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 sail from Pointe Jerome across clear lagoons, stop to snorkel, cruise toward Grand River South East Waterfall, then spend about an hour and a half on Ile aux Cerfs. I like the included BBQ lunch and open bar, and I like that the 42-foot catamaran has shade, toilets, showers, and room to stretch out.

The main drawback is not the scenery. It is operational reliability. Several bookings in 2024 and 2025 report that no organizer appeared at Pointe Jerome, with phones left unanswered. That is a serious concern, so confirm the departure shortly before you go and keep all booking and contact details handy.

Key points to know before you book

• Seven hours on the southeast coast: Depart Pointe Jerome at 9:00 and expect to return around 16:30, depending on tide and wind.
• Snorkeling is built into the day: Equipment is supplied for a stop in the island’s largest lagoon.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop: Expect white sand, turquoise water, casuarina and palm trees, and roughly 1.5 hours ashore.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The crew serves BBQ lunch, beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, juice, tea, coffee, and cake.
• The catamaran has practical comforts: A shaded cockpit, sunbathing nets, toilets, and showers make the long outing easier.
• Check the operator before leaving your hotel: Most published feedback is strongly positive, but several serious no-show reports cannot be ignored.

A full day on Mauritius’s southeast water

This is a classic Mauritius boat day, but it is not just a ride to a beach. The schedule gives you several different scenes: open water, a coral lagoon, a river mouth, a distant waterfall, a cooked lunch, and a final stretch on Ile aux Cerfs.

You meet at Pointe Jerome for a 9:00 departure. A representative should be wearing a blue-teal shirt and a Mauritius Taxi Service badge, then guide you to the catamaran. Pickup and drop-off are optional rather than part of the basic price, so check your own transport plan carefully.

The return time is expected around 16:30. That makes this a substantial part of your day, not a quick half-day outing. Tide and wind can alter the timing, and rough seas may lead to a new date instead of a departure.

The boat is a 42-foot catamaran designed for day trips. You get a large shaded cockpit, seating, trampolines for lying in the sun, toilet facilities, and showers. Those details matter. Seven hours in a small open boat can become tiring, while a catamaran gives you places to move between shade, seating, and the front nets.

Sailing from Pointe Jerome to the lagoon

The cruise begins with the easy pleasure of being on the water. Mauritius’s southeast coast is known for clear water and broad coastal views, and the route lets you watch the scenery change as the boat moves away from Pointe Jerome.

I would treat the sailing itself as part of the attraction rather than dead time between stops. You can sit under cover, stretch out on the nets, take photos, or listen to local Mauritian sega music. The crew also uses local stories and jokes to keep the mood lively.

The open bar is available from the time you board. Included drinks cover alcoholic choices such as beer, rum, and cocktails, along with soft drinks, juice, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Drink sensibly, especially in the sun. A long day at sea, alcohol, and strong heat can catch up with you faster than expected.

The crew serves drinks throughout the day, but this is still a boat outing, not a floating nightclub. The strongest praise is directed at the friendly service, good welcome, and attentive crew. French and English are the listed languages, which should make basic instructions and meal information manageable for many visitors.

Snorkeling in the largest lagoon

At around 11:00, the catamaran stops for swimming and snorkeling inside the island’s largest lagoon. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

This is one of the most useful parts of the trip because it breaks up the sailing with active time in the water. You can look for corals and brightly colored tropical fish, then cool off with a swim before lunch.

Keep your expectations sensible. The trip promises an opportunity to see marine life, not a specialist reef expedition. Water visibility, tide, weather, and the number of boats in the area can affect what you see. The stop is best understood as an enjoyable lagoon swim with coral and fish, rather than a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Bring a towel and a change of clothes. Sunscreen and a sun hat are just as important here as your camera. Comfortable shoes are also recommended, especially if you dislike walking barefoot over sand, boat surfaces, or uneven ground.

Grand River South East Waterfall by boat

After snorkeling, the catamaran follows the east coast toward the mouth of Grand River South East. The route includes a look at the waterfall from the river area, with the boat going up the river mouth.

You may also see monkeys along the riverbank and a giant bat colony. These sightings depend on conditions and timing, so consider them possible highlights rather than guaranteed close encounters.

The waterfall is viewed from afar rather than reached by a long land walk. That makes this stop easy and scenic, but it also means you should not expect a major waterfall hike or a close-up viewpoint. One account describes a change of boat for the waterfall section, so be prepared for the possibility of a short transfer connected with this part of the route.

The river section adds variety. After the open lagoon, the scenery becomes more enclosed and quieter, with riverbanks replacing the wide sea view. It is a good photo stop, though the water level and tide can affect how far the boat goes. One account also notes the hull scraping badly in shallow conditions, a reminder that tide management can affect the ride.

BBQ lunch, rum, and a little onboard holiday spirit

Lunch is served on the catamaran after the river visit. The meal is a BBQ prepared by the crew, and it is included in the $60 price.

Food quality can make or break a full-day boat trip. Here, the BBQ receives some of the warmest praise, along with the drinks and crew service. You eat onboard rather than losing time searching for a restaurant on Ile aux Cerfs. That keeps the schedule simple and lets you enjoy the view while the crew handles the meal.

