Private Charter Full Day Cruise: Île aux Cerfs

The best part of this Mauritius outing is the private 45-foot Island Hopper catamaran. Your group has the boat to itself as you sail from Pointe Jerome toward Île aux Cerfs, with time for snorkeling, a beach stop, and a river cruise to GRSE Waterfall.

I like the flexible feel of a private charter, and I like that snorkel equipment is provided rather than added to the bill. The crew also gives a proper safety briefing and keeps the day friendly and relaxed. The main drawback is simple: the standard price does not include food, drinks, hotel transport, or water-activity fees such as parasailing.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 15 people: You are not sharing the catamaran with another booking.
• Seven hours on the water: The day starts at 9:00 am and returns to Pointe Jerome.
• Île aux Cerfs stop: Swim, sunbathe, walk around the island, or pay separately for parasailing.
• Snorkeling gear included: Equipment is available at no extra charge.
• GRSE Waterfall wildlife: Cruise up the Grand River with a chance to spot monkeys and giant bats in the trees.
• Lunch costs extra: Standard BBQ lunch and drinks are available for EUR 35 per person, or choose the lobster menu for EUR 74 per person.

A private catamaran day from Pointe Jerome

This is a full-day outing built around time on the water rather than a packed list of inland sights. You meet at Pointe Jerome in Pointe d’Esny at 9:00 am, then spend roughly seven hours aboard Island Hopper, a 45-foot, or 14-meter, yacht designed for day sailing.

The private format matters most if you are traveling with family or friends. Up to 15 people can share the boat, so the advertised price of $1,335.67 works out to about $89 per person if the group is full. For a couple or small family, the per-person cost is much higher, but you are paying for exclusive use of the boat rather than individual seats on a larger cruise.

I also like the fact that the day has room for different moods. You can snorkel, swim, look for wildlife, relax on deck, or spend your island time on the beach. You are not locked into a single activity for the entire seven hours.

The crew is described as friendly, attentive, and strong on safety. Expect a safety briefing before the day gets going. That small detail is important on a private boat, since you want clear guidance without turning the trip into a formal lecture.

Île aux Cerfs, beach time with choices

Île aux Cerfs is the main island stop. You leave the catamaran and have about an hour to enjoy the island. The easiest plan is to stretch out on the beach, swim in the clear water, and make the most of your short break on shore.

You can also walk around or choose an activity such as parasailing. Parasailing is not included, so you should treat it as an optional extra rather than part of the charter price. If your group has mixed interests, this stop works well because one person can relax while another looks for a paid activity.

The one-hour stop is useful, but it is not a full island day. I would not book this charter expecting a long, slow afternoon at Île aux Cerfs. The island visit is one part of a wider day that also includes snorkeling and the Grand River.

That time limit can be a plus. You get a taste of the island without giving up the boat ride and river visit. Still, if your top goal is spending hours on a beach, a dedicated Île aux Cerfs beach excursion may suit you better.

Snorkeling with equipment included

The cruise includes a stop at a snorkeling location, with snorkel equipment available at no extra cost. This is one of the clearest practical benefits of the package. You do not need to arrange a separate rental before reaching the water.

The supplied information does not give a precise snorkeling duration or describe the exact site, so keep your expectations sensible. You will have an opportunity to get into the water, but the length of that stop can depend on the day’s schedule and conditions.

One useful point from the onboard experience is that the crew does not simply send you toward the water without guidance. A safety briefing is part of the outing, which helps you get settled before swimming or snorkeling from the boat.

If you are hoping for a long session, ask the crew at the start of the day how much time is planned for swimming. The most specific practical note available is that some people wished they had longer to swim off the catamaran. That suggests the water time may feel brief to strong swimmers who want a full morning in the sea.

Bring a swimsuit and plan around getting wet. Since food and drinks are not part of the base price, you should also clarify what you want included before departure, especially if your group expects a full day in the sun.

Grand River and GRSE Waterfall

The cruise then heads up the Grand River toward GRSE Waterfall. The waterfall stop lasts about 20 minutes, so this is a short scenic visit rather than a long shore excursion.

The appeal here is the setting along the riverbanks. Keep your eyes in the trees for monkeys, giant bats, and other wildlife. You may not see every animal on every outing, but the river cruise gives you a chance to look for them in their natural surroundings instead of treating wildlife as a guaranteed show.

This part of the trip adds variety. Without it, the day would be mainly beach, boat, and snorkeling. The river section changes the pace and gives you something to watch while the crew handles the catamaran.

Do not expect to hike to the waterfall. The information provided describes a cruise up the river and a 20-minute stop, not a long walking route. If you want a detailed waterfall trek, this is not that kind of excursion. It is a compact wildlife and scenery break within a longer sailing day.

