Catamaran cruise to Ile aux Cerfs from Pointe Jerome

The best part of this day is the mix of open-water sailing and easy island time. You get a swim and snorkeling stop, a look at Grand River South East Waterfall, lunch on board, and time on the white sands of Ile aux Cerfs without having to arrange each piece separately.

I like the 42-foot catamaran, which offers shaded seating, sunbathing trampolines, toilets, and showers. I also like the value: at $60 per person, the price includes a BBQ lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the main boat trip. The crew adds local sega music, jokes, and stories, which gives the day a friendly Mauritian feel.

The main concern is reliability at the meeting point. Several bookings were reportedly affected by no-shows, so confirm the departure directly and look for the representative in a blue teal shirt with a Mauritius Taxi Service badge before the 9:00 departure.

Key points to know before you book

• A full seven-hour outing: Leave Pointe Jerome at 9:00 and expect to return around 16:30, depending on wind and tide.
• Snorkeling in the largest lagoon: The stop is planned for about 11:00 and includes equipment, swimming, coral, and tropical fish.
• Waterfall and wildlife views: The boat enters the mouth of Grand River South East to see the waterfall, monkeys, and a giant bat colony from the water.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Enjoy a BBQ, beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, juice, tea, and coffee.
• Comfortable boat facilities: The catamaran has a large shaded cockpit, seating, sunbathing nets, showers, and toilets.
• Meeting point care matters: Pointe Jerome is the departure point, and the local representative should be wearing a blue teal shirt and badge.

A full day from Pointe Jerome to Ile aux Cerfs

This cruise is built for a relaxed day rather than a fast sightseeing schedule. You leave Pointe Jerome on the southeast coast at 9:00 and spend the day moving between open water, lagoon stops, river scenery, lunch, and the beach.

The route takes you toward Ile aux Cerfs, one of Mauritius’s best-known island escapes. The island is framed by white sand, turquoise water, casuarina trees, and palms. Its appeal is simple: you can swim, stroll, sit in the sun, or stay under the shade and let the day slow down.

The boat itself is a useful part of the experience. At 42 feet, it has space to move around, a shaded cockpit for people who want a break from the sun, and trampolines for lying forward on the catamaran. You also have toilets and showers, which matter on a seven-hour boat trip.

You should still expect a day outdoors. Bring sunscreen, a hat, towel, spare clothes, a camera, and comfortable shoes. The sun can feel strong on the water, even when a breeze keeps the temperature pleasant.

The 11:00 lagoon stop for swimming and snorkeling

Around 11:00, the catamaran stops in the island’s largest lagoon for swimming and snorkeling. The supplied equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental for the basic snorkeling part of the day.

This stop gives you a chance to see coral and brightly colored tropical fish in the clear water. The quality of the view will depend on weather, tide, and water conditions, but the lagoon setting is one of the main reasons to choose this trip instead of staying on the beach all day.

I would treat the snorkeling as a pleasant included activity, not as a specialist reef excursion. The description promises underwater marine life, coral, and fish, but it does not specify a guide-led marine biology session or a long snorkeling period. If you mainly want to snorkel, ask how long the boat will remain at the stop before booking.

The swim also breaks up the sailing time. You can cool off, use the snorkeling gear, then return to the catamaran for the next part of the route. A towel and a change of clothes are particularly useful here.

Grand River South East Waterfall from the water

After snorkeling, the catamaran continues along the southeast coast and heads toward the mouth of Grand River South East. The boat goes in far enough for you to see the waterfall from a distance, along with monkeys on the riverbank and a giant bat colony.

This is a scenic stop rather than a land visit to the falls. You will not be hiking to the waterfall or standing beneath it. The advantage is that you see several features in one short river excursion without leaving the boat, but the drawback is that the view may feel brief if you expected a close-up waterfall stop.

One detail worth noting is that the boat may use a smaller craft for part of the waterfall visit. One account describes a change of boat before seeing the falls. Conditions on the river and the tide can affect how the stop works, so keep your expectations flexible.

The river section adds something different to the day. Instead of only seeing beaches and open sea, you get a glimpse of Mauritius’s river wildlife and the wooded banks around Grand River South East. The monkeys and bats are visible from the water, so bring your camera, but do not expect a wildlife tour with long observation time.

BBQ lunch, open bar, and Mauritian music

Lunch is served on the catamaran after the waterfall visit. The meal is a BBQ prepared by the crew, and vegetarian food can be arranged if you advise the operator before the trip.

The included drinks make the $60 price easier to assess. The open bar includes beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, juice, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Tea, coffee, and slices of cake are served later on the return journey.

I like this setup because you do not have to search for a restaurant during the busiest part of the day. You can eat while staying with the group and continue enjoying the water views. The food is also prepared by the crew, which gives the lunch a more informal, social character than a packaged meal handed over at a beach stop.

Drink sensibly, especially in the sun. The open bar is available from the time you board and remains open later in the day, but alcohol, heat, swimming, and a moving boat can make for a tiring combination.

The crew also plays local Mauritian sega music and shares local tales and jokes. That detail helps the trip feel less like simple transport to a beach. Service is available in French and English, and the strongest praise has focused on the friendly crew and the care they show during the day.

