Private Charter Full Day Cruise: Île aux Cerfs

The best part of this Mauritius outing is having a 45-foot private catamaran for your own group. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and explore Île aux Cerfs without being packed onto a large shared boat. The cruise also reaches Grand River South East Waterfall, where monkeys and giant bats may appear in the trees.

I like the freedom of a private charter and the included snorkel equipment. I also like the mix of open water, beach time, river scenery, and wildlife. The main drawback is the price: at $1,335.67 per group, it makes the most sense for a larger party. Food and drinks are extra, and the listed beach stop lasts about one hour.

Key points to know before booking

• Private sailing for up to 15 people: The price covers the group, so the per-person value improves sharply when you fill the boat.
• Two very different stops: Île aux Cerfs offers swimming and beach time, while GRSE Waterfall brings a short river cruise and wildlife spotting.
• Snorkel gear is included: You do not need to arrange rental equipment separately.
• Lunch costs extra: Add a standard BBQ menu and drinks for €35 per person, or a lobster BBQ menu and drinks for €74 per person.
• The crew focuses on safety and comfort: A clear safety briefing is part of the experience, and the crew can explain the sights along the way.
• Seven hours on the water: The 9 a.m. start and return to Pointe Jerome make this a full day rather than a quick island outing.

Why this private catamaran works well for a group

This is not simply a boat transfer to Île aux Cerfs. It is a private day at sea aboard Island Hopper, a 45-foot, or 14-meter, catamaran designed for daytime sailing. Your group has the whole activity to itself, with room for up to 15 people.

That private setup matters. You can spend more time sitting together, choose how much attention to give the water and shore, and avoid sharing the boat with strangers. The exact sailing rhythm is not presented as fully customizable, so I would not assume you can redesign every minute. Still, a private charter gives the day a more relaxed feel than a standard group cruise.

The experience runs for about seven hours. You meet at 9 a.m. at Pointe Jerome, near Pointe d’Esny, and return to that same meeting point. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to Pointe Jerome.

The boat is a good match for friends, families, and larger groups who want one shared day rather than several separate activities. For only two or three people, the full group price is harder to justify unless privacy is your main priority.

Starting at Pointe Jerome at 9 a.m.

The meeting point is HPGF+496 Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point, Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius. The tour begins at 9 a.m., and the activity ends back there after the cruise.

Because hotel transportation is not included, check your route to Pointe Jerome before booking. The area is near public transportation, but the information provided does not specify a transfer service or exact travel time from individual hotels.

Arriving ready for a full day on the water will make the morning easier. The boat provides snorkel equipment, but food and drinks are not included in the base price. You can bring your own arrangements or add one of the paid BBQ options.

A safety briefing is part of the start of the outing. That is a small but important detail, especially for a private boat day where people may quickly spread out between the deck, swimming area, and beach stops. The crew has also been praised for being friendly, explaining the sights, and helping people feel comfortable aboard.

Sailing Island Hopper for seven hours

Island Hopper is a 45-foot catamaran, not a small speedboat. That distinction shapes the day. A catamaran generally gives you space to sit together and a steadier platform for a long daytime cruise, though conditions on the water can still affect comfort.

The crew handles the sailing and gives a safety briefing, leaving you free to enjoy the route. You may see dolphins during the cruise, but this is a chance rather than a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The same applies to monkeys and giant bats along the river.

One useful point comes from the practical side of the experience: the boat day itself appears to be the strongest part for people who enjoy time on the water. One specific criticism was that the swimming time could have been longer. If swimming is your main goal, keep that in mind. The outing includes water time, but it is not described as a nonstop swim day.

The catamaran gives you several ways to spend the hours. You can sit back and watch the coast, use the snorkeling equipment, swim when conditions allow, or wait for wildlife along the river. This variety is useful for a mixed group where some people want activity and others prefer a quiet ride.

Île aux Cerfs: one hour on a famous beach island

The main island stop is Île aux Cerfs, also called Isle aux Cerfs in the tour details. You get off the catamaran and have about one hour to enjoy the island.

The simplest plan is to swim in the clear water or lie on the beach. You can also walk around or take a short hike. Parasailing is listed as an optional activity on the island, though it is not included in the private charter price.

The one-hour timing is both useful and limiting. It gives you enough time to get a taste of the island, swim, and relax without turning the day into a long beach stay. It is not enough time for a leisurely island afternoon, an extended hike, and several paid activities. Pick one main goal before you arrive.

I would choose swimming and a little time on the sand if this is your first visit. If parasailing is your priority, confirm the arrangements and cost locally, since the supplied tour details do not include those specifics.

Île aux Cerfs is likely to be the most familiar postcard-style part of the outing. That appeal comes with a tradeoff: the island is a popular destination, and this tour does not promise a private beach or an empty shoreline. The private element applies to your catamaran, not necessarily to the island itself.

Still, arriving by boat gives the stop a pleasant shape. You are not spending the whole day sitting on the beach. You reach the island as one part of a broader route that includes snorkeling and the river waterfall.

Snorkeling with equipment provided

Snorkeling equipment is included, which removes one common chore. You do not need to arrange separate mask and snorkel rental before the cruise.

The tour includes a snorkeling stop, but the supplied details do not give its exact duration or name. That means you should see it as one part of the day rather than assume a long guided snorkeling session. The crew can provide the equipment, while your actual time in the water may depend on conditions and the day’s schedule.

