Private Catamaran Charter to Ile aux Cerfs

The best part of this Mauritius outing is the freedom of having a 45-foot catamaran to yourselves. You can stretch out, stop for a swim, watch for dolphins, and set the day’s pace with your captain instead of following a large group from one fixed stop to the next.

I like the calm inner-lagoon sailing and the practical family appeal. The crew has earned praise for friendly service, and Pascal and Scott are named as especially good hosts. I also like that the boat can take up to 31 people, making the $1,354 group price more sensible for a big family or celebration.

The main catch is that food and drinks are not included in the base price. A BBQ lunch and drinks can be arranged for an extra charge, so check the final cost before booking. The outing also has limited suitability for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before you book

• Private use of a 45-foot catamaran: The boat is reserved for your group, with a captain included.
• Seven hours on the water: The route begins at Pointe Jerome, passes by Mahébourg and Grand River South East, and includes time at Ile aux Cerfs.
• Snorkeling gear included: You can swim and look for colorful reef fish without bringing your own equipment.
• Dolphin watching is possible, not guaranteed: Sightings depend on luck and conditions.
• BBQ lunch costs extra: Food and drinks are available for a supplementary charge.
• Best for larger groups: The $1,354 price covers up to 31 people, but the per-person value changes sharply with group size.

Starting at Pointe Jerome with a private boat

Your day begins at the Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point, where you meet the captain and receive a safety briefing. That first talk matters on a private charter because it gives your group a chance to understand the boat, the planned route, and the basic rules before the engines start.

You are renting the catamaran for the day, not buying a seat on a shared cruise. That distinction changes the mood. You can spend more time talking with your own group, choose where to sit, and enjoy the water without strangers crowding your photos or swimming space.

The catamaran is 45 feet long, which gives you a good amount of room for a private day at sea. It is not a small speedboat, so the ride should feel more spacious and social. At the same time, you should not expect a private yacht with hotel-style facilities. The experience is centered on the boat, the water, and the route.

The captain is included, and the hosts speak English and French. Crew members named Pascal and Scott have been praised for keeping the mood warm and fun, especially on a full family day. You will want to confirm the exact crew in advance, since staffing can change.

Sailing past Mahébourg and across the lagoon

After the safety briefing, the boat sails from Pointe Jerome through the waters around Mahébourg. This section is less about checking off a landmark and more about settling into the rhythm of the sea.

I like this part because it gives you time to enjoy the catamaran itself. Find a comfortable place, keep your sunglasses and hat close, and watch the shoreline recede. The inner lagoon has clear turquoise water and usually provides the kind of open view that makes a boat day feel different from a beach day.

The private format is useful here. A large shared excursion often has to keep everybody on a strict timetable. With your own group, you have more room to enjoy a quiet stretch of sailing or ask the captain about a stop. That does not mean the route is entirely flexible, so ask at the start what can be adjusted.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a sun hat. There is nowhere to hide from the sun for the entire seven hours, and the reflection off the water can catch you even on a day that does not feel especially hot.

Snorkeling in clear water

A swimming and snorkeling stop is one of the strongest parts of the day. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you can look for colorful reef fish without arranging a separate rental.

The value here is simple: you are not only looking at Mauritius from the deck. You get time in the water, which adds a more active element to the cruise. The calm conditions of the inner lagoon make this appealing for swimmers who prefer gentler water.

Still, be realistic about what is promised. The experience includes snorkeling gear and a stop for swimming, but it does not promise a particular reef, marine species, or water visibility. Conditions can change, and the captain will decide what is suitable.

If some people in your group do not swim, they can stay aboard and enjoy the views. That is another benefit of a private charter. Nobody has to feel pressured to enter the water just because the whole boat has stopped.

Dolphin watching near Mauritius

Dolphin watching is included as a chance, not a guarantee. The boat may pass areas where dolphins can be seen, but wild animals do not follow a timetable.

That uncertainty is worth accepting before you pay. You are booking a full day on the water with several activities, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter. If dolphins appear, it can become the highlight of the day. If they do not, you still have sailing, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and Ile aux Cerfs.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire cruise staring through a screen. Dolphin sightings can be brief, and the most useful approach is to listen for instructions from the crew and watch the water around the boat.

One group reported seeing many dolphins along the route, while another simply praised the combination of dolphin watching, snorkeling, food, and good spirits. That gives you a fair picture of the experience: wildlife can add something special, but the cruise should make sense to you even without it.

Lunch near Grand River South East

The route includes a lunch period around Grand River South East. A BBQ can be arranged, but it is not part of the base price. Drinks also cost extra.

This is the point where you need to compare the booking price carefully. The listed cost is $1,354 for a private group of up to 31 people. That can be a strong deal when shared by a large family, wedding party, or group of friends. For only two or four people, the per-person price is much higher, especially once you add lunch, drinks, and any transfer.

The BBQ is prepared by the crew when selected, which keeps lunch tied to the boat rather than sending you ashore to find food. Several people have praised the meals and drinks as generous and tasty. The crew can also keep your own food and drinks chilled, according to one outing, but confirm that arrangement before relying on it.

