Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this day is the setting: you sail through Mauritius’s largest turquoise lagoon, along the island’s wilder east coast, with Ile aux Cerfs as the main prize. The route also includes a swim and snorkel stop, a waterfall visit, and a glimpse of the old French and English battle site at Vieux Grand Port.

I like the friendly crew, who prepare lunch and keep drinks coming throughout the day. I also like the mix of water time and history: you are not simply ferried to a beach, since the route includes Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall and the old coastal defenses. The main drawback is weather. Strong wind, clouds, and cool conditions can make the open boat uncomfortable and may spoil snorkeling.

• Pointe Jerome departure: Set out near Mahebourg and Blue Bay Marine Park, a protected coastal area.
• Full-day lagoon cruise: Plan on about 7 to 8 hours from departure to return.
• Ile aux Cerfs stop: Reach one of Mauritius’s best-known island beaches, with water sports available at extra cost.
• BBQ lunch on board: Expect smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, salads, bread, fruit, and coffee.
• Drinks included: Soft drinks, water, beer, and rum cocktails are available through the day.
• Flexible booking: Hotel pickup can be added, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve without paying immediately.

Setting Out From Pointe Jerome Near Mahebourg

Your day begins at Pointe Jerome, close to the old coastal village of Mahebourg and the Marine Park of Blue Bay. This is a useful starting point if you are staying in the southeast of Mauritius, and hotel pickup is available if you choose the transfer option.

The meeting point matters because this is not a cruise from the busy northwest tourist belt. The southeast has a more local feel, and the water route quickly carries you into the broad lagoon. If you arrange hotel collection, give the provider your hotel name when booking. The exact collection time is confirmed the day before and depends on where you are staying.

The catamaran cruise lasts about eight hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper day on the water, but it also means you should prepare for sun, wind, and several hours aboard. Bring a towel and sunscreen. Leave valuables behind, as the instructions specifically advise against bringing them.

The boat sails within the lagoon, which provides some protection compared with open ocean conditions. That does not make the trip weatherproof. Wind can still be strong, and one poor-weather outing left passengers cold and unable to snorkel. I would check the forecast before going and pack a light layer, even if the morning feels hot.

Cruising the Largest Lagoon in Mauritius

Once the catamaran gets moving, the pleasure is simple. You have open views, warm-weather air, and changing shades of shallow water around the boat. The cruise follows Mauritius’s historic east coast, an area known for its long shoreline, islands, and broad lagoon.

The lagoon is the practical reason this trip works well for a relaxed day. You are not committed to a demanding boat ride across exposed sea. Instead, much of the route stays within sheltered coastal water, where you can sit back, take photographs, and watch the shoreline pass.

The crew serves soft drinks, water, beer, and rum cocktails throughout the day. That all-day drinks service is a useful part of the price, especially if you prefer not to spend the day buying refreshments separately. The rum cocktails are one of the more popular touches, and the Jungle Juice and Mauritian coffee are worth asking about if they are being served during your cruise.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a social catamaran outing, not a quiet private sailing charter. The boat is designed for a full day of scenery, swimming, lunch, and drinks. If you want solitude or a highly personal itinerary, this may feel too structured.

Swimming and Snorkeling Before Lunch

The route includes time to swim and snorkel in the lagoon. This is one of the reasons to bring a towel and sunscreen rather than treating the outing as a boat ride only.

The water activity is weather-dependent. In calm, sunny conditions, it can be the most refreshing part of the morning. You can get into the lagoon, cool off, and see the coast from the water rather than only from the deck.

On a windy or cloudy day, conditions may be less inviting. The water can feel cold, visibility may suffer, and getting back onto a moving catamaran is less pleasant when you are chilled. The tour does not promise a particular marine-life experience, so I would view snorkeling as a welcome extra rather than the sole reason to book.

If swimming is important to you, look closely at the forecast before committing. The operator may continue the cruise in weather that is safe but not especially comfortable. That is a fair distinction. A boat can operate normally while the day still feels disappointing for someone hoping to spend a lot of time in the water.

Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall

The cruise also visits Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall, set in a natural coastal setting. It adds variety to the day and breaks up the time spent on the catamaran.

The waterfall is reached as part of the boat route, so you do not need to plan a separate land excursion. You get a different view of Mauritius here, with the river meeting the coast and the surrounding scenery replacing the wide lagoon views.

This stop is not presented as a long hike or a strenuous attraction. It is better understood as a scenic visit from the water. You will have time to see the falls and take photographs, but the exact length of the stop can depend on the day’s conditions and schedule.

The waterfall also gives the outing a natural focus beyond Ile aux Cerfs. If the island is crowded or the weather limits swimming, this part still gives you something distinct to see. It helps the day feel like a coastal tour rather than a simple transfer to a beach.

A Glimpse of Corsairs and Naval Battles

The southeast coast carries some of Mauritius’s most interesting historical associations. Near the waterfall, you can still see remnants of 18th-century ramparts linked to the era of corsair activity and naval skirmishes.

The area was also connected with the Battle of Vieux Grand Port in 1810, fought between French and English forces. You will not get a full museum visit or a long history lecture from the information provided, but the remains give useful context to the shore you are sailing past.

