Exclusive Private Catamaran to Ile Aux Cerfs with Lunch

White sand, warm water, and a full day afloat. This private 42-foot catamaran combines lagoon snorkelling, east-coast scenery, Ile aux Cerfs, and a BBQ lunch without the rush of a standard group boat. I like the generous seven-hour schedule and the fact that the boat is reserved for one group of up to 10 people. I also like that breakfast, snorkelling gear, lunch, and drinks are included. The main drawback is value: at $1,001 per group, the price only feels reasonable when you have a fairly full group, and the boat service may not feel polished enough for every private charter.

The day starts at 9:00 a.m. from Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty and should finish around 4:15 p.m., although tide and wind can affect the return. One recent score was especially useful in pointing out practical shortcomings: the interior was not very clean, coffee and tea were unavailable, and there was no simple dessert such as fruit or ice cream. Keep those limits in mind if you expect a luxury-yacht standard rather than a friendly, casual cruise.

Key points at a glance

• A private boat for up to 10 people: The $1,001 rate is charged by group, not by person, so the value improves sharply when shared by family or friends.
• Snorkelling at about 11:00 a.m.: You stop inside Mauritius’s largest lagoon, with equipment supplied for a look at corals and tropical fish.
• Grand River South East by boat: The route reaches the river mouth for distant waterfall views, plus a chance to see monkeys and a giant bat colony along the banks.
• Ile aux Cerfs after lunch: The catamaran drops you at the famous white sand bank, giving you time to swim, relax, and take photographs.
• Food and open bar included: A light breakfast, BBQ lunch, beer, rum, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks are part of the package.
• Extra costs still matter: Hotel transfers, lobster lunch, parasailing, and tube riding cost more.

Starting at Pointe Jerome at 9:00 a.m.

Your day begins at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty in southeast Mauritius. The boat leaves at 9:00 a.m., so you need to plan your own way to the jetty unless you pay extra for pickup and drop-off.

At the meeting point, look for the representative wearing a uniform and an One Island Cruiser badge. That detail should make the handoff easier, especially if several boats are preparing to leave from the same area.

The schedule is listed as seven hours, with an expected return to your hotel at about 4:15 p.m. The exact timing depends on wind and tide. That is normal for a sailing day, but do not book a tight evening plan, airport transfer, or dinner reservation immediately afterward.

A light breakfast is served after boarding. This is useful rather than fancy. You can settle in, enjoy the morning water, and avoid starting the boat ride hungry. If coffee or tea matters to you, bring your own expectation down: one recent assessment specifically noted that neither was available.

Sailing a 42-foot private catamaran

The 42-foot catamaran is designed for day charters, with trampolines where you can stretch out in the sun. A private boat changes the feel of the day. Your group can spend more time swimming, talking, or sitting quietly than you might on a large shared cruise.

The catamaran is not presented as a luxury yacht, and that distinction matters. Think of it as a comfortable, social day boat with a relaxed setup. The open bar begins when you board, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available through the day.

The crew adds local sega music, jokes, and stories. That can give the cruise a distinctly Mauritian tone instead of making it feel like a simple transfer between beaches. Still, service appears to be informal. One recent rating described the staff as welcoming but not especially eager to add extra warmth to the day.

I would treat the crew atmosphere as a possible bonus, not the main reason to book. The strongest reasons are the private setting, the route, the food, and the amount of time on the water.

Snorkelling inside the largest lagoon

At around 11:00 a.m., the boat stops for snorkelling inside the island’s largest lagoon. Equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange masks and fins separately.

The stop is intended for a swim among corals and brightly colored tropical fish. Clear water and warm conditions make this one of the most active parts of the day. You can get in the water, look around, and cool off before the lunch stop.

Your expectations should stay sensible. The description promises the chance to see marine life, not a guided reef lesson, specialist instruction, or guaranteed sightings. Weather, water conditions, and visibility can affect what you see.

Bring a towel and a spare change of clothes. The instructions specifically recommend both, which is good advice after a morning swim. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera also belong in your day bag. The catamaran has sunny open areas, and the white sand at Ile aux Cerfs reflects plenty of light.

If you prefer not to snorkel, the stop still gives you time for a swim or a rest on board. The point is not to make every person take part, but to give the group a useful break in the lagoon.

Grand River South East and the waterfall view

After snorkelling, the catamaran follows the east coast toward the mouth of Grande Riviere Sud Est, also known as Grand River South East. The boat goes upriver far enough to look toward the waterfall from a distance.

This part of the route adds more than another beach stop. You get a change from open lagoon water to a river setting, with monkeys on the riverbank and a giant bat colony among the sights mentioned along the way. The waterfall is viewed from afar, so do not expect a walk to its base or a close approach.

That limitation is worth stating clearly. If your main goal is a waterfall visit, this cruise offers a scenic boat view rather than a full waterfall excursion. If you like variety, the river passage breaks up the beach-and-snorkel pattern and gives the day a better sense of place.

The combination of coast, river mouth, wildlife, and music makes this section one of the more distinctive parts of the itinerary. It is also the sort of stop where the crew’s local stories can help bring the scenery to life.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and the lobster question

Lunch is prepared on board by the crew. The included meal is a BBQ, with alcoholic drinks such as beer, rum, and cocktails, along with non-alcoholic options.

