Southeast of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

Mauritius’s southeast coast gives you a little of everything in one boat trip: clear-water snorkeling, old island forts, a river waterfall, a BBQ lunch, and beach time at Ile aux Cerfs. The route begins in Mahébourg, which makes this feel more connected to local history than a simple resort cruise.

I especially like the stop at Trou Moutou, where the crew helps you get into the water, and the slow trip up Grand River South East to see the waterfall, monkeys, and a large bat colony. The main drawback is the long day on the water. If you are prone to seasickness or need easy access for mobility, this is not the right outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Trou Moutou comes early: You reach the snorkeling area at about 10:15 am, when the crew can help you enter the water.
• Ile au Phare adds context: You sail past Ile de La Passe and stop near the historic islet for an explanation from the skippers.
• Lunch is served afloat: The BBQ includes fish, chicken, sausage, salads, vegetables, bread, fruit, and vegetarian choices.
• Grand River changes the pace: The catamaran heads inland to view the waterfall, monkeys, and a large bat colony.
• Ile aux Cerfs is your beach break: You get roughly an hour to swim, snorkel, walk, or sit on the sand.
• The $85 price covers a lot: Lunch, drinks, snorkeling time, the boat, and the full southeast route are included, but hotel transfers are not.

A full day from Mahébourg’s Pointe des Régates

Your morning begins at 9:15 am at the Pointe des Régates jetty in Mahébourg, with departure scheduled for 9:30. This meeting point matters because hotel pickup is not included. You need to arrange your own way to the jetty and arrive ready for a full day outside.

The return is scheduled for 4:30 pm, though the activity information also allows for a return around 5:00 pm. I would keep the rest of your evening open, especially if sea conditions slow the boat or the captain changes the route for safety.

The boat is the Silver Swordfish catamaran, operated by Blue Safari Mauritius. French and English are available. The trip is described as lasting 6.5 to 7 hours, which gives you enough time to see several parts of the southeast without rushing from one stop to the next.

You will spend much of the day in the sun, with salt spray and movement underfoot. Wear swimwear beneath comfortable beach clothes, pack a towel and change of clothes, and bring a light jacket for the ride back. A waterproof bag protects phones, wallets, and dry clothing.

Trou Moutou and the first swim

The first major stop is Trou Moutou, reached at about 10:15 am. This is described as a natural aquarium, with varied marine life around the snorkeling area. The crew provides assistance, and you can swim and snorkel in the water rather than simply viewing it from the boat.

I like this early timing. You get into the sea before lunch, and the water stop gives the day a clear purpose right away. If you have your own mask and snorkel, bring them. The tour information specifically allows you to use personal gear, which can be useful if you prefer equipment that fits you well.

Do not expect a private, isolated beach. The appeal here is the chance to see fish in their natural setting and spend time in the water with the crew nearby. You should avoid touching marine life and keep your hands away from plants. That is good practice in any snorkeling area, and it is part of keeping the place in good shape.

People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking. This is a long boat day, not a short transfer with a quick swim. If you do go, stay aware of the conditions and bring whatever personal remedy you normally use, though the provided information does not promise any specific onboard treatment.

Ile de La Passe and Ile au Phare

After Trou Moutou, the catamaran sails in front of Ile de La Passe and Ile au Phare. The skippers provide a historical overview, with a guided look at Ile au Phare and its coral construction and cultural importance.

This section is valuable because it gives the cruise a sense of place. You are not only moving between swimming stops. The islets help explain why this part of Mauritius has mattered over time, and the boat gives you a broad view without requiring a long walk or difficult climb.

The information supplied does not name individual skippers, so I would not expect a formal lecture with a named specialist. Instead, think of this as a practical onboard explanation tied to what you can see from the water. You will get more from it if you listen while looking toward the islets, rather than treating it as background noise before lunch.

The cruise does not promise a long land visit at Ile au Phare. Its role is mainly a guided stop and historical viewing point. That distinction matters if you are hoping to explore every old structure on foot.

BBQ lunch with the sea as your dining room

Lunch is served on the catamaran around noon, before the boat continues toward Ile aux Cerfs. The menu is substantial for a day cruise:

• Rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, and seasonal vegetables
• Grilled fish
• BBQ chicken
• Grilled chicken sausage
• A seafood dish
• Garlic bread and regular bread
• Seasonal fruit

The vegetarian meal includes rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit. The kids’ menu is listed as the same as the adult menu, so families should not expect a separate child-specific selection.

The meal is one of the better reasons to compare this trip with a bare-bones boat transfer. You are not buying lunch separately on an island, and you do not lose beach time searching for a restaurant. The food is served against open sea views, which is exactly the setting you want from a catamaran day.

Drinks are included too: local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. Cocktails and nonalcoholic choices are also listed among the included drinks. I would still pace yourself. Alcohol, hot sun, and a moving boat can make some people feel unwell, especially before the afternoon stops.

The menu includes seafood, fish, chicken, and vegetarian food, but the information does not give details about allergies or special dietary requests. If that matters to you, ask Blue Safari Mauritius before booking rather than assuming substitutions will be available.

Grand River South East and the waterfall

At about 1:30 pm, the catamaran heads toward the mouth of Grand River South East. The route continues up the estuary to view the waterfall, along with monkeys on the riverbank and a large bat colony.

