Catamaran Cruise: Isle aux Cerfs, Including BBQ Lunch, in Mauritius

The best part of this cruise is the variety packed into one day. You move from Grand River South East waterfalls to open water, then spend time at Isle aux Cerfs with snorkeling, swimming, a BBQ lunch, and perhaps dolphins riding the wake. It is a good way to see several corners of Mauritius without arranging separate outings.

I especially like the friendly crew and the fact that food and unlimited drinks are included. The cruise also offers more than a beach stop, with monkeys, giant bats, a waterfall, and Ile du Phare along the route. The main caution is that the day depends on weather and sea conditions, and the meal may feel average if you expect a polished restaurant lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• The day begins at Preskil Island Resort: You must reach Pointe Jerome in Mahebourg yourself unless you arrange another transfer.
• Grand River South East adds variety: The route includes a short visit to a gorge and waterfall, with chances to see monkeys and bats nearby.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You can swim and snorkel from the boat, though conditions may affect the stop.
• Isle aux Cerfs gets the longest leisure time: Expect about an hour for relaxing and swimming, plus lunch onboard.
• Unlimited drinks are part of the price: Beverages, snacks, and an open bar are included.
• Low tide can delay departure: A previous outing started late for safety, so keep your schedule flexible.

A full day on the water for $82

At about $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a beach in Mauritius. It can be a good value if you want several activities bundled together: a catamaran ride, sightseeing along the southeast coast, snorkeling, swimming, BBQ lunch, snacks, and unlimited drinks.

You are paying for the whole day rather than one isolated boat transfer. That matters in Mauritius, where separate trips for waterfalls, snorkeling, and Isle aux Cerfs can take more planning. The cruise also gives you a social day on the water, with a maximum group size of 30 people.

The value depends on your priorities. If you mainly want quiet time on a nearly empty beach, this may feel busy and over-programmed. If you want a simple day with food, drinks, scenery, and several stops already arranged, the price is easier to justify.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Preskil Island Resort at Pointe Jerome, near Mahebourg, and return there at the end. Check your transport plan before booking, since the advertised duration is about seven hours and a late finish could affect other plans.

Setting off from Pointe Jerome

The meeting point is Preskil Island Resort at Pointe Jerome. The cruise is described as departing from Blue Bay, but your practical starting point is the resort meeting area. This is important because the tour does not include a transfer from your hotel.

The stated operating window is Monday through Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for the listed booking period. Your confirmation should provide the exact departure details, since the start may also depend on tide and weather.

One useful point comes from the operating conditions: low tide can delay the start. That is not a flaw in the crew’s handling of the trip. A delayed departure may be the safer choice when the boat needs enough water to leave. I would avoid scheduling a tight airport transfer or another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Once underway, the catamaran gives you a wide view of the coast and open water. You can expect a relaxed boat day rather than a fast sightseeing run. Bring sun protection, swimwear, and a dry layer if you dislike wind or spray.

Grand River South East and its waterfall

The first named stop is Grand River South East, often shortened to GRSE. The boat makes a short stop at the mouth of the river, where a gorge ends in a photogenic waterfall.

The listed stop lasts about 10 minutes, so think of it as a quick scenic visit rather than a long walk or a full river excursion. The appeal is the setting from the water. You get a look at the gorge and waterfall without giving up the rest of the day at sea.

The surrounding area also offers chances to see monkeys and a colony of giant bats. These sightings are not guaranteed, and the short stop leaves little time for searching. Still, they add a welcome wild note to a cruise that could otherwise be mostly beach and swimming.

Keep your camera ready as you approach. A brief stop can pass quickly, and the boat may not linger if conditions or timing change. The waterfall is best treated as one piece of a varied day, not the main reason to book the trip.

Passing Ile du Phare

Ile du Phare is included as a point along the route to Isle aux Cerfs. The information provided does not describe a long landing or guided visit there, so you should expect to see it from the boat rather than plan a separate island walk.

That can still be worthwhile. A catamaran route feels more satisfying when you are seeing the coast and islands along the way instead of heading straight to one beach. Ile du Phare gives the journey another visual marker and breaks up the longer ride.

The cruise may also give you a chance to watch the wake for dolphins. One of the strongest moments reported from the outing was seeing dolphins, but this is naturally unpredictable. The crew cannot promise them, so consider any sighting a bonus rather than a feature you are guaranteed to receive.

Snorkeling and swimming from the catamaran

Snorkeling gear is included, which makes it easier to take part without renting equipment separately. The cruise is set up for you to see the water from the boat and get in for a swim when conditions allow.

The exact snorkeling site is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular reef or a long guided underwater session. It is better understood as a chance to snorkel during a scenic catamaran day.

You will want to be comfortable in the water and able to follow the crew’s instructions. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but the boat-based format means you should consider your own comfort with boarding, swimming, and moving around a vessel.

