Catamaran cruise to Ile aux Cerfs from Pointe Jerome

The best part of this seven-hour catamaran day is the mix of sea time and easy island stops. You sail from Pointe Jerome through the southeast lagoons, pause to snorkel among tropical fish, pass Grand River South East Waterfall, then spend time on Ile aux Cerfs. I like the onboard BBQ and open bar, and I like that snorkeling gear, toilets, showers, and shaded seating are included. The main concern is reliability: several bookings in 2024 and 2025 reported that nobody arrived at the meeting point, so confirm the operator and pickup details before you set out.

I also like the relaxed pace. You are not rushing from one short stop to another, and the crew adds local sega music, jokes, and stories to the ride. Still, this is a popular island outing rather than a quiet sailing trip, and the sea can be rough enough to force a date change. Tide conditions can also affect the boat’s movement near the river and lagoon.

Key points to know before booking

• A full day from Pointe Jerome: The boat leaves at 9:00 and normally returns around 16:30, with timing shaped by wind and tide.
• A 42-foot catamaran: Expect a large shaded cockpit, seating, sunbathing nets, a toilet, and showers.
• Three main water stops: You snorkel in the large lagoon, view Grand River South East Waterfall, and spend free time on Ile aux Cerfs.
• Food and drinks are part of the fare: BBQ lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, juice, tea, coffee, cake, and snorkeling equipment are included.
• Bring beach basics: Pack a towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, a hat, a camera, and comfortable shoes.
• Check the meeting arrangements: A representative should wear a blue-teal shirt and a Mauritius Taxi Service badge at Pointe Jerome.

From Pointe Jerome to a day on the water

The trip begins at Pointe Jerome on Mauritius’s southeast coast. The stated departure time is 9:00, with a return to the jetty around 16:30 and an expected hotel arrival at about the same time if transport arrangements allow. The cruise itself lasts seven hours, but tides, wind, and the optional transfer service can affect your total day.

If you arrange your own way to Pointe Jerome, look for the representative in a blue-teal shirt with a Mauritius Taxi Service badge. That detail matters because the meeting area can feel less clear than a hotel lobby. I would arrive early, keep the booking confirmation handy, and contact the operator before leaving your hotel.

The catamaran is 42 feet long, with a broad shaded cockpit and comfortable trampolines at the front. You can choose between shade and sun, though a sunny day on white sand and open water makes sunscreen and a hat essential. A toilet and shower onboard are practical touches, especially on a seven-hour trip.

The listed price is $60 per person. For that amount, you receive the boat trip, island visit, snorkeling stop, equipment, BBQ lunch, and an open bar. That is solid value if you want a complete day rather than paying separately for a boat ride, lunch, and drinks. Optional hotel pickup and drop-off cost extra, as do activities such as parasailing, tube riding, and the undersea walk.

Snorkeling in the southeast lagoon

At about 11:00, the catamaran stops in the island’s largest lagoon for swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as clear, and the stop is designed for seeing corals and brightly colored tropical fish rather than for a long, serious snorkeling session.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from carrying fins and a mask across Mauritius. You should still bring your own mask if you need a particular fit, though the supplied information does not specify equipment brands or sizes. The crew can provide basic help in English and French.

This stop is a good fit for you if you want a simple introduction to Mauritius’s marine life. It is less suitable if your main goal is a specialist reef trip with long water time and detailed marine interpretation. The cruise gives you one scheduled snorkeling break, along with swimming opportunities around the lagoons and island.

The sea is not always calm. Wind and tide affect the water, and the activity may be rescheduled when conditions are genuinely adverse and the sea is extremely rough. A light rainy spell alone does not automatically cancel the trip, but the final decision depends on safety and conditions.

Grand River South East Waterfall by boat

After snorkeling, the catamaran follows the east coast and heads toward the mouth of Grand River South East. The waterfall is viewed from the water and from a distance, so set your expectations accordingly. This is a scenic stop, not a land excursion to the base of the falls.

The river area also offers the chance to see monkeys along the bank and a large colony of bats. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the river adds a change of mood after the open lagoon. You move from broad sea views into a narrower waterway, with forested banks and the falls ahead.

There may be a change of boat for the waterfall section. Allow extra patience here, especially if you are carrying cameras, towels, or beach bags. The river visit is one of the more distinctive parts of the day, but it is also the part most shaped by water level and tide. One booking noted the boat rubbing against the bottom in shallow conditions, so expect the crew to adjust the route when needed.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and Mauritian atmosphere

Lunch is served onboard after the river visit. The crew prepares a BBQ, and the meal is included in the $60 price. Vegetarian food can be arranged, but you need to advise the operator before the trip so the chef has time to cater for you.

The open bar runs from the start of the cruise. Included drinks are listed as beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, juice, and non-alcoholic cocktails. After the island stop, tea, coffee, and slices of cake are served for the ride back.

The food and drink package changes the value of the outing. You do not need to find a restaurant on Ile aux Cerfs, and you can return to the boat for refreshments. It also creates a social mood, especially with Mauritian sega music playing onboard.

I would pace yourself. A sunny day, warm sea, rum, and a BBQ can catch up with you quickly. Drink water, use shade, and treat the open bar as an extra rather than the main event.

