South East : OCÉANE Private Full Day Catamaran to Ile aux Cerfs

The best part of this Mauritius day is the private catamaran setting. You share the boat only with your own group of up to six, then sail through the southeast lagoon to Ile aux Cerfs, a small island known for pale sand and clear water. There is time for snorkeling, a BBQ lunch prepared on board, and a coffee break before the boat turns back.

I like two things in particular: the crew’s careful help with tender-boat transfers and the relaxed family feel on board. The 37-year OCÉANE tradition also matters here. You are sailing with a company that knows this coast well and trains its crew to international safety standards. The main drawback is the price, $1,236.93 per group, and the sea near Ile aux Cerfs can have plastic in the water at times.

Key points at a glance

• Private group of up to six: You get the catamaran experience without sharing the day with a large public crowd.
• Three distinct water stops: The route combines Ile aux Cerfs, the southeast islands, and Grand River South East Waterfalls.
• Snorkeling with close crew support: You can use a lifejacket or lifebuoy, and the crew helps with transfers to smaller boats.
• BBQ lunch cooked by the crew: Food is prepared on board after the swimming and snorkeling portion.
• About seven hours on the water: The boat leaves Pointe Maurice at 9:30 am and returns to the same meeting point.
• Strong service and safety focus: OCÉANE has operated catamaran charters in Mauritius for 37 years.

Setting out from Pointe Maurice at 9:30 am

Your day begins at Pointe Maurice, on the Trou d’Eau Douce coast. The listed meeting point is PQRV+VF2 on an unnamed road, so enter the location carefully into your map app rather than relying on a familiar street name. The tour ends back here after roughly seven hours.

Some arrangements have included hotel pickup by bus or a tender from a hotel jetty before joining the catamaran. Confirm that detail when you book, because the official meeting point is Pointe Maurice. If you are making your own way there, allow time to find the shoreline and the correct boarding spot.

Once aboard, the appeal is simple: you have room to stretch out, look across the lagoon, and settle into the pace of the sea. A private boat works especially well for a small family, two couples, or a group celebrating a birthday. One birthday booking received especially attentive treatment, and the crew has been praised for making people feel looked after without turning the day into a formal production.

OCÉANE began catamaran charter work in Mauritius 37 years ago. That long experience shows its value in practical ways. The company says it trains staff to international safety standards, and the crew’s attention during transfers is one of the most useful parts of the day.

Sailing toward Ile aux Cerfs

The first major part of the route takes you toward Ile aux Cerfs and the southeast islands. The water is the star here. Depending on wind and weather, you can expect a broad lagoon, changing shades of blue, and views of small offshore islands as the catamaran moves farther from shore.

This is not a rushed sightseeing trip. You have time to sit with a drink, watch the coastline, and enjoy the boat itself. The crew keeps the atmosphere lively, but the day is still built around relaxation. If you want constant narration about Mauritian history or marine biology, this may feel light on formal guiding. If you want a well-run day at sea, the balance is more appealing.

The route includes a pass by the southeast islands before or around the Ile aux Cerfs portion. These small islands give the trip a sense of place that a simple beach transfer would miss. You see the coast from the water rather than only arriving at a resort beach by road.

Sea conditions matter. One account praised almost every part of the day but found plastic in the water near Ile aux Cerfs. OCÉANE has acknowledged the concern and says it is working to improve efforts to keep the waters clean. The natural setting is beautiful, but you should not expect every patch of water to be untouched.

Ile aux Cerfs, snorkeling, and a coffee break

Ile aux Cerfs is the main name on the itinerary, and it earns the attention. The island gives you clear water, bright sand, and time to enjoy the scenery at your own speed. A coffee break is planned during the visit, and one account described roughly two hours on the island. Exact timing can shift with conditions and the day’s running order.

The snorkeling area is described as having patches of staghorn coral and very small fish. You might also see trumpet fish, with their long narrow bodies, and coachmen fish, noted for a white dorsal fin. This is a pleasant spot for a short look beneath the surface rather than a serious technical snorkeling expedition.

You do not need to be a confident swimmer to take part. The OCÉANE crew keeps an eye on swimmers and can provide a lifejacket or lifebuoy if you feel uneasy. That support is important because getting in and out of the water from a boat can be the hardest part for less experienced swimmers.

The crew is also praised for handling transfers to smaller boats. This matters more than it sounds. Boarding a tender from a catamaran can feel awkward when the water moves, so calm instructions and a helping hand make the stop easier for children, older family members, and anyone who is not comfortable around boats.

A practical point: drinks are available, but alcoholic drinks may not be served until after snorkeling. Soft drinks are available, so you will not be left without refreshment. If you want a cocktail early in the day, keep your expectations in check and ask the crew about the order of service.

BBQ lunch prepared on the catamaran

After the swimming and snorkeling, the crew gets the grill going. Lunch is prepared by the experienced crew and served on board, often near one of the smaller islands. The BBQ is repeatedly singled out as a highlight, and that makes sense: a hot meal after time in the water is one of the simple pleasures of a full-day boat trip.

The food is part of the value, not just a minor extra. You are paying for a private charter, crew service, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a cooked meal within one outing. The supplied details do not give a fixed menu, so you should ask about dietary needs or specific dishes when booking rather than assume a certain spread.

