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

The best part of this day is the easy rhythm: sail across Mauritius’ warm lagoon, stop for a swim, eat lunch on board, then step off the catamaran onto the famous sandbank at Île aux Cerfs. Crew members such as Rudi, Rowan, Scott, and Miguel have earned praise for keeping the mood friendly and the drinks flowing.

I like the generous food and drink package, which includes a BBQ buffet, pineapple, coffee, tea, beer, wine, Mauritian rum, and soft drinks. I also like the mix of activities: you can snorkel, watch for dolphins, sit in the sun, listen to sega music, or simply enjoy the ride. The main caution is that Île aux Cerfs can feel crowded and basic at the main drop-off point, so the boat journey may be more memorable than the island itself.

At a glance

• A full seven hours on the water: You get a proper day out, not a rushed island transfer.
• Snorkeling before Île aux Cerfs: The cruise includes a lagoon stop for swimming and snorkeling, with equipment provided.
• Unlimited drinks on board: Beer, wine, Mauritian rum, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included.
• A sociable boat with up to 31 people: Small enough to feel personal, but lively enough for music and conversation.
• Two hours around Île aux Cerfs: Relax on the sand, wade in shallow water, or pay separately for activities such as parasailing.
• A useful base for independent visitors: The meeting point at Pointe Jerome has free parking, but hotel pickup is not included.

A relaxed day from Pointe Jerome to Île aux Cerfs

This cruise works best if you want a complete day by the sea without arranging several separate activities. You meet at Pointe Jerome at 9:00 a.m., board the Island Hopper catamaran, and spend the next several hours moving between open water, a snorkeling stop, lunch, and Île aux Cerfs.

The boat carries a maximum of 31 people. That is not an intimate private charter, but it is a manageable group for a shared cruise. The crew has several jobs at once: helping people board, explaining the schedule, serving food and drinks, watching the water, and keeping the music going. The strongest part of the experience is the combination of steady service and a laid-back Mauritian mood.

You should expect a social outing rather than a quiet sailing lesson. Music plays during the cruise, including Mauritian sega, and the atmosphere can become festive once lunch and drinks are served. If you prefer a silent boat with only the sound of the sea, this may not be your ideal choice.

Boarding at 9:00 a.m. and settling into the cruise

Pointe Jerome is the boarding point at Pointe d’Esny. If you are driving yourself, free parking is available. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the dock.

The morning begins with the catamaran moving out across the water. Coffee, tea, and snacks are available, and one detailed account described coffee and sweet bread early in the trip. This is a useful touch, since the day starts relatively early and lunch comes later.

The early sailing is one of the reasons to choose this tour instead of going straight to the island. You get broad views across the water, time to settle into the boat, and the chance to enjoy the scenery before the swimming stop. The crew also explains the timing for the day, including when you must return to the catamaran after visiting the island.

Pay attention to those instructions. The boat has a fixed schedule, and tide conditions can affect how long it can remain near Île aux Cerfs. Do not rely on a local water-sports operator for the departure time. Confirm the return time directly with the captain or crew before walking away from the boat.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

The snorkeling stop comes before the island visit. Equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel unless you prefer using personal gear.

The stop gives you time to swim, snorkel, or stay on the catamaran and enjoy the sun. Several people found the water and snorkeling stop to be among the strongest parts of the day. Conditions can vary, though. You may see pleasing marine life and clear water, but this is not a dedicated reef expedition. One disappointing account described the fish as lacking bright colors.

That is the right way to set your expectations. Choose this cruise for a pleasant swim in a tropical lagoon, not for a guaranteed underwater spectacle. Visibility, weather, and sea conditions can change the experience from one day to the next.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew for help before entering the water. The staff have been praised for assisting passengers in the water and helping with practical matters during the cruise. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Looking for dolphins and passing the nature reserve

The catamaran also looks for dolphins in the open water. Seeing them is not guaranteed, but it can become the day’s most exciting surprise. The captain may adjust the route or turn the boat so you can watch them, as happened during one particularly memorable outing.

Keep your expectations sensible. Dolphin spotting depends on nature, not on a fixed schedule. Bring patience, watch the water, and do not treat the sighting as a promise built into the ticket.

The route also passes a nature reserve. This adds interest to the sailing portion and gives you more than a simple ride from one beach to another. The views are strongest when you stop looking only toward the destination and pay attention to the water, shoreline, and changing light around the boat.

BBQ lunch with drinks included

Lunch is served on board as a BBQ buffet. The included food covers the main meal, with pineapple for dessert. Coffee and tea are also part of the package, along with local beer, wine, Mauritian rum, and soft drinks.

Food quality is one of the most praised parts of this cruise. The BBQ has been described as delicious, and the crew keeps the service moving while continuing to refill drinks. Vegetarian food is available, and one account specifically praised the vegetarian lunch.

Still, you should treat this as a casual boat BBQ, not a restaurant meal. The value comes from having lunch prepared and served while you are already out on the water. You do not lose time searching for a café on the island, and you can return to swimming, music, and views as soon as you finish eating.

