Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

Ile aux Cerfs is the star here, but the best part of this day is the sailing itself. You glide across Mauritius’s largest turquoise lagoon, with the wild east coast, Blue Bay Marine Park, and the old port of Mahebourg setting the scene. The route feels calmer than an open-ocean trip, though the sea can still turn rough when the weather shifts.

I like the friendly crew and the fact that lunch is cooked and served onboard, rather than squeezed into a rushed stop ashore. I also like the easygoing drinks setup, with water, soft drinks, beer, and rum cocktails available through the day. You may even want to try the Mauritian coffee or the crew’s Jungle Juice.

The main caution is weather. A June departure with heavy wind and cloud left one couple cold and unable to snorkel. If you dislike chilly, wet conditions, bring a towel and sunscreen, check the forecast, and understand that the operator may still run the trip when the day is less than perfect.

Key points to know before booking

• Pointe Jerome sets the scene: Depart near Mahebourg and the protected Blue Bay Marine Park, an area tied to Mauritius’s seafaring past.
• The lagoon keeps the sailing gentle: Most of the route stays within a broad turquoise lagoon, rather than heading far into open water.
• The day mixes water and history: Swim and snorkel, visit Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall, and see remnants of old coastal defenses.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: Expect smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, salads, bread, fruit, and coffee.
• Drinks are covered: Water, soft drinks, beer, and rum cocktails are included during the cruise.
• Ile aux Cerfs costs extra for some activities: Water sports and parasailing are not included in the $111 price.

Setting out from Pointe Jerome near Mahebourg

Your day begins at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point, on the southeast side of Mauritius. This is close to Mahebourg, one of the island’s more authentic settlements, and near Blue Bay Marine Park, a protected marine area recognized under the International Ramsar Convention.

That starting point gives the trip more character than a simple resort transfer to a boat. You are close to one of Mauritius’s old maritime centers, with the historic east coast stretching ahead. The boat then moves into the largest turquoise lagoon in Mauritius, where the water is sheltered enough for a relaxed catamaran ride in normal conditions.

If you choose hotel pickup, collection is available from hotels in Mauritius. The exact time depends on where you stay and is confirmed the day before. You need to select the transfer option when booking. It is not automatically included, so check this carefully before paying.

The total outing takes about seven to eight hours. That is long enough to make the boat ride feel like a full day on the water, not a quick photo stop. It also means you should treat this as your main activity for the day rather than trying to fit another major excursion around it.

Sailing the lagoon along Mauritius’s wild east coast

The sailing is the backbone of the experience. Catamarans give you open views, space to sit outside, and a steady way to cross the lagoon. You can watch the shoreline change as the boat follows the east coast, with plenty of time to relax between stops.

The lagoon setting matters. You are not being taken straight across a rough stretch of open sea to reach Ile aux Cerfs. The route generally stays within sheltered waters, which makes the boat suitable for people who want a full day at sea without signing up for an intense sailing trip.

Still, sheltered does not mean weatherproof. Wind, cloud, and rain can change the feel of the day quickly. One particularly poor-weather outing became cold and uncomfortable, with snorkeling no longer practical. That is a useful warning for anyone visiting in a changeable season. A light layer, towel, and sun protection are sensible additions, even in a warm-weather destination.

The crew is a major part of the mood onboard. The strongest praise goes to their warmth, attention, and willingness to keep the day moving smoothly. This is not a formal sightseeing cruise packed with lectures. It is a social, relaxed boat day, with the crew looking after food, drinks, and the basic rhythm of the trip.

Swimming and snorkeling in the lagoon

A stop for swimming and snorkeling gives you a chance to get off the boat and into the water. The appeal is simple: the lagoon’s clear tropical water is the reason many people book this excursion in the first place.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. The supplied details do not promise particular snorkeling equipment, so you should confirm what is provided before departure if that matters to you. The ability to snorkel also depends on conditions. Wind and cloud can make the water less inviting, reduce visibility, and leave you cold after getting out.

For that reason, I would not book this solely as a dedicated snorkeling trip. Think of snorkeling as one part of a broader day that includes sailing, a waterfall, lunch, and Ile aux Cerfs. On a bright, calm day it can be a fine addition. On a rough or cloudy day, the cruise still has other parts to enjoy, but the water stop may be shortened or less rewarding.

The swimming stop is best suited to people comfortable with a flexible plan. You may have a set route, but the quality of the water experience depends on nature more than on the schedule.

Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall and the old coast

The Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall adds a change of scenery. After time on open deck and in the lagoon, you get a natural stop framed by the river and surrounding vegetation. It is a useful break from the beach-and-boat pattern and gives the excursion a stronger sense of place.

The waterfall is also tied to the area’s past. Nearby, you can still see remnants of 18th-century ramparts. They recall the days when corsairs operated along these shores and naval skirmishes shaped the region.

In 1810, the area was the scene of the Battle of Vieux Grand Port between French and English forces. You do not get a long land tour devoted to military history, but knowing this background makes the waterfall stop more meaningful. This coast was not always a quiet holiday setting. Its sheltered waters were valuable for trade, defense, and control of the island.

The stop is worth seeing, but keep your expectations sensible. This is not a major archaeological site with a full museum or a guided historical walk. The old defenses are a brief visual reminder within a nature-focused day. I like that balance. You get a bit of context without losing the relaxed pace that makes the cruise appealing.

BBQ lunch served on board

Lunch is one of the better reasons to choose this particular catamaran outing. The crew prepares and serves a buffet on the boat, so you do not have to spend part of the day searching for a restaurant or leaving the route.

