Exclusive Private Catamaran to Ile Aux Cerfs with Lunch

The best part of this private catamaran day is the mix of sea time and shore time. You’ll snorkel in a large lagoon, cruise toward the Grand River Sud Est waterfall, and spend time on the white sands of Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the included BBQ lunch and open bar, plus the private format for a group of up to 10.

The main caution is service quality. A recent verified booking described the boat’s inside area as not very clean, with no coffee or tea and no simple dessert. The crew may be friendly, but this is not the right choice if you expect polished yacht service from start to finish.

Key points at a glance

• Private 42-foot catamaran: Your group can charter the boat for up to 10 people, rather than sharing the day with a large crowd.
• Three distinct stops: Snorkel in the lagoon, see Grand River Sud Est and its waterfall, then relax at Ile aux Cerfs.
• Food and drinks included: Start with a light breakfast, then enjoy a BBQ lunch, beer, rum, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Departure at 9:00 a.m.: The cruise leaves from Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty and usually returns to the hotel area around 4:15 p.m., depending on tide and wind.
• Extra costs to budget for: Hotel pickup, drop-off, lobster lunch, parasailing, and tube riding are not included.
• Weather matters: A cyclone or torrential rainfall alert can lead the operator to cancel with a full refund.

A full day on the east coast of Mauritius

This is a long, easygoing day on the water rather than a fast sightseeing trip. The catamaran is a 42-foot boat designed for day charters, with trampolines for sunbathing and open areas where you can watch the coast slide past.

You meet the representative at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty in southeast Mauritius. The representative wears a uniform and a One Island Cruiser badge. The stated departure time is 9:00 a.m., and the expected return to your hotel area is around 4:15 p.m., although tides and wind can shift the schedule.

The private format is the key selling point. A group of 10 pays $1,001 in total, which works out to about $100 per person if the boat is full. For two people, the same price is much harder to justify. For a family or group of friends, however, the private boat gives you more room, more control over your day, and a setting that feels less crowded than a shared cruise.

Keep in mind that transport to and from the jetty is extra. That matters because the listed price is not the final door-to-door cost. You’ll need to arrange your own way to Pointe Jerome or add the separate transfer charge.

Breakfast, open bar, and the first stretch of sailing

After boarding, you receive a light breakfast. It is useful as a morning start, but do not treat it as a full meal. The substantial food comes later with the onboard BBQ lunch.

The open bar begins as soon as you are on the catamaran. Included drinks cover alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices, with beer, rum, cocktails, and other refreshments listed. If you like a social day at sea, this is a real advantage. You are not constantly reaching for your wallet every time you want a drink.

There is one practical service limitation to note. A recent verified booking specifically pointed out that coffee and tea were not available. If you need a morning caffeine fix, bring that expectation down or have coffee before reaching the jetty.

The first part of the cruise is about views, warm air, and a slower pace. You can sit on the trampolines, watch the water, or find shade on the boat. The itinerary is not built around nonstop activities, so the people in your group should be comfortable with several hours of sailing and relaxing.

The crew is also expected to play Mauritian sega music and share local tales and jokes. That can give the trip a local feel, though the quality of the atmosphere will depend on how active and engaging the crew is on your particular day.

Snorkeling in Mauritius’s largest lagoon

At around 11:00 a.m., the catamaran stops for snorkeling inside the island’s largest lagoon. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear.

This is one of the more valuable parts of the day because it breaks up the sailing with a chance to get into the water. The description promises coral and brightly colored tropical fish, but sea conditions can affect visibility and what you see. Wind, tide, weather, and the exact stopping area all matter.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of clothes. A spare outfit is especially useful after snorkeling because the boat continues with several more hours of activity and beach time. A camera is also suggested, but protect it carefully around salt water.

The snorkeling stop is not described as a guided marine-life lesson. You should think of it as a swimming and snorkeling break with equipment supplied, not as a formal reef tour. If you want a specialist explanation of coral or fish, this may feel fairly simple.

Grand River Sud Est and the waterfall view

After snorkeling, the catamaran follows the east coast toward the mouth of Grande Riviere Sud Est. The route includes views of the river, a giant bat colony, monkeys living along the riverbank, and the waterfall from a distance.

This section adds something different from a standard beach cruise. You are not only sailing from one swimming stop to another. The river mouth gives you a look at Mauritius’s natural side, while the bats and monkeys offer possible wildlife sightings without requiring a separate inland excursion.

The waterfall is seen from afar, so set your expectations correctly. This is a scenic pass by the falls, not a walk to the base or a close-up visit. The same applies to the animals: the itinerary says you will see the riverbank habitat, but wildlife sightings and viewing conditions can vary.

The timing of this part also helps the day feel varied. By late morning, you have already had breakfast, sailed, snorkeled, and moved into a river setting. Lunch follows onboard, which means you do not lose time going ashore to eat.

