lunch.

The schedule allows about three hours for the snorkeling, lunch, and related time around Ile aux Cerfs. That does not mean three full hours in the water. Lunch, boarding, changing, and moving to the island all take part of that window.

The barbecue lunch and open bar

Lunch is served as a three-course barbecue meal either on the beach or aboard the catamaran. The menu includes vegetables, rice or pasta salads, grilled garlic bread, and grilled meat options. The supplied details cut off part of the main-course description, so you should ask the operator for the exact menu before booking if a particular dish matters to you.

Vegetarian food is available, and halal meals can be accommodated. Tell the operator about dietary needs, allergies, or illness when you book. A lobster lunch is also available for an extra charge, but the price is not given.

Drinks are one of the more generous features. The open bar includes locally available wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum. If you enjoy a drink with lunch or during the sail back, this can improve the value. It also means you do not need to budget separately for ordinary beverages.

Still, do not confuse an included meal with a fine-dining experience. The only detailed food assessment supplied describes the meal as just okay. I would set your expectations at a straightforward barbecue lunch designed to feed you during an active beach day.

Ile aux Cerfs: beach time with optional extras

Ile aux Cerfs is the visual centerpiece. As you approach, expect white sand, palm trees, and bright turquoise water. The island provides the classic Mauritius setting for a swim, a walk, or a few quiet hours in the sun.

The program leaves room for you to choose your pace. You can sit on the beach, take a stroll, swim, or remain aboard the catamaran. That flexibility matters on a private trip, since your group can decide how much energy to spend after snorkeling and lunch.

Several water activities are offered for extra payment. These include parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking. None is part of the listed price, so ask for current charges before committing. If your group includes people who want more action and others who prefer a beach chair, the island portion gives both sides something to do.

The downside is that Ile aux Cerfs is a well-known day-trip destination. The experience is built around its famous beach setting and organized activities, not a remote-island feeling. The 3-out-of-5 assessment specifically calls the outing a tourist-style trip and says the boat felt old. That is useful context for anyone paying for the word luxury in the description. The scenery may be beautiful, but the boat itself may not feel new or polished.

Sailing back through the east-coast lagoon

The return sail to Trou d’Eau Douce is scheduled for the afternoon, with arrival around 4 p.m. The trip back gives you time to relax, listen to music, and use the open bar. It is also a useful buffer after snorkeling and beach time, since you are not rushed directly into the vehicle.

Your driver then returns you to your hotel. Pickup and drop-off are included at accommodations anywhere in Mauritius, although the pickup hour varies by location. That nationwide hotel service is a real convenience, especially if your hotel is not close to Trou d’Eau Douce.

The transport arrangement also makes this a practical choice for anyone who does not want to arrange taxis, compare boat departure points, or find a way home after drinking. You can focus on the day instead of managing the route.

Is $993.32 good value for four people?

The price is easiest to justify when four people share it. At that point, you are paying for private road transport, a private group activity, a guide and driver, the catamaran day, waterfall stop, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, and hotel return. Compared with booking each part separately, the package may be convenient and reasonably competitive.

For two people, the cost is much harder to defend. You still receive the same inclusions, but the per-person price becomes high. The private setting is the main thing you are buying, so it makes more financial sense if privacy matters to your group.

I would also avoid paying this amount if your top priority is a new, high-end catamaran. The available criticism of an old boat is important. The trip may deliver the route and inclusions, but the vessel may not match a luxury-resort standard.

The 4.1 rating from seven ratings suggests a generally positive but not flawless record. Since the number of ratings is small, I would give more weight to the specific practical warning about the boat and lunch than to the score alone.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius catamaran day?

This outing suits you if you want a private full-day plan with many pieces handled for you. Families and small friend groups can share the price, enjoy the freedom of a private booking, and choose between snorkeling, swimming, beach time, and paid water sports.

It also suits people who value convenience. Hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, lunch, drinks, equipment, and return service are all arranged. Vegetarian and halal options make the meal easier for mixed groups, provided you give notice.

It may not suit you if you want a quiet, highly local sailing experience with a new boat and a carefully tailored menu. The route is popular, the island is a major day-trip stop, and one assessment found the service less individual than the price suggested.

You should also think about weather. The trip requires good conditions, and a cyclone or torrential rain alert can stop the outing. If the operator cancels for poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Your own cancellation is different: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

Practical details to settle before booking

A minimum of two people is required. The activity is private, so only your own group participates, with a maximum of four people included in the quoted price.

Bring towels and spare clothing for snorkeling. Tell the operator about vegetarian, halal, allergy, or other meal requirements at the time of booking. If lobster matters to you, ask for the current extra charge before the day begins.

The listed start time is 8:30 a.m., but pickup can vary according to your hotel. Plan for the full day, since the scheduled return to Trou d’Eau Douce is around 4 p.m., followed by the drive back to your accommodation.

Should you book it?

Book this private catamaran day if you have four people, want hotel-to-hotel convenience, and like combining a waterfall, snorkeling, barbecue lunch, open bar, and Ile aux Cerfs in one outing. The private format and wide set of inclusions are its strongest points.

Think twice if you are booking for only two people or expect a truly luxurious boat and a refined meal. Ask about the catamaran’s current condition, the exact lunch menu, and the prices of paid water sports before paying. If those answers suit you, this is a convenient, activity-filled way to see Mauritius’ east coast. If not, a smaller, more tailored boat charter may offer better value.

FAQ

How long does the private catamaran experience last?

The activity lasts approximately seven to eight hours. Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m., the catamaran leaves Trou d’Eau Douce around 9:30 a.m., and the group is expected back in Trou d’Eau Douce around 4 p.m., followed by hotel drop-off.

Where does the cruise begin?

The catamaran departs from Trou d’Eau Douce on the east coast of Mauritius. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included at accommodations anywhere in Mauritius.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to four people. A minimum of two people is required for booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A three-course barbecue lunch is included, with vegetables, rice or pasta salads, grilled garlic bread, and grilled main-course items. Vegetarian and halal options are available when requested in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes locally available wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. You should bring your own towels and spare clothes for the water stop.

Are parasailing and other water sports included?

No. Parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking cost extra. A lobster lunch is also available for an additional charge.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. A cyclone or torrential rainfall alert can also lead to operator cancellation.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. A full refund applies when the operator cancels because of poor weather.