All Inclusive Catamaran To Ile Aux Cerfs And Waterfall Visit

One day, two Mauritius highlights, zero planning. I like the unlimited beverages and the included snorkeling equipment, and the day feels well paced for a full 8-hour hit of sea and scenery. The main thing I’d watch is timing and logistics: the schedule can run a bit later, so confirm your pickup and return details before you relax.

This is an all-inclusive catamaran outing from the Trou D’eau Douce area, built around Île aux Cerfs, a stop at the Grand River South East waterfall, and time for lunch, snorkeling, and beach lounging. You’ll travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle (up to 24 people on board), pick up a mobile ticket, and spend most of the day focused on the water—without having to plan each step yourself.

Key things that make this tour worth a look

  • All-inclusive drinks: unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for the full day
  • Snorkeling gear included: you get the equipment you need, no rental hassle
  • Île aux Cerfs time with lunch: island BBQ lunch plus a proper block of beach and lagoon time
  • GRSE waterfall visit: a short, high-impact stop that adds real variety to the day
  • Small group cap (max 24): less crowded than many bigger cruise-style boats

Starting at 9:00 and building the day around the water

The day starts at 9:00 am, and you’ll be picked up by a qualified driver from your provided location. The vehicle is private and air-conditioned, which matters in Mauritius heat when you’re heading to the coast for a boat day. The whole experience runs about 8 hours, so it’s designed as a single-day “greatest hits” option rather than a slow sightseeing crawl.

From there, the flow makes sense: you get to the water area, board a catamaran, then the day pivots between highlights—boat time, the waterfall stop, island lunch, snorkeling, and finally time to sit on Île aux Cerfs and soak up the beach vibe. This is a good fit if you want one organized day to cover multiple east-coast experiences without juggling taxis, tour desk lines, or separate bookings.

One practical note: the boat departure isn’t always perfectly aligned with the advertised start time. If you hate uncertainty, you’ll want to plan a little buffer into the rest of your schedule that day, and keep your phone handy for any updates from the team.

You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Chamarel

How the pickup works (and why you should confirm your return)

This tour includes pickup offered via a private vehicle, and you’ll also have a planned end back at your drop-off point. Most of the time, the transfer piece is smooth, with drivers who keep things moving and communicate clearly. That’s a big deal because a catamaran day is only fun if you get there on time, and you get home without stress.

Still, I’d treat this as a day where you should do two small things before you leave your hotel:

  • Double-check the pickup time and exact drop-off arrangement the night before.
  • Ask for a clear contact method for the day-of coordination.

It only takes a minute, and it protects you from the one problem that can ruin an otherwise great trip: arriving as scheduled but discovering the return plan is unclear. When everything clicks, the whole day feels effortless. When it doesn’t, the delay is what turns a nice itinerary into a headache.

Catamaran time: the fun starts before you even hit the waterfall

The heart of the day is the catamaran experience. Expect real “on the water” time right away, with the day’s energy coming from the combination of sea air, speed, and the easy-going boat atmosphere. Drinks are part of the package, and this is one of those rare all-inclusives where you don’t have to keep getting up to pay for each round.

Included in the boat day:

  • Unlimited beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
  • Snacks and bottled water
  • A full-day catamaran trip as the backbone of the itinerary

If your priority is a lively, scenic day—not just a calm sightseeing cruise—this setup works. You also get the advantage of group size being capped at 24, which usually means less time waiting around and more time enjoying the ride.

What to bring matters here. Even with snacks and water provided, you’ll want your own essentials ready:

  • Sun protection (Mauritius sun is no joke)
  • A change of clothing if you plan to swim/snorkel
  • A small dry bag or zip pouch for your phone and valuables
  • Water shoes or something you can wear comfortably on uneven surfaces

Île aux Cerfs island time: beach hours plus a lunch stop that actually works

Île aux Cerfs is the island centerpiece, with 87 hectares of land and a reputation for white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons. In plain terms: it’s the Mauritius postcard. And the best part is that you’re not stuck with just a short “see it, leave it” window.

You’ll get a long stretch of time on or around the island, and the day includes lunch at Île aux Cerfs island. Food is part of the package, and it’s not just a token snack. When a tour includes lunch on-site, you’re less likely to spend your limited free time looking for cash-only spots or hunting menus in a hurry.

What you’ll do on Île aux Cerfs:

  • Enjoy beach time and lagoon views
  • Eat a Mauritian BBQ lunch
  • Transition into snorkeling in the blue lagoon
  • Then return to sunbathing time afterward

One consideration: since the itinerary packs multiple activities into a single day, your island time works best if you’re flexible. If you prefer long unstructured hours with zero schedule, you may feel the day is moving a bit fast. But if you like your vacation days to deliver several highlights, this is a strong structure.

GRSE waterfall visit: short stop, big payoff for variety

After the boat portion, you’ll visit the Grand River South East (GRSE) waterfall. This is one of the east coast’s popular attractions, and the value of a waterfall stop is simple: it breaks up the day so you’re not only doing sea-and-sun the entire time.

The waterfall time is listed as about 20 minutes, and that tells you the intent. This is not a long hike. It’s a quick, scenic punctuation mark between water activities. If you’re traveling with limited time, this approach is efficient.