BBQ lunch on the catamaran

The crew prepares a BBQ lunch onboard. The meal is included, as are the listed drinks, so you can settle into the afternoon without searching for a restaurant at Ile aux Cerfs.

A vegetarian meal is available if you request it at booking. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance. Do not wait until you are on the boat, since the kitchen needs notice to plan a suitable meal.

The BBQ is presented as a major part of the experience, and I can see why it matters. Eating on the water keeps the schedule simple and lets you enjoy the boat’s setting. You also avoid using your limited beach time to find lunch.

Still, the food offering has limits. Lobster lunch costs extra, and a recent booking specifically noted the absence of even a basic dessert such as fruit or ice cream. If a dessert or a more complete meal matters to you, bring a small snack or ask what is available before departure.

The lunch is best understood as a practical included BBQ, not a fine-dining service. That fits the relaxed catamaran format, but it is worth knowing before you pay a premium for a private charter.

Ile aux Cerfs and the famous white sandbank

After lunch, the catamaran cruises through the canal between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary before leaving you at the island’s famous white sandbank.

Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach reward of the day. The sand is white, the water is clear, and the setting has the postcard quality many people associate with Mauritius. You can swim, sit on the beach, take photos, or simply enjoy a quieter stretch after the morning’s snorkeling and river cruise.

The visit is not an overnight stay or a long island tour. It is a beach stop within a seven-hour cruise, so your time ashore is limited by the day’s sailing schedule, tide, and wind. If you want several hours of independent beach time, ask about the exact timing when you book.

Optional watersports are not included. Parasailing and tube riding cost extra, so budget for them only if you want to add more activity. The included experience already covers snorkeling, but not these motorized or tow-based options.

The private boat can be useful here. Your group returns to the catamaran together rather than managing a large shared excursion. That said, private does not mean every part of the island is private. Ile aux Cerfs is a well-known beach destination, so the sandbank itself may not feel secluded.

Boat comfort, crew service, and the value question

The 42-foot catamaran provides trampolines for sunbathing and relaxing. These are a good match for a warm day, but you should bring the items listed for comfort: sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, spare clothes, and a camera.

The open deck is likely to be the most appealing part of the boat. The interior, based on the recent booking feedback, may not meet high cleanliness expectations. That is worth taking seriously if you are sensitive to a less polished vessel or plan to spend time indoors.

The crew is expected to serve lunch and drinks, handle the snorkeling equipment, share stories, and keep the mood going with sega music. A recent booking described the staff as only moderately welcoming and not especially motivated to make the day more enjoyable. Since this is a private charter, crew interaction makes a noticeable difference. You are paying not only for transport, but also for the feel of the day.

At $1,001 per group, the price makes the most sense when shared by eight to 10 people. At the full group size, it is about $100 per person for seven hours, including breakfast, snorkeling gear, lunch, and drinks. At four people, it is roughly $250 each before transfers and optional activities. For two people, a shared cruise may offer better value unless privacy is your top priority.

The price also includes several stops that would otherwise require separate planning. You get a beach visit, lagoon snorkeling, a river and waterfall outing, food, and drinks in one schedule. The tradeoff is that some extras still cost more, and the service may feel more functional than luxurious.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this day to a family or friend group that wants a private boat, a flexible social setting, and a mix of swimming, scenery, food, and beach time.

It also suits people who prefer not to plan several separate east-coast activities. The itinerary gives you a simple structure without packing every minute with guided commentary.

You may want to choose another option if you are seeking a luxury yacht experience, highly polished service, gourmet dining, or a serious wildlife and reef tour. The lack of coffee and tea, the basic meal format, and the cleanliness concern inside the boat all point to a relaxed excursion rather than a high-end charter.

This is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes being on the water for much of a day. The beach stop is important, but the cruise itself remains the central experience.

Booking is flexible: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. In the event of a cyclone or torrential rainfall alert, the operator may cancel and issue a full refund. You should still check the meeting details carefully because pickup and drop-off are not included in the base price.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs catamaran?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $1,001 cost and you value privacy more than polished luxury. The combination of snorkeling, river views, a BBQ, an open bar, and Ile aux Cerfs beach time gives you a full east-coast day with little planning.

Think twice if your group is small, you expect spotless interiors, or you want a special dessert, coffee service, or highly attentive crew. For the best value, fill as many of the 10 available places as possible, request vegetarian or allergy-friendly food in advance, and arrive prepared with towels, sunscreen, spare clothes, and realistic expectations about the optional extras.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The cruise departs from Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty at Pointe Jerome in the southeast of Mauritius.

What time does the cruise start and finish?

Departure is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. The expected arrival back at the hotel area is around 4:15 p.m., but tide and wind can affect the timing.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The price covers a private group of up to 10 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling break and snorkeling equipment are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The cruise includes an onboard BBQ lunch and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Lobster lunch costs extra.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are available for an additional charge.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, a camera, a change of clothes, and spare clothes. You should also advise the operator about vegetarian needs, food allergies, or illness when booking.