Île aux Cerfs: Private Catamaran Cruise with Gourmet Lunch

The best part of this private catamaran cruise is the way it combines reef snorkeling, island stops, and lunch on the water into one easy day from Trou d’Eau Douce. You move through the eastern lagoon at a relaxed pace, with a waterfall photo stop, swimming near the reef, and time at Île aux Cerfs.

I like two things in particular: the private booking keeps the day personal for your group of up to six, and the food is more ambitious than a basic boat lunch, with lobster, fish, BBQ dishes, desserts, and unlimited drinks. The main caution is the price. At $1,325 per group, it makes the most sense with six people, not one or two.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six: You get your own catamaran rather than joining a large shared group.
• A full six-hour outing: The cruise leaves from Pointe Maurice Jetty and returns around 4 pm.
• Snorkeling comes before alcohol: Drinks are available, but the crew can cancel snorkeling if alcohol is consumed first.
• Lunch is served near Île aux Cerfs: Expect a BBQ meal, seafood, desserts, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• The route includes more than one island: You pass Grand River South East Waterfall, Île aux Fouquets, Île aux Aigrettes, Îlot Flamants, and Île aux Cerfs.
• Plan for a high group price: The per-person cost is reasonable for six people sharing, but steep for a smaller party.

A private start at Pointe Maurice Jetty

Your day begins at Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’s east coast. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the jetty and arrive ready for a boat day.

The private format matters here. A group of six can spread out, choose how much time to spend swimming, and enjoy a more relaxed setting than a crowded public cruise. You are still following a planned route, but the day has room to feel personal.

Bring swimwear, a towel, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat or cap, and a camera. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so pack only what you need for the water. You should also carry a passport or ID card, as these are listed among the required items.

The activity is offered in English and French. Accessibility information is mixed: the booking details describe the boat as wheelchair accessible, but the same information says it is not suitable for wheelchair users. If mobility access matters to you, confirm the exact boat and boarding arrangements before paying.

Grand River South East Waterfall from the water

One early stop is Grand River South East Waterfall. This is a photo stop and a chance to look for wildlife from the boat, rather than a long land excursion.

That distinction helps set expectations. You are not spending the morning hiking to a waterfall or exploring inland Mauritius. You are seeing it as part of a coastal cruise, with the boat providing the viewpoint. It is a useful opening stop because it breaks up the ride and gives you a scenic subject before the day turns toward swimming and snorkeling.

If waterfalls are your main reason for booking, this cruise may feel too light on that part. If you want a broad mix of sea views, island stops, and reef time, it fits well.

Île aux Fouquets and the first swim

The route continues toward Île aux Fouquets Lighthouse, where you have time for an aperitif, swimming, and snorkeling. The small island setting gives the cruise a sense of place, while the surrounding water is the real draw.

The snorkeling is described as taking place inside the blue lagoon and, at times, near the reef. You can expect a chance to see marine life below the surface, although the exact visibility and wildlife will depend on sea conditions. This is not a dedicated marine biology trip with a formal underwater guide. It is a leisure cruise that gives you time in the water.

Pay attention to the order of the day. Alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling, and the management can cancel the snorkeling activity if people drink beforehand. That rule is sensible, but it means you should treat the first part of the cruise as swim time, not cocktail time.

For the best chance of enjoying the water, apply sunscreen before boarding and bring a hat. The tropical sun can feel strong even when the breeze on the catamaran makes the heat seem mild.

Île aux Aigrettes and Îlot Flamants

The boat then passes Île aux Aigrettes, with another opportunity for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. Some of the route involves passing by rather than stopping for a long visit, so you should not expect equal time at every island.

This variety is one of the cruise’s strengths. You are not tied to one beach for six hours. The boat keeps moving through different parts of the eastern reef, and each stop changes the view. One moment you are looking toward a lighthouse, and later you are watching small islands and open lagoon water slide past.

Îlot Flamants is listed as a pass-by and free-time stop. The details do not promise a major shore visit there, so think of it as a scenic part of the route rather than a full island excursion.

The names of these islands can make the day sound like a long sightseeing circuit, but the pace is still built around the sea. You will spend much of your time on the catamaran, swimming, snorkeling, eating, and looking out across the water.

Lunch near Île aux Cerfs

Lunch is served on the catamaran while anchored behind Île aux Cerfs. This is a practical choice. You get the island setting without having to leave the boat, find a restaurant, or interrupt the cruise for a formal meal.

The meal is a BBQ, and the food has been a major strength of the experience. Seafood dishes include lobster and fish, with additional BBQ food and desserts. The exact menu is not specified in the booking details, so do not assume a particular side dish or preparation, but the meal is clearly intended to be more than a simple packed lunch.

Drinks are unlimited and include alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Beer, wine, and an aperitif are specifically included, along with dessert. Remember the snorkeling rule: save alcohol until the water activities are finished.

Eating on board also helps the day feel like a private occasion. You are not simply being transported to Île aux Cerfs for a few hours. The catamaran itself is the dining room, viewpoint, and base for the day.

The food is part of the value calculation. If you are comparing this with a basic shared boat trip, the lobster and drinks make the higher price easier to understand. If your group does not care much about food or alcohol, the premium may be harder to justify.

