Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling + GRSE Waterfall, BBQ & Bar

The best part of this Mauritius outing is the mix: a short look at Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall, open-water cruising, snorkeling, and several hours at Ile aux Cerfs. You are not stuck on a boat all day. You get a proper island stop, a barbecue lunch, and drinks included in the $82.46 price.

I like the generous food and drink package, especially since it includes water, soda, coffee or tea, snacks, wine, rum cocktails, and other alcoholic drinks. I also like the friendly service associated with crew members Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan. The main caution is crowding. The advertised limit is 25 people, but one booking reported more than 30 passengers, so ask about the expected group size before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different stops: See the Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall, then spend about three hours around Ile aux Cerfs.
• A full meal is included: Expect barbecue lunch, snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, coffee or tea, and alcoholic drinks.
• Water time is built in: Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and you can swim or arrange parasailing and tube rides at Ile aux Cerfs.
• The meeting point is simple: Start and finish at the Blue Alizé Catamaran office at Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce.
• The group size needs checking: The stated maximum is 25, but one booking described a group of more than 30.
• It is weather dependent: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Why this catamaran day works well

This is a classic Mauritius water day, but it has enough variety to keep the hours moving. You begin at Trou d’Eau Douce, board the Blue Alizé Catamaran, and head toward the southeast coast’s river and island sights.

The route gives you a little of everything. There is a waterfall visit, a boat ride, beach time, swimming, snorkeling, and an included meal. If you want a simple way to see Ile aux Cerfs without arranging each activity yourself, this package does the work for you.

The group format keeps the price at $82.46 per person. That is a fair figure when you count the seven-hour duration, lunch, equipment, drinks, and the island stop. It is not the right choice if you want a quiet private cruise or a highly polished luxury setting. You are paying for a sociable day with many included extras.

The mood can be part of the appeal. Several positive comments point to a warm crew, good food, plenty of drinks, and an upbeat atmosphere. One group had a good time even during rain at Ile aux Cerfs. That tells you this is built more around company and energy than around a calm, silent sail.

Starting at Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 am

Your meeting point is Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs at Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce. The cruise starts at 9:00 am and returns to the same place, which makes the day easier to plan if your own transport is waiting nearby.

Private transportation is not included. You need to arrange your way to Trou d’Eau Douce and have your transport meet you again at the Debarcadere after the cruise. This is an important detail, since the boat does not finish at a separate hotel or resort drop-off point.

The instructions say an agent will wait at the Debarcadere for boarding. I would allow enough time to find the office and get oriented before departure. The ticket redemption point is also the Blue Alizé Catamaran location, so you are not dealing with separate departure and ticket locations.

This experience is not wheelchair accessible. Most people can participate, but the transfer between boats and the use of a smaller boat during the day may be worth considering if you have mobility concerns.

The short visit to Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall

The first stop is Grande Riviere Sud Est, where the river meets the Indian Ocean. The waterfall visit lasts about 10 minutes, so think of it as a quick scenic pause rather than a long walk or a major attraction stop.

That short timing is useful because it leaves more of the day for Ile aux Cerfs. You get to see one of the southeast’s signature natural sights without losing hours of beach time. Have your camera ready, since the stop is brief.

You may find this part less satisfying if you want to explore the waterfall on foot. The supplied details describe a viewing stop, not a hike or extended shore visit. Still, it adds a strong sense of place to the route and breaks up the ride nicely.

The waterfall flowing into the ocean is also a reminder that this is not only a beach excursion. Mauritius has a mix of river, forest, coast, and offshore islands, and this first stop gives you a quick look at that meeting point.

Three hours around Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs receives the largest share of your day, with about three hours on or around the island. That is enough time to set your own pace instead of rushing from one organized activity to the next.

You can relax, swim, sunbathe, or use the snorkeling equipment provided. Parasailing and tube rides are also available as possible water activities, though the supplied details do not say that these are included in the price. Expect to arrange or pay for those separately.

The option to book a transat, or sun lounger, is also mentioned. It is worth checking the cost before settling in. If you plan to spend your time in the water, you may not need one. If you want shade and a fixed place for your things, it could be useful.

I like that Ile aux Cerfs is not treated as a quick photo stop. Three hours gives you room to swim, eat, take a break, and decide how active you feel. You can use the island as a pause after the boat ride, or take advantage of the water activities if you still have energy.

The tradeoff is that popular island stops can feel busy, particularly when several boats arrive. This package is designed to give you access and time, not solitude. If your ideal beach day means a nearly empty shore, a smaller or private cruise may suit you better.

Snorkeling, swimming, and optional watersports

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing or renting basic gear for the cruise. The supplied information does not promise a particular reef, marine species, or snorkeling duration, so keep your expectations practical. This is a chance to get into the water, not a specialist marine-life excursion.

