Catamaran Cruise to île aux Cerfs w Dolphins watch & Lunch

The best part of this day is the mix of open-water sailing and real island scenery. You move from turquoise lagoons and wild dolphin watching to mangroves, rainforest, and the Grande Rivière South East waterfall, then finish with lunch beside the beach at île aux Cerfs.

I like two things here: the varied route, which keeps the day from feeling like a simple beach transfer, and the friendly crew. The barbecue, drinks, and Mauritian music or folklore presentation also give the outing more local flavor than a basic boat ride.

The main consideration is the dolphins. They are wild animals, not a scheduled show, and rough sea conditions can prevent a sighting. Several outings did not find them, though the operator refunded the extra dolphin portion in at least one case. You should book this for the whole day, not for dolphins alone.

At a glance

• A full east-coast outing: Sail through lagoons, visit a waterfall, stop at île aux Cerfs, and spend time in the sea.
• Dolphins are possible, not guaranteed: Sightings can be close, but sea conditions may change the route or make them impossible to find.
• Lunch is served on the beach: The included Mauritian-style barbecue comes with drinks.
• The waterfall adds a change of scene: Grande Rivière South East brings mangroves, rainforest, plants, and mountain views.
• Snorkeling is part of the plan: You’ll have a chance to look for marine life in the lagoon.
• No hotel transfer is included: You need to reach the jetty beside the Mauritian flag and arrive five minutes before departure.

A catamaran day with more than one stop

At $82 per person, this is priced as a full-day sea outing rather than a short cruise. The fee covers the catamaran, barbecue lunch, drinks, dolphin watch, and snorkeling, so the value depends on how much of the day you want to spend outside your hotel.

I think the route makes the price easier to justify. A simple boat ride to île aux Cerfs would give you beautiful water and beach time, but this trip adds a waterfall, coastal views, marine life, and a meal. You get several different settings in one outing.

The boat is described as luxurious, though the available details do not give a cabin layout, passenger limit, or exact duration. You should expect an open-water day with sun, wind, and spray. Bring sun protection and clothing that can handle getting wet. Those are sensible precautions for any catamaran trip around Mauritius.

The meeting point is straightforward: the jetty beside the Mauritian flag. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so check your own route to the jetty before booking. Arrive five minutes early, since the activity begins from the waterfront rather than from your accommodation.

Sailing along Mauritius’s east coast

Once aboard, the cruise heads along the coast toward the lagoon areas around île aux Cerfs. The appeal is the view from the water. You see white sand, clear blue-green water, coastal vegetation, and the changing shape of the shore without being tied to a road or crowded sightseeing vehicle.

The crew is an important part of the day. Their job is not only to handle the boat but also to keep the stops moving, explain what you are seeing, and help people feel included. Feedback about the skippers is especially strong, with praise for their humor, generosity, advice, and attention to people in the group. One account also described the outing as comfortable for children.

That friendliness matters on a boat. You spend many hours with the same crew and fellow passengers, and a warm team can make a big difference when the wind picks up or the schedule runs late. One outing returned a little late, though the delay did not spoil the day for that person. I would leave some flexibility after the cruise rather than scheduling an important evening appointment immediately afterward.

Looking for dolphins in the wild

Dolphin watching is one of the headline reasons to choose this trip. The point is to spot dolphins in their natural setting, not to watch trained animals perform. If conditions cooperate, you may see them from the catamaran as they move through the sea, sometimes close to the boat.

That freedom also makes the sighting uncertain. Dolphins do not follow a timetable, and sea conditions can limit how long the crew can search. Some outings found dolphins, while others did not. One group saw them very close, and another saw a few along the way. Other departures had no sighting because of the conditions.

This is where you should set realistic expectations. A dolphin sighting can become the most exciting part of the day, but it should not be the only reason you pay $82. The route still includes the waterfall, beach lunch, snorkeling, and île aux Cerfs. In one case, the operator refunded the extra amount when dolphins could not be seen, which is a useful sign that the crew recognizes the difference between an included search and a guaranteed encounter.

I would choose this tour if you enjoy the possibility of wildlife watching and can accept an uncertain result. If your main goal is a guaranteed animal encounter, this is not the right kind of activity.

Grande Rivière South East waterfall

The stop at Grande Rivière South East gives the day a welcome change of pace. Instead of looking only across open water, you see the river’s thicker plant life, mangroves, rainforest, and mountain range. The description also points to filaos, wild plants, and white sand near the turquoise water.

This part of the route is valuable because it shows a less beach-focused side of Mauritius. The waterfall is connected to a larger natural setting, with river scenery and forest rather than a single photo stop. You get a sense of how the coast, inland plants, and mountains fit together.

The exact way you reach the waterfall is not detailed, so do not assume a long hike or an extensive land tour. The available information presents it as part of the boat excursion, with time to admire the falls and surrounding scenery. You should listen to the crew for instructions at this stop, especially if the river or boat conditions change.

