Île aux Cerfs: Private Catamaran Cruise with Gourmet Lunch

The best part of this Mauritius cruise is the mix of open-water sailing and easy island stops. You’ll leave Trou d’Eau Douce, pass reefs and small islets, swim in the lagoon, and eat lunch aboard the catamaran behind Île aux Cerfs. It feels more varied than a simple beach transfer.

I especially like the private setting for up to six people and the generous food and drink package. The crew has earned repeated praise for friendly service, with Dario, Sonia, and Marie-Lou mentioned by name in guest feedback. One point to weigh: Île aux Cerfs can feel crowded, so the island itself may not be the prettiest part of the day.

Key points to know before booking

• Private catamaran for up to six: Your group gets the boat rather than joining a large shared outing.
• Six hours on Mauritius’ east coast: The trip leaves from Pointe Maurice Jetty and returns around 4 pm.
• Snorkeling comes before alcohol: Drinks are unlimited, but alcoholic drinks are served only after the water activities.
• Lunch is served onboard: Expect a BBQ meal, desserts, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Several stops, not just Île aux Cerfs: The route includes Grand River South East Waterfall, Île aux Fouquets, Île aux Aigrettes, and Îlot Flamants.
• Bring very little: Swimwear, a towel, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, and a camera are useful. Large bags are not allowed.

Why this east-coast cruise works so well

Mauritius’ east coast is made for a boat day. The Trou d’Eau Douce lagoon opens toward the reef, and the protected water gives you a chance to swim and snorkel without spending the whole day in transit. You get scenery, water time, lunch, and a little island wandering in one six-hour outing.

I like the pace. You are not locked into one long sail to Île aux Cerfs, then rushed through the rest. The route gives you several views and short stops, including a waterfall, a lighthouse, reef areas, and small islands. That variety matters if you want more than a few hours on one beach.

The private format also changes the feel of the trip. Up to six people can share the catamaran, which suits a family, two couples, or a small group of friends. At $1,325 per group, the cost works out to about $221 per person when six people fill the boat. For two people, it becomes a much more expensive day, so the value depends heavily on your group size and how much you value privacy.

Starting at Pointe Maurice Jetty

You meet the crew at Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the jetty. That is an important detail if your hotel is elsewhere on Mauritius.

The host or greeter speaks English and French. The crew members named in the feedback include Dario, Sonia, and Marie-Lou, though you should not assume every person will be working on your departure. Service is a major part of the appeal here, and the available comments repeatedly single out the crew’s kindness and attention.

Pack a small day bag only. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and space on a catamaran is better used for people, towels, and swimming gear. Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, towel, hat, camera, and strong sunscreen.

Grand River South East Waterfall by boat

The first scenic stop is Grand River South East Waterfall. You get a photo stop, time to look around, and a chance for wildlife viewing. The waterfall gives the morning a proper sense of place before the boat heads farther into the lagoon.

This stop is best treated as a short scenic visit rather than a long land excursion. The supplied details do not promise a hike or extended time ashore, so you should expect to see the falls from the boat or nearby water rather than plan a full nature walk.

I like having this stop early in the day. It breaks up the first stretch of sailing and gives you something to see before the main swimming session. If your priority is snorkeling, do not let the waterfall stop set the wrong expectation. The main water activities come later.

Île aux Fouquets and the first lagoon swim

The route continues toward Île aux Fouquets Lighthouse. This is one of the more distinctive stops because the lighthouse adds a bit of maritime character to a day otherwise centered on sea and sand.

You can have an aperitif, swim, snorkel, and enjoy free time here. The order matters: use the swimming and snorkeling opportunity before you start drinking alcohol. The management reserves the right to cancel snorkeling if alcoholic drinks are consumed beforehand, and alcohol is served after the water activities.

The lagoon is the heart of the trip. You can expect warm tropical water and chances to see marine life below the surface, although conditions can vary. Snorkeling visibility is never guaranteed, and the experience is not presented as a specialist wildlife expedition. It is a relaxed chance to look beneath the surface while the boat waits in a scenic setting.

Île aux Aigrettes and Îlot Flamants

Next comes Île aux Aigrettes, where you can stop for photos, swim, snorkel, pass by, and view marine life. The wording suggests that the exact amount of time at this location may depend on the day’s conditions and the crew’s judgment.

That flexibility can be useful on a private trip. If the water is better in one area, the crew may be able to focus more on swimming there. If a stop is mainly a pass-by, you still get another view of the coast and reef without turning the outing into a rigid checklist.

Îlot Flamants is listed as a free-time and pass-by stop. Do not expect a major shore visit here. It is one of the smaller scenic pieces of the route, useful for seeing more of the eastern reef zone before lunch.

This section of the trip is where the private format has its strongest practical benefit. A large boat has to follow a set rhythm for many people. With a private group, your day can feel less hurried, even though the total cruise still lasts six hours.