The swimming stop is also shaped by time. The itinerary provides about an hour at Isle aux Cerfs for relaxing and swimming, while some snorkeling may happen during the cruise. This gives you enough time to get wet without turning the entire day into a dedicated snorkeling trip.

Isle aux Cerfs, lunch, and open bar

Isle aux Cerfs is the main destination and the place where the day slows down. The plan includes lunch onboard, followed by about an hour of free time for relaxing and swimming.

A BBQ lunch is included, along with snacks, beverages, and unlimited drinks from the open bar. This is one of the strongest practical benefits of the tour. You do not need to pack a full meal or keep buying drinks during the day.

The meal is prepared and eaten onboard. One account described the BBQ as plentiful and well cooked, while another found the food average and wanted more variety and stronger flavors. That is a fair expectation to carry with you: you are getting a casual boat lunch, not a gourmet meal.

The open bar can make the cruise feel generous for the price, especially if you plan to spend most of the day aboard. Pace yourself in the sun, drink water, and remember that unlimited service does not remove the effects of heat and motion.

Isle aux Cerfs itself is the most conventional beach part of the trip. You can swim, relax, and enjoy the island setting, but the listed free time is only about an hour. If you want half a day of wandering or a long, quiet beach stay, this schedule may feel short.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is a major part of the experience. The strongest praise centers on friendly service, clear explanations at the start, good advice about the snorkeling stop, and professional handling of an initial low-tide delay.

That practical care matters on a boat tour. You want the program explained clearly, especially when the day includes several stops and water activities. You also want the crew to put safety before the clock when tides are low.

The crew appears to contribute to the cheerful, easygoing feel of the outing. This is not a formal guided tour with long lectures. It is a social cruise where the staff help you understand the plan, serve lunch and drinks, and point out sights along the route.

No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named private guide. The experience is group-based, with up to 30 people, and the style is more shared excursion than personal tour.

Timing, group size, and conditions

The total duration is about seven hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper day out, but it also means you should dress and pack for extended time in the sun.

The group limit of 30 people keeps the outing from becoming a huge boat party, though it is still a shared experience. You will not have the privacy or flexibility of a private charter. In return, the cost is lower than booking a boat only for your own group.

Weather plays a real role. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Sea conditions can also affect the timing of the departure and the comfort of the ride.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and cancellations inside that period are not refunded. Use the local time for the cutoff.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a one-day introduction to Mauritius by water. It suits couples, families with adult supervision for children, and anyone who prefers an organized day with the major pieces already arranged.

It is also a good fit if you like variety. In one outing, you may see a waterfall, monkeys, bats, dolphins, an island lighthouse, and a beach. You can snorkel, swim, eat, and relax without changing vehicles or making separate bookings.

You may want another option if your main goal is a long snorkeling session, a gourmet meal, or a quiet private boat. The Isle aux Cerfs stop is limited, and animal sightings are uncertain. The food is convenient and plentiful, but not designed for diners seeking complex flavors or many choices.

I would also think twice if getting to Pointe Jerome is difficult. Since transfers are not included, the tour is less convenient for anyone staying far from Mahebourg unless they arrange transportation separately.

Practical packing advice

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a towel. A waterproof phone pouch is useful around a boat, especially when you are watching dolphins or moving between swimming and dry seating.

Wear something comfortable for a full day outside. You may want a light cover-up for the boat ride, even in warm weather, since wind can make an open catamaran feel cooler.

Keep valuables to a minimum. The key items are your phone or camera, sunscreen, and any personal medication you need during seven hours away from shore.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want an active, social day that combines GRSE scenery, Isle aux Cerfs, swimming, snorkeling, BBQ, and drinks for one price. Its best qualities are the range of stops, the helpful crew, and the ease of having lunch and refreshments included.

Skip it if you want a private experience, a long beach stay, or a serious food and snorkeling tour. The day is weather-dependent, the schedule can shift with the tide, and the lunch is best viewed as solid boat fare rather than a culinary highlight.

For most visitors who want to see the southeast coast without complicated planning, $82 is a reasonable package. Just arrange your own transport to Pointe Jerome, leave room in your schedule for delays, and treat dolphins and wildlife as lucky extras.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is Preskil Island Resort at Pointe Jerome in Mahebourg, Mauritius.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the tour is listed as having no transfer.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes beverages, snacks, unlimited drinks from an open bar, and a BBQ lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

How much time do you spend at Isle aux Cerfs?

The schedule includes about one hour for lunch onboard and another hour for free relaxing and swimming at Isle aux Cerfs.

Does the cruise visit Grand River South East?

Yes. It includes a short stop at the Grand River South East waterfalls, with the stop listed as about 10 minutes.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can be offered a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.