Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

The best part of this five-island catamaran cruise is the mix of easy sea time and several very different stops. You get clear lagoon water for swimming, a BBQ lunch with drinks, a waterfall visit, historic lighthouse views, and a chance to spot dolphins and tortoises along Mauritius’s southeast coast.

I like the generous 6.5-hour schedule and the fact that lunch and drinks are included, so you are not constantly reaching for your wallet. I also like the practical starting point at Pointe D’Esny, close to the southeast lagoon and the route’s main sights.

The trade-off is that the day covers a lot of ground. The waterfall stop lasts only about 30 minutes, and dolphin or tortoise sightings depend on nature, not a timetable. Bring water shoes for Ile aux Cerfs, where beach footwear is more useful than ordinary flip-flops.

Key points to know before booking

• Pointe D’Esny departure: Meet at the Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf, at the Philao Boat Cruise meeting point.
• Six and a half hours on the water: The schedule combines cruising, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, island visits, and sightseeing.
• BBQ and open drinks: Lunch includes a barbecue, dessert, and drinks such as beer, coffee, spirits, and wine.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main leisure stop: Plan on swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and marine-life viewing here.
• Short waterfall visit: Grand River South East Waterfall receives about 30 minutes, so keep expectations in check.
• English and French support: The crew includes professional skippers, and private groups can be arranged.

Setting out from Pointe D’Esny

Your day begins at the Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf in Pointe D’Esny. The instructions are specific: arrive at least 20 minutes before departure and report to Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side of the wharf when facing the sea.

That small detail matters. Boat departures are less forgiving than hotel tours, and a late arrival can create needless stress. Pickup can be arranged for an extra fee if requested at least 48 hours before the excursion.

The early part of the outing includes coffee and a safety briefing. This is a powered catamaran, not a quiet sailing trip, so you should expect a steady motorized cruise rather than a silent glide. The wide boat format gives the day a social feel and lets you move between cruising, lunch, and swimming without changing vehicles.

The starting point is especially useful for a southeast-coast itinerary. You are already near the lagoon, the islands, and Grand River South East. That keeps the focus on the sea rather than on long road transfers.

Ile aux Cerfs brings the main beach time

Ile aux Cerfs is the heart of the outing. The stop combines the activities most people want from a Mauritius boat day: swimming, snorkeling, a beach visit, scenic cruising, lunch, and time to walk around on your own.

The water is described as clear, and snorkeling is part of the included program. You might see small reef fish and other marine life, though conditions and sightings can change. One particularly useful piece of advice is to bring water shoes rather than relying only on flip-flops. That is helpful for getting in and out of the water and for handling rougher ground near the shore.

The island stop is not just a quick photo pause. The schedule gives the main portion of the day to Ile aux Cerfs, allowing you to choose your pace. You can swim, snorkel, watch the water, or simply sit with a drink and let the boat day slow down.

This flexibility suits mixed groups. A keen swimmer can spend more time in the lagoon, while someone who prefers to stay dry can enjoy the scenery and onboard atmosphere. The tour also lists a self-guided visit, so you are not tied to a detailed walking commentary at every moment.

Do not expect the island to feel remote or untouched. Ile aux Cerfs is one of the best-known stops on Mauritius’s east and southeast boat routes. Its appeal is easy access to striking beaches and clear water, not solitude. If you want a relaxed island stop with plenty to do, it works well. If you want a long, quiet walk far from other activity, this may feel too busy or too short.

A BBQ lunch with drinks keeps the day simple

Lunch is served as part of the boat experience, with a barbecue, dessert, and a range of drinks. The drinks listed include beer, coffee, spirits, and wine, along with welcome refreshments. That gives the day a festive edge without requiring you to pack a full meal or buy food at each stop.

I see this as a real part of the tour’s value. A boat excursion can become expensive when lunch, soft drinks, and refreshments are charged separately. Here, the advertised price of $82 per person covers the main meal and drinks as well as the cruise and activities.

The food is served onboard, which means you can keep the water and scenery close while eating. The setting is casual rather than formal. You should expect a social BBQ atmosphere, not a restaurant meal with a long menu.

Tell the operator about meal restrictions when booking. The tour specifically asks for this information in advance, and that is the right moment to raise any dietary needs. The available details do not promise a particular alternative menu, so do not wait until lunch to ask.

The onboard service has received strong praise, with specific appreciation for the food, drinks, and attentive crew. Names connected with the operation include Jonathan, Pascal, and Alex. Jonathan is also associated with arranging transportation for at least some bookings. Still, crew assignments can vary, so treat these names as useful points of contact rather than a guarantee of who will be aboard on your date.

Grand River South East Waterfall is a quick scenic stop

The route includes Grand River South East Waterfall, one of the area’s recognizable natural sights. The visit lasts about 30 minutes and is listed as sightseeing rather than a long shore excursion.

That short timing is both useful and limiting. You get a chance to see the waterfall from the water and take photographs without turning the day into a hiking trip. On the other hand, half an hour can feel rushed if you want a slow look or several photographs.

