Ile Aux Cerfs Cruise: Honest Review, Island Waterfalls & Lunch

So, you’re looking at spending a day on a catamaran, cruising the turquoise waters of Mauritius and visiting Ile Aux Cerfs? That’s actually a super popular option, very appealing really for so many visiting the island. This little review will offer some perspectives on whether the ‘Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise including Island Waterfalls & Lunch’ actually lives up to the hype, and, you know, perhaps just give you an idea if it fits what you’re after for your own vacation.

Setting Sail: What’s the Initial Vibe?

First impressions always count, it seems, and for many, the departure point tends to be from Trou d’Eau Douce, a village on the east coast of Mauritius. Typically, there’s a bit of hustle, a tiny bit of bustle, with several catamarans prepping to, like, shove off simultaneously. It’s almost as though, sometimes things get a bit crowded getting onto the boat. You are quickly greeted, though, usually with a welcome drink – often a punch that has a little something extra in it – setting a relaxed tone for the day ahead.

That the catamarans themselves? Often they’re pretty well-maintained, sometimes offering both shaded and sun-drenched areas to stretch out in. That means, of course, you get to pick what suits your comfort best. It really depends, though, on the specific operator. What they’re offering. Some have netting areas where you can lounge close to the water – picture yourself suspended just above the waves – which, frankly, is rather delightful. Then there are the seating spots on the deck, often spacious enough, though they sometimes can feel a little close to one another when the catamaran is really filled up.

Chasing Waterfalls: The Grand River South East (GRSE)

A highlight for pretty much all Ile Aux Cerfs cruises tends to be a visit to the Grand River South East waterfall. The catamaran typically stops near the river mouth, at which point you’re, like, transferred to a smaller boat that is able to go further inland. The cruise up the river is definitely part of the adventure.

The scenery? That would be described as mostly quite lush. So, there is vegetation along the riverbanks, little glimpses of Mauritian life. That said, keep expectations in check. The waterfall itself is that kind of thing that is not Niagara. It is rather more of a cascade, to be clear. Depending on the time of year, it might be a gentle trickle or slightly more impressive after rainfall. Still, the setting is peaceful, you see, and it’s certainly a pleasant enough spot for taking photographs.

Lunch on Board: Feast or Fiasco?

Lunch, without a doubt, is a central part of pretty much most catamaran cruises, and that quality could range from totally adequate to surprisingly scrumptious. Commonly, it’s a barbecue affair. They grill seafood, chicken, and sausages on deck. In fact, they tend to accompany this with salads, rice, and bread.

Thing is, freshness and flavor is, often enough, heavily reliant on the cruise operator you go with. A lot of people comment that there’s generally sufficient food, very little in the way of gourmet, very adequate. On some cruises, they supply drinks freely throughout the day which typically include local beer, rum, wine, and soft drinks. Cheers to that, right?

Ile Aux Cerfs: Paradise Found, Maybe?

Ile Aux Cerfs itself: it is something that has a bit of a reputation for postcard-perfect beauty, but actually with, possibly, a hefty dose of tourist activity added to it. The island certainly boasts soft, white sand and, well, impossibly blue waters – a real feast for your eyes. On the other hand, it does get seriously crowded, specifically in the main areas.

The catamarans tend to drop you off for a few hours, giving you time enough to, you know, kick back on the beach, go for a swim, or have a little wander around. Watersports are plentiful – from parasailing to tube rides – though they generally cost extra, do keep that in mind. Bear in mind too it’s quite hard to get away from vendors offering souvenirs, and beachwear, that kind of thing.

Tip, that: For a slightly more serene experience, take a stroll along the coastline. Venture slightly further afield, maybe, away from the main landing point. You might discover quieter spots where you can actually chill and have a far more authentic appreciation of the island’s natural prettiness.

Snorkeling Stops: A Glimpse Beneath the Surface?

Some Ile Aux Cerfs catamaran cruises would actually include a snorkeling stop. That’s so you can explore some of the coral reefs off the Mauritian coast. Now, visibility? Well that would depend on the weather conditions and the time of year. Do bear in mind.

