Six hours of ocean therapy.

This catamaran cruise packs in east Mauritius scenery, a proper stop at Grand River South East Waterfalls, and beach-and-snorkel time at Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the combo of moving by sea (so the views keep changing) and having a built-in lunch that does not turn into a hunt for food. One possible drawback: if you’re the type who thinks the island should be the single, unforgettable highlight, you might feel Ile aux Cerfs is more of a nice beach break than a must-see.

You meet at Debarcadère in Trou d’Eau Douce, then spend the day cruising, swimming, and relaxing with drinks included. The live guide comes in Arabic, French, and English, which helps if your group has mixed language comfort. Keep in mind the day can run a bit differently depending on tide and water depth, so the order of stops may shift.

Key things I’d plan around

• East-coast catamaran ride for mountain-and-sea views as you head toward the waterfall area
• Grand River South East Waterfalls visit as a named, photo-friendly nature stop
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time with chances to swim and snorkel in clear water
• BBQ lunch plus drinks on board so you’re fed without leaving the boat-world
• On-the-day guidance in Arabic, French, English to help you get the most out of each stop

Getting on the water in Trou d’Eau Douce

Trou d’Eau Douce is the launch point for this trip, and the meeting spot is the Debarcadère. There’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll want to get yourself there on time and at the right place, not just in the general area.

Once you’re onboard, the tone is simple: settle in, get oriented, and let the crew handle the flow of the day. In real terms, this matters because catamaran days can get chaotic if passengers are constantly asking where to go next. Here, the staff approach tends to be practical and attentive, and that keeps the whole day from feeling like a series of small confusion moments.

Sailing the east coast: where the views do the work

The heart of the experience is the time on the water. As you set off along Mauritius’s east coast, you get a steady stream of scenery—ocean, coastline, and mountain views in the distance—without the effort of changing buses or constantly finding parking.

This kind of ride is a big part of the value. You’re paying for a day that mixes motion (boat time) with stops (waterfalls and island time), and both parts use the same asset: you’re already on the right side of the island to see east-coast highlights.

Grand River South East Waterfalls: a scenic break you can actually enjoy

The trip includes a cruise to the Grand River South East Waterfalls, which gives you a break from just beach-and-sun planning. Waterfall stops work best when you treat them as a short, focused nature moment rather than expecting a long hike—this is a catamaran day, after all.

What I like about pairing waterfalls with an island beach day is contrast. You get the movement and sea vibes from the boat, then a change in scenery where the scenery is about water, greenery, and that slightly cooler feel you get near waterfalls (when weather allows). Also, since the day’s order can shift with tide and water depth, the waterfall stop acts like a consistent anchor on the route.

Ile aux Cerfs: beach time plus snorkel chances

Ile aux Cerfs is the island landing, and this is where the trip becomes more than sightseeing. After you disembark, you can relax on the beaches and spend time in the water.

The water around the island is described as crystal-clear, and that’s exactly what you want for snorkeling. I’d plan on doing at least a short snorkel session if you’re comfortable in open water—this is one of those parts where the payoff tends to be immediate when visibility is good.

Beach time is also your flexibility zone. If you’re traveling as a mixed group—some people want to swim, others just want to soak up sun—this stop can work for both moods. You can stay in the water a while, or hang back and enjoy the shoreline at your own pace.

One honest note from the broader mix of opinions: if you’re picky and you’re expecting an island that beats every other beach you’ve seen, you might find Ile aux Cerfs less special than you hoped. It’s still a solid island day, but it may not satisfy the most extreme beach snob on your trip.

What the BBQ lunch (and drinks) really add

Lunch is served as a BBQ on board, and drinks are included. That sounds simple, but it changes the whole rhythm of the day.

Without a lunch plan, boat trips can turn into a scramble: snacks before you board, a long wait, then trying to find something that’s both filling and not wildly overpriced. Here, the BBQ approach keeps you fed while you’re still in the middle of the experience.