The spread includes smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice and potato salads, crudités, freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, and coffee. That is a substantial meal for a day on the water, with enough variety for people who want seafood, meat, salads, or something light.

Smoked marlin mousse is the most distinctive item. It gives you a taste of local seafood rather than just the standard grilled fare found on many boat trips. The grilled fish and chicken make the meal more familiar for less adventurous eaters, while bread, salads, and fruit help round it out.

The onboard setting also adds to the experience. You eat with the lagoon around you instead of in a crowded beach restaurant. The tradeoff is that space and timing depend on the boat, and a windy day can make any outdoor meal less comfortable. Still, having lunch prepared and served by the crew is a meaningful part of the $111 value.

Drinks, coffee, and the relaxed onboard mood

The price includes water, soft drinks, beer, and rum cocktails throughout the day. That matters more than it might seem. Boat excursions often become expensive once you add drinks at every stop, while this one keeps the basic refreshments covered.

Rum cocktails fit the setting, but pace yourself. You are in the sun, on a moving boat, and possibly swimming. Water is available, so use it. The crew also serves coffee, and Mauritian coffee received a specific nod as something worth trying. Jungle Juice is another drink associated with the trip.

The drinks help create a friendly, informal atmosphere. This is not a silent scenic transfer. You can settle in, talk with the crew, enjoy the view, and let the day unfold without constantly reaching for your wallet.

The one thing not to assume is that every activity on Ile aux Cerfs is included. Water sports and parasailing cost extra. If you want the basic catamaran day with lunch and drinks, the price is fairly clear. If you plan to add several activities, your final cost will rise.

Reaching Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main destination and the beach-focused part of the trip. The island is known for pale sand and clear lagoon water, making it an obvious reward after the morning’s sailing and swimming.

The attraction here is not a long list of monuments. It is the chance to spend time in a beautiful island setting after arriving by catamaran. You can enjoy the shore, take photographs, and make use of the setting at your own pace within the group’s schedule.

Because the cruise already includes snorkeling, a waterfall visit, lunch, and drinks, Ile aux Cerfs works best as the final big visual payoff rather than the entire purpose of the day. If you want a full day at one beach with no boat movement, this may feel too busy. If you like variety, the combination is stronger.

Parasailing and water sports are not included. That is important for families and active couples who see the island as an activity center rather than simply a beach stop. Check the extra charges locally before committing to anything, since the base price covers the cruise and lunch, not those add-ons.

Is $111 good value for a full day?

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Ile aux Cerfs. But the price includes a seven to eight-hour catamaran cruise, lunch, and drinks, with hotel pickup and drop-off available when you choose that option. Those inclusions make the cost easier to justify.

I especially like that the food is more than a basic sandwich and that the day includes several settings. You are paying for transport by sea, time in the lagoon, a waterfall visit, an onboard buffet, and access to the island as part of one organized outing.

The value is strongest if you want convenience. You do not need to arrange a separate boat, find lunch, or plan how to connect the waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs. The crew handles the day’s basic flow.

The value is weaker if you want privacy or a highly customized schedule. The supplied information does not give a group size, so I would not assume a small or private boat. You should also budget separately for parasailing and other water sports.

A 4.6 out of 5 rating from 106 bookings points to a consistently strong experience, especially around the crew and food. That should not make you ignore the weather risk. A beautiful day can make this feel like an excellent deal, while a cold, windy outing will test your patience.

Who should book this catamaran day?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and first-time visitors who want several southeast Mauritius sights in one day. It suits you if you enjoy being on the water, want a proper lunch, and prefer an organized outing over arranging boat transport yourself.

It is also a good fit for anyone who likes a gentle mix of nature and history. The waterfall and old ramparts give the trip more substance than a straight beach transfer, while the lagoon and Ile aux Cerfs keep the mood light.

The excursion is less suitable if you dislike boats, need a fixed indoor setting, or want guaranteed snorkeling conditions. Pregnant women should not book this activity, as it is specifically listed as unsuitable for them.

The cruise is wheelchair accessible, which makes it a useful option for some visitors who need accessible arrangements. You should still confirm the practical details of boarding and the stops before booking, since the day includes a boat, a waterfall area, and time at the island.

English and French are available for the live tour guidance. That is helpful if you want basic explanations and crew communication in either language.

Book it or skip it?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want a full, easygoing day that combines Mauritius’s lagoon, Ile aux Cerfs, a waterfall, local seafood, and drinks without arranging each part yourself. The crew service, onboard lunch, and broad mix of stops are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if your ideal day means guaranteed sunshine, long uninterrupted snorkeling, or a quiet private boat. Weather is the deciding factor, and the open catamaran offers little shelter when wind and cloud move in.

For the best chance of enjoying it, choose the hotel transfer if you are staying far from Pointe Jerome, bring a towel and sunscreen, leave valuables behind, and keep your schedule free for the full eight hours. If the forecast looks unsettled, ask about conditions before departure. On a calm, bright day, this is a generous way to experience the southeast coast and Ile aux Cerfs in one go.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

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

How long does the excursion last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours, with the full day generally taking about eight hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available only when you choose the transfer option. Collection time depends on your hotel location and is confirmed the day before.

What food is served for lunch?

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

Which drinks are included?

Water, soft drinks, beer, and rum cocktails are included during the cruise.

Are parasailing and water sports included?

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

Is the cruise suitable for pregnant women?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women.