There’s that possibility that you’ll see an array of colorful fish, that might be your experience, so you will see corals. Sadly, quite a few reefs did suffer some damage through the years, but they’re showing good signs of regeneration, very gradually regenerating. The snorkeling equipment? That’s nearly always provided, yet might be an idea to bring your own just so that you ensure a comfortable fit. This makes your enjoyment all that much better, really.

The Crew and the Overall Vibe

What makes a cruise, makes it a success or not? It can be a lot down to the crew’s attitude and professionalism. That they really do tend to set the tone for the whole day. Loads of reviews do highlight friendly, attentive crews who go that extra mile making sure everybody has a good experience.

Music tends to be played, sometimes that can be a mix of local tunes and, really, international hits, that type of stuff. And it creates a party feel, just makes everyone relax a bit, just adds to the convivial vibe out there on the water.

Value for Money? Considering the Cost

The price range, you know, for an Ile Aux Cerfs catamaran cruise varies. That’s very much dependent on the operator, also the inclusions. When you assess value, really consider what’s important to you.

Are you especially keen on high-end food and drink? Are smaller crowds very appealing to you? Would you actually appreciate a more personalized level of service? Then it might be that you’re willing to spend extra on a premium cruise. On the other hand, should your priorities include budget-friendliness and a lively atmosphere, one of the standard options might just suit you perfectly.

Making the Booking: Things to Think About

So, when you’re booking your Ile Aux Cerfs catamaran cruise, here’s just some things to think about: Look into several operators. Check out what others have said in reviews. Look carefully into what is included in the package.

Think carefully too, about the time of year. The weather in Mauritius, it does vary, very, very much. Bear that in mind. Booking ahead, doing it in advance, can be an especially great plan. Specifically if you are travelling during peak season.

And should you have specific needs – dietary requirements, that type of thing, mobility issues, whatever, check with the operator well ahead, well ahead of the time. Confirm that that they are able to meet those particular needs that you might well have.

What Others Are Saying

Diving a bit into what other folks are saying can, like, provide a more complete idea. Online reviews really showcase a full range of experiences, basically.

Many rave, go on about the crystal-clear waters, others focus far more on the feeling that Ile Aux Cerfs, possibly, can be a bit crowded, they can be a little underwhelmed. The lunch is described, very often, really as decent, sometimes not brilliant, not amazing. So, the standard very much can vary. Keep those things in the front of your mind.

Actually reading a bunch of reviews really helps you align expectations. And that lets you pick a cruise that best suits your specific desires for an awesome day out.

Essential Things to Bring With You

If you choose to go on an Ile Aux Cerfs catamaran cruise, there’s a couple of must-bring things.

• First up, sun protection. High-factor sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are extremely helpful. It gets pretty bright out there!
• Take a towel. It’s just handy.
• Don’t forget your swimwear, really important.
• Taking a waterproof bag to protect any personal belongings can also be pretty clever.
• Eventually, you may also think to have a little cash available should you fancy getting involved in watersports activities or would, perhaps, want to buy a souvenir on Ile Aux Cerfs.

Alternative Cruise Options

Okay, there are tons of ways to get your island fix and so much seeing the waters around Mauritius. Like your thoughts around a private boat trip to actually customize that? Consider alternatives, really think through all the many alternatives before plumping for the, maybe default, cruise option.

Also you may well want to think on doing trips to other islands near, around Mauritius – it’s very well worth the planning phase to make the effort. Really weigh everything up and ensure, too, your boat meets those safety checks, actually does everything possible to deliver exactly what is says on that sales description.

In Closing: Is This Cruise For You?

So, after going over all this, deciding whether the ‘Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise with Island Waterfalls & Lunch’ suits you ultimately depends so, so much on what you expect and want, really are looking for. Thing is, should you be after a relaxed day out on the water, awesome views, and are fine with crowds? Then you’ll probably find this cruise absolutely great.

Though, should you value peace, tranquility, quiet spots, and a far more personalized experience? That’s a possibility that you would explore, explore more boutique, explore private options instead to be sure it’s precisely the thing that suits you the best.