Mauritius: Ile aux Cerf Catamaran w/Waterfall Visit & Lunch

The best part of this day is the variety: you get a slow catamaran sail, a speedboat trip up Grand River South East, a swim and snorkel stop, lunch, and free time on Ile aux Cerfs. It is a full Mauritius day at sea, not just a boat transfer.

I like the friendly crew, who keep the mood easy with Mauritian Sega music, jokes, snacks, and drinks. I also like the value: at $70 per person, the price includes breakfast snacks, a BBQ lunch, unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks, bottled water, snorkeling stops, and the island visit.

The main drawback is the long day and the loose timing that comes with a group boat trip. You are on the water from about 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and optional activities such as parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk cost extra. Hotel or Airbnb transport is also not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Grand River South East comes first: You transfer by speedboat about 500 meters upstream to see the waterfall and look for monkeys in the trees.
• The food and drinks are part of the deal: Expect breakfast snacks, fresh BBQ fish, chicken, hotdogs, salads, saffron rice, soft drinks, beer, wine, juice, water, and local rum.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you real beach time: You can swim, stroll, relax on white sand, or pay extra for activities such as parasailing and an undersea walk.
• The crew shapes the day: Mauritian Sega, jokes, cheerful service, and safety help make the long cruise feel relaxed rather than mechanical.
• The group is limited to 15 people: Guides may speak English, French, German, Italian, Hindi, or Spanish.
• Bring sun protection: Pack sunscreen and a camera. The meeting point is Debarcader Trou d’eau Douce.

The day begins at Trou d’Eau Douce

You meet at Debarcader Trou d’eau Douce on Mauritius’s east coast at 8:30 a.m. Search that exact name on Google Maps, since the meeting point is not a hotel pickup. If you want transport from your hotel or Airbnb, ask about the optional pickup and drop-off service when booking. It is not included in the $70 price.

The catamaran leaves at about 9 a.m. That early start matters. You have a full day ahead, and the eastern coast is one of the most scenic parts of Mauritius for a boat trip. From the water, you can look back toward green hills, mountain shapes, and the island’s broad shoreline.

The boat is the main setting for much of the experience, so think of this as a social day rather than a private sailing charter. The listed group size is limited to 15 people, which should make service easier than on a very large excursion boat. Still, the pace follows the group, and you will not control exactly how long each stop lasts.

Grand River South East and its waterfall

The first major stop is Grand River South East, one of the tour’s most distinctive features. Instead of sailing the catamaran all the way upstream, you transfer to a speedboat for the short trip to the waterfall, about 500 meters inland.

This change of boats adds a little excitement and lets you reach the falls through the river. Look into the old trees along the banks. You might see wild monkeys moving through the branches, and Mauritian fruit bats may be resting high above the river. These sightings are not guaranteed, but they add a bit of wildlife interest to what could otherwise be a simple waterfall stop.

The waterfall itself is best understood as a short scenic visit, not a long hike or a major nature trek. You see it from the river approach, take photographs, and then return to the catamaran. Bring your camera, but protect it from spray and keep your footing in mind when moving between boats.

This is one of the places where the tour offers more than a standard beach outing. You get a glimpse of Mauritius away from the resort coast, with riverbanks, trees, wildlife, and falling water before returning to the open lagoon.

Sailing across the clear lagoon

Back on the catamaran, the day slows down. The boat sails through clear water toward Ile aux Cerfs, with the crew providing local music, jokes, and stories. Mauritian Sega gives the trip a local touch, and it keeps the atmosphere from feeling like a silent transfer between stops.

I like this part because you can choose your own pace. Sit back, watch the coast, listen to the music, or take photographs. The crew serves snacks and drinks, so you do not need to wait until lunch to eat or buy something at every stop.

The sea conditions will affect how comfortable the sail feels. Even on a calm day, a catamaran moves with the water, and the sun can be strong. Use sunscreen before boarding, drink water even if you choose beer, wine, or rum, and bring a hat if you have one. The provided information specifically recommends sunscreen and a camera, and both are useful here.

Swimming and snorkeling in the lagoon

The catamaran stops at several spots for swimming and snorkeling. You can expect clear water, coral reefs, and tropical fish, although visibility and marine life can change with weather and sea conditions.

Life jackets are included. Use one if you are not a confident swimmer, and remember that the boat stop is designed for a mixed group. You may have keen snorkelers in the water alongside people who simply want a quick swim.

The snorkeling is a welcome break from the sightseeing and food. It gives you a chance to see the lagoon from below, then return to the boat for lunch. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations sensible. This is a shared catamaran day with several activities, not a specialist marine excursion built around long time in the water.

Some visitors also managed to see dolphins during the cruise, but that is a lucky extra rather than part of the planned route. Do not book this tour expecting a guaranteed dolphin encounter.

BBQ lunch and an open drink package

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the value. The meal includes fresh BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice. It may be served on the beach or on the catamaran, depending on the day’s arrangements.

The selection works well for a mixed group. Fish suits anyone looking for a taste of the island’s coastal setting, while chicken and hotdogs give you familiar choices. Salads and saffron rice round out the meal. This is casual boat food, not a restaurant tasting menu, but it is more substantial than a snack box.

