Catamaran cruise to Ile aux Cerfs from Pointe Jerome

The best part of this day is the mix of sea time and island time. You get a snorkeling stop in the lagoon, a look at Grand River South East Waterfall, a BBQ lunch on board, and time on the white sands of Ile aux Cerfs. It is more than a simple boat transfer.

I especially like the included open bar and lunch, since they keep the $60 price easy to understand, and I like the roomy 42-foot catamaran, with shade, trampolines, a toilet, and showers. The main caution is reliability: several bookings have reportedly suffered from no-shows or poor contact at Pointe Jerome, so confirm the trip before setting out.

Key points to know

• A full seven-hour outing: Depart Pointe Jerome at 9:00 and expect to return around 16:30, depending on tides and wind.
• Three different settings in one day: Sail the southeast coast, visit Grand River South East Waterfall, then spend time at Ile aux Cerfs.
• Snorkeling gear is included: The boat stops in the island’s largest lagoon for swimming and a look at coral and tropical fish.
• Food and drinks are part of the deal: You get BBQ lunch, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, then tea, coffee, and cake later.
• A 42-foot boat with useful facilities: Expect a shaded cockpit, seating, sunbathing nets, showers, and a toilet.
• Check the meeting details carefully: At Pointe Jerome, look for a representative in a blue teal shirt with a Mauritius Taxi Service badge.

From Pointe Jerome into Mauritius’s southeast lagoons

This cruise begins at Pointe Jerome on Mauritius’s southeast coast. The catamaran leaves at 9:00, and the return is expected around 16:30, though tides and wind can shift the schedule.

You will meet a representative at the embarkation point. Look for someone wearing a blue teal shirt and a Mauritius Taxi Service badge. That detail matters because several boats use popular waterfront areas, and you do not want to wander around guessing which crew is yours.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional, not part of the $60 base price. If you arrange your own transport, allow enough time to reach Pointe Jerome before 9:00. The operator’s stated meeting instructions are simple, but the repeated reports of missed departures make it sensible to confirm the meeting point, departure, and phone contact before the day.

Once aboard, the 42-foot catamaran gives you more room than a small speedboat. A large shaded cockpit provides protection from the sun, while the front trampolines offer a place to stretch out and feel the motion of the sea. There is also a toilet and shower, both useful on a long day around salt water.

The boat is designed for a relaxed day charter rather than a fast ride from one stop to another. You will spend a good portion of the morning sailing, looking over the southeast coast, and enjoying the warm air. If you want constant sightseeing or a tightly timed schedule, this may feel slow. If you like a leisurely day on the water, the pace is a good fit.

Snorkeling in the island’s largest lagoon

At about 11:00, the catamaran stops for swimming and snorkeling in the lagoon. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to hire a mask and fins separately.

The main appeal is the chance to see coral and brightly colored tropical fish in shallow lagoon water. Conditions depend on weather, tide, and visibility, so do not expect a guaranteed underwater show. Still, this stop breaks up the sailing and gives you a proper swim rather than only a quick look from the boat.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, sun hat, camera, and a change of clothes. Comfortable shoes are also recommended. A waterproof bag would be useful for keeping your phone and camera dry, although it is not specifically listed among the supplied items.

You should also bring realistic expectations about the snorkeling. This is one stop during a mixed sightseeing cruise, not a specialist marine excursion. The value is in having the swim included as part of a wider day, with no extra charge for basic snorkeling equipment.

Grand River South East Waterfall by boat

After the snorkeling stop, the catamaran continues along the east coast toward the mouth of Grand River South East. The boat goes upriver to view the waterfall from a distance.

The river section adds variety. Instead of spending the entire day offshore, you get a change from open sea to river scenery. The riverbank is home to monkeys and a giant bat colony, and the waterfall provides a scenic pause.

The waterfall is viewed from afar, so it is important not to picture a walk up to the falls or a close land visit. One account of the day describes a change of boat for this part of the trip, but the supplied details do not make that arrangement a fixed part of every departure. Ask the crew on the day if the river visit involves a smaller boat.

This stop is best treated as a short scenic visit rather than the central event. The main attraction is the combination of river, wildlife, and waterfall views before lunch. If you want an extended waterfall hike, this cruise will not provide it.

A BBQ lunch with an open bar on board

Lunch is served on the catamaran after the river visit. The crew prepares a BBQ on board, and the meal is included in the price.

The drinks are a major part of the value. The open bar includes beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, juice, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Tea, coffee, and slices of cake are served later during the return trip.

I like this setup because you do not have to leave the beach or search for a restaurant in the middle of the day. You can eat with the boat around you and keep the schedule moving. The food is also prepared by the crew, which gives the outing a more social, informal feel.

Vegetarians should advise the operator before the cruise so the chef can prepare a suitable meal. The standard package does not include a lobster lunch. Lobster is an optional extra, so ask about the cost before agreeing to it.

The open bar can make the day feel generous for $60, but remember that the price is not only paying for drinks. It also covers the catamaran, lunch, snorkeling stop, equipment, island visit, and river excursion. For a full day on the water, that is a fair package if the departure runs as planned.

Ile aux Cerfs, white sand, and limited island time

After lunch, the boat cruises through the channel between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary before stopping at the famous white sand bank of Ile aux Cerfs.

The island is known for pale beaches, casuarina trees, palm trees, and turquoise water. This is the part of the trip where you can leave the boat, walk barefoot, swim, take photographs, or simply sit in the sun.

