Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

The best part of this seven-hour catamaran cruise is the variety packed into one day: open-water cruising, snorkeling, a lighthouse stop, island scenery, lunch, and a chance to spot dolphins. You start at Pointe Jerome at 9:30 a.m. and return around 4 p.m., giving you a full day on the southeast lagoon without changing boats.

I like the small-group Power Catamaran and the easygoing mix of activity and rest. I also like that drinks, a BBQ lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and several island views are included in the $82 price. The main consideration is access: the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the boat ride may not suit anyone prone to motion sickness.

Key points at a glance

• Eau Bleue snorkeling stop: Swim in clear water and look below the surface for coral and marine life.
• Île aux Cerfs included: You get time at Mauritius’ best-known island stop, with lunch and drinks part of the day.
• Five-island route: See Île au Fouquet, Île au Phare, Île aux Cerfs, and Île aux Aigrettes, with the southeast coast filling in the wider picture.
• Lunch on board: A BBQ meal and drinks are included, so you do not need to arrange food during the cruise.
• Dolphin and turtle watching: Sightings are possible, but they depend on luck and sea conditions.
• English and French guidance: Meet Jonathan at Pointe Jerome, where he wears a Catamaran Cruises T-shirt.

Why the southeast coast makes a good cruise setting

Mauritius is often pictured through its beaches, but the southeast coast gives you a different view of the island. The lagoon is dotted with small islands, old navigation points, shallow swimming areas, and stretches of open water. A boat trip lets you see these places in one day instead of arranging separate outings.

The route is especially useful if you want both scenery and water time. You are not committed to a full day of snorkeling, nor are you sitting on deck for seven hours with nothing to do. The schedule moves between short sightseeing passages, a swim, lunch, island stops, and wildlife watching.

That variety matters for couples, families with older children, and mixed groups where one person wants to snorkel while another would rather sit with a drink and watch the coast pass. The day has an active side, but it is not built around strenuous exercise.

The boat is a powered catamaran rather than a slow sailing vessel. One recent passenger specifically liked the newer boat and its fast pace. That speed helps the crew cover a lot of coastline in one day, although anyone who prefers a quiet sail should know this is a motor-powered outing.

Meeting Jonathan at Pointe Jerome

The meeting point is the Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point. Look for Jonathan wearing a Catamaran Cruises T-shirt. The stated departure time is 9:30 a.m., with the return planned for about 4 p.m.

Transfers are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Pointe Jerome. That is an important cost and planning detail, especially if your accommodation is away from the southeast coast. The activity information does not specify a hotel pickup service, so do not assume one is provided.

Wear beachwear and bring a change of clothes. A camera is useful, though you should protect it from spray around the boat and water stops. Motion sickness prevention is also sensible. The boat moves at speed, and even a calm lagoon can feel uncomfortable if you are sensitive to movement.

Large bags, oversize luggage, baby strollers, non-folding strollers, baby carriages, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. High-heeled shoes are also prohibited. Pack lightly in a small day bag and use practical footwear.

Cruising past Mahébourg and Grand Port

The early part of the route takes you through the Mahébourg and Grand Port area. You get scenic views from the boat, a safety briefing, and local snacks, with drinks such as beer, wine, and cocktails available during the day.

This section is less about a long shore visit and more about getting oriented. From the water, you can appreciate how the southeast coast is shaped by its lagoon and offshore islands. The boat gives you a wide view that you would not get from a beach or road.

The safety briefing is a useful part of the morning, not a formality to ignore. Listen closely to instructions about moving around the deck and entering the water. Conditions can change, and the professional skippers are responsible for keeping the day organized.

The guides speak English and French. That makes practical instructions easier to follow for a mixed-language group, and it is particularly helpful before snorkeling and swimming stops.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleue

One of the day’s main activity stops is in the Grand Port District at Eau Bleue. You can swim and snorkel in clear water, looking down at coral and the underwater world below the boat.

The stop is scheduled for about 20 minutes in the supplied program. That is enough for a refreshing swim and a look beneath the surface, but it is not a long reef expedition. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations in line with that short time window.

Still, the value comes from the balance. You get a real chance to enter the lagoon without giving up the rest of the route. Bring your own preferred snorkeling gear only if you know it is permitted and practical, since the details of equipment provision are not specified. At minimum, bring swimwear, a towel or change of clothes, and protection for your camera.

The water stop also breaks up the boat ride. After sitting on deck, a swim gives the day some energy before lunch. If you prefer not to snorkel, you can use this time to relax on board, but the information provided does not describe a separate shore activity at this stop.

Île aux Cerfs and the BBQ lunch

Île aux Cerfs is the best-known island on the route and an important reason many people will choose this cruise. The stop combines island scenery with lunch, drinks, and time to relax.

The program allows about 30 minutes at Île aux Cerfs, with beer, wine, and a BBQ meal included. That makes this more of a compact visit than an extended beach day. You should not expect hours to wander the island or settle into one stretch of sand.

The advantage is convenience. Food is already part of the day, and you do not need to leave the group to find lunch. Eating on or around the boat also keeps the schedule moving. A BBQ in the middle of a lagoon cruise feels more memorable than grabbing a quick meal back on land.

The tradeoff is that a short stop can feel rushed if you want plenty of time on the island. The cruise is designed to show you several places, not to give you a full afternoon at Île aux Cerfs alone. If your priority is a long beach stay, a dedicated Île aux Cerfs outing may be a better match.

