Île aux Cerfs: Private Catamaran Cruise with Gourmet Lunch

The best part of this six-hour cruise is the private catamaran. You can enjoy the East Coast lagoon at your own pace instead of sharing every swim stop with a large crowd. The route also adds variety: a waterfall, reef snorkeling, small islands, and time at Île aux Cerfs.

I like the combination of snorkeling and a proper onboard lunch, especially since the meal has included lobster, fish, and other BBQ dishes. I also like the crew’s personal service. Sonia, Dario, and Marie-Lou are named in the feedback, and attentive hosting comes up again and again.

The main consideration is the price: $1,325 per group, up to six people. That works out to about $221 per person if you fill the boat, but it is a costly day for two or three people. Île aux Cerfs can also feel crowded, so the private crew’s willingness to adjust the route matters.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six: The price covers the group, making this much better value with family or friends.
• A full East Coast route: You’ll see the Grand River South East Waterfall, reef stops, Île aux Fouquets Lighthouse, Île aux Aigrettes, Îlot Flamants, and Île aux Cerfs.
• Snorkeling comes before alcohol: Drinks are unlimited, but alcoholic drinks are served only after snorkeling.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect a BBQ meal with dessert and drinks while anchored behind Île aux Cerfs.
• Île aux Cerfs is not the only beach option: If the island feels too crowded, the crew may take you to a sandbank or another quieter swimming spot.
• Bring only day essentials: Swimwear, towel, high SPF sunscreen, hat, camera, and passport or ID are recommended. Large bags are not allowed.

Setting out from Pointe Maurice Jetty

You meet the catamaran at Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the jetty and arrive ready for a day on the water.

The trip lasts six hours, with a return planned for around 4 p.m. That makes it a useful choice if you want a full morning and afternoon on the coast without committing to a sunset cruise or an overnight sailing trip.

Because this is a private group, the day should feel more flexible than a standard shared excursion. You are booking the boat for up to six people, not buying one seat among dozens. That matters when you want to spend more time swimming, pause for photos, or avoid lingering at a stop that does not suit your group.

The crew speaks English and French. The named crew members include Sonia, Dario, and Marie-Lou, although you should not assume which person will be onboard for your date.

The Grand River South East Waterfall stop

One of the first scenic stops is the Grand River South East Waterfall. You get time for a photo stop, a visit, and wildlife viewing before the boat continues through the bay and reef waters.

This is a useful opening to the day because it breaks up the sailing early. You are not simply heading straight to the beach for hours of sun. The waterfall gives you a quick inland-style sight from the water, while the wildlife viewing adds another reason to keep your camera handy.

The stop is presented as part of the cruise route, not as a long guided walk. If you are hoping for a major land excursion around the waterfall, this is not that. Think of it as a scenic pause and a chance to take photos from the boat or nearby water.

Reef water at Île aux Fouquets

The cruise then reaches Île aux Fouquets Lighthouse, where the focus shifts to swimming, snorkeling, free time, and an aperitif. This is one of the strongest sections of the trip for anyone who wants to get in the water.

The reef setting is important. Snorkeling is not just an optional extra at a beach club. You are taken to marine areas where you can look for underwater life in the lagoon. Conditions can vary, of course, so the quality of visibility depends on the day and the sea.

One practical rule is clear: do your snorkeling before drinking alcohol. Alcoholic drinks are served after the snorkeling portion, and the management can cancel snorkeling if alcohol has already been consumed. It is a sensible safety rule, and it also helps you get the most from the water stops.

Bring a towel and swimwear under your clothes. You will not want to waste time changing when the best part of a stop is simply getting into the lagoon.

Île aux Aigrettes and Îlot Flamants

The next section includes Île aux Aigrettes, with a photo stop, swimming, snorkeling, a pass by the island, and marine-life viewing. This gives you another chance to see the reef from the water rather than relying on only one snorkeling site.

I like this part of the route because it gives the day some breathing room. If one stop has poor visibility or feels busy, a second swimming and snorkeling area gives you another chance. The information does not promise a specific list of fish or coral, so keep your expectations sensible. You are going to view marine life in a natural lagoon, not an aquarium with guaranteed sightings.

The boat also passes Îlot Flamants, with free time listed along the way. This is a shorter part of the route rather than a major island visit. It helps fill out the coastal scenery, but you should not book the cruise just for this small stop.

The small islands and reef passages are best treated as part of the sailing day. The pleasure comes from moving through clear tropical water, stopping where conditions allow, and seeing the coast from a boat.

Lunch behind Île aux Cerfs

Lunch is served on the catamaran while anchored behind Île aux Cerfs. That is a much more pleasant setup than rushing through a meal at a busy restaurant. You can eat with the water around you, keep your swim gear close, and enjoy the view without giving up your place on the boat.

The included meal is a BBQ lunch, with unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Dessert is also part of the meal, and the itinerary places dessert on Île aux Cerfs private beach. Some of the meal feedback specifically praises lobster and fish, so lobster may be part of the menu on certain outings. Menus can change, so do not treat it as a guaranteed dish unless confirmed before booking.

The food is a major reason this private cruise feels different from a basic boat transfer. You are not paying only for transportation to the island. The crew handles the meal and drinks, which lets you spend more of the day swimming, eating, and sitting in the sun.

There is one small practical point: unlimited drinks do not mean you should start early. Snorkeling comes first, and the crew may stop that activity if alcohol is consumed beforehand. Save the beer, wine, and aperitif for after the water time.