The alcohol policy deserves a practical note. Beer, wine, and rum are included without an extra charge, which helps explain the strong value at $81.10 per person. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to swim or spend time in the sun. The boat’s relaxed party mood may suit couples and groups, but it may feel more lively than some families expect.

Arriving at Île aux Cerfs

The main island stop lasts about two hours. The catamaran uses a front ladder, allowing you to step down toward the sandbank and shallow water. You can spend the time on the beach, wade in knee-deep water, or sit in the sun.

Île aux Cerfs is the name most people recognize, so it is natural to expect a polished island paradise. The setting is attractive, but the main arrival area can be crowded and somewhat plain. Several comments describe the island side used by the boat as basic, with a more pleasant feel found elsewhere on the island.

That does not make the stop pointless. It gives you a change of scenery, a chance to stretch your legs, and time away from the boat. If you want a quiet beach with no commercial activity, you may find this portion less appealing. If you enjoy water sports and a popular beach setting, you may like the choice of things to do.

Parasailing and other water activities are available on the island, but they are not included in the cruise price. You should treat them as optional extras and ask about the cost before committing. The included two hours can also be used for free, so you do not need to pay for an activity to enjoy the stop.

One important point: this cruise does not include a waterfall visit. If you are comparing it with a tour that combines waterfalls, viewpoints, and the east coast, this is a sea day rather than an all-purpose Mauritius sightseeing tour.

Returning with music and a full glass

After the island stop, you return to the catamaran and cruise back to Pointe Jerome. The boat continues with music, including Mauritian sega, and the drink service remains part of the experience.

This final stretch is where the cruise becomes less about checking off sights and more about enjoying the day. You can sit back, talk with other people on board, watch the water, and let the crew handle the practical details. Staff members have been praised for helping with lost hats, assisting with boarding, and even recovering a phone that slipped into the water at the dock.

The crew’s attitude is a major reason this tour receives strong marks. Rudi, Rowan, Scott, Miguel, and other team members are repeatedly described as helpful, friendly, and attentive. There was also one serious complaint about a crew member’s behavior, followed by an apology and an internal investigation from the operator. It appears to be an exception within otherwise positive feedback, but it is fair to acknowledge it rather than pretend every outing is flawless.

Is $81.10 a fair price?

At $81.10 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the full package. You are paying for roughly seven hours, catamaran transport, a snorkeling stop, equipment, BBQ lunch, snacks, coffee, tea, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, music, and time at Île aux Cerfs.

The value is especially good for people who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear. The cruise also removes the need to plan your own route between the mainland, lagoon, and island.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet beach day. The island stop is limited to about two hours, and the most beautiful part of the day may be the journey itself. You are also responsible for reaching Pointe Jerome, and parasailing or other island activities cost extra.

The tour is usually booked about 18 days ahead, so do not leave it until the last minute if your schedule is tight. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip for couples, families with older children, and friends who want a sociable day on the water. It suits you if you like having several options without a strict schedule: swim, snorkel, eat, listen to music, drink, watch for dolphins, or sit quietly for a while.

It is also a good choice for first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Mauritius’ east coast waters. The crew handles the food and boat logistics, while the day gives you several classic island experiences in one outing.

You may want a different tour if your main goals are a secluded beach, serious snorkeling, a waterfall visit, or a small private boat. The island can be crowded, the snorkeling is not guaranteed to be full of colorful fish, and the music and alcohol service make this more of a relaxed social cruise than a nature-focused expedition.

Practical tips before you book

• Arrive at Pointe Jerome in good time for the 9:00 a.m. start. The meeting point, not your hotel, is the responsibility of your own transport.
• Confirm the island return time before leaving the boat. Tide conditions may require the catamaran to depart on schedule.
• Bring sun protection and clothing suitable for swimming and sitting in the sun.
• Use the included snorkeling equipment, but bring your own if you prefer a personal fit.
• Ask about vegetarian food when you board if you have dietary needs.
• Keep valuables secure around the water and while stepping down the front ladder.
• Treat dolphin sightings as a bonus, not a guarantee.
• Budget separately for parasailing and other water sports at Île aux Cerfs.
• If you want a calmer experience, sit away from the main music area when possible.

Should you book the Île aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, all-day boat outing with food, drinks, music, swimming, snorkeling, and a popular island stop. The crew service is the strongest part of the experience, and the included lunch and drinks make the $81.10 fare easy to justify.

Go in knowing that Île aux Cerfs itself may feel crowded and ordinary near the drop-off point. The best memories are likely to come from the sailing, dolphin search, snorkeling stop, BBQ, and friendly crew rather than from spending a long, quiet afternoon on the island.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at HPGF+496 Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius.

What time does the tour start?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Free parking is available at the Pointe Jerome boarding point for people driving themselves.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ buffet lunch, pineapple dessert, coffee, and tea are included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Local beer, wine, Mauritian rum, and soft drinks are included, along with coffee and tea.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the itinerary includes a stop for swimming and snorkeling.

Can children join the cruise?

Yes. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.