Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this outing is the easy rhythm: you sail through Mauritius’s broad turquoise lagoon, stop for swimming and snorkeling, then eat a generous onboard BBQ lunch without having to repack or find a restaurant. The route also reaches Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall and the historic east coast near Mahebourg.

I like the combination of sea time and local food, especially the smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, salads, and fresh fruit. I also like that drinks are available throughout the day, including soft drinks, beer, water, and rum cocktails. The main drawback is weather. Wind, clouds, and cooler conditions can make the boat ride uncomfortable and may prevent snorkeling, so this is not a sure thing on a poor-weather day.

Key points to know before booking

• Pointe Jerome departure: The catamaran leaves near Mahebourg and the Blue Bay Marine Park.
• Ile aux Cerfs by sea: You sail within Mauritius’s largest lagoon rather than spending the day on a crowded road transfer.
• Swimming and snorkeling: There is time in the water before the waterfall stop, but weather and sea conditions can affect this part.
• BBQ served onboard: The meal includes smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, salads, bread, fruit, and coffee.
• Drinks throughout the day: Water, soft drinks, beer, and rum cocktails are available.
• Optional hotel pickup: Transfers must be selected when booking, and the collection time is confirmed the day before.

Setting out from Pointe Jerome near Mahebourg

Your day begins at Pointe Jerome, near the authentic village of Mahebourg and the Blue Bay Marine Park. This part of southeast Mauritius gives the outing a more local starting point than a resort-only cruise. The departure area is also close to protected marine waters covered by the International Ramsar Convention.

If you arrange hotel pickup, make sure you choose the transfer option rather than assuming it is included. Collection time depends on where you stay and is confirmed with you the day before. If you make your own way to Pointe Jerome, check the meeting instructions carefully and allow enough time to arrive before departure.

The catamaran route follows Mauritius’s historic wild east coast. From the deck, you get a broad view of the water and shoreline, with the main pleasure coming from the pace. This is a full-day boat outing, not a quick transfer to an island. You have time to sit, talk, look out over the lagoon, and let the crew handle the food and drinks.

I would bring a towel, sunscreen, and very little else. The instructions specifically advise against bringing valuables, which makes sense on a boat where belongings can get wet or be left unattended while you swim.

Sailing across Mauritius’s largest lagoon

The cruise takes place within the largest turquoise lagoon in Mauritius. Because much of the route is inside the lagoon, the setting is intended to feel sheltered rather than like an open-ocean crossing. That makes this a good choice if you want a day on the water without signing up for a high-speed or heavily athletic excursion.

Still, sheltered does not mean guaranteed comfort. One poor-weather outing was affected by strong wind, heavy cloud, and cold conditions. Snorkeling was not possible that day, and the passengers found it hard to enjoy the cruise. That is an important practical point: the experience depends heavily on sunshine and wind.

On a good-weather day, the catamaran format gives you more freedom than a rigid sightseeing schedule. You can spend part of the day watching the shore, part of it in the water, and part of it eating or having a drink. The friendly crew prepares and serves lunch, so you are not left to organize a picnic or search for food at Ile aux Cerfs.

The drinks are a useful part of the package. Water, soft drinks, beer, and rum cocktails are available throughout the day. The popular Jungle Juice and Mauritian coffee were singled out as enjoyable choices, though the exact drink service may depend on the crew and conditions. If you want alcohol, pace yourself carefully in the tropical sun and alternate with water.

Swimming and snorkeling before Ile aux Cerfs

The water stop is one of the main reasons to choose this cruise. You can swim and snorkel before visiting the waterfall, giving the day a clear mix of relaxation and activity. Bring your own towel and sunscreen. The supplied information does not confirm that snorkeling equipment is included, so check the current booking details or ask the operator if gear matters to you.

The water time is weather-dependent. In calm, sunny conditions, it can be the highlight of the day. In strong wind or cool cloud, it may be shortened or skipped, and there is no substitute indoor activity on a catamaran. Pack a light cover-up or dry clothes if you tend to feel cold after swimming. That advice follows directly from the experience of a cold, windy outing.

Do not expect the cruise to include parasailing or other paid water sports at Ile aux Cerfs. Those activities are not included in the price. If you want a quiet day of swimming, snorkeling, food, and scenery, that exclusion may not matter. If your main goal is an adrenaline activity, budget separately and confirm what is operating on your date.

Ile aux Cerfs, a beautiful but busy-feeling stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the destination that gives this cruise its postcard appeal. You reach the island by catamaran after sailing through the lagoon, and the stop lets you spend time on or near one of Mauritius’s best-known island settings.

The value here is not only the beach. It is the way the island fits into a full day at sea. You are not simply dropped off and left to fill several hours. Swimming, snorkeling, the waterfall visit, and lunch create a fuller program.

That said, you should choose this trip for the complete outing rather than expecting a private island. Ile aux Cerfs is a major day-trip destination, and the experience is built around enjoying the scenery and water, not finding solitude. The catamaran and crew service are the practical advantages.

Parasailing and water sports cost extra and are not included. I would not book this cruise solely for those activities. Book it if you want a relaxed boat day with several stops and food already arranged.

Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall and the old east coast

The waterfall stop adds a welcome change of scene. Grande Riviere Sud Est reaches the sea in a natural setting, and you visit it as part of the cruise rather than taking a separate land excursion. The route also brings you near remnants of 18th-century ramparts.