Vegetarian food is available if you advise the operator before the outing. Do not wait until lunch. The chef needs advance notice to prepare something suitable.

The open bar stays available with lunch and after it. On the return trip, tea, coffee, and slices of cake are also served. This gives the afternoon a relaxed finish instead of sending you back hungry after the beach stop.

Ile aux Cerfs and its famous white sand

After lunch, the catamaran passes through the channel between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary before stopping at the island’s famous white sandbank.

Ile aux Cerfs is the visual payoff. Casuarina trees and palms frame bright sand, while clear turquoise water makes the shore look almost too polished to be real. You have time to walk, swim, sunbathe, or simply sit near the water.

The listed schedule suggests about 1.5 hours on the island. That is enough for a stroll and a swim, but not enough for a slow exploration of every facility or a long sequence of paid activities. If you want to try parasailing, tube riding, or an undersea walk, those are optional extras and are not part of the $60 price.

You can also snorkel from the lagoon area, but the boat’s dedicated snorkeling stop is the better place to focus on the marine-life portion of the day. At Ile aux Cerfs, I would use the time for the beach itself. The island is popular and can feel busy, so the value here is the easy access and attractive setting rather than solitude.

After the island stop, you reboard and sail back to Pointe Jerome. The bar remains open, and the crew serves tea, coffee, and cake. Local sega music, jokes, and stories help keep the return trip from feeling like a simple ride home.

What the $60 price really covers

At $60 per person, this is a strong package if the day runs as planned. The price includes the boat, Ile aux Cerfs, the waterfall visit, snorkeling equipment, the swimming stop, BBQ lunch, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

You would normally pay separately for transport, a boat ride, a meal, drinks, and snorkeling gear. Combining those costs makes the price attractive, especially for anyone who wants a social, all-in-one day rather than arranging several smaller activities.

The value is less convincing if you do not drink alcohol, dislike group boat outings, or want several hours of quiet beach time. A large part of the appeal comes from the social atmosphere, open bar, music, and crew interaction. If your priority is a private cruise or serious snorkeling, this is not the right format.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional, not included in the basic package. Watersports and a lobster lunch also cost extra. Keep those exclusions in mind when comparing the total price with other Mauritius excursions.

The reliability question you should take seriously

The published rating is 4.2 out of 5 from 14 ratings, with many strong marks for the crew, BBQ, snorkeling, waterfall, and overall value. Those positive experiences describe a pleasant day with attentive staff and a good mix of activities.

But the negative reports are unusually serious. Three separate bookings, dated July 2024, September 2024, and April 2025, describe no organizer at the meeting point, unanswered phone calls, or claims that the company did not exist. One person waited from 8:45 to 9:50 without contact.

That does not prove every departure will fail, but it is too important to brush aside. If you book, confirm the meeting details and departure the day before, then check again on the morning of the cruise. Save the operator’s contact information, booking confirmation, and the platform’s support details. Arrive early at Pointe Jerome, and do not discard your transport or payment records until the trip is complete.

The trip can be rescheduled when the weather is genuinely adverse and the sea is extremely rough. A simple rainy day does not automatically mean cancellation. If no alternative date is available, a full refund is stated as the solution.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want one easy day that combines swimming, sightseeing, food, drinks, and a famous beach. Couples, friends, and families with older children may appreciate the range of activities, since nobody has to spend the entire day doing the same thing.

It also suits you if you enjoy a friendly group atmosphere. The music, jokes, local stories, and open bar are central to the mood. The shaded cockpit and onboard facilities help make the seven-hour schedule more comfortable.

I would think twice if you need a quiet, private experience, have limited time in Mauritius, or dislike uncertainty around departure arrangements. The island stop is fairly short, the waterfall is seen from a distance, and optional watersports cost extra.

Pack lightly but practically:

• Towel and spare clothes
• Sunscreen and sun hat
• Camera
• Comfortable shoes
• Any personal snorkeling preference, though equipment is supplied

Should you book this cruise?

Book it if the operator confirms your departure and you want good value from a full day on Mauritius’s southeast coast. The combination of a 42-foot catamaran, lagoon snorkeling, river and waterfall views, BBQ lunch, open bar, and Ile aux Cerfs is hard to match at $60.

My advice is to make reliability your deciding test. Confirm the trip shortly before departure, keep a backup plan for the day, and do not rely on an unanswered phone number. If confirmation is clear, this can be a fun and generous day on the water. If communication is vague, choose another operator.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

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

What time does the cruise leave and return?

Departure is scheduled for 9:00. The expected return is around 16:30, although tide and wind can affect the timing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is prepared and served onboard the catamaran.

Are drinks included?

Yes. An open bar includes alcoholic drinks such as beer, rum, and cocktails, plus soft drinks, juice, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Tea, coffee, and cake are served on the return trip.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What languages are spoken?

The listed languages are French and English.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are optional extras rather than part of the standard cruise.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip may be rescheduled if the weather is adverse and the sea is extremely rough. If another date is not available, a full refund is stated as the alternative.