Do not expect a quiet, untouched island. Ile aux Cerfs is one of Mauritius’s most popular day spots, and it has facilities, water sports, and other visitors. Its appeal is easy access to beautiful sand and clear water, not solitude.

Time on the island may be around an hour and a half, according to one detailed account. That is enough for a walk and a swim, but not enough to sample every activity or spend an entire afternoon in one place. If your main goal is beach time, you may prefer a tour that gives the island more hours. If you want a broad day with sailing, snorkeling, a river stop, lunch, and beach time, the shorter island visit makes sense.

Optional activities include parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk. These are not included, and the schedule may not leave time for all of them. Ask about the price and available time before paying for an add-on. Otherwise, the beach itself gives you a free way to enjoy the stop.

The return sail and the character of the crew

After the island visit, you return to the catamaran for the sail back to Pointe Jerome. Tea, coffee, and cake are served, while the open bar remains available.

The atmosphere is meant to be social. The crew may share local tales, tell jokes, and play Mauritian sega music. Sega is a strong local touch, giving the return journey a sense of place rather than making it feel like a generic boat ride.

The crew receives some of the strongest praise in the available feedback. French and English are spoken, and the service is described as friendly and attentive. That matters on a seven-hour outing, because a warm crew can make the time between stops feel relaxed rather than empty.

The tone is informal, not polished luxury. You should expect a friendly day charter with music, drinks, and a shared lunch, not a private yacht with personal service. That distinction helps set the right expectations.

What the $60 price really covers

At $60 per person, the cruise is priced as a complete day package. You receive:

• The catamaran trip from Pointe Jerome
• The visit to Ile aux Cerfs
• The Grand River South East Waterfall stop
• BBQ lunch
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• A swimming and snorkeling stop
• Tea, coffee, and cake on the return

Hotel transport costs extra, as do parasailing, tube riding, the undersea walk, and lobster lunch.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the included food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and island stop. Paying separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and a beach visit could easily cost more, though the comparison depends on local prices and your plans.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink, do not care about snorkeling, or mainly want a long stay on Ile aux Cerfs. In that case, you are paying for several parts of the day that may not matter much to you.

The largest value question is not the food or scenery. It is operational reliability. A few bookings report arriving at Pointe Jerome and finding no representative, with unanswered calls and no cancellation notice. Other bookings describe a successful day with an excellent crew. Because the reports conflict sharply, confirm everything before leaving your hotel and keep screenshots of your booking and contact details.

Weather, tides, and practical comfort

The cruise can be rescheduled if the sea is extremely rough or weather conditions are unsafe. Ordinary rain alone is not listed as an automatic reason for cancellation. If the operator cannot run the trip, an alternative date is offered, or a full refund is issued if no suitable date is available.

Tides affect the timing and can affect the boat’s movement in shallow areas. One detailed account even noted the hull rubbing heavily, reportedly because of tide conditions. That is worth knowing if you are sensitive to scraping sounds or prefer a very smooth, polished sailing experience.

Wear comfortable clothes that can handle splashes and bring a dry change for the return journey. Use sunscreen even when the cockpit is shaded, since the sun reflects strongly off the water. A hat and secure footwear will help when moving between the boat, beach, and any smaller transfer boat used near the waterfall.

The catamaran has showers and a toilet, but you should still treat the day as a simple sea outing. Keep valuables limited, protect cameras from spray, and do not count on a detailed schedule to the minute.

Who should book this catamaran day

I would choose this cruise if you want to see several southeast Mauritius highlights in one day without arranging separate transport, lunch, and boat trips. It suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy swimming, music, beach time, and a relaxed group setting.

It is also a sensible choice for someone who wants a first look at Ile aux Cerfs but does not need a full day on the island. The combination of snorkeling, river scenery, food, and beach time gives you a broad taste of the area.

I would be more cautious if you need confirmed, professional communication, want a private boat, or dislike uncertainty around tide-based timing. The conflicting reports about missed departures are serious enough that I would not book this without reconfirming the operator and meeting details.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise for the package, not for one single highlight. The included BBQ, open bar, snorkeling stop, river visit, and Ile aux Cerfs beach time give you a lot for $60, and the 42-foot catamaran should provide a comfortable base for the day.

Before paying, make sure the departure is confirmed, ask exactly where the representative will meet you, and save the contact number. If that check is successful, this can be an enjoyable and good-value way to see Mauritius’s southeast coast. If nobody confirms the meeting arrangements, choose another operator with a clearer record.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Pointe Jerome on the southeast coast of Mauritius.

What time does the cruise leave?

The stated departure time is 9:00. You should arrive early enough to find the representative and catamaran before departure.

When does the cruise return?

The expected return time is around 16:30. The exact timing can change with tides and wind.

How long is the activity?

The cruise lasts about seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is prepared on board and included in the activity price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, juice, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Tea, coffee, and cake are served later.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a stop for swimming and snorkeling in the lagoon.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are optional extras.

Can I order a lobster lunch?

A lobster lunch is available as an optional extra. The standard package includes the BBQ lunch.

What languages are spoken?

The activity is conducted in French and English.

What happens if the sea is too rough?

The trip may be rescheduled if the weather is adverse and the sea is extremely rough. An alternative date will be offered, or a full refund will be issued if another date is not available.