Île aux Cerfs: Private Catamaran Cruise with Gourmet Lunch

The reef is your day’s front porch. This private catamaran cruise pairs clear lagoon swimming with a generous BBQ lunch, and I especially like the small-group setting for up to six and the chance to change plans if Île aux Cerfs feels too crowded. The main drawback is the price, which makes the most sense when six people share it, and the snorkeling must happen before alcoholic drinks are served.

You meet at Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce for a six-hour outing along Mauritius’s east coast. I like that lunch is served aboard the boat rather than in a busy resort restaurant, and the crew has earned especially strong praise for friendly service, including Sonia, Dario, and Marie-Lou. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat, but leave large bags behind.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You get a more personal day than on a large shared cruise, with room for your group to enjoy the catamaran at its own pace.
• Snorkeling comes before the drinks: Swim and snorkel first, then settle in for beer, wine, and other beverages.
• Lobster has been a lunch highlight: The BBQ may include lobster, fish, and other food, with desserts served near Île aux Cerfs.
• The itinerary covers several islands: Expect waterfall scenery, lighthouse views, reef snorkeling, Île aux Aigrettes, Îlot Flamants, and Île aux Cerfs.
• A flexible private outing: If Île aux Cerfs is too crowded, the crew may take you to a sandbank instead.
• Plan for your own transport: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach Pointe Maurice Jetty yourself.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce

Trou d’Eau Douce is the launch point for this east-coast boat day. From Pointe Maurice Jetty, you board the catamaran and head across the bay toward the Eastern Reef, where the water is protected and generally suited to swimming and snorkeling.

The six-hour schedule gives you enough time to combine several short stops with a long meal break. This is not simply a ride out to one beach and back. You move through a chain of coastal sights, reef areas, small islands, and sandbanks before returning to the jetty around 4 pm.

Because the booking is private, the boat is reserved for your group of up to six. That matters most if you want a quieter day, prefer not to share lunch with strangers, or are traveling with family and friends. It also gives the crew some room to adjust the day, as happened when one group found Île aux Cerfs too crowded and was taken to a sandbank for snorkeling instead.

There is one practical point to sort out early: hotel transportation is not included. You need to make your own way to Pointe Maurice Jetty, Trou d’Eau Douce. Give yourself enough time to arrive before departure, especially if you are staying elsewhere on Mauritius.

Grand River South East Waterfall

The first major stop is Grand River South East Waterfall. The boat pauses for photographs, sightseeing, and wildlife viewing, giving you a change from open-water scenery.

The waterfall is viewed as part of the boat journey rather than as a long land excursion. That keeps the day moving, but it also means you should not expect an extended hike or a full waterfall visit on foot. Have your camera ready and use this pause to take in the contrast between the river and the sea.

This stop works well early in the day. You are still getting settled on the catamaran, and the waterfall gives you a clear first marker on the route. If you like trips with a mix of nature and water activities, it adds welcome variety before the snorkeling begins.

Ile aux Fouquets and its lighthouse

The route continues toward Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse. Here, the pace shifts from sightseeing to leisure. The stop includes an aperitif, free time, swimming, and snorkeling.

The lighthouse provides a photogenic subject, but the water activities are likely to be the main reason you will want to stay here. Bring your camera for the approach, then keep it safely stored before getting into the water. A waterproof phone case can be useful, though it is not listed as required equipment.

The order of activities matters. Alcoholic drinks are served only after snorkeling, and the crew may cancel the snorkeling portion if people drink beforehand. That rule is sensible: swim first, enjoy the beer or wine afterward. If you are eager to see marine life, do not treat the aperitif as an early welcome drink.

Reef water around Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes is another scenic section of the route, with a photo stop, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. The catamaran may pass by rather than make a long landing stop, so think of this as a water-based viewing point.

The snorkeling is one of the strongest parts of the day. Several guests specifically praised snorkeling near the reef, and one described it as taking place in the middle of the reef. Conditions can vary, of course, but the itinerary is built around seeing underwater life rather than merely admiring the sea from the deck.

You should pack high-SPF sunscreen even if you plan to spend much of the time in the water. The tropical sun reaches you on the catamaran, at the beach, and while swimming. A hat or cap helps during the sailing portions, and a towel is essential after the snorkeling stops.

Îlot Flamants and the rhythm of the cruise

Îlot Flamants is a lighter stop, with free time and a pass-by. It may not be a major destination on its own, but it adds another point of interest to the route and breaks up the longer movement toward Île aux Cerfs.

This is where the private format can make a real difference. You are not rushing through a large group’s fixed entertainment program. You can enjoy the views from the catamaran, take photographs, or simply sit back while the crew handles the boat.

Do not expect every stop to have the same level of activity. Some are for photographs or passing views, while others offer swimming and snorkeling. That variety keeps the six-hour trip from feeling like one repeated beach stop.

Lunch behind Île aux Cerfs

The main meal is served aboard the catamaran while anchored behind Île aux Cerfs. This is a smart arrangement. You get the setting of the island without having to search for lunch onshore, and you can continue enjoying the water and the boat’s outdoor space.

The meal is a BBQ, with unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included. Specific dishes can vary, but lobster and fish have been praised, along with other BBQ items and desserts. One particularly positive account described lobster served perfectly, while another highlighted lobster, fish, and plenty of food aboard.

That kind of meal is a big part of the value here. You are not paying only for transport to Île aux Cerfs. You are also paying for a prepared lunch, drinks, service, and time on the water. The food appears to be more than a token picnic, though you should not assume an exact menu unless the operator confirms it before departure.

Dessert is served on the private beach of Île aux Cerfs. The combination of a boat lunch and a beach dessert gives the meal a pleasant two-part rhythm: eat aboard, then step ashore for a slower finish.

