Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

Ile aux Cerfs is the star here, but the best part of this day is the sailing itself. You glide through Mauritius’s largest turquoise lagoon, stop for swimming and snorkeling, then reach the island after a relaxed run along the wild east coast. I especially like the onboard BBQ lunch and the easygoing crew service, with soft drinks, beer, water, and rum cocktails available through the day.

I also like the mix of nature and history. You get a waterfall visit, views near Blue Bay Marine Park, and a look at the coast around Mahebourg, where French and English forces fought in 1810. The main drawback is weather: on a windy, cloudy day, the boat can feel cold and snorkeling may not be enjoyable. Bring a towel and sunscreen, but also pack a light layer.

Key points to know before booking

• The cruise leaves from Pointe Jerome, near Mahebourg and Blue Bay Marine Park.
• Ile aux Cerfs is only part of the day, with swimming, snorkeling, a waterfall stop, and several hours on the water.
• Lunch is cooked and served on board, including smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, salads, fruit, bread, and coffee.
• Drinks are available throughout the cruise, including beer, soft drinks, water, and rum cocktails.
• Hotel pickup is optional, so choose the transfer package if you do not want to arrange your own way to Pointe Jerome.
• Weather can make or break the outing, especially for swimming and snorkeling.

A full day on Mauritius’s largest lagoon

This is a relaxed catamaran day rather than a fast sightseeing trip. The cruise lasts about seven to eight hours, giving you time to enjoy the water without rushing from one stop to the next.

You leave from Pointe Jerome, near the village of Mahebourg on Mauritius’s southeast coast. This area gives the outing a more local setting than a resort beach departure. It is also close to Blue Bay Marine Park, a protected coastal area covered under the International Ramsar Convention.

Once the catamaran reaches the lagoon, the day settles into a simple rhythm: sail, swim, eat, visit the waterfall, and return by boat. The largest lagoon in Mauritius provides calmer water than the open ocean, which makes the cruise feel more sheltered. That does not mean the sea will always be smooth. Wind and cloud can still affect comfort, as one poorly timed outing showed when passengers stayed cold and could not snorkel properly.

I would treat the weather forecast as part of your booking decision. In warm sunshine, the lagoon should be the perfect setting for a long lunch and a swim. In rougher or cooler conditions, much of the appeal shifts to the boat, the meal, and the scenery rather than the water activities.

Leaving Pointe Jerome near Mahebourg

Pointe Jerome is the meeting point for the catamaran. If you choose the hotel transfer option, pickup is arranged from your hotel in Mauritius, with the exact collection time confirmed the day before. You need to provide your hotel name when booking.

This transfer option is worth considering if you are staying far from Mahebourg or do not want to navigate to the port yourself. The cruise does not include hotel transport automatically, so check the package carefully. Booking the cheaper option without transfers means you are responsible for reaching Pointe Jerome.

The departure area also gives you a useful sense of place. Mahebourg is one of Mauritius’s more authentic coastal towns, and the nearby Blue Bay area is known for protected marine waters. You are not simply being taken from a resort beach to a private-style island. The trip begins in a part of Mauritius connected to fishing, shipping, colonial conflict, and the island’s southeast coast.

The catamaran itself is the main base for the day. You can spend time seated, watch the coastline, or move around the boat as the crew manages lunch and drinks. Specific group size and seating arrangements are not provided, so I would not book this expecting a small private charter. It is better understood as a shared full-day sailing excursion.

Swimming and snorkeling in the turquoise lagoon

The first major pleasure is the water. The catamaran sails within the lagoon, where the protected setting can make swimming feel more comfortable than an open-sea outing.

There is time to swim and snorkel before the waterfall visit. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, and keep valuables at home or in a secure place. The instructions specifically advise against bringing valuables, which is sensible for a day involving a boat, wet clothing, and time in the water.