What I like about including GRSE in the middle of the tour:

  • You get more variety in photos and scenery
  • The day doesn’t feel like one long loop around the same view
  • It adds a sense of place beyond the beach

Bring practical expectations: 20 minutes goes fast. If you’re someone who likes to linger, check how much time you can comfortably spend taking photos and still make it back to the schedule without rushing.

Snorkeling in the lagoon: included gear makes it easy to say yes

Snorkeling is included, and you get use of snorkeling equipment. That detail is more important than it sounds. When gear is included, you don’t lose time figuring out rentals, prices, or what condition the equipment is in. It also reduces the mental load of the day—especially when your schedule is already packed.

The itinerary describes snorkeling in the blue lagoon, and you’ll do this during your Île aux Cerfs island time. The main thing you’ll want to manage is comfort and sun exposure. Even if the water feels cooler, the sun still hits hard between floats and swims.

A helpful mindset for snorkeling on a half-day segment inside a full tour:

  • Treat it as fun and straightforward, not a training session
  • Focus on enjoying the water and light rather than forcing a perfect routine
  • Stay aware of your time so you don’t get left behind in the flow back to the boat

Mauritian BBQ lunch on the island: filling, not an afterthought

A day built around catamaran travel needs food that keeps you going. Here, lunch at Île aux Cerfs island is part of the package and presented as a unique Mauritian BBQ lunch. That’s a smart choice because you’re already spending most of your time outdoors, and you’ll be active in the sun and water.

In practical terms, lunch inclusion helps you in two ways:

  • You don’t have to budget extra for meals on top of your tour price.
  • You avoid losing time on the island searching for food.

On top of the BBQ lunch, you’ll also have snacks during the day and bottled water. Add unlimited beverages, and you’ve got a full system for staying comfortable while you rotate between beach time and water activities.

If you have dietary needs, the data here doesn’t list meal customization. So I’d plan on standard BBQ-style island fare unless you’ve confirmed otherwise with the provider before you go.

Alcohol included, with a clear age rule

One nice detail is that the tour is genuinely all-inclusive in beverage terms, including alcoholic drinks. The package includes unlimited beverages, but there’s also a minimum drinking age of 18 for alcohol.

So if you’re traveling with people under 18, they can still enjoy the non-alcoholic options included in the day. And if you’re drinking alcohol, keep moderation in mind. Boat days plus sun can sneak up on you.

Price and value: what you get for $110 per person

At $110 per person, this tour sits in the “you pay for convenience” category. It’s not a low-cost beach trip. The real question is whether the included pieces are worth that number to you—and in this case, they are if you want a structured full day.

Here’s what your money covers:

  • Full day catamaran trip
  • Private and air-conditioned vehicle for pickup
  • Lunch at Île aux Cerfs island
  • Unlimited beverages plus bottled water
  • Snacks
  • Use of snorkeling equipment
  • Waterfall admission included for the GRSE stop

If you tried to replicate this on your own, you’d likely end up paying separately for transport, boat access, meal costs, and snorkeling gear. Even if you bargain, the hassle adds up fast on a one-day schedule.

The best value comes from the combination: boat + island + snorkeling + waterfall + lunch. If you only care about one or two of those, a different plan might be cheaper. But for a full highlight day on Mauritius east coast, $110 is a fair price for all the included services.

Best for: couples, small groups, and people who want a packed day done right

This tour works best if you want:

  • A single organized day that includes multiple big sights
  • An on-the-water experience without arranging every step
  • A schedule that’s active but still vacation-friendly

It also suits people who like the idea of a capped group size: maximum 24 travelers means the day is less chaotic than large bus-to-boat operations.

Who might not love it:

  • People who hate schedule changes and rigid timings
  • Anyone who needs long, unhurried stops at each location
  • Travelers who expect perfect transfer reliability without any confirmation

If you handle that last one by verifying pickup and return details up front, the rest of the experience is set up to feel smooth.

Should you book the All Inclusive Catamaran to Île aux Cerfs and GRSE Waterfall?

I’d book it if your goal is an all-in-one day on Mauritius’s east side: catamaran energy, Île aux Cerfs beach time, snorkeling with equipment included, and a waterfall stop that adds variety. The biggest reasons to choose it are the included lunch, unlimited drinks, and the fact that snorkeling gear is already sorted.

I’d be cautious if you’re the type who gets stressed by delays. The schedule can drift, and your day depends on correct pickup and return coordination. Spend one minute confirming details before you go. That small step protects you from the one flaw that can sour an otherwise strong itinerary.

There’s also good weather dependence. If conditions are poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund, and the experience has free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. That flexibility makes it easier to plan around Mauritius weather without locking yourself into a bad day.

If you want a high-value, high-effort day that’s mostly taken care of for you, this one fits.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 am.

Where do you go for the catamaran?

You’re driven to Trou D’eau Douce, where you embark on the catamaran.

How long is the experience?

The experience runs for about 8 hours.

Is pickup included?

Yes, pickup is offered from your provided location, in a private air-conditioned vehicle.

Are drinks included, and is alcohol available?

Yes. Unlimited beverages are included, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. The minimum drinking age for alcohol is 18.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you’ll snorkel in the lagoon during the day.

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