I like this small historical layer because it asks you to look beyond the postcard water. The coastline was not always a leisure setting. It was a strategic place, and the old defenses point to the struggles that shaped Mauritius during the colonial period.

If history is your main interest, you will want a separate visit to Mahebourg or another dedicated historical site. On this cruise, the past is a short but worthwhile part of the route, not the central subject.

Lunch With Smoked Marlin and Grilled Fish

Lunch is prepared and served on board by the crew. The buffet includes smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice salad, potato salad, crudités, freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, and coffee.

That is a generous spread for a day cruise, and the menu gives you several choices. You can build a simple plate from grilled food and salads, or try local seafood in the smoked marlin mousse. Fresh fruit provides a lighter finish after a warm afternoon in the sun.

The meal is more substantial than the light snacks often offered on boat trips. It also saves you the trouble of finding lunch on Ile aux Cerfs, where food and drinks may cost extra. The crew handles both the preparation and service, which keeps the day moving without requiring you to leave the boat to eat.

I would not book this expecting a restaurant meal. It is a buffet served in a casual maritime setting, and the quality can be affected by timing, weather, and the practical limits of cooking on board. The overall value comes from the complete package: lunch, drinks, cruise, swimming, and sightseeing.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main destination, known for its pale beaches and shallow tropical water. The island is a natural fit for a catamaran day because it gives you time to step ashore, stretch your legs, and enjoy a different setting from the boat.

You may have time for a beach walk, swimming, or simply sitting by the water. The outing also allows for water sports and parasailing, but these are not included in the price. Budget separately if you want those activities.

That extra cost is important. The $111 price covers the catamaran cruise, lunch, and drinks, with hotel transfers included only when you select that option. It does not cover parasailing or other water sports at Ile aux Cerfs.

I see the island stop as a pleasant part of a larger day rather than the entire reason to book. If you want several hours on one beach with no sightseeing in between, a direct beach outing may suit you better. If you enjoy variety, the island works well as the bright final chapter after the lagoon cruise and waterfall stop.

What the $111 Price Really Covers

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a beach day in Mauritius. The value depends on how many included elements you would otherwise pay for separately.

You receive a full-day catamaran trip, lunch, drinks, a waterfall visit, time for swimming and snorkeling, and the chance to reach Ile aux Cerfs. Beer, soft drinks, water, and rum cocktails are included, which can add meaningful value over seven or eight hours.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only in the transfer option. Be careful when booking, since choosing the basic option means arranging your own way to Pointe Jerome. The pickup option is especially useful if you are staying far from Mahebourg or do not want to manage an early taxi.

The strongest value comes when the weather is good and you use the whole itinerary. In poor conditions, you may still receive the cruise and meal, but the water activities and deck time become less enjoyable. That makes the forecast a real part of the price decision.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families, and groups who want a relaxed day with several activities built into one booking. It suits you if you like moving between swimming, sightseeing, lunch, and beach time without planning every detail yourself.

It also works well for honeymooners and special-occasion trips. One couple described it as the perfect final day of a two-week honeymoon, and the friendly crew is a large part of that appeal. The drinks service and casual atmosphere make it easy to mark a special day without booking a formal luxury cruise.

The trip may be less suitable if you get cold easily, dislike wind, or want guaranteed snorkeling conditions. It is also not suitable for pregnant women. Wheelchair accessibility is listed, but anyone who needs specific assistance should confirm how boarding and movement around the catamaran will work before booking.

The tour is offered with live guidance in English and French. No individual guide names are provided, so you should expect the crew and guide team from Turquoise Voyages or Samtours rather than a named private guide.

Booking Tips for a Smoother Day

Choose the hotel transfer option if you want door-to-door transport. The collection time is confirmed the day before, and you need to provide your hotel name when booking.

Bring sunscreen and a towel. A light layer is also sensible because the boat can feel cool in heavy wind or cloudy weather, even when Mauritius is warm on land.

Keep valuables at your hotel. You will be moving between the deck, water, lunch, and shore, and the operator specifically advises against bringing them.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Availability and departure times should be checked for your chosen date.

Should You Book the Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise?

Book this if you want a complete southeast Mauritius day rather than a simple boat transfer. The combination of lagoon sailing, swimming, the Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall, a generous BBQ lunch, included drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs gives you a lot to do for the price.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is serious snorkeling or a quiet luxury sailing experience. Weather can change the character of the day, and water sports at Ile aux Cerfs cost extra.

For most visitors, the decision comes down to the forecast. On a warm, calm day, this should be an easygoing and good-value way to see the southeast coast. On a windy, cloudy day, consider changing dates if the operator allows it. The boat can still run, but the experience may not deliver the sunny island day you imagined.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point, near Mahebourg and the Blue Bay Marine Park area in Mauritius.

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours, with the full tour generally taking about eight hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the transfer option. The collection time is confirmed the day before, based on your hotel location.

What food is served for lunch?

The onboard BBQ buffet includes smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice and potato salads, crudités, freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, and coffee.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks, water, beer, and rum cocktails are available during the day.

Are water sports and parasailing included?

No. Water sports and parasailing at Ile aux Cerfs are not included in the tour price.