Those old defenses connect the scenery to Mauritius’s period of French and English naval conflict. The area witnessed corsair activity and naval skirmishes, including the Battle of Vieux Grand Port in 1810. You do not need to be a history specialist to appreciate the setting, but the background gives the east-coast views more meaning than a simple photo stop.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not presented as a long, formal history tour with extensive ruins or museum displays. The historic elements are part of the setting around the cruise. You will get a glimpse of the old ramparts and the river mouth, then continue with the day’s main focus: water, scenery, food, and time aboard.

The waterfall and river stop also break up the beach-and-boat routine. That matters on a seven- to eight-hour excursion. A full day spent only on a catamaran can feel repetitive, while the change to a natural river setting gives the outing a clearer shape.

What arrives on the BBQ buffet

Lunch is prepared and served on board by the crew. The menu is more substantial than a basic sandwich picnic:

• Smoked marlin mousse
• Grilled fish
• Chicken
• Sausages
• Rice salad
• Potato salad
• Crudités
• Freshly baked bread
• Fresh fruit
• Coffee

The smoked marlin mousse is one of the more distinctive items. It gives the meal a Mauritian seafood touch, while the grilled fish and chicken offer familiar choices. Sausages, salads, bread, and fruit make the buffet practical for a mixed group with different appetites.

I like that the meal is served on the boat rather than requiring you to leave the cruise and locate a restaurant. You can keep your day moving and return to the water afterward. The tradeoff is that an onboard buffet is casual. Do not expect a formal restaurant meal or a long list of menu choices.

If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied information does not list specific alternatives. Contact the operator before booking if you need a guaranteed special meal. The same advice applies if you do not eat seafood, meat, or dairy.

Crew service and the overall pace

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Service is described as attentive and friendly, and the crew prepares lunch, serves drinks, and helps keep the day moving. That makes a difference on a boat because you cannot easily solve small problems by walking to a shop or cafe.

The atmosphere is relaxed rather than instructional. English and French are the listed tour languages, and a live guide is provided. The outing is not built around long lectures, so it suits you if you prefer scenery and conversation to a tightly scripted sightseeing program.

At seven to eight hours, this is a full day. You should not book it if you want a short morning activity or if you dislike being on the water for most of the day. The long duration is worthwhile when the weather is good because it gives you time for the island, water stops, waterfall, lunch, and drinks without rushing.

The cruise also received strong praise for the crew and food, but one poor-weather experience shows why conditions matter more than almost anything else. The staff can serve a good meal in cloudy weather, but they cannot create sunshine or calm water. Check the forecast close to the date and pack for more than one condition.

Is $111 a fair price?

At $111 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the full package. You are paying for a seven- to eight-hour catamaran cruise, the island route, swimming and snorkeling time, the waterfall visit, lunch, and a selection of drinks. Optional hotel pickup can add convenience, depending on the rate for your location.

The value is strongest for you if you would otherwise need to arrange transport, lunch, and a separate boat trip. Combining those pieces in one day saves planning and keeps the experience simple.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick visit to Ile aux Cerfs or if you plan to pay extra for water sports. In that case, much of the package may not match your priorities. You should also factor in the weather risk. A rainy or windy day can reduce the swimming and snorkeling portion, even though the cruise and meal still go ahead.

Flexible booking helps here. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when you are planning around a changeable island forecast, though you should still confirm the current conditions and operator instructions.

Who should book this catamaran day?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a relaxed, social day on the water with food included. It suits couples, families, and groups who value scenery and easy service more than intense activities.

It is especially good for:

• A first visit to Mauritius when you want several southeast highlights in one day
• Anyone who enjoys swimming and snorkeling but does not want a specialist water excursion
• Couples looking for a long, easy day with drinks and a crew-served lunch
• People who prefer an organized outing rather than arranging boats, meals, and transfers separately
• Visitors staying away from the southeast who value optional hotel pickup

I would hesitate if you are uncomfortable on boats, need guaranteed snorkeling conditions, or want a quiet and empty beach. Pregnant women should not book this activity, as it is listed as unsuitable for them. The tour is wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm the practical details of boarding and movement with the operator before reserving.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The tour lasts approximately seven to eight hours, with the full day including the cruise, swimming and snorkeling, the waterfall visit, Ile aux Cerfs, and lunch.

Where does the catamaran depart?

The meeting point is Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Mauritius, near Mahebourg and the Blue Bay Marine Park.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is optional. You must book the option that includes transfers if you want to be collected from your hotel. The collection time is confirmed the day before and depends on where you are staying.

What food is included for lunch?

The BBQ buffet includes smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice and potato salads, crudités, freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, and coffee.

What drinks are available?

Soft drinks, beer, water, and rum cocktails are available during the day.

Are parasailing and water sports included?

No. Water sports and parasailing at Ile aux Cerfs are not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. You should not bring valuables.

Is the tour available in English and French?

Yes. The tour has a live guide and is offered in English and French. It is also listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want Mauritius in an easy, full-day package: lagoon sailing, a stop at Ile aux Cerfs, a waterfall, a glimpse of the old east coast, a proper BBQ, and drinks handled by the crew. The staff service and food are major reasons to choose it.

Before paying, check the forecast and select hotel transfers if you need them. If the day looks windy and cloudy, adjust your expectations or consider using the flexible cancellation terms. In bright, settled weather, this is a well-rounded way to see the southeast coast and enjoy a generous day on the water.