Dolphins and other wildlife

The cruise offers a chance to see dolphins, along with monkeys near the river and giant bats in the trees. Dolphins are wildlife, not a scheduled performance, so sightings cannot be promised. That is worth keeping in mind when deciding how much importance to give this feature.

The wildlife possibilities are strongest as small bonuses that make the sailing day more interesting. You might see dolphins from the catamaran, then later scan the riverbanks for monkeys or bats. The changing surroundings give you several things to watch for, rather than one fixed attraction.

I would bring patience. Wildlife viewing works best when you are happy to look around and enjoy the ride even if a particular animal stays out of sight. The crew’s knowledge of the sights and the strong safety briefing help make the viewing feel organized without making it feel staged.

What the private format is really worth

The private charter is the reason to choose this experience over a standard shared cruise. Your group controls the social atmosphere. If you are celebrating, traveling with children, or simply prefer not to spend seven hours with strangers, that privacy has real value.

It is also practical for a group of friends. At the maximum capacity of 15, the base price becomes reasonable on a per-person basis. At full capacity, the group rate is roughly $89 each before lunch, drinks, and any paid island activities.

For smaller groups, compare carefully. A party of four would pay far more per person than a party of 15, even though the boat remains private. The value comes from the boat, the crew, the route, and the freedom from a shared schedule, not from a low individual fare.

The price does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to HPGF+496 Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Pointe d’Esny. The meeting point is near public transportation, but no specific transport arrangement is included in the booking.

At the end of the day, you return to the same meeting point. This makes planning easier if you are staying nearby, but you should allow time to arrange your onward transport after the cruise.

Lunch, drinks, and the extra-cost choices

Food and drinks are not included in the base charter. You can add a standard BBQ lunch menu with drinks for EUR 35 per person, or choose the VIP BBQ menu with lobster and drinks for EUR 74 per person. Tea and coffee are also available.

These supplements can change the total price quickly, especially for a large group. For 15 people, the standard lunch would add EUR 525, while the VIP option would add EUR 1,110. That is a major difference, so decide early whether the food package fits your budget.

The standard menu is likely the more sensible choice for most groups that simply want lunch handled during a long day on the water. The lobster menu makes more sense for a celebration or for people who see the meal as part of the occasion.

Because the supplied details do not list the full dishes or serving schedule, ask for the exact menu before paying the supplement. Tea and coffee are specifically available, but you should not assume that all drinks are included unless you select one of the stated drink packages.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This tour suits a group that wants a private day on the water and can share the cost. It is especially useful for families and friend groups who want a relaxed outing with several choices rather than a tightly managed sightseeing route.

It also works for people who want a mix of water and wildlife. You can snorkel, swim, visit Île aux Cerfs, cruise to a waterfall, and watch for animals along the river. That variety keeps the day from feeling like a simple beach transfer.

You should think twice if your priority is a long snorkeling session, a full day at Île aux Cerfs, or a low-cost shared excursion. The island stop is about an hour, the waterfall visit is about 20 minutes, and the base price leaves meals, drinks, transport, and parasailing outside the package.

Most people can participate, according to the tour information. Still, you should consider your group’s comfort with swimming and time aboard a catamaran. If someone in your party does not want to get in the water, the beach and boat provide alternatives, but the day is still centered on sailing and coastal stops.

Timing, cancellation, and planning details

The listed start time is 9:00 am, and the experience lasts about seven hours. Since you must reach Pointe Jerome on your own, plan your morning around arriving before the start time rather than treating the meeting point as a casual walk-up location.

Booking confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The activity is mobile-ticketed, so keep the ticket accessible on your phone.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Mauritius time.

The most useful preparation is to settle the practical extras before the boat leaves. Confirm lunch, drinks, and any paid activities, then make sure everyone knows that hotel pickup is not included.

Should you book the Île aux Cerfs charter?

Book this cruise if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private, flexible day that combines sailing, snorkeling, Île aux Cerfs, and a short wildlife cruise to GRSE Waterfall. The friendly crew, clear safety briefing, and included snorkel gear add real value.

I would be cautious if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want a cheap beach trip. The private price can be hard to justify for a small party, and the one-hour island stop may feel short if beach time is your only goal.

For families and groups of friends, though, this is an appealing way to see several sides of Mauritius in one outing. Just budget separately for lunch, drinks, transport, and any paid water activity, and ask about swimming time if snorkeling is your main reason for booking.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours. It starts at 9:00 am and ends back at the Pointe Jerome meeting point.

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting point is HPGF+496 Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates. The boat can accommodate up to 15 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is provided for free at the snorkeling stop.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the base price. A standard BBQ lunch with drinks costs an additional EUR 35 per person, while the VIP BBQ lunch with lobster and drinks costs EUR 74 per person.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to Pointe Jerome, and the activity returns to that same meeting point.

What can you do at Île aux Cerfs?

You can relax on the beach, swim in the clear water, walk around, or choose an activity such as parasailing. Parasailing is not included in the tour price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.