Exclusive Private Catamaran to Ile Aux Cerfs with Lunch

The appeal here is simple: you get a private boat, a full day on Mauritius waters, and time to enjoy Ile aux Cerfs without sharing the vessel with a large crowd. The route mixes swimming, snorkeling, river scenery, a BBQ lunch, and a long pause on one of the island’s famous white-sand beaches.

I like the private group setup, which makes the $1,001 cost much easier to justify when ten people share it. I also like the all-day food and drink plan, since breakfast, lunch, and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included.

The main caution is service quality. A recent guest found the boat interior less than clean and noted there was no coffee or tea, no simple dessert, and little extra effort from the crew. This is a scenic outing with good inclusions, but it may not deliver polished luxury.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 42-foot catamaran: The boat is reserved for your group, with space for up to 10 people and trampolines for sunbathing.
• Seven-hour outing: Departure is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., with an expected return around 4:15 p.m., depending on tide and wind.
• Snorkeling in the largest lagoon: Equipment is included, with a planned stop around 11:00 a.m. for coral and tropical fish.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: You get time on the famous white sandbank after lunch, with a boat transfer through the canal near Anahita.
• Food and drinks included: A light breakfast, BBQ lunch, beer, rum, cocktails, and soft drinks are part of the day.
• Extras cost more: Hotel transfers, lobster lunch, parasailing, and tube riding are not included.

Why this private Mauritius sailing day works

This is less about constant activity and more about having a floating base for a relaxed day. You can sit on the front trampolines, watch the coast pass by, swim in warm water, and let the crew handle the route and meals.

A private boat matters most if your group wants its own rhythm. You will not need to negotiate space with strangers on the deck, and a family or group of friends can share the day without splitting up. At the full capacity of ten, the cost works out to about $100 per person before transfers and optional activities.

For a smaller group, the price becomes harder to defend. A couple paying the full private-group rate is spending about $500 each. That can still make sense if privacy is your top priority, but this is not a budget boat trip.

The experience is also a good fit for people who want several Mauritius highlights in one day. You see the southeast coast from the water, stop for snorkeling, view the Grand River South Est waterfall, eat aboard, and visit Ile aux Cerfs. None of these stops is treated as a long guided tour, so the day feels easy rather than packed.

Starting at Pointe Jerome at 9:00 a.m.

The day begins at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty in southeast Mauritius. A representative should meet you there in uniform with an One Island Cruiser badge, which helps you identify the correct person at the jetty.

Plan your morning around the stated 9:00 a.m. departure. The available information does not include a standard hotel pickup, and pickup and drop-off are listed as additional charges. Confirm your transfer plan before booking, especially if your hotel is not close to Pointe Jerome.

Once on board, you receive a light breakfast. This is useful, but do not expect a full hotel-style spread. One piece of practical feedback was the lack of coffee and tea, so bring your own expectations down if a morning hot drink is important to you.

The catamaran is 42 feet long. Its trampolines provide the classic catamaran perch, with open views and a good place to stretch out in the sun. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes, and a camera. You should also pack spare dry clothes because the snorkeling stop and beach landing can leave you wet for much of the afternoon.

Snorkeling around 11:00 a.m.

The planned snorkeling stop comes at about 11:00 a.m., inside the island’s largest lagoon. Equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental.

This is one of the stronger parts of the schedule because it breaks up the sailing before lunch. You can get into the water, look for coral and brightly colored tropical fish, and cool off before returning to the boat.

The description promises superb corals and tropical fish, but conditions at sea always depend on water clarity, tide, wind, and weather. Do not treat the snorkeling stop as a guaranteed wildlife show. The value is the chance to swim in a sheltered lagoon as part of the cruise, without adding another excursion to your day.

If you prefer not to snorkel, the boat’s deck and trampolines give you another way to spend the stop. The information does not specify a separate guided snorkeling lesson, so this seems better suited to confident swimmers and casual snorkelers than to anyone seeking formal instruction.

Remember to protect your camera and phone from water. A dry bag is not listed among the supplies, so bring suitable protection if you want photos in or near the water.

Along the southeast coast toward Grand River South Est

After snorkeling, the catamaran continues along the east coast toward the mouth of Grand River South Est. The route gives you a different view of Mauritius than a road trip. You are looking at the shoreline from the water, with the boat moving through clear coastal channels and calmer river water.

The river section is a scenic pause rather than a full land visit. You may see the giant bat colony and monkeys along the riverbank, and the waterfall is viewed from afar. That distinction matters. If you expect to walk to the waterfall, stand beneath it, or spend a long time photographing it up close, this outing may disappoint.

Still, the river entrance adds variety. The morning is not just beach, swim, beach. You get a look at the coastal environment and a chance to spot wildlife from the catamaran. Sightings can vary, so treat the bats and monkeys as possible highlights, not fixed guarantees.