Lunch behind Île aux Cerfs

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran at anchor behind Île aux Cerfs. The included meal is a BBQ, with unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Feedback specifically mentions lobster, fish, and other grilled food, along with desserts, so this is more substantial than a basic sandwich lunch.

The food has been one of the most praised parts of the outing. That matters because a boat day can feel long when lunch is an afterthought. Here, the meal is part of the main experience, and you eat while anchored near one of Mauritius’ best-known island settings.

You can also enjoy an aperitif, beer, wine, and dessert as part of the lunch stop. Keep in mind that alcoholic drinks come after snorkeling, not before it. If you want the clearest head and safest approach to the water, do the swimming early and save the drinks for the meal.

The private catamaran provides a pleasant place for lunch, but it may not suit you if you want a formal restaurant setting or a quiet, highly refined meal. This is a casual BBQ on the water. Its strengths are the setting, the freshness of the day, and the generous drink service.

What to expect at Île aux Cerfs

You get time to visit Île aux Cerfs for sunbathing and a walk. The island is known for its pale sand and photogenic water, making it the obvious spot for photographs and a little time off the boat. Desserts are enjoyed on the island’s private beach.

I would keep your expectations sensible. Île aux Cerfs is popular, and crowd levels can affect the mood. One piece of direct feedback described the island as too full and less appealing than expected, with the crew instead taking the group to a sandbank for snorkeling. That is useful to know: the island may be the headline stop, but it is not guaranteed to be the most peaceful or beautiful part of your day.

This is also where a private boat can help. If the conditions or crowd make the island less attractive, the crew may have some room to adjust the plan. You should not assume a different stop is guaranteed, but the earlier experience shows that flexibility can be part of the private service.

For photographs, the island is still worth your time. Take a walk, find a quiet angle if possible, and enjoy dessert on the beach. If you prefer uncrowded sand above all else, the snorkeling areas and smaller reef stops may suit you better.

Service, food, and the people onboard

The strongest pattern in the available feedback is praise for the crew. Sonia is singled out for excellent customer service, while Dario and Marie-Lou are named in connection with warm, helpful service and a smooth private outing.

That kind of attention is especially valuable on a private cruise. The crew handles the route, food, drinks, and water stops, leaving you to enjoy the day instead of managing every detail. The experience depends on the quality of that service, and the comments point to it as a major strength.

The BBQ also receives strong praise. Lobster and fish are mentioned, along with a wider spread of grilled food. Exact menus can change, so I would not book this expecting a guaranteed specific dish, but you can reasonably expect a substantial BBQ meal rather than a light snack.

Unlimited drinks add value, particularly for a group that plans to spend the full six hours onboard. The package includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Again, the timing is clear: do your snorkeling and swimming first.

Is $1,325 good value for six people?

The headline price is high for a half-day cruise, but it covers a private group of up to six rather than one seat. At full capacity, the math is much easier to justify. Six people paying about $221 each receive the catamaran, crew service, multiple stops, BBQ lunch, desserts, and unlimited drinks.

For four people, the cost is about $331 each. For two, it is about $663 each. That makes this a better fit for a small group than for a couple looking for the cheapest way to reach Île aux Cerfs.

You are paying for more than transportation. The boat takes you through several scenic areas, the crew handles lunch and drinks, and the private setup can offer a more relaxed day than a large shared cruise. If privacy, food, and personal service matter to you, the price has a reasonable case.

If your main goal is simply to spend time on Île aux Cerfs, a less expensive island transfer may be enough. This cruise earns its price through the complete day: waterfall, reef stops, snorkeling, BBQ, drinks, and private use of the boat.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it to a group of friends, a family celebrating something, or a small party that wants a full-service day on the water. It also suits people who like a mix of activity and downtime. You can snorkel, swim, look for marine life, eat well, and then relax on the boat or beach.

It is less suitable if you dislike boats, want a long guided land visit, or need a quiet, empty beach at the island stop. Île aux Cerfs can be busy, and some time is spent passing smaller islands rather than exploring them on foot.

The accessibility information needs care. The activity details describe the experience as wheelchair accessible, but the same information says it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Because those statements conflict, contact the provider before booking if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair or needs boarding assistance.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Check the available start time when booking, since the cruise lasts six hours and returns to Pointe Maurice Jetty around 4 pm.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts six hours and is scheduled to return to Trou d’Eau Douce around 4 pm.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The catamaran is reserved for a private group of up to six people.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Pointe Maurice Jetty.

What food is included?

A BBQ lunch is included and served onboard near Île aux Cerfs. Desserts are also enjoyed on the island’s private beach.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling and swimming.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat or cap, and a camera.

Can I bring luggage or a large bag?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed on the activity.

What languages does the crew speak?

The host or greeter speaks English and French.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you can fill most of the six seats and want a private, food-focused day that combines snorkeling with Mauritius’ east-coast sights. The crew service, BBQ, and range of stops are the main reasons to choose it.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple on a tight budget or if a quiet, uncrowded island beach is your only goal. For the right small group, though, this is a polished way to see the lagoon, eat well, and let the crew handle the day.