The quality of the snorkeling depends heavily on the weather. Clear skies and calm water will give you the best chance to enjoy it. Wind, clouds, and cool conditions can make a swim unpleasant, and the experience does not appear to offer a weather-related guarantee that snorkeling will be possible.

That is an important distinction. You are paying for a day that includes swimming and snorkeling, not for a dedicated snorkeling expedition with guaranteed visibility. If your top goal is marine life, check conditions before you go. If your priority is a pleasant day at sea with several different stops, the tour is a better fit.

The lagoon also works well for people who want a slower pace. You do not need to spend every minute in the water. I like that the boat provides a comfortable fallback: if you have had enough swimming, you can dry off, take a drink, and watch the coast.

The Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall stop

The cruise also visits Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall, set in a natural coastal setting. This adds variety to a day that could otherwise be mostly beach and boat time.

You approach the waterfall by water, so the stop is part of the cruise rather than a long land excursion. The surrounding scenery gives you a change from open lagoon views, with the river and forested setting creating a more enclosed feel.

The waterfall visit is also tied to Mauritius’s past. Eighteenth-century ramparts can still be seen in the area, and the coast witnessed corsair activity and naval skirmishes. In 1810, the Battle of Vieux Grand Port took place here between French and English forces.

That historical detail will not turn the outing into a formal history tour. The listed guiding languages are English and French, and the tour remains focused on a pleasant day on the water. Still, knowing what happened along this coast makes the views more interesting. You can look at the river mouth and old defensive remains with a clearer sense of why this position mattered.

I would keep expectations practical. This is a short scenic and cultural stop within a larger catamaran day, not a museum visit or a long guided walk through military ruins. The waterfall is valuable because it breaks up the sailing and gives you another setting to photograph and enjoy.

A BBQ lunch prepared on board

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise instead of a simpler boat transfer to Ile aux Cerfs. The crew prepares and serves a buffet on board, so you do not need to find a restaurant after reaching the island.

The menu includes:

• Smoked marlin mousse
• Grilled fish
• Chicken
• Sausages
• Rice salad
• Potato salad
• Crudités
• Freshly baked bread
• Fresh fruit
• Coffee

This is a generous island-style spread, with enough variety for people who prefer fish, meat, salads, or lighter food. The smoked marlin mousse is the most distinctly Mauritian touch on the menu and gives the meal more character than a basic grill lunch.

The practical advantage is just as important as the food itself. A full day at sea can leave you hungry, and the BBQ is served right on the catamaran. You do not lose time going ashore to eat, and lunch becomes part of the social rhythm of the cruise.

The crew also serves soft drinks, beer, water, and rum cocktails during the day. A honeymoon outing received particular praise for the crew and for drinks such as jungle juice and Mauritian coffee. I would not assume every special drink is included unless it is confirmed at booking, but the listed beverage selection is broad enough for a full day.

Do remember that drinks and sunshine can catch up with you. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water, especially if you plan to swim. The boat is a much better place to enjoy a rum cocktail slowly than to treat the day like a drinking cruise.

Time at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main destination, and the island earns its reputation through its bright water and beach setting. The tour describes it as heavenly, but the useful point for you is simple: this is where you get the classic tropical Mauritius scenery that most people picture before arriving.

The island stop is not limited to a quick photo break. The day is designed to give you time around Ile aux Cerfs after sailing, swimming, and lunch activities. Water sports and parasailing are not included, however, so budget separately if you want those activities.

That exclusion matters. Some visitors arrive expecting every activity on the island to be part of the $111 price. It is not. The cost covers the catamaran cruise, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off only if you select the transfer option. Water sports and parasailing are extra.

I see Ile aux Cerfs as the visual payoff rather than the only reason to book. If you want a quiet beach day with no boat time, a direct island visit may suit you better. If you want the island combined with lagoon sailing, food, drinks, and a waterfall, this package gives you more for the day.

The island can also be the busiest-feeling section of an otherwise open-water outing. Exact crowd levels are not provided, so I would not promise solitude. The attraction is the setting and the range of activities, not a private beach experience.

