Mauritius: Catamaran Day Cruise to lle aux Cerfs with Lunch

The best part of this Mauritius cruise is the balance between open-water sailing and easygoing beach time. You’ll pass through the east coast lagoon, pause at the GRSE waterfalls, swim with tropical fish, eat lunch on board, and finish with about two hours at Ile aux Cerfs.

I like the spacious catamaran, which gives you room to sit, stretch out, and eat without feeling boxed in. I also like the generous food and drinks, including fish, chicken skewers, salads, garlic bread, rice, pasta, pineapple, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. The main consideration is the mood: music and morning alcohol make this more social party boat than quiet sailing trip.

Key points at a glance

• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: Plan on roughly two hours to enjoy the island, though the exact time may vary.
• GRSE waterfall stop: A scenic photo stop, but often brief and shared with many other boats.
• Snorkeling from the catamaran: Equipment is included, though currents can affect visibility and comfort.
• BBQ lunch on board: Fish, chicken, salads, bread, rice, pasta, and fresh pineapple are served, with vegetarian and gluten-free meals available on request.
• Social sailing atmosphere: Expect music, drinks, friendly crew, and a cheerful group setting.
• Good value at $65: The price covers the cruise, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, crew, and two major east coast sights.

Setting Out From Trou d’Eau Douce

You meet at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’s east coast. Look for the jetty beside the flag of Mauritius. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the village.

The cruise lasts about six hours, usually beginning in the morning. That timing matters. You get the strongest stretch of daylight for swimming and beach time, while the boat ride itself breaks up the day with plenty of chances to sit in the shade or stretch out on deck.

The catamaran is the main setting for much of the experience. You are not simply being ferried from one stop to another. The sailing time is part of the outing, with music, drinks, sunbathing, and views across the lagoon. This suits you if you enjoy the feeling of a day at sea without needing a tightly packed schedule.

The crew speaks English and French. The service is one of the strongest parts of the trip. Aldo, specifically, has been praised for being attentive and making sure everyone was comfortable. Other feedback also points to a helpful, hospitable crew that keeps the day moving without making it feel rushed.

Sailing Past Ile aux Cerfs

One of the first major sights is Ile aux Cerfs, the famous island off Mauritius’s east coast. The boat passes the island before or around the later stops, giving you scenic views from the water before you go ashore.

The approach is one of the prettiest parts of the cruise. From the catamaran, you see pale sand, shallow clear water, and the island’s tropical shoreline. The boat’s broad deck gives you several ways to enjoy it. Sit near the front for the ride, find a place to sunbathe, or stay back with a drink and watch the coastline slide past.

Ile aux Cerfs is not an untouched desert island. It is a popular day-trip destination, and other boats bring visitors here as well. Still, it offers the kind of easy beach time that makes sense after a morning on the water. You can walk, swim, take photos, or simply find a patch of sand and stop doing anything useful for a while.

The scheduled visit lasts about two hours, though some departures may provide closer to an hour and a half. That is enough for a taste of the island, but it is not a long beach day. If you want to explore every cove or spend serious time on water sports, you may find the stop short.

A useful tip is to walk farther along the beach rather than staying at the first area near the landing point. One past participant found small coves and quieter stretches by continuing about 20 minutes along the shore. Bring your towel and sunscreen, since this is your best chance to settle into a beach routine during the cruise.

The GRSE Waterfalls Stop

The catamaran then heads toward Grand River South East, commonly shortened to GRSE. The river meets the sea at a scenic waterfall, and the boat makes a photo stop that lasts about 20 minutes.

The setting is attractive, and you may spot monkeys near the waterfall. The ride upriver or along the coast also gives you a different view of Mauritius than the open lagoon. Instead of white sand and broad sea, you get rocky edges, green vegetation, and falling water framed by the river.

Keep your expectations measured. The waterfall visit is one of the shorter parts of the day, and the boat may not stay long. The area can also be crowded with other catamarans, which takes away some of the quiet feel. If waterfalls are your main reason for booking, this stop may seem underwhelming.

I see it as a scenic interlude rather than the main event. Have your camera ready, enjoy the view, and do not count on a long walk or a private encounter with the falls. The cruise’s real strength is the combination of several modest stops with long, relaxed stretches on the water.

Snorkeling in the East Coast Lagoon

After the waterfall, the boat stops for swimming and snorkeling. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask or fins.

The water is generally warm and clear enough to see tropical fish, and some departures have found plenty of sea life at the chosen site. Conditions depend on the day, tide, and current. One important practical point is that the snorkeling location is not always a protected cove. Strong current has made the stop less comfortable for some people, even when there was still fish to see.

The underwater viewing here should be treated as a pleasant part of the day, not as a specialist reef excursion. Some people have found better fish and more colorful coral around Ile aux Cerfs itself. Coral damage has also affected the quality of some snorkeling areas, so the experience can vary.

You should be comfortable getting into open water and following the crew’s instructions. The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is not recommended for pregnant women. If you are not a strong swimmer, ask the crew what conditions are like before entering the water.