Time on Île aux Cerfs

Île aux Cerfs is the headline stop, and you get time to visit the island, sunbathe, or walk around with your camera. Dessert may be enjoyed on the island’s private beach, adding a pleasant final touch to the lunch stop.

I would keep your expectations sensible. Île aux Cerfs is famous, and popular places can feel busy. One booking party found the island too crowded and was taken to a sandbank for snorkeling instead. That is an important detail for anyone seeking quiet: the private catamaran gives you a private booking, but it cannot guarantee that a famous island will be empty.

The upside is flexibility. If conditions or crowds make the main island less appealing, the crew may adjust the plan. The sandbank alternative described above shows why a private boat can be useful. You have a better chance of getting a day shaped around the water rather than simply following a fixed beach schedule.

Still, the exact decision depends on the crew and conditions that day. Do not book this expecting a guaranteed private beach all to yourself. Book it for the combination of a private boat, lagoon swimming, seafood lunch, and access to several stops.

What the crew adds to the day

Service is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Sonia, Dario, and Marie-Lou are names connected with especially warm and attentive care, and the crew’s role matters on a private cruise. They handle the food, drinks, timing, swimming stops, and changes to the route.

That service can make a big difference for a group celebrating a special occasion or simply wanting a day without logistical fuss. You are not cooking your own lunch, figuring out where to anchor, or organizing each stop. The crew runs the boat while you enjoy the setting.

The atmosphere is also shaped by the private format. A couple can treat it as a quiet splurge, while a family or group of friends can share the cost and use the boat as a relaxed base. The group limit is six, so larger parties would need to ask about another arrangement.

The host languages are English and French. If you have questions about snorkeling, the route, or meal timing, those are the languages offered for communication.

Is $1,325 good value?

The price is $1,325 for the entire group, up to six people. At full capacity, that works out to about $221 per person. For four people, it is about $331 each. For two people, it rises to about $663 each.

That makes the group size the key value question. Six friends or family members who want a private boat, a full meal, drinks, and a six-hour route may find the cost fair. A couple can still enjoy it, but the price becomes a luxury purchase rather than a practical day tour.

You are paying for privacy, not just transport. The cost includes the catamaran, BBQ lunch, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and a route with several scenic and swimming stops. Hotel transfers are not included, so add your own transport costs to the budget.

The private booking also gives you something a standard shared cruise cannot promise: a more personal setting and some ability to adjust the plan. That flexibility is particularly useful if Île aux Cerfs is crowded or if your group prefers a sandbank or extra time in the water.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This experience suits you if you want a polished sea day with a little sightseeing, plenty of time on the water, and a substantial meal. It is a strong choice for:

• A group of up to six splitting the cost
• Couples celebrating a special occasion
• Families who want a private boat rather than a large shared cruise
• People who enjoy swimming and snorkeling but do not need a technical reef excursion
• Anyone who values seafood, drinks, and attentive service
• Visitors looking for a full east-coast experience in one six-hour outing

It may not suit you if you want an inexpensive beach transfer, a long land tour, or a quiet island guaranteed to be free of crowds. It is also not the right choice if you plan to drink early and skip the water activities, since alcohol before snorkeling can lead to cancellation of that part of the day.

The boat is wheelchair accessible according to one part of the activity information, but the same details say it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Get a clear answer about boarding and movement on board before booking.

Practical details that can make the day better

Arrive at Pointe Maurice Jetty with only a small day bag. Luggage and large bags are not allowed, and there is no hotel pickup included.

Wear your swimwear under your clothes so you can get into the water without fuss. Keep your camera protected from spray, and bring a towel even if you plan to spend most of the day on the boat.

Use sunscreen before the cruise and reapply after swimming. A hat or cap will help during the open-water sections, while a light cover-up can be useful between swims.

Most important, swim and snorkel before drinking. This is both a stated rule and good common sense. The best part of the day may be underwater, so do not trade it for an early glass of wine.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

Should you book the Île aux Cerfs private cruise?

Book it if you can fill most of the six places and want a special day built around privacy, snorkeling, seafood, and service. The strongest features are the attentive crew, the well-rounded route, the lobster and fish BBQ, and the freedom to enjoy Île aux Cerfs without being tied to a basic shared excursion.

Think twice if you are a solo visitor or a couple watching costs closely. The per-person price becomes high with a small group, and Île aux Cerfs itself may feel crowded at busy times.

For the right group, this is a generous, easygoing way to see the eastern lagoon. Just treat it as a private catamaran day with a flexible island stop, not as a guaranteed empty beach or a specialist snorkeling expedition.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise begin?

The meeting point is Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts six hours and is scheduled to return to Pointe Maurice Jetty around 4 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to and from Pointe Maurice Jetty.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The booking is for a private group of up to six people.

What food and drinks are included?

A BBQ lunch, dessert, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Beer, wine, and an aperitif are also listed.

Can I snorkel and drink alcohol during the same cruise?

Yes, but alcohol is served after snorkeling. If alcohol is consumed beforehand, management may cancel the snorkeling activity.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat or cap, and a camera. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity information gives conflicting guidance. It describes the boat as wheelchair accessible but also says it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Confirm the exact access arrangements before booking.