Catamaran Cruise: Isle aux Cerfs, Including BBQ Lunch, in Mauritius

The best part of this day is the mix of sea time and island scenery. You leave from Preskil Island Resort near Pointe Jerome, cruise toward Isle aux Cerfs, pause at the Grand River South East waterfalls, and keep an eye out for dolphins in the wake. The route also brings views of Ile du Phare, monkeys, and a large bat colony.

I like the friendly crew and the fact that lunch, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and unlimited drinks are included. I also like the easygoing format: you can swim, snorkel, or simply stretch out on the boat. The main caution is value. At $82 per person, the day depends heavily on good weather and wildlife luck, while the BBQ has received mixed marks.

Key points to know before you book

• The GRSE stop is short: You get about 10 minutes at the Grand River South East waterfalls, enough for a quick look and photographs rather than a long visit.
• Lunch is served on board: The BBQ is included, along with snacks and an open bar with unlimited drinks.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: The route can bring dolphins, monkeys, and bats, but sightings depend on nature and timing.
• You have time for swimming: Isle aux Cerfs includes roughly an hour for relaxing and swimming.
• The boat holds up to 30 people: This is a small group by excursion standards, but it is still a shared cruise rather than a private charter.
• You must reach the meeting point yourself: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the cruise returns to Preskil Island Resort.

Setting out from Preskil Island Resort

This cruise begins at Preskil Island Resort at Pointe Jerome, in the Mahebourg area. The meeting point matters because transport is not part of the $82 price. If you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius, you need to arrange your own way to the resort and return after the cruise.

The planned day lasts about seven hours, with operating hours shown as Monday through Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The exact pace can shift with conditions. One departure was delayed by low tide for safety, so you should avoid planning a tight connection afterward.

Once aboard, the crew explains the program. That small briefing is useful because the day has several moving parts: river scenery, the lighthouse island, snorkeling, lunch, and free time at Isle aux Cerfs. The crew has earned especially strong praise for being friendly, professional, and quick to react when conditions change.

The catamaran carries a maximum of 30 people. That gives the outing a more personal feel than a large ferry, though you should still expect shared seating and a social atmosphere. If you want a silent, private sail, this is not that kind of trip. If you want a relaxed day with food, drinks, and a chance to meet other people, the group size works well.

Cruising toward Ile du Phare and Isle aux Cerfs

The first part of the trip is about enjoying the water and the changing views. Ile du Phare, or Lighthouse Island, lies along the route to Isle aux Cerfs. The island adds a scenic marker to the cruise and gives you another reason to keep your camera ready while the catamaran is moving.

This is also the part of the day when wildlife may appear. Dolphins have been seen playing in the catamaran’s wake, and for many people that becomes the most memorable moment. It is important to keep expectations in check. Dolphins are wild animals, not a scheduled show, so the cruise offers a chance to see them rather than a guarantee.

The same applies to the monkeys and giant bats near the Grand River South East. The route gives you a chance to look for them in their natural setting, but sightings may be brief or absent. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, though it can disappoint you if you book the day mainly for one animal.

The boat also provides snorkeling gear. The information supplied does not specify a particular reef, water depth, or length of the snorkeling stop, so you should think of snorkeling as one activity within a broad sightseeing cruise, not the whole purpose of the excursion. Bring a swimsuit and use the equipment when the crew identifies a suitable place.

A quick look at Grand River South East waterfalls

The Grand River South East stop is brief, about 10 minutes. The river runs through a gorge before ending at a photogenic waterfall, making this a worthwhile scenic pause even though it is not a long shore visit.

You may also see monkeys and a large bat colony near the river mouth. The combination gives this stop more character than a simple waterfall photo stop. Still, ten minutes goes quickly. You will have time to look, take photographs, and listen to the crew, but not to wander far or explore the river area at length.

That short timing is one of the practical limits of the cruise. If you want a long waterfall visit with walking trails, this outing will feel rushed. If you prefer to see several highlights without leaving the boat for long periods, the brief stop keeps the day moving.

The crew’s role is important here. A clear explanation at the start helps you know when to watch for the falls, animals, and river scenery. Stay near the viewing side when the catamaran approaches, since the stop is too short to waste time finding the best position.

Lunch, snacks, and the open bar

BBQ lunch is served on board at Isle aux Cerfs, and the meal is included in the price. You also receive snacks and unlimited drinks from the open bar. This makes the day easier because you do not need to search for a restaurant during your limited island time.

The meal has produced two different impressions. Some diners found the BBQ plentiful and well cooked, while another found the food average and wanted more variety and stronger flavors. The fair way to view it is as a convenient boat lunch, not a gourmet meal.

I see the included food and drinks as a real part of the tour’s value. A day on the water can become expensive when lunch, bottled drinks, and refreshments are added separately. Here, those costs are built in. The open bar also helps create the relaxed, social mood that suits a sunny catamaran outing.