The crew is presented as part of the experience, not simply as boat staff. They share local tales, tell jokes, and play music. French and English are the working languages. The strongest praise has focused on the friendly crew, helpful service, good welcome, and the way the day combines the waterfall, snorkeling, lunch, and island time.

Ile aux Cerfs and its famous white sand

After lunch, the catamaran cruises through the channel between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita resort area before stopping at the island’s famous white sand bank. This is your main time to relax, swim, stroll, and take photographs.

Ile aux Cerfs is known for casuarina trees, palms, pale sand, and bright turquoise water. It is one of Mauritius’s most popular day destinations, so it is not a secret beach. Its appeal is easy to understand: you get a classic tropical setting without needing to plan a separate island transfer.

The scheduled island time appears to be about 90 minutes according to one detailed account. That is enough for a walk, a swim, and time on the sand, but not enough for a full exploration of every facility or water sport. If you want parasailing, tube riding, or an undersea walk, those activities are optional and cost extra.

This short stop is both a strength and a limitation. It keeps the day moving and gives you several types of scenery, but you should not book this cruise expecting hours alone on the beach. The boat remains the center of the experience.

After the island visit, you return to the catamaran and sail back to Pointe Jerome. Tea, coffee, cake, and the open bar are available during the journey. The trip ends where it began, unless you have arranged optional transport.

What the $60 price really covers

At $60, this is a broad package rather than a bare sailing trip. Your fare includes:

• Catamaran transport from Pointe Jerome to Ile aux Cerfs
• Grand River South East Waterfall visit
• Snorkeling and swimming stop
• Snorkeling equipment
• BBQ lunch
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Tea, coffee, and cake on the return journey
• Island time on Ile aux Cerfs

That list gives the cruise good value for a relaxed day. A separate boat ride, meal, drinks, and snorkeling rental could quickly cost more, and the catamaran provides facilities that smaller boats may not.

The price does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. This matters if you are staying away from the southeast coast, since the transfer may add cost and travel time. Parasailing, tube riding, the undersea walk, and a lobster lunch are also extra.

The lobster option is not necessary to enjoy the day. The included BBQ is the practical choice if you want the advertised value. Tell the operator about vegetarian requirements in advance rather than hoping the crew can improvise onboard.

The important reliability warning

Most of the available ratings are strongly positive, with a 4.2 score from 14 ratings. The positive side is clear: friendly crew, good food, drinks included, pleasant sailing, snorkeling, the waterfall, and a strong value for the price.

But the negative reports are serious and cannot be brushed aside. In April 2025, a person reported waiting from 8:45 until 9:50 with no organizer appearing and no useful phone response. Similar complaints in July and September 2024 described no one meeting at the point and questioned whether the operation was genuine.

That does not prove every departure has a problem. Several confirmed bookings describe a successful day, and the operator is identified as Mauritius Taxi Service. Still, I would take sensible steps:

• Confirm the departure time and meeting point shortly before the tour.
• Make sure you have a working phone number for the operator.
• Ask your hotel or accommodation staff to help verify the meeting instructions.
• Arrive before 9:00 and look for the blue-teal shirt and badge.
• Keep evidence of payment and booking details until the trip is complete.

This is especially important because the meeting point is not a hotel reception with staff who can quickly sort out confusion. The reliability concern is the one major drawback attached to an otherwise appealing day.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want a simple all-in-one day on the water. It suits couples, families, and groups who want scenery, a swim, a beach stop, lunch, and drinks without arranging each part separately.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy a social boat atmosphere. Music, jokes, open drinks, and a shared BBQ make this more lively than a quiet private charter. The large catamaran gives you room to sit in shade or stretch out on the nets.

You may want another option if you dislike organized group outings, need a long snorkeling session, or want several uninterrupted hours on the beach. The itinerary has a clear rhythm, and the island stop is limited. You also need to accept that wind and tide can change the timing.

Bring a change of clothes, towel, camera, sunscreen, sun hat, and comfortable shoes. Comfortable footwear helps when moving between the boat, beach, and any smaller craft used for the waterfall section. Pack light, since you will move between swimming, lunch, and shore time.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

I would book this cruise for the combination of inclusions and scenery, but only after confirming the operator’s current meeting arrangements. The $60 price covers a generous amount: a seven-hour catamaran trip, snorkeling, waterfall views, a BBQ, drinks, and time on one of Mauritius’s best-known beaches.

The strongest reasons to go are the friendly onboard atmosphere, the included food and drinks, the comfortable 42-foot catamaran, and the variety of stops. The strongest reasons to hesitate are the reported no-show incidents, the limited time on Ile aux Cerfs, and the fact that weather and tide can affect the route.

If you confirm your booking, arrive early, and want a sociable day rather than a private sailing escape, this is a worthwhile Mauritius outing. If the operator cannot clearly confirm the meeting point and departure before you leave your accommodation, do not risk losing a holiday morning.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Pointe Jerome on the southeast coast of Mauritius.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

The scheduled departure is 9:00. The expected return to the hotel is around 16:30, though wind and tide can affect the timing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served onboard, and vegetarian meals can be arranged if you advise the operator before the trip.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, juice, tea, coffee, and cake during the return journey.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a scheduled stop for snorkeling and swimming in the lagoon.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip may be rescheduled if conditions are adverse and the sea is extremely rough. An alternative date will be offered, or a full refund will be issued if another date is not available.