For me, this is one of the strongest reasons to pick this itinerary over a shorter île aux Cerfs cruise. It adds texture to the day. You are not spending every hour on the same beach or in the same lagoon.

Snorkeling and the lagoon

Snorkeling is included as a chance to see marine life. The lagoon’s clear water and sheltered setting are the natural draw, although no particular fish, reef, equipment brand, or snorkeling duration is specified.

You should think of this as a pleasant part of a mixed day, not a specialist snorkeling expedition. The trip is built around several activities, so the water time may be shorter than on a dedicated marine tour. Still, it gives you a chance to get into the water and see what is below the surface after enjoying the coast from the catamaran.

If snorkeling is important to you, ask the crew on the day how much time is available and what equipment is supplied. The published details confirm snorkeling, but they do not say whether masks and fins are included. That small question can help you pack properly.

The water activity also gives children and non-swimmers a choice. You can enjoy the views and beach without making every part of the day depend on getting into the lagoon. The outing has enough variety that one missed activity should not ruin the whole experience.

Île aux Cerfs and lunch on the beach

The return to île aux Cerfs is the day’s main beach section. The island is known here for white sand, clear lagoons, and bright coastal views. After the waterfall and open-water sailing, it gives you time to slow down and enjoy the setting.

Lunch is served on the beach and includes a Mauritian-style barbecue. Drinks are also included, which makes the $82 cost more useful than a package that leaves you paying extra for the main meal. The food is described as generous and delicious, but the details do not list the exact menu, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish.

The meal is more than a practical refueling stop. Mauritian-style cooking and the included local animation offer a small introduction to the island’s culture. The folklore presentation is intended to help you learn more about Mauritius, and it gives the beach stop a local touch instead of making it only about swimming and photographs.

The tradeoff is that île aux Cerfs can be the most popular part of many east-coast boat outings. The information provided does not give the island’s crowd levels, reserved beach area, or exact amount of free time. If you want a quiet, private beach, you may find the island less suited to that purpose. If you want a scenic beach stop with food and a social atmosphere, it fits well.

Food, drinks, and the crew

The crew receives some of the strongest praise connected with this outing. You can expect a friendly and attentive team, with a style that includes humor, practical help, and a willingness to include everyone. One account specifically praised the crew for not leaving one person out of the group.

That matters on an excursion with several moving parts. The boat must reach the waterfall, search for dolphins, find a snorkeling area, and get back to the island for lunch. A crew that communicates well can keep the day relaxed when weather or sea conditions force changes.

The barbecue lunch is included, as are drinks. That keeps the day simple, since you do not need to arrange a separate meal on île aux Cerfs. Food quality can vary from departure to departure, but the available feedback describes the lunch as generous and enjoyable.

The cultural animation is another useful touch. It may not appeal to someone who wants a completely quiet lunch, but it gives you a chance to connect the meal with Mauritian traditions. You are getting more than a packed meal eaten quickly on a boat.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want one organized day that combines scenery, food, wildlife watching, and time in the water. Families may appreciate the range of activities and the child-friendly tone described by one participant. Couples and small groups can enjoy the boat views and beach setting without arranging each part separately.

It also suits anyone staying in Mauritius who wants to see the east coast from the water. The waterfall and mangroves prevent the trip from becoming a single-purpose beach day. The English and French language options make basic communication easier for many visitors.

You may want a different plan if you need a guaranteed dolphin sighting, a fixed return time, or a quiet private cruise. The boat may return late, and sea conditions can affect the wildlife portion. The trip also does not include hotel transfers, so it requires more planning than a package that collects you from your accommodation.

The activity has a 4.5 rating from 17 ratings, with repeated praise for the crew, lunch, drinks, dolphin sightings when available, and the overall atmosphere. The less favorable moments all center on the uncertainty of finding dolphins rather than on the core boat day.

Booking details worth checking

You can reserve now and pay later, which is helpful if you are arranging several Mauritius activities at once. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.

The meeting point is the jetty beside the Mauritian flag. Arrive five minutes before the start time. Since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, plan your own transport and allow enough time to find the correct jetty.

The supplier is Societe fernand lacour & fils. English and French are available. The published details do not provide an exact duration, departure time, group size, or snorkeling equipment information, so ask about those points if they affect your plans.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a varied Mauritius day with a strong crew, beach barbecue, waterfall scenery, snorkeling, and a chance to see dolphins. At $82, the combination of boat, drinks, lunch, and several stops gives the outing solid value.

Do not book it solely for dolphins. They are wild, and some departures miss them because of the sea. Choose this trip for the full route, then treat the dolphins as a welcome bonus. That mindset matches the real strengths of the experience and leaves you with a good day even when nature does not follow the schedule.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

Meet at the jetty next to the Mauritian flag. You should arrive five minutes before the activity starts.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Mauritian-style barbecue lunch is included and is served on the beach at île aux Cerfs.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are included in the activity price.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. The crew looks for wild dolphins, but sightings depend on their location and sea conditions. Some departures have not seen them.

What languages are available?

The activity is offered in English and French.