Southeast of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

The most appealing part of this trip is its mix of sea time and island time. You snorkel at Trou Moutou, sail past two historic islets, eat lunch on board, look for monkeys and bats along Grand River Southeast, then settle onto Ile aux Cerfs. It gives you a full southeast-coast picture in one day.

I especially like the all-included drinks and BBQ lunch, since you do not need to arrange food between stops. I also like the balance between active and easygoing moments: swim in the morning, listen to the crew’s historical explanation, then spend an hour on the beach. The main concern is the sea. Rough water can change the route, and the trip is not a good match if you are prone to seasickness or have limited mobility.

• Trou Moutou: Stop for swimming and snorkeling in a marine area described as a natural aquarium.
• Historic islets: Sail past Ile de La Passe and visit Ile au Phare for an introduction to their past and coral formation.
• BBQ at sea: Eat grilled fish, chicken, sausage, salads, vegetables, seafood, fruit, and bread on the catamaran.
• Grand River Southeast: Look toward the waterfall, riverbank monkeys, and a large bat colony.
• Ile aux Cerfs: Enjoy free time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking the beach.
• Mahébourg departure: Meet at Pointe des Régates at 9:15 a.m. and return around 4:30 p.m., possibly as late as 5 p.m.

A Full Day Along Mauritius’s Southeast Coast

This is a broad, easygoing catamaran outing rather than a single-focus snorkeling trip. The route links several of Mauritius’s best-known southeast sights, so you spend less time arranging separate excursions and more time moving between sea, river, history, and beach.

The catamaran is the Silver Swordfish, and the day begins at the Jetty of Pointe des Régates in Mahébourg. You meet the crew at 9:15 a.m., with departure scheduled for 9:30. The activity is described as lasting 6.5 to 7 hours, though the stated return time is 4:30 p.m., with some information allowing for 5 p.m. Plan on most of your day being taken up.

That timing matters. You are not squeezing this outing into a spare morning. You need to reach Mahébourg early, and hotel pickup is not included. In return, you get a long coastal route, lunch, drinks, several stops, and time at Ile aux Cerfs.

Starting in Mahébourg at 9:30 a.m.

Mahébourg is the practical base for this trip. Arriving at Pointe des Régates means you start near the water and avoid a long transfer by boat from another part of the island. The meeting point is specific, but you should allow enough time to find the jetty and be ready by 9:15.

Wear beach clothes from the start. You will need a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or cap. Bring a change of clothes and a light jacket as well. A waterproof bag is useful for phones, wallets, and anything else that should not meet a splash.

The operator speaks French and English. No hotel transport is included, so you arrange your own way to Mahébourg and back. That is worth factoring into the $85 price, especially if you are staying far from the southeast coast.

Trou Moutou: Your First Swim and Snorkel Stop

The first major stop is Trou Moutou, scheduled for about 10:15 a.m. The area is presented as a natural aquarium, with a variety of marine life in clear coastal water. You can swim and snorkel with assistance from the crew.

This is a good early stop because it gets you into the water before lunch and before the final beach visit. If you prefer to use your own equipment, you are encouraged to bring it. The supplied information does not promise rental gear, so pack your own mask, snorkel, and fins if you have them and want a familiar fit.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a shared catamaran day, not a private underwater expedition. The exact visibility and marine life depend on sea conditions, light, and water movement. You are also asked not to touch marine life. That protects the animals and helps keep the area pleasant for the next group.

If you are not a confident swimmer, listen closely to the crew and stay within the area they indicate. If you do not want to snorkel, you can remain on board or simply swim. The trip includes several other ways to enjoy the day, so the outing does not depend entirely on this one stop.

Sailing Past Ile de La Passe and Ile au Phare

After Trou Moutou, the catamaran sails in front of Ile de La Passe and Ile au Phare. This section adds a useful historical layer to what could otherwise be a simple beach-and-lunch cruise.

Ile au Phare is known for its coral composition and cultural heritage. The crew provides an explanation of the islet, giving you context as you pass or visit it. The schedule describes this as a guided historical stop, but the amount of time spent ashore may depend on conditions and the day’s route.

Ile de La Passe is also part of the coastal story. You do not simply see a distant island with no explanation. The crew points out the setting and gives an overview of why these small islets matter. For me, this is one of the better details in the plan, since a short explanation can make a passing view much more memorable.

Do not expect a long museum-style visit. The value here is the combination of scenery and a brief introduction from the skippers. Bring a hat and keep your camera protected. The open boat offers excellent views, but there is little shade mentioned in the details.

A BBQ Lunch With the Water as Your View

Lunch is served on the catamaran around noon, before the route continues toward Ile aux Cerfs. The menu is substantial for a boat outing: rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, a seafood dish, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit.

The vegetarian meal includes rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit. The children’s menu is the same as the adult menu. If you need a special diet beyond the stated vegetarian option, the supplied information does not confirm one, so ask the provider before booking.

Drinks are part of the price. You can expect local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. Cocktails and nonalcoholic choices are also included in the general description.

That all-included setup strengthens the value of the trip. You are not buying an $85 cruise and then adding lunch, water, and drinks at every turn. Still, remember that personal expenses are not included. The lunch is served on board, so you can eat with the sea around you rather than losing time at a separate restaurant.

