Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

The best part of this five-island catamaran cruise is the mix of time on the water and time ashore. You can swim and snorkel in clear Indian Ocean water, eat a proper barbecue lunch, and still see lighthouses, a waterfall, and several islands before returning to Pointe D’Esny. I like the generous drinks service and the friendly, attentive crew, with Jonathan, Nathalie, Pascal, and Alex among the names connected with the operation.

I also like that the day includes more than a boat ride: Ile aux Cerfs gives you beach time, while Ile aux Fouquets and Ile aux Aigrettes add history and scenery. The main drawback is pace. The waterfall stop lasts only about 30 minutes, and the full 390-minute outing can feel long if you mainly want a quiet swim rather than a packed sightseeing day.

Key points to know before booking

• A full 6.5-hour outing: You have time for cruising, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, and wildlife watching.
• Pointe D’Esny departure: You meet at Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf and return to the same boat cruise point.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main leisure stop: Expect swimming, snorkeling, a BBQ meal, drinks, scenic views, and time to explore.
• Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised: Dolphins and tortoises are part of the search, so keep expectations sensible.
• The waterfall stop is short: Grand River South East Waterfall gets about 30 minutes for sightseeing.
• Good value for a day on the water: At $82 per person, the price includes the cruise, meals, drinks, snorkeling, and several sights.

A full day on Mauritius’s southeast lagoon

This excursion works best if you want one active day to cover several of the southeast coast’s well-known sights. You are not simply sitting on a catamaran from morning to afternoon. The route combines open-water views, island stops, a meal onboard, a waterfall visit, and time in the sea.

The boat leaves from Pointe D’Esny, a useful base for exploring this side of Mauritius. You should arrive at Pointe Jerome wharf at least 20 minutes before departure. When you face the sea, look for Jonathan or Nathalie on the left-hand side of the wharf.

The cruise lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours. That is long enough to make the $82 price look reasonable, especially since the cost includes drinks, lunch, snorkeling, and the main visits. If you are staying inland or at another part of the island, pickup can be arranged for an additional charge, but you need to request it at least 48 hours ahead.

Coffee and safety details at Pointe Jerome

The first part of the outing is practical rather than scenic. At the Pointe Jerome embarkation point, you receive coffee and a safety briefing before setting off.

That briefing matters on a boat day with several stops. You will want to know how the crew handles movement between the catamaran, the water, and the islands. The guides speak English and French, and private groups are available if you prefer a more personal setup.

The meeting point is specific, so do not treat Pointe D’Esny as a general area and hope to find the boat. Arrive early, check in, and report to the named staff at the wharf. That small bit of planning will make the start much easier.

Ile aux Cerfs: the main swimming and lunch stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the centerpiece of the day. Here you get the most complete block of leisure time, with swimming, snorkeling, a BBQ lunch, drinks, and a chance to walk around on your own.

The water is presented as clear and suitable for swimming and snorkeling. You might see fish close to shore or during the snorkeling session, but marine life is never fully predictable. Bring water shoes rather than relying on flip-flops. One useful point from the practical advice is that beach shoes are preferred on Ile aux Cerfs, especially if you want firmer footing.

Lunch is served onboard and includes barbecue food, dessert, and drinks. The drinks list includes beer, wine, spirits, coffee, and other refreshments. That is a real part of the value here. You are not paying $82 for transport alone, then adding a separate restaurant bill and drinks tab.

The meal also gives the day a social rhythm. You can swim or snorkel, settle in for lunch, and return to the water or scenery afterward. If you have food restrictions, state them before the excursion. The company specifically asks for meal restrictions in advance, so do not wait until lunch is being served.

Ile aux Cerfs is likely to appeal most if you want a classic tropical island stop with useful facilities built into the day. It may feel less special if your priority is solitude or a long, quiet period away from popular beach areas. The trip gives you a taste of the island, not a private beach escape.

Looking for dolphins and tortoises

Wildlife watching adds a welcome sense of possibility to the cruise. The crew looks for dolphins and tortoises, and both were seen at close range during some outings. Tortoise sightings are particularly memorable because they add a land-animal moment to a day otherwise shaped by sea and sand.

Still, treat this part as a chance rather than a guarantee. The included activity is wildlife watching, not a promise of a particular animal or a set viewing distance. You should enjoy the scenery and the boat ride even if nature does not follow the schedule.

Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and do not let photography replace the view in front of you. The cruise provides a good setting for scenic pictures, especially as the islands and coast appear from the water.

Grand River South East Waterfall in 30 minutes

The stop at Grand River South East Waterfall lasts about 30 minutes. That gives you a quick sightseeing break and a chance to take pictures before the boat continues.

The short timing is the clearest limitation of the itinerary. Thirty minutes is enough for a look, but not enough for a slow visit or an extended walk. If the waterfall is one of your top reasons for booking, you may wish this part lasted longer.