I would treat this as a scenic interlude, not the main reason to book. The cruise, Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling, and lunch carry most of the day. If waterfalls are your top priority, you may want a separate outing with more time at the site. If you simply want to add one more memorable view to a full lagoon cruise, the stop fits nicely.

Ile aux Fouquets adds history and atmosphere

Ile aux Fouquets, also known as Ile au Phare, is included for a visit and self-guided exploration. Its lighthouse gives this stop a different character from Ile aux Cerfs. Instead of focusing only on swimming and beach time, you get a place tied to the maritime past of the southeast coast.

The island also makes sense as a photographic stop. The lighthouse, open sea, and passing catamaran create the sort of scene that gives a boat day some sense of place. The schedule allows about 30 minutes, so you should expect a compact visit rather than a long historical tour.

The information provided does not promise a formal talk or an extended guided walk on the island. I would therefore come prepared to look around independently and enjoy the setting. The tour’s English and French support is useful during the wider excursion, but the exact amount of commentary at this stop may depend on the crew and sea conditions.

Ile aux Aigrettes is viewed from the water

Ile aux Aigrettes is included as a pass-by stop, with around 15 minutes assigned to the route. That is important to understand before booking. You are not promised a landing or a guided visit there.

The island adds another point of interest to the coastal route and helps make the five-island claim meaningful. You can take in the view from the catamaran while the crew continues along the southeast coast. It is a brief look, not a full nature visit.

This is a good example of why the tour works best as a broad overview of the area. You see several locations in one day, but not every island receives the same amount of time. Ile aux Cerfs is for activities, Ile aux Fouquets is for a short visit and scenery, and Ile aux Aigrettes is viewed in passing.

Dolphin and tortoise watching is a bonus, not a promise

The cruise includes dolphin watching and tortoise watching, and the route is also suited to looking for marine life. Some outings have produced close views of dolphins and giant tortoises, which can turn a pleasant boat day into a memorable one.

Still, wildlife follows its own schedule. The operator can take you to suitable areas, but no responsible boat company can guarantee an encounter or a close approach. Keep your camera ready, but do not measure the entire day by whether an animal appears.

This is especially important for families and anyone choosing the tour mainly for dolphins. You are booking a full southeast-coast cruise with wildlife watching included, not a dedicated wildlife guarantee. The snorkeling and island stops give you worthwhile activities even if the animals stay out of sight.

What the $82 price really covers

At $82 per person, the cost is reasonable if you plan to use the whole package. You are paying for roughly 390 minutes on a powered catamaran, a BBQ lunch, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, several island-related stops, a waterfall visit, and professional skippers.

The value improves for anyone who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, drinks, and a short wildlife or sightseeing outing. The included beverages also make the pricing easier to understand. You can enjoy beer, coffee, spirits, wine, dessert, and welcome refreshments without building a separate food budget during the day.

The value is weaker if you want only a short beach transfer or a quiet private cruise. This is a full itinerary with several planned elements. You pay for variety, social atmosphere, and a long stretch on the water.

A private group is available, but the supplied details do not state the private-group surcharge or exact capacity. Ask for those figures before booking if privacy is important. The standard experience should be treated as a shared outing unless you specifically arrange otherwise.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want one organized day that covers many of the southeast coast’s main water-based attractions. It suits couples, families, and small groups with mixed interests because you can combine swimming, snorkeling, food, sightseeing, and relaxed time onboard.

It is also a good fit if you appreciate a crew-led outing but do not need a lecture at every stop. The English and French options make the tour accessible to a wider range of visitors, while the self-guided portions leave room to explore at your own speed.

You may want something else if you dislike motor noise, group dining, or a packed schedule. The short waterfall and Ile aux Aigrettes stops will not satisfy someone seeking long visits at each location. And if your main goal is guaranteed dolphin watching, no boat trip can offer that certainty.

Pack a hat, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, camera, flip-flops, and water shoes. Pets are not allowed. Water shoes deserve special emphasis because they are more practical at Ile aux Cerfs than ordinary beach sandals.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book it if you want a full southeast Mauritius day with the important costs bundled together. The combination of Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling, BBQ lunch, drinks, the waterfall, Ile aux Fouquets, and possible dolphin and tortoise sightings gives you plenty of variety for $82.

Go in with realistic timing. The day is a sampler of several coastal sights, not a slow visit to each island. The waterfall and Ile aux Aigrettes are brief, wildlife sightings are never certain, and Ile aux Cerfs is the main place to swim and linger.

For most visitors, that balance is the appeal. You get a well-organized boat day, a generous food and drink package, and a chance to see several sides of Mauritius without arranging separate excursions.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and returns at the Philao Boat Cruise meeting point at the Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf in Pointe D’Esny.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts 390 minutes, or about 6.5 hours.

What languages are available?

The tour is available with live guidance in English and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch and dessert are included, along with drinks.

What drinks are included?

The listed drinks include beer, coffee, spirits, wine, and welcome refreshments.

Is swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are included during the Ile aux Cerfs portion of the cruise.

Can pickup be arranged?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged for an additional cost if requested at least 48 hours before the excursion date.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and water shoes. Pets are not allowed.