Exclusive Private Catamaran to Ile Aux Cerfs with Lunch

The best part of this private cruise is the mix of sea time and shore time. You snorkel in the large lagoon, cruise toward Grand River South East Waterfall, eat lunch on board, then relax on the white sands of Ile aux Cerfs. It is a full day, but the route gives you several different views of Mauritius rather than one long beach stop.

I like the private group format, especially if you have up to 10 people and want your own space on the catamaran. I also like that breakfast, snorkeling gear, lunch, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. The main caution is the price: $1,001 per group is good value when shared by a large party, but expensive for only two or three people.

Key points to know before you book

• A 42-foot catamaran for up to 10 people: The private setup gives your group the boat rather than placing you with a larger crowd.
• Pointe Jerome start at 9:00: You need to reach the South East jetty yourself unless you pay extra for pickup and drop-off.
• Snorkeling around 11:00: Equipment is provided for a stop inside Mauritius’ largest lagoon, with coral and tropical fish.
• Waterfall and wildlife views: The boat travels toward Grand River South East to see the waterfall from a distance, along with giant bats and monkeys by the riverbank.
• Lunch and an open bar included: Expect BBQ food, beer, rum, cocktails, and soft drinks, with vegetarian meals available if requested in advance.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop: You have time on the famous white sandbank, followed by a sail back to the jetty.

A private day on Mauritius’ southeast coast

This is not a quick boat ride with a short photo stop. It is a seven-hour outing built around a relaxed route through the southeast of Mauritius. You leave Pointe Jerome at 9:00 and should reach your hotel around 16:15, although tide and wind can affect the timing.

The boat is a 42-foot catamaran designed for day charters. That matters because the private group arrangement changes the feel of the day. You are not simply buying seats on a shared transfer. Your group of up to 10 has the catamaran for the cruise, which gives you more control over how you spend the time, within the planned route.

I would consider this most strongly for a family group, a group of friends, or a small celebration. At the listed price of $1,001, the cost works out to about $100 per person if all 10 places are filled. For five people, it is about $200 each, and for two people it becomes a costly day at sea. The value depends heavily on your group size.

You meet the representative at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty. Look for the uniform and the One Island Cruiser badge. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the jetty or pay the extra charge.

Breakfast, open water, and the first hours aboard

A light breakfast is served after you board. It is a useful start rather than a full meal, so do not treat it as the main food of the day. The catamaran also has an open bar from the start, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices available throughout the cruise.

The boat has trampolines for sunbathing and relaxing. These are likely to be one of the more enjoyable places to sit when the catamaran is moving, though you should bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a towel, and a change of clothes. The crew also asks you to bring spare clothing, which makes sense after snorkeling and swimming.

The water and coastal views are a major part of the appeal. The route takes you along the east coast, where the scenery changes as the catamaran moves between open water, lagoon areas, river mouth, and beach. If you like a day with plenty of fresh air and few fixed walls, this format delivers.

The practical tradeoff is that you are exposed to the weather for much of the day. Warm sunshine can be wonderful, but wind and rain affect comfort and timing. If there is a cyclone or torrential rainfall alert, the operator will cancel and provide a full refund. That is useful protection, but ordinary clouds or rougher conditions may still affect the experience.

Snorkeling in Mauritius’ largest lagoon

At about 11:00, the catamaran stops for snorkeling inside the island’s largest lagoon. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange your own mask and fins. The advertised marine life includes coral and brightly colored tropical fish.

This is an important stop because it breaks up the sailing. You are not sitting on the boat for seven hours. You get time in the water, then return aboard for the next part of the route. Bring your camera if you want pictures, but protect it carefully around salt water.

The exact quality of the snorkeling can change with water conditions, wind, tide, and visibility. The description promises an opportunity to see coral and fish, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter. I would treat it as a pleasant lagoon swim with the chance for good underwater views, rather than book this solely as a serious snorkeling trip.

You should also remember the spare clothing. A towel and sunscreen are listed as essentials, and a dry change of clothes will make the later lunch and beach time more comfortable. Tell the operator about any illness or food allergy before the day begins, and mention dietary needs when booking.

Grand River South East Waterfall from the water

After snorkeling, the catamaran continues along the east coast and enters the mouth of Grande Riviere Sud Est. The route gives you views of the waterfall from afar. You may also see giant bats and monkeys living along the riverbank.

This portion is more about scenery and atmosphere than getting close to the falls. You will not be walking to the waterfall or standing at its base. From the boat, the river mouth gives the day a change of pace and adds a wildlife element to the coastal cruise.

I like this stop because it shows a less beach-focused side of the outing. Ile aux Cerfs gets most of the attention, but the river section gives you a look at the meeting point between inland water and the sea. Keep your camera ready, while remembering that animals may not appear on demand.

The waterfall is viewed from a distance, so set your expectations correctly. If you want a close waterfall visit, this cruise may not be enough by itself. If you are happy to see it as part of a scenic boat route, it adds variety without requiring a separate land excursion.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and the vegetarian option

Lunch is served on board after the river section. The meal is a BBQ prepared by the crew, with alcoholic drinks including beer, rum, and cocktails, along with non-alcoholic beverages.

For many people, this will be one of the practical advantages of booking a private cruise. You do not need to leave the water to find lunch, and the meal fits naturally into the route. You can eat while the catamaran continues through the southeast waters, then prepare for the beach stop afterward.