The included gear is especially helpful for a group. Instead of arranging equipment for every person, you can use what is provided and keep the day simple. If you have personal gear that fits you better, you may still prefer to bring it, though that option is not specifically addressed.

The best approach is to treat the snorkeling as a chance to enjoy the water, not as a specialist reef excursion. People seeking a dedicated, extended snorkeling trip may want something more focused. People who want a private catamaran day with a short water activity will find the arrangement practical.

Cruising up Grand River to GRSE Waterfall

The GRSE Waterfall stop changes the mood. Instead of open sea and beach, the catamaran cruises up the Grand River South East toward the historic waterfall.

The listed stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for a look at the falls and the riverbanks, but not a long river expedition. Keep your camera ready as the boat moves through the area.

The wildlife possibility makes this short section worthwhile. Monkeys and giant bats may be visible in the trees along either bank, along with other wildlife. These sightings are not promised, so patience helps. You are watching a natural setting from the water, not visiting a guaranteed animal exhibit.

This river portion also gives the day more variety. After sun and salt water around Île aux Cerfs, the river feels like a different kind of outing. The trip is not only about a beach transfer. It links several of Mauritius’s popular natural sights in one private route.

The waterfall itself is a brief stop, so do not book this tour expecting a long walk or a detailed historical visit. The value comes from seeing it as part of the cruise and pairing it with the chance to spot animals in the trees.

Dolphins, monkeys, and giant bats

The wildlife list is appealing, but it needs a clear qualifier. You may see dolphins in the sea, and monkeys or giant bats near the river. No sighting is guaranteed.

That uncertainty is normal for wildlife viewing. The crew can point out sights and explain what you are seeing, but nature sets the schedule. I would book this for the boating route and the island visit first, then treat animals as a bonus.

Dolphin sightings can make the open-water portion memorable, while monkeys and giant bats add interest to the GRSE Waterfall cruise. These are also good reasons to avoid spending every minute looking down at your phone. Keep watch along the shore and around the trees.

The crew’s role matters here. A safety briefing and explanations of the sights help turn a private boat ride into a more informative outing. The available feedback gives the crew particularly high marks for friendliness, clear safety guidance, and explaining the places along the route.

Lunch choices and the real price

The base price is $1,335.67 per group of up to 15 people. That works out to about $89 per person if you fill every place, before lunch and drinks. For 10 people, it is about $134 per person, and for a small group the per-person price rises quickly.

That makes the charter strongest for a family reunion, a group of friends, or another party that can share the cost. You are paying for a private catamaran, a full seven-hour outing, crew service, the island and waterfall route, and included snorkel equipment. It is not the cheapest way to reach Île aux Cerfs, but it offers privacy and a full day rather than a simple boat transfer.

Food and drinks are not included. You can add a standard BBQ lunch and drinks for €35 per person. A VIP BBQ menu with lobster and drinks costs €74 per person. Tea and coffee are also available.

The standard menu is the sensible choice if you want lunch on board without pushing the budget too far. The lobster option is a special upgrade for people who want the meal to be part of the occasion. Since both are supplements, calculate the full group total before booking.

The pricing also means you should not assume that a private tour includes every possible activity. Parasailing at Île aux Cerfs is extra, and hotel transport is not included. The more additions you make, the less attractive the basic per-person calculation becomes.

Who should book this catamaran day

I would recommend it most strongly to groups of six or more who value privacy and want several experiences in one day. Families can split their time between swimming, beach relaxation, sightseeing, and wildlife watching. Friends can use the boat as a shared base for a relaxed day on the water.

It also suits people who want a gentler sightseeing pace. You are not rushing between multiple land attractions. The day centers on the boat, with two shore or river highlights and room to enjoy the ride itself.

You may want another option if your top priority is a long stay on Île aux Cerfs. The island stop is about one hour, and that will feel short if you want several hours of swimming, hiking, or parasailing.

You should also think twice if you want a dedicated wildlife cruise or a long snorkeling session. Dolphins, monkeys, and giant bats are possible sightings, while the exact amount of time for each activity is not fixed in the details provided.

The tour is suitable for most people, according to the participation information. It is near public transportation, but you remain responsible for reaching Pointe Jerome because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity has a mobile ticket, which is convenient for a morning meeting point.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. If you cancel later, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes made within that 24-hour window are not accepted.

The experience is rated 4.9 out of 5, with a 100 percent recommendation rate based on 21 ratings. The strongest praise centers on the crew’s friendly approach, safety briefing, knowledge of the route, and the comfort of having the whole catamaran for the group. The one practical reservation to keep in mind is the limited swimming time.

Is the Île aux Cerfs charter worth booking?

Book this private cruise if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a full day that mixes sailing, snorkeling, beach time, a waterfall, and possible wildlife sightings. The private 45-foot catamaran and attentive crew are the main reasons to choose it.

I would not book it solely for a long Île aux Cerfs beach visit or guaranteed dolphin viewing. The island stop is short, sightings are uncertain, lunch costs extra, and transport to Pointe Jerome is your responsibility.

For the right group, though, the value is clear. You get a private boat, a varied route, included snorkel gear, and the freedom to enjoy Mauritius from the water without joining a larger cruise group.

FAQ

How long is the private Île aux Cerfs cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the activity start?

The start time is 9 a.m.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins at HPGF+496 Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private catamaran can accommodate a group of up to 15 people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is provided for free.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. A standard BBQ lunch with drinks is available for an additional €35 per person. A VIP BBQ lunch with lobster and drinks costs an additional €74 per person. Tea and coffee are also available.

Can I cancel the booking for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.