At the same time, food quality is personal. If you have a narrow diet or expect a wide range of dishes, you should confirm what can be provided before booking. The available details do not list the BBQ menu or special dietary arrangements.

Lunch is consumed on board rather than at a separate restaurant. That means you can keep your place on the boat and enjoy the surrounding water, but it also means the meal is part of a moving, shared excursion rather than a quiet island lunch.

Free time for swimming at Isle aux Cerfs

Isle aux Cerfs is the main destination, and the program gives you about an hour there for relaxing and swimming. This is the least structured part of the day. You can use it to get into the water, sit back, or simply enjoy a break from the cruise schedule.

An hour is enough for a refreshing swim, but it is not a full afternoon at the island. You will want to have your swimwear ready and listen closely for the departure time. The island visit is designed as one stop in a full-day circuit, so the boat does not remain there indefinitely.

The attraction here is simple: time in and around the water. After the river and wildlife viewing, the island provides a chance to slow down. You are not being pushed from one formal sight to another. The day gives you a scenic route, a meal, and a free period to choose your own pace.

There is a tradeoff. If your main goal is to spend hours on Isle aux Cerfs, this cruise may feel too compressed. If you want to combine the island with GRSE waterfalls, snorkeling, a BBQ, and a catamaran ride, the hour makes sense as part of the larger plan.

What the $82 price really covers

At $82 per person, the cruise sits in the middle of the range for a full-day outing, but the useful question is what you receive for that fee. The package includes the catamaran cruise, snorkeling gear, BBQ lunch, snacks, and unlimited drinks. It also combines several sights that would otherwise require separate planning.

The price is strongest for people who will use the full package. If you plan to swim, have lunch on board, enjoy drinks, and watch for wildlife, the inclusions reduce the number of extra costs during the day. The maximum group size of 30 also keeps it smaller than a high-capacity boat trip.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not care about snorkeling, or mainly want a long stay at Isle aux Cerfs. You are paying for the whole day’s format, not just island access. The mixed response to the BBQ also means you should not book solely for the food.

Hotel transfers are the largest extra consideration. Since pickup and drop-off are not included, the final cost includes whatever you spend getting to and from Preskil Island Resort. Make that plan before booking, especially if your hotel is far from Pointe Jerome.

Weather, timing, and practical details

This is a weather-dependent experience. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That policy protects you from losing the full price, but you should still keep some flexibility in your Mauritius schedule.

You receive booking confirmation within 48 hours, subject to availability. The supplied details also state that availability is confirmed only after booking, with the card charged upon confirmation. That makes it sensible to book ahead rather than assume a place will be open at the last minute.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate. The tour does not list special accessibility details, so anyone with mobility or swimming concerns should ask the provider before reserving.

For the day itself, bring swimwear, sun protection, and a way to keep personal items secure around water. The supplied details confirm snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and lunch, so you do not need to buy those on board. You should still plan for your own personal needs, since the exact food menu and equipment details are not provided.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff follows local Mauritius time.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want one easy day with several Mauritius highlights. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a social boat outing over a private sightseeing plan.

It is especially useful for people who value included food and drinks. You can spend the day on the water without stopping to arrange lunch, and the open bar adds to the holiday feel. The friendly crew is another strong reason to choose this option.

You should think twice if you need a detailed wildlife tour, a long snorkeling session, or several hours on Isle aux Cerfs. The schedule offers a taste of each, not an intensive visit. The waterfall stop is only 10 minutes, island free time is about an hour, and dolphin sightings depend on luck.

The cruise also may not suit you if arranging your own transport is difficult. The meeting point is clear, but there is no hotel pickup or drop-off included. Factor that into both your budget and your day.

Should you book the Isle aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want a full, sunny day rather than a single attraction. You get a catamaran ride, GRSE scenery, a possible dolphin sighting, monkeys and bats to look for, snorkeling, Isle aux Cerfs, BBQ lunch, snacks, and unlimited drinks. The crew’s warmth and professionalism add real value.

Skip it if your priority is a gourmet meal, a private boat, long beach time, or guaranteed wildlife. The BBQ is convenient but not universally praised, and the natural sights cannot be promised. Also remember that transport to Preskil Island Resort is your responsibility.

For most people, this is a good all-round Mauritius outing when the weather is favorable. Just book it for the combination of experiences, not for one perfect moment.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at Preskil Island Resort at Pointe Jerome, Mahebourg, Mauritius, and returns to the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, so you must arrange your own transport to and from the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included and is served on board.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes beverages, snacks, and unlimited drinks from an open bar.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling from the boat and snorkeling gear are included.

How much time is spent at Isle aux Cerfs?

The schedule includes about one hour for lunch and another hour for relaxing and swimming at Isle aux Cerfs.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You are offered another date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.