Alcohol is unlimited, but the timing rule is firm. Complete swimming and snorkeling first. After that, beer, wine, and other included drinks can become part of the relaxed afternoon.

Île aux Cerfs: beautiful, busy, or both

Île aux Cerfs is the best-known stop and the place where expectations need a little adjustment. You can visit the island for sunbathing and a walk, and it offers plenty of opportunities for photographs. The beach setting is attractive, but it can also feel busy.

One private group found the island too crowded and described it as more tourist-focused than expected. The crew responded by taking the group to a sandbank for snorkeling, which is a useful advantage of a private cruise. You are not necessarily locked into spending the entire break on the island if conditions are unpleasant.

Still, you should not book this trip expecting a deserted beach every day. Île aux Cerfs is popular, and the experience depends on how busy it is when you arrive. If your priority is complete solitude, the island may be the least satisfying part of the route. If you want a famous beach, a walk, photographs, and a convenient lunch stop, it fits the day well.

Use your free time according to your mood. Walk for photographs, sunbathe, return to the water, or enjoy dessert on the private beach area. The island is not the whole point of the cruise. It is one piece of a longer day that also includes reef snorkeling and smaller coastal stops.

Service, food, and the private-group advantage

The crew receives the warmest praise across the available feedback. Service from Sonia was singled out as excellent, while Dario and Marie-Lou were also thanked by name. The broader pattern is clear: attentive staff are a major reason the trip works so well.

That service matters on a catamaran. The crew is helping with boarding, meals, drinks, snorkeling timing, and the movement between stops. On a private booking, the interaction should feel more direct than on a large group outing, although the exact style will depend on the crew working that day.

The food is another strong point. Lobster and fish are repeatedly highlighted, and the BBQ is paired with unlimited drinks and dessert. I would still keep expectations practical: this is an onboard BBQ in a tropical setting, not a formal restaurant meal. Its appeal is the combination of fresh food, a sea view, and no need to interrupt the day to find somewhere to eat.

The private arrangement also gives you privacy for celebrations, family time, or a relaxed day with friends. A couple can enjoy the space without a large group around them, though the full price is harder to justify for only two people.

Is $1,325 a fair price?

The listed price is $1,325 per group of up to six. Split six ways, that comes to about $221 per person before you account for the value of the private boat, BBQ lunch, unlimited drinks, and six hours of service.

For a full group, the price is easier to defend. You are buying exclusivity, not merely a seat on a boat, and the itinerary includes several stops rather than a short transfer to Île aux Cerfs. The included food and drinks also reduce the number of extra costs during the day.

For two or three people, the cost per person rises sharply. You may still consider it worthwhile if privacy, flexible routing, and personal service are your top priorities. If you mainly want a quick swim and a visit to Île aux Cerfs, a shared cruise could be better value, although this experience’s price comparison cannot be made without knowing the alternatives available for your dates.

The strongest case for booking is a group of six that wants a full day on the water. The weakest case is a solo visitor or couple focused only on seeing the island at the lowest possible cost.

Who should book this catamaran day?

You will likely enjoy this cruise if you want several activities in one outing: sightseeing, snorkeling, swimming, a BBQ, drinks, and time on a beach. It suits families with older children, couples, and groups of friends who value having the boat to themselves.

Snorkeling ability is not specified, so you should ask the operator if you have concerns about water confidence or equipment. The key point is that snorkeling happens before alcohol, and the crew can cancel that activity if alcohol is consumed beforehand.

The activity is advertised as wheelchair accessible in one part of the information, but it is also marked as not suitable for wheelchair users. That is a direct conflict. If you use a wheelchair, contact Oceane Cruises Mauritius before booking and ask for a clear answer about boarding, movement aboard the catamaran, and access to the beach.

You also need to travel light. Large bags and luggage are not allowed. Bring only what you need for the day: identification, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat, and camera.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Mauritius plans are still shifting, but they do not replace the need to arrange your own transport to the jetty.

The return to Pointe Maurice Jetty

After the Île aux Cerfs stop, the catamaran returns toward Trou d’Eau Douce. The stated arrival time is around 4 pm, making this a substantial half-day outing rather than a short morning boat ride.

The return gives you time to dry off, finish a drink, and look back over the route. You will have covered the waterfall, lighthouse, reef areas, smaller islands, and Île aux Cerfs without needing to organize separate transport between them.

I would keep the rest of your afternoon reasonably open. The schedule is planned to finish around 4 pm, but time on the water can shift with stops and conditions. Avoid booking a tight evening appointment immediately afterward.

Should you book it?

Book this private cruise if you can fill most of the six places and want a polished day combining reef swimming, marine-life viewing, a substantial BBQ, and Île aux Cerfs. The strongest reasons are the attentive crew, lobster and fish lunch, unlimited drinks, and the ability to move to a sandbank if the island is too crowded.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, watching every dollar, or mainly want a quiet empty beach. Île aux Cerfs can be busy, and the price is much harder to justify with a small group.

For the right party, this is a well-rounded east-coast outing. Just arrive at Pointe Maurice Jetty prepared to swim first, drink later, and carry only a small day bag.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours and is scheduled to return to Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce around 4 pm.

Where does the cruise begin?

You meet at Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What food and drinks are included?

A BBQ lunch, dessert, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. The meal may include items such as lobster and fish, but the exact menu is not specified.

Can I snorkel after drinking alcohol?

No. Alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling. The management may cancel snorkeling if alcoholic drinks are consumed beforehand.

What should I bring?

Bring your 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 activity wheelchair accessible?

The information gives conflicting guidance, describing the activity as wheelchair accessible while also stating that it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Contact Oceane Cruises Mauritius before booking to confirm whether the boat and beach access meet your needs.