I see the stop as a bonus rather than the main attraction. The real value is that the cruise joins several southeast sights in one outing. You can see the waterfall without arranging a separate transfer, while still keeping most of the day focused on the lagoon and islands.

Ile aux Fouquets and its lighthouse views

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile au Phare, adds a touch of maritime character to the route. The itinerary includes a visit, scenic views along the way, and time for a self-guided look.

The lighthouse gives the island a clear visual identity. Even when you are not spending hours ashore, approaching it by boat helps you understand how the islands fit into the coastal route. This is a good stop for photos and for anyone who enjoys old navigation points more than beach time.

The visit lasts about 30 minutes. As with the waterfall, you should expect a compact stop, not a long historical tour. The crew takes you to the site, but the experience is not described as a museum visit or a formal lecture. You have room to look around at your own pace.

Passing Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes is viewed from the boat rather than visited on foot. The catamaran passes by for about 15 minutes, giving you another island view without adding a long stop.

That may sound brief, but it keeps the day moving. The route would feel more repetitive if every island required a landing. Here, Ile aux Aigrettes works as a scenic marker between the more active parts of the cruise.

You should not book this outing expecting a substantial Ile aux Aigrettes visit. You see it from the water, while Ile aux Cerfs and Ile aux Fouquets receive more attention.

What the boat day feels like

The mood is relaxed but not silent. You have music, conversation, food, drinks, and the movement of the catamaran between stops. The company places clear emphasis on a good onboard atmosphere, and that suits the format.

I like the balance between scheduled activities and free time. Swimming and snorkeling give you something active to do, while the cruise itself lets you sit back with a drink and watch the coast pass by.

The powered catamaran is also practical for this route. You cover multiple islands and a waterfall in one day instead of organizing separate boat trips. A private group option is available if you want your own group setting, though the supplied details do not specify the private-group price or exact group size.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack for water, sun, and wet surfaces. The useful list is simple:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Flip-flops
• Water shoes

I would make water shoes a priority. They are more useful than flip-flops around beaches and boat access points, and the advice for Ile aux Cerfs specifically favors beach shoes.

Bring sunscreen even though drinks and lunch are provided. The open sea offers little shade while you are on the boat, and six and a half hours outside can take a toll. A towel and dry clothes will make the return trip more comfortable.

Pets are not allowed. If you need a special meal, give the company the details before the outing. Pickup is possible at extra cost, but the request must be made no later than 48 hours before the excursion date.

Is $82 a fair price?

At $82 per person, I consider this a fair package for a six-and-a-half-hour catamaran day. You receive the boat trip, all listed drinks, a barbecue lunch, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, a waterfall stop, and wildlife watching.

The price is strongest if you plan to use the whole day. Someone who wants only a short boat ride may find the excursion too long, but someone who would otherwise book separate transport, lunch, and water activities gets a lot in one payment.

The value also depends on your expectations. You are paying for access to several sights and a hosted day on the water, not for long guided tours at every stop. The waterfall and lighthouse visits are brief, and Ile aux Aigrettes is only viewed from the boat. Think of the outing as a broad southeast coast sampler with a strong swimming and lunch component.

The activity has a 4.8 rating from 90 bookings, and the repeated strengths are clear: attentive crew, smooth organization, good food and drinks, and memorable wildlife sightings when conditions cooperate. Pascal and Alex were praised for creating a good day, while Jonathan was specifically associated with transportation help. Those details suggest that the human side of the trip is an important part of its appeal.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want variety. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who like to combine a swim, a meal, island scenery, and a few short sightseeing stops.

It is also a good choice if you want an easy way to see the southeast coast without arranging each part yourself. The crew handles the boat route, food, drinks, and activity flow, while you concentrate on the water and views.

You may want another type of outing if you dislike busy schedules or prefer a long snorkeling session in one place. The day has several moving parts, and the waterfall stop is short. It also may not suit anyone who wants guaranteed dolphin sightings, since wildlife remains dependent on nature.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book it if you want a well-filled day on the southeast coast and value having lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and several sights bundled together. Ile aux Cerfs is the main reward, while Ile aux Fouquets, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Grand River South East Waterfall add variety.

Go in knowing that some stops are quick and that dolphin and tortoise sightings cannot be promised. Arrive 20 minutes early, bring water shoes, state any meal restrictions ahead of time, and treat the day as a scenic catamaran outing with several highlights rather than a series of long island tours.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf at Pointe D’Esny. You return to the Philao boat cruise point at the end of the outing.

How long does the excursion last?

The cruise lasts 390 minutes, which is six and a half hours.

What is included in the price?

The package includes the five-island cruise, drinks, barbecue lunch, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, the waterfall visit, and wildlife watching for dolphins and tortoises.

Is lunch provided onboard?

Yes. A barbecue meal and dessert are served onboard, along with drinks including beer, wine, spirits, and coffee.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.

Can I arrange pickup?

Pickup can be arranged at an additional cost. You need to request it at least 48 hours before the excursion date.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and water shoes. Pets are not allowed.