The crew may share local tales and jokes during the cruise, with Mauritian sega music playing on board. English and French service is available. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a named naturalist or a formal history lecture.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and the limits of the menu

Lunch is prepared by the crew on board. The included BBQ is one of the main reasons this day offers reasonable value for a full group. You do not have to find a restaurant on Ile aux Cerfs, wait for a table, or interrupt your beach time to eat.

The included drinks cover beer, rum, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. The onboard beverage service begins when you board, so you can settle into the day without buying each drink separately.

Vegetarian food is available, but you must request it at the time of booking. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance. Do not assume a special meal can be arranged at the last minute.

There are a few limits worth noting. Lobster lunch costs extra, and a simple dessert is not listed as part of the meal. One guest specifically wished for fruit or ice cream. If dessert matters to you, bring a small sealed snack or ask what can be arranged before departure.

The food setup is practical and sociable rather than fine dining. You are paying for a freshly prepared meal in a beautiful setting, not a restaurant tasting menu. For most groups, that trade is likely worthwhile.

Landing on Ile aux Cerfs after lunch

After lunch, the boat cruises through the canal between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary before dropping you at the famous white sandbank. This is the centerpiece of the afternoon.

Ile aux Cerfs is known for its postcard beach: pale sand, clear water, and a broad sense of open space. The schedule gives you time to leave the boat and enjoy the shore at your own pace. You can swim, sit on the sand, take photos, or simply stop moving for a while.

The island is popular, so do not expect complete solitude. The private part of the experience is the catamaran, not exclusive access to the whole beach. That is an important distinction when comparing this trip with a luxury private-island charter.

Water sports are not included. Parasailing and tube riding cost extra. You can add them if you want more action, but the core price covers the cruise, snorkeling equipment, meals, drinks, and visits rather than every activity available in the area.

After your time ashore, you rejoin the catamaran for the return sail. The crew may use sega music and local stories to keep the mood light. The expected return to the hotel is around 4:15 p.m., though tide and wind can change the timing.

What the $1,001 price really buys

At $1,001 per group of up to ten, this is a strong group-value option, not a cheap excursion. Ten people sharing the cost pay roughly $100 each. Six people pay about $167 each. Four people pay about $250 each.

The price includes the parts that can quickly add up on a private day at sea:

• Private 42-foot catamaran
• Light breakfast
• Snorkeling equipment
• BBQ lunch
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Ile aux Cerfs visit
• Grand River South Est waterfall viewing
• Use of the boat’s sunbathing trampolines

It does not include transfers, lobster, parasailing, or tube riding. Add those costs before you compare this with a hotel excursion or shared catamaran.

For a group of friends or a large family, privacy and flexibility are the main value. For two people, the math is much less attractive unless having a private boat is the whole point.

The service deserves realistic expectations. The available score is 3.7 from three reviews, a small sample that suggests a mixed rather than uniformly polished experience. The reported concerns about interior cleanliness, missing coffee and tea, absent dessert, and low crew energy are worth taking seriously. The natural setting may be excellent, but the onboard details may feel more functional than refined.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would recommend it to a group that wants a private day with several stops and minimal planning. It suits families, groups of friends, and couples traveling with other couples who can share the cost.

It is also a good match if you care about:

• Private space on the boat
• A relaxed schedule
• Swimming and casual snorkeling
• A beach stop at Ile aux Cerfs
• Lunch and drinks included
• A mix of coast, river, wildlife, and beach scenery

You may want another option if you expect luxury-level service, spotless interiors, specialty coffee, a dessert course, or a highly active guide. This is not the best fit for a small group that wants to keep costs low, either.

Pack carefully. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, a camera, and dry clothes are specifically useful. Bring your own towel rather than assuming one will be provided. If you need vegetarian food or have allergies, notify the operator before the day of the cruise.

The tour can be canceled without penalty up to 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later. If a cyclone or torrential rainfall alert affects the outing, the operator provides a full refund when the operator cancels.

Should you book it?

Book this private catamaran if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a comfortable one-day blend of sailing, snorkeling, lunch, and Ile aux Cerfs. The itinerary covers a lot without forcing you into a rushed schedule, and the included food and drinks make budgeting easier.

Skip it if you are a couple on a tight budget or if polished service is more important than scenery. Before paying, confirm transfer arrangements, the vegetarian or allergy meal, and exactly what is included in the drinks service. With those details settled, this is a solid private day on the southeast coast, with a few service limitations to keep in mind.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran experience?

The outing lasts about seven hours. Departure is scheduled for 9:00 a.m., and the expected return to the hotel is around 4:15 p.m., depending on tide and wind.

Where does the catamaran depart?

The catamaran departs from Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty at Pointe Jerome in southeast Mauritius.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private-group outing on a 42-foot catamaran, with capacity for up to 10 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The cruise includes a snorkeling stop and snorkeling equipment.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on board. A lobster lunch is available for an additional charge.

What drinks are included?

The cruise includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including beer, rum, cocktails, and other beverages.

Can vegetarian meals be arranged?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to advise the operator when booking. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance.

Are hotel transfers and water sports included?

No. Pickup and drop-off cost extra. Parasailing and tube riding also cost extra.