The onboard setting is part of the appeal. You do not have to leave the boat, find a restaurant, or spend your beach time standing in line for food. The meal comes during the cruise, while the scenery continues around you.

Vegetarian food is available, but you must advise the operator at booking. You should also report any food allergies or illness ahead of time. Do not assume the crew can make a last-minute change once the boat is underway.

A lobster lunch costs extra. That option may suit someone marking a special occasion, but it changes the price calculation. The standard BBQ is the sensible choice if you are booking for a larger group and want to keep the package within its advertised cost.

The meal has received praise as one of the better lunches offered on Mauritius catamaran outings, but there are small service gaps to consider. A recent assessment noted the absence of even a basic dessert, such as fruit or ice cream. If you like a sweet finish, pack something simple yourself, provided it fits the operator’s rules.

The interior cleanliness also drew criticism. You will spend much of the day outdoors, but the comment is still relevant during lunch or if you need shade. This is a private day charter with a casual feel, not a polished restaurant at sea.

Ile aux Cerfs and the famous white sand bank

After lunch, the catamaran enters the channel between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary. You then get time on Ile aux Cerfs, one of the best-known beach stops in Mauritius.

The island’s main attraction is simple: white sand, clear water, and a postcard setting. You can walk along the beach, swim, take photographs, or sit in the sun while the boat waits before the return journey.

This stop is likely to be the visual high point of the day. The earlier sailing and snorkelling give you movement and activity, while Ile aux Cerfs offers the quiet beach time many people picture when they plan a Mauritius cruise.

There is one practical tradeoff. The island is famous, so the visit is built around a popular attraction rather than a remote, empty beach. The supplied details do not promise a secluded shoreline or private access. If you want a well-known scenic beach and a straightforward swim, it fits. If you want isolation above all else, the private boat does not guarantee that.

The catamaran returns to the hotel jetty after your time ashore. Since tide and wind affect the schedule, the return should be treated as an estimate rather than a hard promise.

What the $1,001 group price really buys

The total price is $1,001 for a private group of up to 10 people. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $100 per person. For four people, it is roughly $250 per person, and for two people it is about $500 each.

That makes the group size the central value question. A family or group of friends with eight to 10 people gets a private catamaran, breakfast, snorkelling equipment, BBQ lunch, open bar, river and waterfall views, and Ile aux Cerfs for a price that can be competitive with several separate activities.

A small group pays a premium for privacy. That premium may still be worthwhile if you value having the boat to yourselves, but you should compare it with shared catamaran trips before booking.

The price does not include transport to and from the jetty. Hotel pickup and drop-off cost extra, so add that amount before comparing the total with other cruises. Parasailing and tube riding are also additional activities. The included package is already a full day, but the advertised price is not the final cost if you want transfers, lobster, or motorized water sports.

I see the best value for a group that wants one organized day covering several southeast Mauritius sights. The value is weaker for a couple that mainly wants a quiet beach and does not care about private space.

What to pack and what to arrange early

Keep your packing simple:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Towel
• Camera
• Spare dry clothes
• Any personal coffee or tea you may want

Tell the operator about vegetarian meals, allergies, or illness at booking. This is especially important because lunch is prepared on the boat.

You should also decide in advance if you want hotel transfers, a lobster meal, parasailing, or tube riding. These are not included, and arranging them early avoids confusion over the final price.

The booking terms allow cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later. If a cyclone or torrential rain alert makes the operator cancel, the information provided says you receive a full refund.

Instruction is available in English and French. The private format is useful for families and friends who want to spend the day together rather than being separated into different activity groups.

Who should book this catamaran day

I would recommend this cruise to a group of friends, a family, or a small celebration party that wants several Mauritius highlights in one outing. It suits people who enjoy swimming, easy snorkelling, beach time, music, and a social lunch with drinks.

It also works well if you want control over your own group space. The private boat means you are not simply buying a seat on a large cruise. You are paying for a full route and a day built around your party.

I would be more cautious if you expect high-end service, spotless interiors, coffee and tea, a dessert course, or a highly attentive crew. The boat’s strengths are its setting and itinerary, not fine-dining polish.

This is also not the right choice if your priority is a close waterfall visit. The Grand River South East waterfall is seen from a distance, and the main beach stop is Ile aux Cerfs.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran?

Book it if you can fill most of the 10 places and want a relaxed private day that combines snorkelling, river scenery, BBQ food, and beach time. The included drinks and equipment make the day easy to manage, and the private boat gives the itinerary a pleasant sense of freedom.

Think twice if only two or three people are sharing the cost, or if you expect luxury-level cleanliness and service. The strongest practical move is to confirm the transfer cost, meal preferences, and any extra activities before paying.

For the right group, this is a well-rounded Mauritius outing with an appealing route. Just book it as a casual catamaran day, not as a premium yacht charter.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

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

What time does the cruise start and finish?

Departure is at 9:00 a.m. The expected return to the hotel is around 4:15 p.m., but tide and wind can change the timing.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. The experience is for a private group, with space for up to 10 people.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkelling break and equipment are included in the price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included, along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. A lobster lunch costs extra.

Are hotel transfers included?

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

What happens if bad weather or a cyclone affects the trip?

If the operator cancels because of a cyclone or torrential rainfall alert, you receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.