What the $111 price really covers

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Ile aux Cerfs. The value comes from combining several costs into one day: catamaran transport, a cooked lunch, drinks, swimming time, snorkeling, a waterfall visit, and optional hotel transfers.

If you chose separate transport, a boat trip, lunch, and a waterfall outing, the day could become more complicated and potentially more expensive. Here, the crew handles the movement between stops and the meal. That convenience is useful if you want one straightforward booking.

The price is easier to justify for visitors who want a complete day rather than a short cruise. It is less compelling if you plan to spend most of the day on the beach or do not care about lunch and drinks being included.

The high rating of 4.6 from 106 bookings points to a generally dependable experience, with crew service and food receiving especially warm praise. I would still keep weather in mind. A sunny day can make the price feel fair; a cold, windy day can limit the activities that make the outing attractive.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. Those terms do not solve bad weather on the day, but they make it easier to adjust plans before the deadline.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and anyone who wants a full day with a gentle pace. It works especially well for people who like having several experiences in one package rather than arranging each stop separately.

The cruise also suits honeymooners and special-occasion visitors. One honeymoon outing described the day as a perfect finish to a two-week holiday, with the crew and drinks adding to the mood. That makes sense: the boat, island, meal, and sunset-style holiday feeling create an easy celebratory day.

Food-focused visitors should also take note. The meal is more substantial than a snack, and the smoked marlin mousse gives it a local touch. If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied information does not describe substitutions, so ask before booking.

It is less suitable for pregnant women, who are specifically excluded from the activity. It may also be a poor match if you dislike boats, need guaranteed calm water, or want a serious snorkeling program.

The cruise is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is useful, although the information does not explain the exact boarding or restroom arrangements. If you need particular assistance, confirm the details before paying.

Practical advice for a better day

Choose the transfer option if you want hotel collection. Pickup time depends on your location and is confirmed the day before, so keep your phone available and check the message carefully.

Wear swimwear under light clothing and bring a towel. Sunscreen is essential even when cloud cover makes the day feel mild. A light jacket or cover-up is also sensible because wind on a catamaran can make you cold, especially if the weather changes.

Leave valuable jewelry, expensive electronics, and other valuables behind. You will be moving between dry seating, swimming, lunch, and island time, so carry only what you need.

Keep the schedule flexible in your mind. The full outing takes about eight hours, but conditions on the water can affect how enjoyable each stop feels. If the day turns windy and cloudy, the crew may still provide a good meal and attentive service, but swimming and snorkeling could be limited.

The guides speak English and French. No individual guide names are provided, so you should expect a multilingual crew rather than a tour led by a named specialist.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book this cruise if you want an all-in-one Mauritius sea day with lagoon sailing, a waterfall visit, island time, lunch, and drinks. The friendly crew, substantial BBQ, and range of stops give the $111 price real value, especially when hotel transfers are useful to you.

Think twice if snorkeling is your main reason for going, since weather can prevent it. Also remember that parasailing and other water sports at Ile aux Cerfs cost extra.

My practical call is simple: choose a sunny-weather window, bring a towel plus a light layer, and select hotel transfers if reaching Pointe Jerome would be awkward. For a relaxed taste of Mauritius’s southeast coast, this is a well-rounded choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Mauritius, near Mahebourg and Blue Bay Marine Park.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately seven to eight hours, with the tour information describing it as about eight hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you choose the option with transfers. Collection time is confirmed the day before and depends on where you are staying.

What food is served for lunch?

The onboard buffet includes smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice and potato salads, crudités, freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, and coffee.

Are drinks included?

Soft drinks, beer, water, and rum cocktails are available during the cruise.

Are parasailing and water sports included?

No. Water sports and parasailing at Ile aux Cerfs are not included in the tour price.

What languages are spoken?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. The tour also advises you not to bring valuables.