Drinks are unlimited and include soft drinks, juice, bottled water, beer, wine, and local rum. That package can make the $70 price look attractive, especially if you plan to spend most of the day aboard. It also means you should pace yourself. A sunny day on the water, alcohol, and swimming are a poor combination if you stop paying attention to hydration.

Breakfast snacks are included before the main meal. The tour therefore covers food through much of the day, so you do not need to plan around finding lunch on Ile aux Cerfs.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop, and the approach gives you the classic Mauritius view: palm trees, bright sand, and clear turquoise water. The island is near the east coast and has a more developed visitor setup than the river stop, with several optional activities available.

You can use this time in different ways. I would choose based on what you already did on the boat:

• Swim in the clear sea if you want another water break.
• Walk along the white sandy beaches and take photographs.
• Relax in the sun after snorkeling.
• Book parasailing, tube riding, or an undersea walk if you want a paid activity.

The undersea walk deserves special mention. It is an optional experience, not part of the $70 package, and you should expect to pay extra. One family arranged it during the day and enjoyed it, but also found the rates higher than some online or local options. If you want an activity, compare prices before committing, and do not confuse the included snorkeling with the separate undersea walk.

Ile aux Cerfs is a beautiful place, but it is also the busiest and most visitor-focused part of the route. If you want solitude, this may not be your ideal island stop. If you want easy access to beaches, swimming, photographs, and extra water activities, it fits the bill.

A relaxed return to Trou d’Eau Douce

After the island visit, you sail back to Trou d’Eau Douce. The return is a chance to settle into the catamaran and enjoy the views from the water without rushing from one attraction to another.

By this point, you will have spent many hours in the sun. The return sail may feel wonderfully calm, though it can also feel long if you prefer short excursions. This is the key question for deciding if the tour suits you: do you want one full day with several stops, or would you rather choose a shorter, more focused outing?

The crew’s attitude matters here. The strongest part of the experience is not just the route, but the relaxed service. The team keeps drinks moving, helps with activities, plays music, and pays attention to safety. That can make the eight to nine hours feel social and easygoing.

What the $70 price really covers

At $70 per person, the tour offers solid value if you use the included food and drinks. Your price covers:

• The catamaran cruise from about 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Grand River South East and the waterfall visit
• Ile aux Cerfs
• Breakfast snacks
• BBQ lunch
• Unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks
• Bottled water
• Life jackets
• Swimming and snorkeling stops

You are paying for a full-day package, not just transport to a beach. The meal, drink service, crew, music, and several stops explain much of the price.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not eat much at lunch, or plan to leave the boat quickly. It is also important to add the cost of hotel transport and any optional Ile aux Cerfs activities. Parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk are not included.

The experience has a 4.6 rating from 206 reviews, which matches the pattern of praise for the crew, food, music, views, and overall value. People also singled out the friendly service, safe handling of the trip, clear water, and the chance to see dolphins. The most useful practical point is that the crew can help arrange an undersea walk, but the price may be higher than booking elsewhere.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day

I would recommend it to couples, families, and groups of friends who want a complete day on the water without arranging separate transport, meals, and activities. It also works well for a birthday or another easygoing celebration. The crew creates a cheerful mood, and the unlimited drinks make the boat feel more like a casual party than a formal sightseeing trip.

It suits you if you enjoy variety. You will see a river waterfall, look for wildlife, snorkel, eat, swim, visit a beach island, and sail through the lagoon all in one day.

It may not suit you if you dislike long boat trips, strong sun, shared activities, or music on board. It is also not the best choice if you want a quiet private charter or a snorkeling trip with long, dedicated time in the water.

The listed languages are English, French, German, Italian, Hindi, and Spanish. The group is limited to 15 participants, which is useful for communication and crew attention, but you should still confirm the language you need when booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the easy all-in-one version of Mauritius’s east coast. For $70, the combination of waterfall, snorkeling, BBQ lunch, drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs is hard to beat, especially when you value a friendly crew and do not want to arrange each piece yourself.

Skip it if you want privacy, a short outing, or complete control over your schedule. Also budget extra for hotel pickup and optional island activities. For most people seeking a social, scenic day at sea, this is a strong choice, as long as you are comfortable giving nearly the whole day to the boat.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour meet?

The meeting point is Debarcader Trou d’eau Douce. Search that name on Google Maps to find the docking station.

What time does the tour start and finish?

You arrive at about 8:30 a.m., and the catamaran leaves at about 9 a.m. The activity runs until about 4 p.m., for roughly nine hours.

Is hotel or Airbnb pickup included?

No. Optional hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off services are not included in the listed price.

What food is included?

Breakfast snacks and a BBQ lunch are included. Lunch includes fresh BBQ fish, BBQ chicken, grilled hotdogs, salads, and saffron rice.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks include soft drinks, juice, bottled water, beer, wine, and local rum.

Does the tour visit a waterfall?

Yes. You visit the Grand River South East waterfall. A speedboat takes you about 500 meters upstream to reach it.

Can I snorkel during the trip?

Yes. The catamaran stops at several spots for swimming and snorkeling. Life jackets are included.

What can I do at Ile aux Cerfs?

You can swim, walk along the beaches, relax, and take photographs. Parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk are available as optional activities and are not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera and sunscreen. Bottled water and life jackets are provided.