The best part is timing. You don’t have to leave the boat world during the busiest hours, and you can eat while the day keeps moving. Several people highlight the lunch quality and how attentive the crew is, and that lines up with how a good BBQ-onboard day should feel: friendly, not rushed, and organized enough that you don’t waste your limited island time thinking about food.

How long is enough time for all this?

The total duration is 6 hours. That’s a sweet spot for a catamaran day: long enough to get real beach and swim time, but not so long that the day turns into a full logistics marathon.

Because the itinerary includes both a named waterfall stop and an island landing, I treat the schedule like this:

• Boat time is the connective tissue
• Waterfalls are a scenic break
• Ile aux Cerfs is where you cash in your time for swimming and snorkeling

If you’re hoping to do a deep exploration on foot, this is not that kind of trip. It’s built for ocean time and a classic island-and-waterfall blend, not for long land-based wandering.

Price and value: is $64 a fair deal?

At $64 per person for a 6-hour day, you’re essentially paying for three things: the catamaran ride, the island landing, and a full lunch with drinks. When you price it that way, it starts to look reasonable—especially because there’s no hotel pickup included, so you’re not paying for extra transport that you might have to find a meeting point for anyway.

The big value signal here is that the essentials are bundled:

• Catamaran cruise
• Lunch (BBQ)
• Drinks
• Waterfalls + Ile aux Cerfs landing

If you’re coming from central Mauritius and you’d otherwise need multiple separate activities, the package nature is what saves you time and planning energy. On the other hand, if you already have a plan to visit Ile aux Cerfs or you’re only interested in the waterfall, you may find the full package broader than your personal priority list.

Weather and tides: what can change on the day

This trip can be rescheduled if weather is adverse and the sea is rough. That’s important because catamarans are honest about what water conditions allow.

Also, the order of sites may change based on the tide and water depth. Practically, this means you should expect some variation in timing even when everything runs as planned. If you’re the type who needs a strict schedule, keep your day flexible around this one activity.

The good part: you’re not doing this as an “on paper only” experience. If the sea is too rough, they don’t just press on for optics—they adjust the plan so you still have a safe day out.

Who this trip suits best

This experience is a great fit if you want a one-day east Mauritius hit without turning it into a full-day driving day.

I’d especially recommend it for:

• Couples and friends who want a mix of water + nature + lunch in one loop
• People who like short, well-timed stops instead of long hikes
• Anyone who enjoys snorkeling and wants that option during the day
• Mixed-language groups, since the guide covers Arabic, French, and English

If you’re traveling solo and just want quiet beach time, the island stop can work well too, as long as you’re comfortable following the flow of a group outing.

If you’re chasing the single best beach experience of your whole trip, you may want to think carefully. Ile aux Cerfs gets attention for a reason, but not everyone rates it as the top-tier highlight.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran with waterfalls and BBQ?

I’d book it if your goal is an easy, well-rounded ocean day: catamaran scenery, a proper nature stop at Grand River South East Waterfalls, and beach plus snorkeling time at Ile aux Cerfs, all with BBQ lunch and drinks taken care of.

Skip or at least double-check expectations if your main obsession is finding the most mind-blowing beach on Mauritius. This trip is more about variety and comfort than pure perfection at a single stop.

My practical tip: pack for water time like it’s the main event. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, and treat the day as part beach day, part sea day, part nature break. That mindset makes the schedule feel smooth instead of rushed.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You meet at Debarcadère, Trou d’Eau Douce.

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The duration is 6 hours.

How much does the trip cost?

The price is $64 per person.

What is included in the ticket price?

Included items are the catamaran trip, lunch, drinks, visit to Grand River South East Waterfalls, landing on Ile aux Cerfs, and the crew.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What languages is the live tour guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in Arabic, French, and English.

Is there time to swim or snorkel?

Yes. You have chances to swim and snorkel around Ile aux Cerfs.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

What happens if the sea is too rough?

If weather is adverse and the sea is rough (not just rainy), the trip can be rescheduled. If a suitable new date cannot be arranged for all parties, a full refund is offered.