Alcohol and a moving boat require a little judgment. The sun, wind, and water can catch up with you quickly, so drink water and use sunscreen even if the day feels cool.

Grand River Southeast and Its Riverbank Wildlife

At about 1:30 p.m., the catamaran heads toward the waterfall at Grand River Southeast. The route up the estuary changes the mood of the day. Instead of open coastal water and beach, you move into a narrower setting with riverbanks, trees, and calmer water.

The crew aims to show you the waterfall, a large bat colony, and monkeys along the riverbank. These sightings are part of the route, not a guarantee that every animal will perform on cue. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a wildlife safari with long stops and close encounters.

This portion is valuable because it adds more than another swim. You see how the southeast coast shifts from open sea to river estuary, and the trip gives you a chance to look for animals without arranging a separate river excursion.

The instructions also ask you not to touch plants or litter. That is basic courtesy, but it matters in a place where the boat route passes through a natural setting. Keep food wrappers and bottles with you until the crew provides a proper place for them.

One Hour on Ile aux Cerfs

The catamaran reaches Ile aux Cerfs around 2 p.m. You have free time until about 3 p.m., giving you roughly an hour to choose your own pace.

You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, walk along the beach, or simply sit and recharge. This flexibility is useful after a morning of scheduled stops. You do not have to join another activity or keep moving with the group.

The island is one of Mauritius’s best-known beach destinations, so it can feel more developed and popular than the quieter stretches of the route. The supplied details do not promise a private beach or an empty shoreline. If you want solitude, your best chance is to walk away from the busiest section rather than staying right where you first disembark.

An hour is enough for a swim and a short walk, but it is not enough for a long island exploration. Keep track of time. The catamaran returns to Mahébourg, and the boat will not wait for a leisurely final stroll.

What $85 Gets You

At $85 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a full-day boat experience with food and drinks already covered. The cost includes the catamaran ride, historical commentary, the Trou Moutou stop, the river route, the Ile aux Cerfs visit, BBQ lunch, and a broad drink selection.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for a snorkeling trip, a coastal cruise, a river excursion, and lunch. You get a single organized day connecting all four. It also reduces the need to decide where to eat or how to move between distant coastal sights.

The price is less attractive if you want only a quiet beach day or a serious snorkeling session. You are paying for variety. Some time will be spent sailing between stops, listening to explanations, and following the shared schedule.

Hotel transport is not included, and personal expenses are extra. Add your transport cost to Mahébourg when comparing this outing with other boat trips. The booking terms allow you to reserve and pay later, and cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Day

I would choose this trip if you want to see several southeast highlights without managing a complicated day yourself. It suits couples, families, and groups who like a mix of swimming, sightseeing, food, and free time.

Families may appreciate the simple rhythm. Children can swim, eat familiar grilled food, look for monkeys and bats, and spend time on the beach. The children’s meal is the same as the adult menu, so there is no separate child-specific dish listed.

The outing also works for people who want a social boat day rather than a private charter. The information does not give a group size, so you should not assume an intimate boat or plenty of personal space.

I would think twice if you get seasick. The catamaran remains on the water for much of the day, and rough conditions are possible. The captain may change the direction for safety if the sea becomes rough or impassable, which is sensible but means the exact route is not fixed.

The activity is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around a boat, entering the water, and getting on and off at the island may be demanding.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Day

Bring your own snorkeling gear if you prefer a reliable fit. Pack a waterproof bag, since a beach bag alone will not protect valuables from spray.

Use sunscreen before you reach the jetty, then reapply during the day. A hat, sunglasses, towel, cover-up, dry clothes, and a jacket are all specifically useful for this route.

Keep your schedule open until at least 5 p.m. The stated return is 4:30 p.m., but some details allow for 5 p.m. Sea conditions can affect the route and timing.

Do not touch fish, coral, plants, or other natural features. Follow the crew’s directions around the boat and in the water. Pets are not allowed, apart from assistance dogs.

Should You Book This Mauritius Cruise?

Book it if you want a varied southeast-coast day with snorkeling, island history, a river outing, a BBQ, drinks, and beach time in one package. The strongest reasons are the all-included food and beverages, the number of different settings, and the chance to see Ile aux Cerfs without giving up the southeast coast’s smaller historic and natural stops.

Skip it if your priority is a private boat, a long uninterrupted session in the water, or a quiet beach with no fixed schedule. Seasickness and mobility concerns are real considerations, not minor footnotes.

For most active visitors who can reach Mahébourg and enjoy a full day on the water, $85 is a fair price for the amount included. Pack light, protect your phone, arrive early, and treat the timetable as flexible. That is the best way to enjoy the Silver Swordfish.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at the Jetty of Pointe des Régates in Mahébourg, Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should meet the team at 9:15 a.m. The scheduled departure is 9:30 a.m.

What time does the cruise return?

The stated return time is 4:30 p.m., though some details allow for a return as late as 5 p.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange transportation to and from the Mahébourg jetty.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The catamaran serves a BBQ lunch with salads, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, chicken, chicken sausage, seafood, bread, garlic bread, and fruit. A vegetarian menu is available.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks include local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, mineral water, cocktails, and nonalcoholic options.

Can the route change because of the weather?

Yes. If sea conditions are rough or impassable, the captain may change the direction for safety.