Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

Ile aux Cerfs is the star here, but the best part is the relaxed way you reach it: by catamaran across Mauritius’s broad eastern lagoon. I like the mix of swimming and snorkeling with a cooked-on-board lunch, and I like that drinks, including beer and rum cocktails, are available through the day. The crew also earns high marks for being warm and attentive.

The main catch is the weather. A June outing with heavy wind, clouds, and cold conditions became uncomfortable, and snorkeling was not possible. This is a boat day, so sunshine matters. Also, water sports and parasailing at Ile aux Cerfs cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• A full day on Mauritius’s east coast: Plan on about 7 to 8 hours from departure to return.
• A scenic start at Pointe Jerome: The catamaran leaves near Mahebourg and Blue Bay Marine Park.
• More than a beach stop: You’ll have time for swimming and snorkeling, plus a visit to Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall.
• A proper boat lunch: The BBQ includes smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, salads, bread, fruit, and coffee.
• Drinks are part of the day: Soft drinks, water, beer, and rum cocktails are served on board.
• Good value for a social sea day: The $111 price includes the cruise and lunch, with hotel transport available on selected bookings.

Sailing from Pointe Jerome across the east coast lagoon

Your day begins at Pointe Jerome, near the old village of Mahebourg and Blue Bay Marine Park. This is a useful departure point because it puts you close to Mauritius’s southeast coast, where the water opens into the island’s largest turquoise lagoon.

The catamaran route is calmer than open-ocean sailing. You remain within the lagoon for much of the day, which makes the trip feel more sheltered and easygoing. Still, the sea can turn rough enough to affect comfort, especially when wind and cloud move in.

I like this setting because the ride is not just transport to a beach. You get a long stretch of water time, with views of the historic east coast and chances to sit back, swim, and talk with the crew. The pace is intentionally unhurried. If you want a packed schedule of activities, this may feel slow. If you want a day with fewer decisions, it works well.

The crew speaks English and French. Their friendly service is one of the strongest parts of the trip, with especially good attention to drinks and lunch. One honeymooning couple described the outing as the perfect final day of a two-week holiday, while another visitor singled out the crew and recommended the local-style jungle juice and Mauritian coffee.

The Blue Bay and Mahebourg setting

Pointe Jerome lies near Mahebourg, one of the more authentic-feeling settlements on this side of Mauritius. It is also close to Blue Bay Marine Park, a protected marine area recognized under the International Ramsar Convention.

You are not booking a separate tour of Mahebourg or Blue Bay Marine Park, so keep your expectations clear. The value comes from beginning in this part of the island, then sailing through its sheltered waters. The area gives the morning a stronger sense of place than a generic resort departure.

The meeting point is Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point. If you choose hotel pickup, the operator collects you from your accommodation in Mauritius, with the exact time confirmed the day before. Be sure to select the transfer option when booking. It is not automatically included in every price.

The optional transfer can make the $111 fare more worthwhile, especially if you are staying far from Pointe Jerome. If you can reach the departure point easily on your own, compare the price before choosing. The included cruise and lunch are the core value, while transport depends on the option you select.

Swimming and snorkeling before Ile aux Cerfs

The day includes time to swim and snorkel before reaching Ile aux Cerfs. This is one reason to bring a towel and sunscreen, even if you mainly plan to stay on the catamaran.

The experience is weather-dependent. In warm, calm conditions, the lagoon is the setting you came for: clear water, gentle sailing, and a chance to cool off without rushing. In poor weather, the same stop can lose much of its appeal. Strong wind and thick cloud made one outing cold enough that snorkeling could not happen.

That is not a minor issue. You are paying for a sea day, not only a meal and a boat ride. Check the forecast before you go, and bring something light with sleeves in case the wind picks up. The operator may run the trip in less-than-ideal weather, so you should be comfortable with some flexibility.

The swimming time is also not a private beach experience. You share the boat and the water stops with the rest of the group. That suits people who enjoy a friendly, social outing. It is less suitable if you want long stretches of quiet swimming by yourself.

Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall and old ramparts

The catamaran also visits Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall, set in a natural area on the east coast. This adds a change of scenery after the lagoon time and gives the day a useful break from sitting on board.

The waterfall is reached as part of the boat excursion, not as a long inland hike. The attraction is the setting and the contrast with the open lagoon. You move from bright water and beach scenery into a greener river environment, then return to the catamaran.

There is history here, too. Eighteenth-century ramparts remain in the area, linked to the corsair activity and naval battles that shaped this coast. In 1810, the Battle of Vieux Grand Port between French and English forces took place here.

You will not get a full military-history tour, so treat these details as context rather than the main event. I appreciate the reminder that this beautiful coast was also a strategic place. The waterfall stop gives the outing more substance than a simple ride to Ile aux Cerfs, though the amount of time spent there can depend on the day’s schedule and conditions.

Ile aux Cerfs: beach time with extras at your own cost

Ile aux Cerfs is the main destination, known for its soft beaches and bright lagoon water. This is where you get the classic Mauritius setting: pale sand, warm water, and plenty of space to enjoy the island at a slower pace.

The catamaran gives you access to the island as part of a longer day rather than sending you there for a quick transfer. You can swim, relax, and take in the coast after the morning’s sailing and waterfall visit.

Keep one practical detail in mind: water sports and parasailing are not included. If you want those activities, budget separately. The included package is best understood as a scenic cruise with food, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, and an Ile aux Cerfs visit. It is not an all-inclusive activity pass for every attraction on the island.

