Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to Île aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this 7-hour catamaran cruise is the mix of open-water sailing and easy beach time. You swim and snorkel in a lagoon, look for dolphins, eat a BBQ lunch on board, then reach Île aux Cerfs by ladder at the front of the boat, stepping straight into shallow water near the famous sandbank.

I like the generous food and drink package, and I like that the crew keeps the mood light with music and attentive service. The main catch is that Île aux Cerfs can feel crowded and basic at the drop-off area, so the cruise itself may be more memorable than the island stop.

Key points at a glance

• Snorkel before the island stop: The lagoon stop gives you time to swim, use the supplied equipment, or simply enjoy the water.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: The captain may adjust the route to help you spot them, but sightings depend on nature.
• BBQ lunch and drinks are included: Expect a buffet, pineapple for dessert, coffee or tea, local beer, wine, Mauritian rum, and soft drinks.
• Two hours at Île aux Cerfs: You can sunbathe, wade in shallow water, explore, or arrange activities such as parasailing.
• Small-to-medium group size: The boat accepts a maximum of 31 people, which helps keep the trip more personal than a large excursion vessel.
• Simple meeting point: Start at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point at 9:00 a.m., with free parking if you drive yourself.

What the seven-hour day feels like

This is a full day on the water rather than a quick transfer to a beach. The pace is relaxed: sail, swim, eat, spend time on Île aux Cerfs, then return with music and drinks still flowing.

You meet at HPGF+496 Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Pointe d’Esny. The listed departure time is 9:00 a.m., and free parking is available at the embarkation point for anyone arriving by car. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way there and back.

The boat carries no more than 31 people. That is large enough for a sociable atmosphere, but smaller than the packed boats used for some island transfers. The mobile ticket is useful at the dock, and confirmation is provided when you book.

The crew sets an easygoing tone. Names connected with the operation include Rudi, Rowan, Scott, and Miguel, although the exact team may vary. Their role is more than serving lunch. They help with boarding, explain the timing, refill drinks, assist with swimming, and keep the trip moving.

Sailing past the reserve from Pointe Jerome

The early sailing is one of the strongest parts of the experience. From Pointe Jerome, the catamaran passes a nature reserve as it heads toward the lagoon and Île aux Cerfs.

You get changing views of the coast, open water, and low islands rather than a fixed beach scene. This matters because the cruise gives you a sense of Mauritius from offshore. You are not simply being delivered to a resort beach. The journey itself is part of the outing.

Morning tea, coffee, and snacks are included. One detailed account describes coffee and sweet bread being served as the boat left the dock. Sweet bread is not listed as a guaranteed item, so consider it a possible morning offering rather than a promise, but coffee or tea is included.

Music is part of the atmosphere throughout the day. On the return, the crew plays Mauritian sega music, giving the ride a local touch without turning the whole trip into a formal cultural show. If you want a quiet sailing trip with no soundtrack, this may not be your style. If you enjoy a relaxed social boat, the music helps.

The lagoon snorkeling stop

The snorkeling stop comes before Île aux Cerfs. You can swim, snorkel with the supplied equipment, or stay on the boat and sunbathe.

The stop is valuable because it breaks up the sailing and lets you see the water from within it. Several strong accounts describe the snorkeling time as one of the day’s highlights. The location is considered beautiful, and the amount of time in the water is described as generous.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not presented as a specialist reef expedition, and marine conditions change. One less enthusiastic account found little colorful fish. You may see interesting marine life, but you should not book this cruise expecting a major aquarium-like reef.

The boat provides snorkeling equipment, which saves you from bringing your own mask and fins. Still, bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry way to carry valuables. The activity centers on swimming and snorkeling, so you should be comfortable in the water. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Dolphin watching in the Indian Ocean

Dolphin spotting is included as part of the day’s appeal. Some departures have had excellent sightings, and the captain may make an effort to position the boat where dolphins can be seen.

This is a pleasant bonus rather than a guaranteed stop. Dolphins are wild animals, and no itinerary can promise a sighting. I would treat the possibility as an extra reason to keep your eyes on the water, not as the main reason to pay for the trip.

The dolphin search also adds variety. You might spend part of the cruise scanning the ocean instead of only following a straight route to the island. That makes the ride feel more like a proper sea excursion.

Lunch on board, with beer, wine, rum, and soft drinks

The BBQ buffet is a major part of the value. Lunch is cooked and served on board, with pineapple listed for dessert. Coffee and tea are included, along with local beer, wine, Mauritian rum, and soft drinks.

The food receives consistently strong praise. The BBQ is described as delicious, and vegetarian diners have specifically found the meal satisfying. If you do not eat meat, it is sensible to mention your needs when booking or before lunch is served, but the available feedback indicates that vegetarian food is provided.

The unlimited drinks change the price calculation. At $81.10 per person, you are not paying only for transport and a beach visit. You are also getting breakfast-style refreshments, snacks, lunch, and drinks during a full day at sea.

Of course, the value depends on how much you drink and how much time you want on a boat. If you do not drink alcohol, the soft drinks, food, snorkeling, and sailing still form the core of the package. If you want a private sailing charter, this is not that. It is a shared cruise with a social mood.

Please pace yourself. A sunny day, moving water, and unlimited alcohol can catch up with you quickly. Drinking water is not specifically listed among the inclusions, so confirm what is available and consider bringing your own refillable bottle if permitted.

Arriving at Île aux Cerfs by the front ladder

The main island stop lasts about two hours. Rather than stepping onto a conventional pier, you reach the sandbank through the drop-down ladder at the front of the catamaran, walking into shallow water.