For most people, the snorkeling stop works well as a cooling break. You can swim, look for fish, then return to the deck for lunch and a drink. Bring a towel and apply sunscreen before boarding, since the sun is strong and the catamaran deck offers plenty of exposed space.

BBQ Lunch With Fish, Chicken, and Fresh Pineapple

Lunch is served on board during the cruise toward Ile aux Cerfs. The meal includes fish, chicken skewers, salads, garlic bread, pasta, rice, and fresh pineapple. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available if you request them in advance.

This is a generous, practical boat lunch rather than a formal restaurant meal. You can expect familiar food that is easy to eat in a casual setting. The fish has earned particular praise, and the portions are described as plentiful. A fresh pineapple serving adds a welcome finish after the savory food.

Drinks are included, which adds real value to the $65 price. Available choices include water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. The crew keeps the atmosphere lively, and the bar service contributes to the feeling of a social day out rather than a basic transport trip.

If you want a quiet meal, choose your seat with care and be ready for music. The boat encourages conversation and a cheerful mood. This is a good match for couples, friends, and families who enjoy a shared group setting. It is less suited to someone hoping to eat in silence while listening only to the sea.

Two Hours on Ile aux Cerfs

The longest shore stop is your visit to Ile aux Cerfs. You have time for beach walking, swimming, sightseeing, and relaxing before returning to the catamaran.

The island is especially useful as a contrast to the boat. After several hours of sailing, you can put your feet on firm ground and choose your own pace. You might walk along the sand, find a quieter place, or take part in water sports if they are available during your visit.

Budget extra cash if you are interested in activities or purchases on the island. One person found that some island costs were high, and parasailing arrangements connected with the cruise were reported as shorter and more expensive than options on Ile aux Cerfs itself. Ask clearly about the price and duration before paying for anything additional.

The island stop can feel short if you want to explore a lot. You need to account for walking time, swimming, photos, and any water activity within the same window. I would make a simple plan before leaving the boat: walk a little, choose a beach spot, then keep enough time to return without rushing.

The Return Sail to Trou d’Eau Douce

After the island visit, you return to the catamaran for the final hour. The ride back is often when the day settles into its most relaxed rhythm. You can dry off, have another drink, listen to music, and watch the coast recede.

The crew may raise the sails on the return journey, adding a genuine sailing moment to what is otherwise a motor-assisted day cruise. Do not expect a silent, wind-only voyage. The music remains part of the atmosphere, and the group mood can be lively.

That mix is worth understanding before you book. Some people find the cruise offers a good middle ground between a party boat and a restful outing. Others find the music too loud and the alcohol service too prominent for a peaceful sailing experience. The boat has plenty of space, which helps, but it cannot remove the shared social atmosphere.

You arrive back at the same Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce. Since there is no hotel transfer, arrange your return transport in advance, especially if you are staying far from the east coast.

What the $65 Price Really Buys

At $65 per person, this is strong value if you want several east coast experiences in one outing. You get a six-hour cruise, a professional licensed crew, drinks, snorkeling equipment, a BBQ lunch, the waterfall stop, and time at Ile aux Cerfs.

You are also paying for convenience. Instead of arranging separate boat trips, food, snorkeling gear, and island transport, you receive one simple package. That makes the tour especially useful during a shorter Mauritius stay.

The value drops if your main goal is high-quality snorkeling, a quiet sail, or a long visit to Ile aux Cerfs. A specialist snorkeling trip may offer better underwater conditions, while a private boat could give you more control over timing. This catamaran is at its best when you want a sociable day that covers the major east coast sights without a high price.

The free cancellation period is up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Check the available starting times when booking, since the exact schedule is not fixed in the basic tour details.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Day?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want:

• A full morning and afternoon on the water without booking a private boat
• A friendly crew and a social group setting
• A casual BBQ lunch with drinks included
• A taste of Ile aux Cerfs, GRSE waterfalls, and lagoon snorkeling in one day
• Space to sunbathe, swim, listen to music, and meet other people
• Good overall value rather than a highly specialized excursion

I would think twice if you want a quiet, low-key sailing trip. The music can be loud, alcohol is available from the morning, and the atmosphere encourages a party mood. You may also be disappointed if you expect a long waterfall visit or exceptional coral snorkeling.

Families can enjoy the scenery, food, and beach time, but the group atmosphere may not suit every child. If someone in your party has limited mobility or is pregnant, choose another activity.

Should You Book It?

Book this cruise if you want an easy, sociable introduction to Mauritius’s east coast. The crew, generous lunch, included drinks, and roomy catamaran make the $65 fare worthwhile, especially when you value a full day of varied stops over private access or perfect snorkeling.

Skip it if you want silence, a small group, or a carefully timed island exploration. For everyone else, this is a cheerful and practical way to see Ile aux Cerfs, enjoy the lagoon, and spend a day outside without complicated planning.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The meeting point is the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. It is next to the flag of Mauritius.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to Trou d’Eau Douce and back.

What food is included at lunch?

The BBQ lunch includes fish, chicken skewers, salads, garlic bread, pasta, rice, and fresh pineapple. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available on request.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the cruise includes a swimming and snorkeling stop.

What languages does the crew speak?

The live tour is offered in English and French.