What Île aux Cerfs is really like

Île aux Cerfs is the main beach stop, and you get time to visit the island, sunbathe, walk, and take photos. The beach and bright water are the classic reason people include the island in an East Coast day.

You can also enjoy dessert on the island’s private beach. That gives the stop a slower pace after the active swimming and snorkeling earlier in the day. If you want a few photos for your holiday album, this is likely the easiest place to get them.

Still, Île aux Cerfs is a famous destination, and fame brings crowds. One piece of feedback describes the island as too full and less appealing than expected, with the crew choosing a sandbank for snorkeling instead. That is useful advice, not a flaw in the whole cruise. The island can be attractive, but it may not feel private or peaceful at every hour.

This is where booking a private boat can pay off. A shared vessel may follow a fixed plan even when the beach is packed. With a private group, the crew may be able to shift the emphasis toward a sandbank, a quieter swimming area, or more time on the water. The exact choice depends on conditions and the crew’s judgment, so regard it as useful flexibility rather than a fixed promise.

Food, drinks, and crew service

The strongest praise focuses on the crew, the food, and the way the day is organized. Sonia receives a specific mention for customer service, while Dario is thanked for the meal and overall care. Another account singles out Marie-Lou and the crew for adapting the day when Île aux Cerfs was too busy.

That personal service is central to the value of this trip. A private boat can still feel disappointing if the staff simply leave you to yourselves. Here, the available feedback points to an involved crew that helps with the route, food, drinks, and timing.

The BBQ is described as including lobster, fish, and other food, with dessert later. I would book this for people who enjoy a relaxed lunch as part of a day on the water, not for anyone expecting a formal restaurant meal. You are eating onboard, at anchor, in swimwear and sunshine. That is the point.

Unlimited drinks include alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices. Again, the safety rule matters. Snorkel first, then enjoy the aperitif, beer, wine, and other drinks.

Is $1,325 good value?

The price is $1,325 for a private group of up to six. With six people, that comes to about $221 per person. With four people, it is about $331 each. For two people, it is about $663 each, which makes this a much harder sell.

The price includes a private catamaran, six hours on the East Coast, the listed stops, BBQ lunch, dessert, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It does not include hotel transport, so you also need to account for getting to Pointe Maurice Jetty.

I see the best value for a family or group of friends that can fill most of the six places. You are paying for privacy, food, drinks, and flexibility, not only for a ride to Île aux Cerfs. If your group is large enough, the cost compares more favorably with arranging several smaller activities.

For a couple, I would compare this against a shared catamaran before booking. The private setting may be worth the premium for a special occasion, but the math is less convincing if you are not sharing the cost with friends.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day?

I would recommend it to you if you want several things in one outing: reef snorkeling, swimming, island time, a scenic waterfall stop, a cooked lunch, and drinks. It suits families and friend groups who value time together more than a tightly scheduled sightseeing program.

It also works well for people who dislike crowded group tours. The private format gives you a better chance of changing the pace or shifting away from a busy beach, although the route remains subject to sea and local conditions.

You should think twice if you do not swim, dislike being in the sun for several hours, or mainly want a quiet, empty beach. Île aux Cerfs may be crowded, and the cruise is built around swimming, snorkeling, and time outdoors.

The accessibility information needs extra care. The activity details say the service is wheelchair accessible, but the same information also says it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Those statements conflict, so contact the operator before booking if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack swimwear, a towel, high SPF sunscreen, a hat or cap, and a camera. Bring a passport or ID card as requested. I would keep the camera protected from spray and avoid carrying anything you cannot afford to get wet.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Bring a small day bag only if the operator permits it, and keep your belongings compact. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your route to Pointe Maurice Jetty before the morning of the cruise.

The six-hour schedule leaves plenty of time for sun exposure. Reapply sunscreen, especially after swimming, and use the hat during the sailing sections. The boat offers shade only if the vessel has it available, so do not assume you can avoid the sun all day.

Should you book the Île aux Cerfs private cruise?

Book it if you can fill the boat and want a polished full-day outing rather than a simple beach transfer. The mix of reef snorkeling, waterfall scenery, a BBQ lunch, drinks, and private-group flexibility gives the day real range.

I would be especially interested in this cruise for a group of six, or for a special occasion where privacy matters. The crew’s apparent strength, including the specific service praised from Sonia, Dario, and Marie-Lou, adds confidence.

I would not book it blindly for a small group on a tight budget. The per-person price rises sharply with only two or three people, and Île aux Cerfs may be busy. Ask about the day’s route and accessibility before paying, then book knowing that the best value comes from sharing the boat and making full use of the swimming, food, and flexible itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting point is Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts six hours and is scheduled to return to Pointe Maurice Jetty around 4 p.m.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to six people.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange transport to and from Pointe Maurice Jetty.

What food is included?

A BBQ lunch and dessert are included. Feedback about the meal mentions lobster, fish, and other BBQ food, but you should confirm the exact menu before booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included.

Can I snorkel before drinking alcohol?

Yes, and you should. Alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling, and the management may cancel snorkeling if alcohol is consumed beforehand.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, high SPF sunscreen, a hat or cap, and a camera.

Can I bring a large bag or luggage?

No. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

The activity information gives conflicting guidance: it is described as wheelchair accessible but also listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users. Contact the operator before booking to confirm whether the boat and route meet your needs.