This distinction helps with the price. At $111 per person, the fare is reasonable if you want a full day on the water with lunch and drinks already arranged. It is less compelling if you only want to sit on Ile aux Cerfs for a few hours, or if you plan to spend extra on several water sports.

BBQ lunch served on the catamaran

Lunch is prepared and served by the crew on board. The spread is more substantial than a basic sandwich stop, with several hot and cold choices:

• Smoked marlin mousse
• Grilled fish
• Chicken
• Sausages
• Rice salad
• Potato salad
• Crudités
• Fresh bread
• Fresh fruit
• Coffee

The smoked marlin mousse is a particularly local touch. If you like seafood, it is worth trying rather than sticking only with the familiar grilled options. The fish, chicken, and sausages make the meal practical for a mixed group, while the salads, bread, and fruit keep it from feeling too heavy on a hot day.

A boat lunch has its own rhythm. You eat with the water around you, and the crew handles the serving rather than leaving you to find a restaurant on the island. That saves time and makes the day feel simpler.

The meal is one of the most consistently praised parts of the experience, along with the crew. A poor-weather outing still received credit for the very good food and top-notch service, even though the sea conditions spoiled the rest of the day. That tells you something useful: lunch is a reliable strength, but it cannot fully rescue bad weather.

Drinks, rum cocktails, and the crew’s service

Soft drinks, water, beer, and rum cocktails are available during the day. This matters in Mauritius’s sun because you do not need to carry every drink or search for refreshments once the catamaran leaves.

The rum cocktails are part of the fun, but pace yourself. You still have swimming and snorkeling on the schedule, and the sun can make alcohol feel stronger. The crew also serves coffee, including Mauritian coffee, which is a welcome option after lunch or later in the afternoon.

The service style is informal and attentive. The crew has been praised for anticipating needs and keeping the day pleasant. You should expect a friendly group atmosphere rather than a formal, quiet cruise.

That atmosphere works especially well for couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends. It may be less appealing if you want a private charter or a silent luxury sailing experience. The boat, meal, and drinks provide comfort, but this is still a shared excursion.

Timing, transport, and comfort

Allow roughly eight hours for the full experience. That gives you enough time for the catamaran journey, swimming and snorkeling, the waterfall visit, lunch, and Ile aux Cerfs.

Hotel pickup is optional. If you choose it, your collection time is confirmed the day before and depends on where you stay. Check the booking carefully because the transfer option must be selected if you want to be collected from your hotel.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Since the tour involves a catamaran, water stops, and island access, you should still confirm your specific mobility needs before booking. The provided information supports accessibility, but it does not give detailed boarding or beach-access arrangements.

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women. You should also leave valuables behind and bring only what you need for the day. A towel and sunscreen are specifically recommended. A small waterproof bag for basic items would be sensible, but do not bring anything valuable that you would worry about around water.

When this cruise gives you good value

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Ile aux Cerfs, but it bundles several costs into one day. You receive the catamaran cruise, lunch, and a steady supply of drinks, with hotel pickup available on selected bookings.

The strongest value comes from the combination. A simple beach visit would give you Ile aux Cerfs, but not the sailing, waterfall, BBQ, and full-day service. A private boat would likely offer more control, but this shared trip keeps planning easy and includes a wider range of stops.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is parasailing or other water sports, since those are extra. It is also less attractive on a cold or windy day, when the swimming and snorkeling portions may be limited.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option give you some useful flexibility. The weather concern makes that particularly helpful. You can keep an eye on the forecast and avoid committing all your funds immediately.

Who should book this Ile aux Cerfs day

I would choose this tour if you want a social, full-day Mauritius outing with food and drinks handled for you. It suits couples, honeymooners, families, and anyone who prefers a broad introduction to the east coast rather than a short point-to-point boat ride.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy variety. You get lagoon sailing, water time, a waterfall, historic remains, island scenery, and lunch in one package.

I would hesitate if you are sensitive to wind, prone to seasickness, or looking for a very quiet private experience. The weather can affect the day sharply, and the shared catamaran format means you will not control the pace or stops.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

Book it if the forecast is warm and reasonably calm, and if you want more than a beach transfer. The friendly crew, generous BBQ, drinks, waterfall stop, and Ile aux Cerfs visit make this a well-rounded day for the price.

Before paying, check three things: the weather, your pickup option, and your expectations about extras. Choose hotel transfers if you need them, bring sunscreen and a towel, and budget separately for parasailing or other water sports. If those details suit you, this is a practical way to see Mauritius’s east coast without arranging several separate activities.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The full activity lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours, with the tour information advising you to allow about 8 hours.

Where does the catamaran leave from?

The meeting point is Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Mauritius, near Mahebourg and Blue Bay Marine Park.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is available only if you choose the option that includes transfers. The collection time is confirmed the day before and depends on your hotel location.

What food is served for lunch?

The BBQ buffet includes smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice salad, potato salad, crudités, freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, and coffee.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks, water, beer, and rum cocktails are available during the day.

Can I swim and snorkel?

Yes. The schedule includes time for swimming and snorkeling before the visit to Ile aux Cerfs. Weather and sea conditions can affect these activities.

Are water sports and parasailing included?

No. Water sports and parasailing at Ile aux Cerfs are not included in the tour price.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. For specific boarding or beach-access requirements, confirm your needs before booking.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. The activity is listed as not suitable for pregnant women.