This is a welcome change after several hours of open sea. The water becomes more sheltered, and the scenery shifts from broad ocean views to riverbanks and moving wildlife. You are mainly observing from the boat, so bring binoculars if you already own a pair, though they are not listed as part of the equipment.

The waterfall is a viewing stop rather than a separate swimming excursion. The same goes for the monkeys and bats. You can watch for them along the riverbank, but you should not expect to get close or feed them. That keeps the stop simple and respectful.

I like this part because it adds variety. A day focused only on beaches can become repetitive. Here, the river offers a different setting and gives you a chance to see some of Mauritius’s wildlife without adding another transfer to your schedule.

Ile aux Cerfs, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm

The catamaran reaches Ile aux Cerfs at about 2:00 pm. You have free time until roughly 3:00 pm to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, walk along the beach, or simply sit and recover after the boat ride.

Ile aux Cerfs is the most classic beach portion of the day. If you want to stretch your legs after the morning on board, this is your best chance. If you still have energy, you can return to the water. If you are ready for a quiet hour, the sandy beach gives you room to slow down.

The free time is useful, but it is not long. You get about an hour, not a half-day island visit. I would choose one or two activities instead of trying to do everything. A quick swim and a short walk are realistic. Adding extensive snorkeling, a long beach exploration, and a relaxed lunch is not, since lunch has already happened and the boat leaves on schedule.

The tour information calls Ile aux Cerfs an iconic island paradise, but you should read that as a popular beach stop rather than a deserted island escape. Its appeal is convenience and scenery. You reach it as part of a larger route, with lunch and drinks already handled.

What the $85 price really includes

At $85 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get to the beach, but it covers more than a simple boat ride. You receive the catamaran trip, snorkeling time, the historical stop, the Grand River section, Ile aux Cerfs, BBQ lunch, and a broad drink selection.

That makes the price reasonable if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat excursion, meal, and drinks. The value is also in the route. You see open coast, small historic islets, an estuary, a waterfall, and a major beach in one day.

The price is less attractive if your only goal is to sit on Ile aux Cerfs. In that case, a shorter transfer or beach-focused option may suit you better. You are paying for the full southeast circuit, not just beach access.

Hotel transfers are not included, and personal expenses are extra. Since the meeting point is in Mahébourg, check your transport plans before paying. The flexible reservation option lets you reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day

I would choose this trip if you want a varied day on the water and prefer one organized outing over several separate bookings. It works well for people who want snorkeling, scenery, lunch, wildlife viewing, and beach time in one package.

Families may appreciate the included food and drinks, plus the freedom to choose between swimming and sitting on the beach. The children’s menu is listed as the same as the adult menu, so parents with picky eaters should check the meal details first.

It also suits couples and friends who want a social day with a generous route. The included wine, beer, rum, juice, soft drinks, and water make it easy to settle in without carrying a full picnic.

I would not choose it if you dislike boats, become seasick easily, or need step-free movement. The activity is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the long duration can feel tiring if you are uncomfortable on open water.

The captain may change direction if the sea is rough or unsafe. That is the correct call, but it means the exact route is not guaranteed. You should book for the overall experience, not for one single photo stop.

Practical packing advice for a smoother day

Bring sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and a full change of clothes. A cover-up is useful between the swimming stop and lunch, while a jacket can make the return ride more comfortable.

Pack a waterproof bag or backpack for anything you need to keep dry. You can bring your own snorkeling equipment, though the supplied information does not specify whether rental equipment is available onboard.

Wear comfortable beach clothing and footwear suitable for a boat and beach. Do not bring pets, except assistance dogs. Littering is not allowed, and you should not touch marine life or plants.

I would also keep your phone protected and avoid bringing valuables you do not need. The day is designed around swimming, sun, and salt water, so simple packing is best.

Should you book the southeast Mauritius catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a full southeast sampler rather than a single beach stop. The route gives you a good mix: Trou Moutou for snorkeling, Ile au Phare for local context, a well-stocked BBQ lunch, Grand River’s waterfall and wildlife, and free time at Ile aux Cerfs.

The $85 price makes sense when you value the included lunch and drinks, especially with fish, chicken, seafood, vegetarian food, and several beverage options. The strongest praise available is simple and direct: Nellya calls it super and says it is truly worth doing. That fits the trip’s main appeal, which is the number of different experiences packed into one day.

Skip it if you want quiet, extended time on one beach, or a short and gentle boat ride. Also skip it if seasickness or limited mobility is a serious concern. For everyone else, Blue Safari Mauritius offers a practical way to see the southeast coast without organizing each stop yourself.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at the Jetty of Pointe des Régates in Mahébourg, Mauritius. You should meet the team at 9:15 am for the scheduled 9:30 am departure.

What time does the cruise return?

The scheduled return is 4:30 pm at the same jetty. The activity information also notes that arrival may be around 5:00 pm.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The included BBQ lunch offers salads, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, BBQ chicken, chicken sausage, a seafood dish, bread, garlic bread, and seasonal fruit. A vegetarian menu is available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks include local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, mineral water, cocktails, and nonalcoholic options.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

You may bring your own snorkeling gear if you prefer. The trip includes a snorkeling stop at Trou Moutou, but the supplied information does not specify rental arrangements.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments or seasickness?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments and people prone to seasickness.