That arrival is part of the fun, but it also means you should wear footwear that can handle wet sand and shallow water. Keep phones and cameras secure until you are fully ashore. One passenger even lost a phone in the water near the dock, and a crew member retrieved it with a mask. That is a good reminder to use a waterproof pouch or a secure strap.

Île aux Cerfs is famous for its pale sand and shallow lagoon water. You can lie on the beach, wade in knee-deep water, or simply sit in the sun. The setting is attractive and easy to enjoy without a complicated plan.

Still, this stop has the widest gap between expectation and reality. The area where the boat leaves you can feel crowded and somewhat basic. Some people find the island pleasant but not especially special compared with the sailing and lagoon.

The best approach is to think of Île aux Cerfs as a two-hour beach break, not a remote desert island. If you want more space, use your time to walk away from the main drop-off area where possible. The available information specifically notes that the other side of the island may be more appealing than the boat landing area.

Parasailing and extra activities

Parasailing is available on Île aux Cerfs. It can give you a high view over the island and lagoon, and it offers an active option during the two-hour stop.

Parasailing is not included in the cruise price. The same applies to other water sports or island activities unless the operator states otherwise at booking. You need to check the local pricing and timing directly, and you should not let an extra activity make you late for the catamaran’s return.

This timing point deserves attention. The captain gives a return time before you leave the boat. A late return can create a serious problem, especially because tide conditions may require the catamaran to leave the island on schedule. Local water-sports operators are not affiliated with the cruise and cannot make decisions about when the catamaran departs.

I would set an alarm on your phone and return early. Do not rely on a person selling an island activity to tell you that the catamaran will wait. The boat must keep to its instructions and tide-related departure needs.

The return ride with sega music

Once you are back on board, the trip turns into a slow ride back toward Pointe Jerome. Drinks continue to be served, and Mauritian sega music gives the last part of the day a celebratory feel.

The crew’s service is a repeated strength. People working the boat have been praised for refilling drinks, helping with swimming, assisting during boarding, retrieving lost items, and responding to requests. That personal attention is important on a seven-hour outing. Small acts of help can make a shared boat feel comfortable rather than routine.

There is one serious caution. One account describes an alleged confrontation with a crew member named Pascal and uses strong language about rude and discriminatory treatment. The operator apologized and said it was investigating. This is a single severe complaint among a large number of positive experiences, but it should not be ignored. A safe, respectful atmosphere is essential on any excursion, and the company’s response does not erase the seriousness of the allegation.

The broader service picture is very positive, with a 4.6 rating from 455 reviews and 91 percent recommending the experience. Those figures suggest a reliable overall product, while still leaving room for the occasional poor experience or difficult interaction.

Who gets the best value at $81.10

At $81.10, this cruise is good value if you want several Mauritius highlights bundled into one day. You get roughly seven hours, a catamaran ride, a snorkeling stop, possible dolphin watching, two hours on Île aux Cerfs, a BBQ buffet, snacks, hot drinks, alcohol, soft drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

I see it working especially well for:

• Couples wanting an easy day with scenery, swimming, food, and music
• Families who prefer a planned outing with an adult supervising children
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting people in a friendly group setting
• Anyone who wants a broad taste of the east coast without arranging separate activities

It is less suitable if you want solitude, a quiet boat, a private charter, or a long stretch of untouched beach. It may also disappoint you if your main goal is colorful reef snorkeling or a completely uncrowded island.

The 31-person maximum helps the price. You receive more service and space than you might expect from a very large cruise, but this remains a shared excursion. The value is in the full package and smooth rhythm, not in exclusivity.

Practical advice before the 9:00 a.m. start

Plan your route to Pointe Jerome carefully. The tour does not include hotel transfers, and the meeting point is at Pointe d’Esny. If you drive, free parking is available.

Arrive with enough time to find the embarkation point and settle in. A previous passenger nearly missed the outing after being driven to the wrong location, though the agency later helped arrange another boat. Do not count on that kind of rescue. Confirm the meeting point with your driver and keep the operator’s contact details available.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Secure footwear for the wet ladder and sandbank
• A waterproof pouch for your phone and money
• A dry change of clothes if you dislike sitting in damp swimwear
• Any personal medication you need during seven hours away from shore

The ticket is mobile, and confirmation arrives at booking. Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation, though no hotel pickup is provided.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded. The cruise depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Île aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

I would book this if you want a relaxed, social day that combines Mauritius scenery, swimming, lunch, and a famous beach stop without organizing each piece yourself.

The cruise is strongest on the water. The crew, the food, the open sailing, the snorkeling stop, and the chance of seeing dolphins do most of the work. Île aux Cerfs is attractive, but the main landing area can be crowded and less impressive than the journey.

Book it with realistic expectations: this is a shared party-leaning catamaran, not a quiet private sail or a serious reef trip. Return early from the island, secure your valuables, and check the pickup arrangement carefully. If that sounds like your kind of day, $81.10 is a fair price for a well-filled seven-hour outing.

FAQ

How long is the Île aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from HPGF+496 Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Free parking is available at Pointe Jerome for people arriving by car.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes a BBQ buffet lunch, pineapple for dessert, snacks, coffee or tea, local beer, wine, Mauritian rum, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the itinerary includes a lagoon snorkeling stop before Île aux Cerfs.

How much time is spent on Île aux Cerfs?

The island stop lasts about two hours.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.