If you want the easiest day, add the food and drinks in advance. If you have dietary needs or prefer to bring your own supplies, ask what is allowed and how much cold storage is available. The supplied details confirm that food and drinks are available at an additional rate, but they do not specify a menu.

Reaching Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main destination, and the beach stop gives the day a clear payoff after the sailing and water activities. You can go for a walk on the beach, take in the turquoise water, or simply sit in the sun before the return trip.

The island is a pleasant contrast to the moving boat. After several hours aboard, many people will appreciate solid ground and a chance to stretch their legs. It also gives non-swimmers another way to enjoy the outing.

Do not assume that the island visit will feel like a long, independent beach holiday. The whole excursion lasts seven hours, and that time is shared among sailing, snorkeling, dolphin watching, lunch, and the island stop. Ask the captain how much time is planned ashore so you can set expectations for your group.

You may want to keep your beach walk simple. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and a towel and sunscreen should remain easy to reach. Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed, so pack a small day bag rather than trying to bring full beach luggage.

Returning with time for one last swim or drink

After Ile aux Cerfs, the boat returns to Pointe Jerome. The return sail is a good chance to slow down, enjoy a chilled drink if you arranged one, and let the day settle.

The seven-hour duration is long enough to feel like a full excursion, but it also means you should plan your energy. If you spend the morning in the sun, swim hard, and skip water breaks, the ride home may feel tiring rather than relaxing.

For families, the private format can make the return easier. Children can move around within the group, and the crew can help keep the atmosphere light. One family with small children described the hosts as going out of their way to make the day enjoyable. That is useful reassurance, though you should still supervise children closely around the water and boat edges.

A private transfer from your accommodation can be arranged for an added vehicle charge, with a maximum of four passengers per vehicle. This is worth considering if Pointe Jerome is awkward to reach, but it is not included in the cruise price.

How the $1,354 price works for your group

The headline price is for the catamaran and captain for a private group of up to 31 people. It does not include food, drinks, or the optional transfer.

For a group of 31, the boat works out to about $44 per person before extras. For 10 people, it is about $135 per person. For four people, it is roughly $339 per person. Those figures make the group size the key factor in judging value.

I see the best value for families traveling together, groups of friends, or a special gathering where privacy matters. You are paying for the whole boat, not simply a seat. That can be worthwhile if a shared cruise would feel crowded or restrictive.

For a small party, compare this with shared catamaran trips in Mauritius before booking. The private boat gives you more control and personal space, but it may not be the cheapest way to see Ile aux Cerfs.

The strong feedback focuses on four things: the friendly crew, the attractive boat, the food and drinks when added, and the chance to see dolphins. Those are meaningful positives, but the base price must be read alongside the extra charges.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day most

I would recommend this outing to:

• Families who want a flexible day with swimming and beach time
• Larger groups that can divide the boat cost
• Friends celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• People who prefer a private setting to a shared cruise
• Swimmers who want snorkeling included
• Visitors who enjoy a relaxed mix of sailing, food, wildlife, and beach time

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the details do not describe accessible boarding equipment.

It may also be a poor match if you want a tightly scheduled wildlife tour or a guaranteed dolphin sighting. Dolphins are a possibility, not the central certainty of the day.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear comfortable shoes and bring sunglasses, a sun hat, towel, and plenty of sunscreen. Do not bring pets, oversize luggage, or large bags.

The captain and host team speak English and French. The outing is private, lasts seven hours, and departure times depend on availability. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility when making plans.

Food and drinks are available for an extra charge. Since the base package includes the boat, captain, and snorkeling gear only, check the total before confirming. If you want a private transfer, select that option during checkout, keeping in mind the four-person vehicle limit.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs charter?

Book it if your group is large enough to share the cost and you value privacy, room to relax, and a full day built around the water. The combination of a 45-foot boat, snorkeling, possible dolphin sightings, a BBQ option, and time on Ile aux Cerfs gives you plenty to do without rushing from one unrelated stop to another.

I would especially choose it for a family or friend group that wants its own space. The crew’s friendly reputation, including the praise for Pascal and Scott, adds confidence that the day will feel personable rather than mechanical.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple or small group and mainly want the lowest price. Add the BBQ, drinks, and possible transfer, and the total can rise quickly. For the right group, though, this is a polished and flexible way to spend a day around Mauritius’s eastern lagoon.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The private charter lasts seven hours.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. You rent the catamaran for your group, with a captain included. The boat can accommodate up to 31 people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the private charter.

Are dolphins guaranteed?

No. Dolphin watching is an opportunity along the route, but sightings depend on luck and conditions.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the base price. A BBQ lunch and drinks are available for an additional charge.

What languages does the host or crew speak?

The host or crew speak English and French.

Can I arrange transportation to the departure point?

Yes. A private transfer can be arranged for an additional vehicle charge. Each vehicle can carry a maximum of four passengers.