Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 5 catamaran experiences from 19 reviewed.
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7 hr
Full-day sailing adventure to Mauritius' pristine island with lunch, drinks, and turquoise lagoon swim
Reserve
7 hr
Full-day sailing adventure along Mauritius' east coast with island time, lagoon snorkeling, and lunch
Reserve
7 hr
Sail to a pristine island paradise, snorkel turquoise waters, and feast on grilled seafood aboard a catamaran
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on this tour remember — all visible on a single visit.
A long stretch of white sand perfect for sunbathing. It occupies the largest area of the island shore.
They complement each other; most visitors who do both call the catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch the more relaxing option, while speedboat transfers provide efficient point-to-point transit. These catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch tours focus on leisure, whereas transfers prioritize rapid arrival at the lagoon.
| Feature | Top pick Catamaran Cruise | Speedboat Transfer |
|---|---|---|
Experience Type |
Leisure sailing and meal | Direct water transport |
Travel Time |
45–90 minutes | 10–15 minutes |
Inclusions |
BBQ lunch and drinks | Standard boat passage |
Group Size |
20–40 passengers | 4–10 passengers |
Flexibility |
Fixed departure schedule | Customizable timings available |
Best For |
Relaxation and scenic cruising | Fast arrival at Ile aux Cerfs |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Choose a catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch tickets if you prefer an all-day social experience, or select a speedboat for a direct catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch tour alternative when time is limited.
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Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.
Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for your visit straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Trou d'Eau Douce, Mauritius
Check in 15 minutes before departure
Follow coastal road B59 to Trou d'Eau Douce
Hire a local taxi for direct transfer to the jetty
Casual beachwear is recommended for your catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch. Ensure you bring swimwear and a change of clothes for the return journey.
Keep belongings minimal for the catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch. Waterproof bags are advised to protect electronics from salt spray.
Photography is permitted throughout the catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch. Drones may require prior authorization from local maritime authorities.
The catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch may present challenges for those with limited mobility due to sandy beaches and boat boarding ramps. Please notify the operator in advance.
Mobile phone coverage can be intermittent during the catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch. Keep devices in dry bags when near the water.
The catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch is suitable for families with children. Life jackets are provided in various sizes for safety.
A barbecue lunch is included as part of the catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are typically served on board.
Pets are strictly prohibited on the catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch and the island nature reserve.
The catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch operator manages the itinerary based on sea conditions. Always follow the captain's safety briefing instructions.
Trou d'Eau Douce, Mauritius
Check in 15 minutes before departure
Get directionsBest time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
December to March offers warm water temperatures for swimming. Catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch tours are popular during this period.
June to August features cooler breezes and lower humidity. It is a comfortable time for the catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
Apply sunscreen before boarding as shade on deck is limited. UV radiation is high throughout the day.
Wear flip-flops or sandals as boat decks can become hot. You will be walking on sand and coral fragments on the island.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
A scenic waterfall accessible by boat trip. The surrounding cliffs offer unique views of the river mouth.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance receive a full refund. The entrance fee to the island is 0 MUR.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
High-end resort with direct access to private beaches.
Ile aux Cerfs lies five nautical miles off Trou d'Eau Douce, a privately managed island spanning 87 hectares of white sand and casuarina forest within the Blue Bay Marine Park conservation zone. The island was named in 1744 by French navigator Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais, who found wild deer grazing the interior scrubland during an early charting expedition. No permanent settlement was ever established; the island served as a navigational marker and occasional sheltered anchorage for coastal traders until the Mauritian government designated it a leisure reserve in 1988. Today, Ile aux Cerfs is accessible only by water, with catamaran departures operating from the Trou d'Eau Douce jetty between 09:00 and 18:00 daily. A catamaran cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ lunch departs mid-morning, crossing the shallow turquoise lagoon at the edge of the Grand River South East estuary. The twin-hulled vessels—most measuring 40 to 50 feet—are purpose-built for reef navigation, drawing less than one meter when loaded. Captains follow marked channels through the coral garden zone, where visibility reaches 15 meters on calm days and brain coral formations rise within a meter of the surface. Snorkeling stops are made at designated marine-park moorings; mask and fin sets are provided on board. The eastward route often includes a detour to Grande Rivière Sud-Est waterfall, where freshwater cascades 10 meters into a brackish pool fringed by pandanus and traveler's palms. The onboard barbecue is prepared while the catamaran is anchored off the island's northern beach. Grills are mounted on the stern platform; crew members cook marinated chicken, grilled fish—often red snapper or bourgeois caught that morning—garlic prawns, and vegetable skewers over charcoal. Side dishes include lentil salads, coleslaw, and Mauritian fried rice, served buffet-style with chilled beer, rum punch, and soft drinks. The meal is timed to the mid-sail drift, when the boat is moored in four meters of water and passengers can swim directly from the transom ladder. Free time on Ile aux Cerfs itself lasts two to three hours, depending on tide and weather. The island's beaches remain undeveloped apart from a single beach-club concession and watersports kiosk near the main landing pier; most of the western and southern coastline is open sand accessible only on foot.
"The island was named in 1744 by French navigator Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais, who found wild deer grazing the interior scrubland."
A step-by-step walkthrough of the visit — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You board the catamaran at Trou d'Eau Douce jetty between 09:00 and 10:00, stepping across a narrow gangway onto the foredeck netting. The boat clears the estuary within 15 minutes, accelerating to 12 knots once past the inner reef markers. The first snorkeling stop is made 20 minutes offshore, where the crew drops anchor at a designated coral-garden mooring. You descend a stern ladder into water that holds at 26 degrees year-round; visibility runs 12 to 15 meters, and parrotfish and sergeant majors move through staghorn coral heads two meters below the surface. The catamaran resumes course toward Grande Rivière Sud-Est, nosing into the river mouth where the waterfall becomes visible through a corridor of palms. You disembark onto a shallow sandbar for a 10-minute walk to the cascade; the pool at its base is waist-deep and brackish, fed by both the falls and tidal backflow. Returning to the boat, you find the barbecue already lit on the stern platform—grilled snapper, garlic prawns, chicken skewers, and vegetable sides laid out buffet-style. The catamaran anchors 200 meters off Ile aux Cerfs's northern beach; you eat while moored, then swim directly from the boat or take the tender ashore. Free time on the island lasts two hours. You walk the western beach, where the sand runs unbroken for 800 meters and the lagoon remains shallow enough to wade 50 meters offshore.
The island is open from 09:00–18:00 daily.
Entry to the island is 0 MUR.
The tour includes boat transportation and a prepared barbecue meal.
You can purchase catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch tickets through our online portal.
Yes, the catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch is family-friendly.
Food is provided, so outside food is generally not necessary.
Tours may be rescheduled or refunded based on the operator's safety policy.
The meeting point is at the Trou d'Eau Douce jetty, accessible by car or taxi.
Lockers are generally not provided, so avoid bringing valuables on your catamaran cruise to ile aux cerfs with bbq lunch.