Drinks are included throughout the cruise, according to the activity details. That adds value to the $82 cost, particularly because the price also covers the boat, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and professional skippers.

The lighthouse at Île au Phare

Île au Phare, or Lighthouse Island, gives the route a stronger sense of place. The stop is focused on visiting the historic lighthouse, one of the more distinctive sights in this part of Mauritius.

The information does not provide a long guided explanation of the lighthouse, so you should think of this as a scenic and photographic stop rather than a full museum visit. Its appeal is the setting: a navigation landmark surrounded by the sea, seen as part of a route that links several small islands.

The visit also helps the day feel less like a standard swim-and-lunch cruise. You are not only stopping at beaches. You are seeing a working piece of the coast’s maritime past and getting a different kind of view from the water.

The exact amount of time at the lighthouse is not stated. Conditions, boat traffic, and the day’s pace can affect how long the stop lasts. Follow the crew’s instructions and do not wander away from the group.

Passing Île aux Aigrettes and Île au Fouquet

The cruise also provides views of Île aux Aigrettes and Île au Fouquet. These stops are described as views or passages rather than long shore visits, so you should not plan on going ashore at each island.

That distinction is important. A five-island cruise sounds like five separate island excursions, but the day is a mix of visits, passes, and views. The reward is a wider route and more varied scenery. The drawback is that some islands will be seen from the boat rather than explored on foot.

Île aux Aigrettes adds another point of interest to the southeast route, while Île au Fouquet helps complete the island chain seen from the catamaran. Keep your camera ready during these sections, but also spend a few minutes simply watching the water and coast. The boat’s open view is part of the experience.

Dolphin and sea turtle watching

The crew will watch for dolphins during the cruise, and sea turtles may also be seen. This is a welcome wildlife element, but it is not guaranteed. Animals move on their own schedule, and no responsible operator can promise a sighting.

The best way to approach this part of the day is to treat it as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. You already have the snorkeling, islands, lighthouse, lunch, and swimming stops. If dolphins appear, the cruise gains a memorable extra moment. If they do not, the day still has a full program.

You may spend some time scanning the water while the boat moves between stops. That gives the longer passages a purpose, especially for children and anyone interested in marine life. Keep expectations realistic and listen to the skipper, who will be watching conditions and the surrounding water.

What the crew and boat are like

The most encouraging feedback concerns the crew. The service has been described as professional, helpful, and good at offering advice. That matters on a boat day because clear instructions and a friendly manner make the water stops feel more comfortable.

Guidance is available in English and French. The crew also includes professional skippers, so the experience is not simply a ride with food added on. You can expect help with the route, safety information, and the practical rhythm of getting in and out of the water.

The boat is described as newer, and one passenger particularly liked its fast pace. A Power Catamaran gives you a stable, open platform with room to sit, although the experience remains exposed to sun, spray, wind, and motion.

This is a relaxed and social cruise, not a private yacht charter. The supplied details call it a small-group experience, but they do not give an exact passenger limit. If you need a completely quiet boat or a private itinerary, ask the operator for the group size before booking.

Is $82 a fair price?

At $82 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use most of what is included. You are paying for seven hours on the water, the catamaran, a BBQ lunch, drinks, snorkeling, swimming, multiple island views, a lighthouse visit, and wildlife watching.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a complete day rather than a short boat ride. Buying lunch and drinks separately, arranging transport between several coastal sights, and finding a separate snorkeling trip could easily make a self-planned day less simple.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want Île aux Cerfs. In that case, a shorter island transfer or beach visit might give you more time in one place. You are paying for the full southeast route, so the cruise makes the most sense when you want variety.

Transfers are not included. Add the cost and effort of reaching Pointe Jerome when comparing this with hotel-based excursions. The flexible booking terms help, since you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this for a couple or small group that wants a full day of scenery, swimming, and food without having to plan each stop. It also suits people who like a lively pace and want to combine Île aux Cerfs with places they might not visit on their own.

Families with older children may appreciate the mix of snorkeling, wildlife watching, and a fast boat ride. Younger children may find the seven-hour schedule tiring, and strollers are not allowed. The activity is also not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

You should be comfortable with water access, boat motion, and a day spent outdoors. Bring motion sickness prevention if you need it, and do not arrive with a large suitcase or bulky beach equipment.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book it if you want a well-filled southeast Mauritius day with a newer-feeling fast catamaran, professional skippers, a BBQ lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and several different sights. The strongest value comes from the combination, not from any single stop.

Skip it if you want a slow sailing trip, a private boat, a long visit at Île aux Cerfs, or guaranteed dolphin sightings. For most active visitors who can reach Pointe Jerome and manage the boat access, this is a practical way to see a broad slice of Mauritius’ southeast coast in one outing.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts seven hours. Departure is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. from Pointe Jerome, with return around 4 p.m.

Where does the cruise start?

Meet Jonathan at the Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point. He can be identified by a Catamaran Cruises T-shirt.

Which languages are spoken?

Live guidance is available in English and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included, along with drinks such as beer, wine, cocktails, and other onboard refreshments.

Does the cruise visit Île aux Cerfs?

Yes. Île aux Cerfs is part of the route, with time for drinks, lunch, and a short island stop.

Can I snorkel and swim during the cruise?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling in clear water are included, with a snorkeling stop at Eau Bleue in the Grand Port District.

Is transport to Pointe Jerome included?

No. Transfers are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point.