Swimming is another straightforward choice at Ile aux Cerfs. You can spend the island portion in the water, on the beach, or under the sun. Coconut water is specifically associated with the experience, adding a pleasant tropical touch to a hot day.

Parasailing and tube rides are listed as activities you can enjoy or book. Because the package only clearly includes snorkeling equipment, lunch, and drinks, check the price of these add-ons before committing. The same applies to a transat.

I would bring only what you need for the boat and island. One serious complaint involved a phone being stolen after passengers were told belongings could remain on the catamaran during a transfer to a smaller boat. The operator offered to investigate, but the practical lesson is clear: keep valuables close, use a secure waterproof pouch, and do not assume unattended items are safe.

Barbecue lunch and the open drinks package

Food is one of the stronger reasons to consider this cruise. Barbecue lunch is included, along with snacks, bottled water, soda, coffee, and tea. Alcoholic drinks are also included, with wine and rum cocktails mentioned among the choices.

That package matters because a day on the water can become expensive once you add meals, cold drinks, and refreshments. Here, you can budget more easily before leaving. It also means you do not need to interrupt the day to search for lunch at Ile aux Cerfs.

Positive comments repeatedly focus on the food and the amount of drink available. One French-speaking customer specifically praised the barbecue, while another described the food as good and the drinks as plentiful. I would treat that as a genuine strength of the experience.

The meal also helps create the social side of the cruise. This is not a quiet picnic you eat alone. You are likely sharing lunch with the rest of the group, so the atmosphere depends partly on how busy the catamaran is and how much you enjoy a lively setting.

If you do not drink alcohol, the soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, and coconut water give you alternatives. The supplied information does not provide a menu or confirm dietary options, so contact the operator in advance if you have food allergies or special meal needs.

Crew service and the mood onboard

The most praised personal quality is the crew. Names connected with especially warm service include Tommy, Sunny, Maria, and Kenan. The positive comments describe attentive care, good planning from check-in through arrival, and a friendly approach.

That matters on a seven-hour group outing. A good crew keeps the meal moving, helps with equipment, explains transfers, and adds energy during the less active parts of the cruise. Several high ratings also mention the atmosphere, including a positive day despite rain on the island.

Still, service cannot fully solve a crowded boat. One person rated the experience poorly after finding more than 30 people onboard and feeling the product did not match its premium price. The advertised maximum is 25, so I would confirm the number for your date, particularly if space and personal attention matter to you.

The operator also offers a separate luxury Ile aux Cerfs catamaran product. That tells you this particular cruise is the standard group option rather than the premium choice. If you want more room or a quieter feel, compare the two before booking.

Is $82.46 good value?

At $82.46 per person, this is a solid package if you plan to use the inclusions. You get around seven hours, two main stops, snorkeling equipment, barbecue lunch, snacks, and a broad selection of drinks. The combination is more useful than a bare boat transfer to the island.

The value drops if you do not care about lunch or alcohol, or if you expect a luxury catamaran with plenty of room. It also drops if the group is larger than the stated 25-person limit. Crowding is the one issue that could change your view of the price quickly.

I would compare the package with the cost of booking a boat, buying lunch, renting snorkeling gear, and paying for drinks separately. The included items make the price easy to justify for many people, especially those who want a full day with minimal planning.

Parasailing, tube rides, and a transat may cost extra. Set aside additional money only if you want those options, and ask for current prices before you board.

Weather, cancellation, and who should book

This cruise needs good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.

I would book this if you want a social, active day with food and drinks already handled. Families, couples, and groups of friends who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and a lively boat atmosphere should find plenty to do.

I would think twice if you need wheelchair access, want a private experience, dislike alcohol-focused group settings, or require a guaranteed small group. I would also ask directly about passenger numbers after the report of a boat carrying more than 30 people.

Should you book this Mauritius cruise?

Book it if your perfect southeast-coast day includes a short waterfall stop, a long island break, barbecue lunch, included drinks, and plenty of time in the water. The price is reasonable for the package, and the crew’s friendly service is a clear plus.

Before paying, confirm the group size and ask which activities cost extra. Protect your phone and other valuables during boat transfers. With those points handled, this is a practical way to see Grande Riviere Sud Est and Ile aux Cerfs in one well-filled day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

It starts at Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs at Debarcadere, Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the cruise begin?

The stated start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the cruise finish?

The catamaran returns to Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, the same general meeting location.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point and back from the end point.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the group?

The stated maximum is 25 travelers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Barbecue lunch is included, along with snacks.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes bottled water, soda, coffee or tea, and alcoholic beverages. Wine, rum cocktails, and coconut water are also mentioned.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.