Ile aux Cerfs and the white sand bank

After lunch, the catamaran cruises through the canal between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary before stopping at the island’s famous white sand bank. This is the part of the day for slowing down.

You can walk along the sand, swim in the lagoon, take photographs, or simply find a comfortable place to sit. Ile aux Cerfs is popular, so do not expect an untouched island with no other activity. Its strength is the combination of easy access, bright water, white sand, and a choice of ways to spend your free time.

The time on the island is not unlimited. One account describes about 90 minutes there, though the exact schedule can shift with tides and conditions. That is enough for a swim and short walk, but not enough to explore every facility or take part in several paid activities.

Optional water sports include parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk. These are not included in the $60 price. A lobster lunch is also an extra option. If you want a quiet beach break, the standard package is sufficient. If you want several water sports, your final spending will be higher.

The island also has other facilities and activities, but the package does not include them. Bring your own basic beach items and check what you want to do before paying for extras.

Sailing back to Pointe Jerome

Once the island stop ends, you return to the catamaran and sail back to Pointe Jerome. Tea, coffee, and cake are served, and the open bar continues.

The expected return time is about 16:30, making this a seven-hour outing. Wind and tide can change the timing, so do not schedule an important evening activity too tightly afterward. The return sail is also part of the experience, not just a transfer. You can sit in the shaded cockpit, relax on the nets, listen to sega music, and enjoy the last views of the southeast coast.

The trip can be rescheduled if the sea is extremely rough or weather conditions are unsafe. Rain alone does not automatically cancel the cruise. If a new date cannot be offered, a full refund is available.

Is $60 good value?

For a seven-hour boat day, $60 per person is a reasonable price if you plan to use the included features. You receive the catamaran trip, Ile aux Cerfs, the waterfall visit, snorkeling equipment, a swimming stop, BBQ lunch, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a complete day on the water without paying separately for food, basic snorkeling gear, and drinks. It is less attractive if you want a quiet, private sailing trip, a long guided snorkeling session, or a long stretch of uninterrupted time on Ile aux Cerfs.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional extras. You must arrange your own way to Pointe Jerome unless you pay for transport. That cost should be added to your budget before comparing this trip with a hotel-based excursion.

The boat has practical comforts that support the price. Toilets and showers are easy to overlook when booking, but they make a difference after swimming and before the long ride back. Shaded seating also matters if you are traveling with children, older family members, or anyone who does not want full sun all day.

The meeting point and one important caution

At Pointe Jerome Embarkation, look for the representative wearing a blue teal shirt and a Mauritius Taxi Service badge. That person should guide you to the catamaran.

I would confirm the exact meeting details shortly before departure and keep the operator’s phone number available. The feedback record includes several severe complaints about organizers not appearing, phones being switched off, and people being told the company did not exist. Other bookings were completed successfully and received strong praise for the boat, crew, snorkeling, waterfall stop, and food, but the no-show reports are too serious to ignore.

This is not a reason to dismiss the cruise outright. It is a reason to verify the booking, arrive early, and make sure you are at the correct Pointe Jerome meeting point. If nobody is present by the stated departure time, contact the operator and booking service promptly rather than waiting without communication.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a social, all-in-one day with several activities included. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want a swim, a little snorkeling, a beach stop, lunch, and drinks without planning separate excursions.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy being on a boat but do not need a private charter. The sega music, crew jokes, and shared BBQ create a casual group atmosphere.

I would think twice if you dislike set schedules, crowded popular beaches, or changing boats for part of the waterfall visit. Strong sea conditions can affect the day, and the island stop may feel short if your main goal is a long beach stay.

Vegetarians should notify the operator in advance so the chef can prepare a suitable meal. French and English are the stated languages, so you should be able to follow the main instructions in either language.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want good coverage of Mauritius’s southeast coast for one moderate price. The strongest parts are the comfortable catamaran, included BBQ and open bar, friendly crew, lagoon swim, and the chance to combine Grand River South East with Ile aux Cerfs in one day.

Before paying, confirm the departure directly and check the meeting point details carefully. If that practical concern is settled, this is a well-rounded choice for a first visit to the area. If you want a more dependable private arrangement or a specialist snorkeling trip, spend more for a different style of outing.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours. Departure is scheduled for 9:00 from Pointe Jerome, with an expected return around 16:30, depending on wind and tide.

Where does the cruise depart?

The catamaran leaves from Pointe Jerome on the southeast coast of Mauritius.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the catamaran trip, a visit to Ile aux Cerfs, the Grand River South East Waterfall visit, a BBQ lunch, snorkeling equipment, a swimming and snorkeling stop, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic open bar drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the catamaran stops in the lagoon for swimming and snorkeling.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on board. Vegetarian food can be arranged if you advise the operator in advance.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are optional and are not included in the stated price.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, change of clothes, camera, sunscreen, sun hat, and comfortable shoes.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip can be rescheduled if the sea is extremely rough or conditions are unsafe. An alternative date will be offered. If no suitable date is available, a full refund will be issued.