Vegetarian food is available, but you must request it before the trip. The same applies to food allergies or illness. Do not wait until lunch to mention a dietary need. The information provided does not list a full menu, so you should ask ahead if specific ingredients matter to you.

There is one small limitation worth noting. A dessert is not listed as part of the meal. A verified April 2025 booking specifically found no coffee or tea and would have liked a simple dessert such as fruit or ice cream. Those details do not make the lunch a poor choice, but they help you arrive with realistic expectations. The package focuses on BBQ food and drinks, not a full restaurant-style meal with coffee service and dessert.

A lobster lunch is available at an additional charge. Since the standard meal is BBQ, you should ask about the lobster supplement before booking if that is important to you.

Ile aux Cerfs and the famous white sandbank

After lunch, the catamaran moves through the canal between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary. It then drops you at the famous white sandbank on Ile aux Cerfs.

This is the beach portion of the day, and it is likely to be the setting you have seen in Mauritius photographs: pale sand, clear water, and room to swim or sit in the sun. You get time to leave the boat and enjoy the beach rather than viewing it only from the deck.

The appeal here is simple. After breakfast, sailing, snorkeling, and lunch, the island gives you an easy place to slow down. You can walk along the sand, swim, take photographs, or sit with a drink before returning to the catamaran.

The drawback is that Ile aux Cerfs is a famous destination, so the beach should not be treated as a deserted private island. The experience is still private on the catamaran, but your beach stop is not described as exclusive. If your main goal is total solitude, this may not be the right choice.

Watersports such as parasailing and tube riding are not included. You can pay extra for them, but the standard package is built around sailing, snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing. That is good news if you want a calmer day, but you should budget more if you want added activities.

The return sail and the crew’s role

After your time on Ile aux Cerfs, you return to the catamaran and sail back to the hotel’s jetty. The expected return to the hotel is 16:15, but tides and wind can change that schedule.

The crew is expected to make the ride lively with local Mauritian sega music, jokes, and local tales. English and French are available, so communication should be straightforward for speakers of either language. This part of the outing can make a difference. A long day at sea feels better when the crew pays attention to the group instead of treating the trip as a simple transfer.

I would keep expectations measured here. The current overall rating is 3.7 from three ratings, and one April 2025 booking described the staff as only moderately welcoming, with limited effort to make the day feel more special. That same account also noted that the inside of the boat was not very clean. These are useful cautions, particularly if you care about polished service and spotless interiors.

The boat’s best features are the outdoor setting, route, meal, and private format. If your priority is luxury-level service, immaculate interiors, or a highly attentive crew, you may find the experience less consistent. If you mainly want a private day on the water with a good route and plenty included, the weaknesses may matter less.

What to bring for a more comfortable day

Pack lightly, but bring the items that matter in sun, wind, and water:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Towel
• Swimsuit and a spare change of clothes
• Camera
• Any required medication
• Details about food allergies or dietary needs

You should also bring your own towel because one is not listed as provided. Spare clothes are especially useful after snorkeling and beach time. Sunscreen should be reapplied during the day, particularly if you spend time on the trampolines.

The catamaran has an open bar, but you should still think about hydration. Non-alcoholic drinks are included, and spending a full day in the sun can make alcohol feel stronger than expected. A sensible pace will help you enjoy the return sail.

Who gets the best value from this cruise

This experience suits you best if you want several Mauritius highlights in one day and have enough people to share the private price. A group of 8 to 10 people gets the strongest financial value. Families can appreciate the mix of swimming, beach time, food, and short sightseeing stops, while friends may enjoy the open bar and music.

It is also a good match if you prefer a flexible outdoor day to a tightly scheduled land tour. Much of the day takes place on the catamaran, with stops that let you swim, snorkel, see the river mouth, and visit Ile aux Cerfs.

You may want to choose another option if you are traveling as a couple and are focused on keeping costs down. You should also think twice if your main interest is close-up waterfall sightseeing, serious snorkeling, or watersports, since the waterfall is viewed from afar, snorkeling is one scheduled break, and parasailing and tube rides cost extra.

The cancellation terms are fairly practical: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The operator also provides a full refund if it cancels because of a cyclone or torrential rainfall alert.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran?

Book it if you have a full group, want a private boat, and value having breakfast, snorkeling equipment, BBQ lunch, drinks, and beach time bundled together. The route has enough variety to keep the day from feeling repetitive, and Ile aux Cerfs gives you the postcard beach finish.

Be more cautious if you are booking for only two people, expect polished luxury, or want a close waterfall visit and extensive snorkeling. The price is hard to justify for a small party, and the reported lack of coffee, dessert, and spotless interior may bother detail-focused guests.

For a group of friends or family members who want a complete day on Mauritius’ southeast coast, this is a sensible choice. Just confirm the pickup cost, dietary requests, and any extra watersports before paying.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at 9:00 from Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty at Pointe Jerome in the southeast of Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts seven hours. The expected return to the hotel is around 16:15, but tide and wind can affect the timing.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private group price covers up to 10 people aboard a 42-foot catamaran.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are available for an additional charge. You need to reach the Pointe Jerome jetty unless you arrange the paid transfer.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The cruise includes a snorkeling stop inside the island’s largest lagoon and snorkeling equipment.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included, along with alcoholic drinks such as beer, rum, and cocktails, plus non-alcoholic beverages. Vegetarian food is available if requested in advance.

What happens if the weather is unsafe?

If there is a cyclone or torrential rainfall alert, the operator will cancel and provide a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.