The meal also marks a useful change of pace. The morning is about sailing and water activities. Lunch lets you dry off, sit down, and enjoy the views without hurrying to the next stop. If you prefer a full restaurant meal with broad menu choice, a boat BBQ will be less flexible. If you like food served in a memorable setting, this is a strong part of the package.

The private format helps here. Your group can settle into its own rhythm, instead of waiting for a large party to finish lunch. That is one reason the cost can make more sense for six people than for one or two.

Grand River South East Waterfalls in 25 minutes

The waterfall stop at Grand River South East is short, about 25 minutes, but it adds a different scene to the day. The river drops toward the coast, and the stop is intended for views of the waterfalls, monkeys, and birds.

Do not think of this as a long nature walk or a half-day wildlife visit. You are seeing the falls from the water, with a brief chance to look around before continuing. The stop works because it breaks up the lagoon time. After several hours around beaches and islands, the river setting gives your eyes something new.

Monkeys and birds are part of the expected sighting list, but wildlife never follows a schedule. You might see them clearly, or only catch a quick glimpse. The value is in the setting and the contrast with Ile aux Cerfs, not in a guaranteed animal encounter.

Because the stop is only 25 minutes, keep your camera ready and listen for instructions from the crew. The boat’s timing is likely to depend on conditions, water traffic, and how the group moves between stops. The short visit is enough for a look, but not enough for a slow exploration.

What the crew does well on this private charter

OCÉANE’s strongest quality is attentive service. The crew has been praised for being lively and professional, while also taking care with people who need help in the water or during boat transfers. That combination is useful: you get a cheerful day without losing the practical safety support that matters on a moving vessel.

Crew member Joey is specifically associated with a warm welcome at the start of one outing. Boat numbers have also been mentioned, including boat two and boat five, but you should not choose a boat number expecting a guaranteed crew lineup. The staff assigned to your departure may vary.

The company describes a family spirit among its staff and a strong passion for the sea. Those claims are supported by the overall shape of the experience: the day is not just a transport service to Ile aux Cerfs. It includes sailing, a cooked meal, water activities, island time, and a waterfall visit, all managed by the same crew.

Safety is another reason to take the operator seriously. OCÉANE says it maintains high safety standards and provides international-level training. You still need to follow crew instructions, especially when boarding a tender, swimming near the boat, or moving around the deck.

Is $1,236.93 good value for six people?

The listed price is $1,236.93 for a private group of up to six. That works out to about $206 per person if six people join. For a couple, the same total becomes much harder to justify. The price is therefore designed for a group, not for a solo booking or a pair looking for the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs.

The package includes far more than a basic island transfer. You get about seven hours, a private catamaran, crew service, snorkeling time, a BBQ lunch, drinks, a coffee break, and the Grand River South East Waterfalls. A large part of what you are buying is space and control over the day.

I would consider it good value for six people who want a special full-day outing and would otherwise book several separate activities. It is less compelling if your main goal is simply to sit on Ile aux Cerfs beach. In that case, a lower-cost shared boat may suit you better, although it will not provide the same private setting.

The high advance-booking pattern, around 55 days on average, is a useful signal for planning. If you are visiting during a busy period, do not leave this until the last minute, especially if the date matters for a birthday or family gathering.

Who will enjoy this day most?

This tour suits you best if you want a comfortable, social day on the sea with several activities built in. Families can benefit from the crew’s help with lifejackets and transfers. Small groups of friends get a boat of their own, which makes the long day easier to shape around shared interests.

It is also a good match for a celebration. The crew has handled birthday outings with personal attention, and the private format gives the day a more special feel than a standard group cruise.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or want a tightly scheduled cultural tour. The experience depends on sea conditions and spends most of the day on or near the water. It also is not the ideal choice for someone seeking extensive reef exploration, since the snorkeling is a short part of a broader itinerary.

The tour can accommodate most people, according to the supplied participation information. Still, you should be honest about your swimming comfort and tell the crew if you need flotation support. The ability to use a lifejacket or lifebuoy makes the water portion more approachable, but it does not turn the activity into a fully land-based excursion.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

The start time is 9:30 am, and the total duration is about seven hours. Plan for a return in the late afternoon, though exact timing can change with weather and sea conditions. The experience requires good weather, and a cancellation for poor conditions gives you the choice of another date or a full refund.

Bring practical boat-day basics: sun protection, swimwear, a towel, and a dry change of clothes. These items are not listed as formal requirements, but they fit the activities described. Keep valuables protected from spray, and bring any personal medication you may need during a full day away from shore.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:30 am start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times use Mauritius local time.

Should you book the OCÉANE Ile aux Cerfs charter?

Book it if you have a group of four to six, value privacy, and want more than a quick beach stop. The blend of sailing, snorkeling, a crew-cooked BBQ, island time, and the southeast waterfalls gives you a full Mauritius day without stitching separate bookings together.

I would be more cautious for one or two people because of the fixed group price. I would also set realistic expectations about the snorkeling and the condition of the sea near Ile aux Cerfs. The water can be lovely, but plastic has been reported in the area, and marine conditions are not fully under the operator’s control.

For the right group, this is a polished and personal way to see the southeast coast. The crew’s care, especially during water activities and tender transfers, is the strongest reason to choose it over a basic catamaran outing.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The meeting point is Pointe Maurice, PQRV+VF2, on an unnamed road in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private catamaran can accommodate one group of up to six people.

What places are included in the route?

The route includes Ile aux Cerfs, a pass by the southeast islands, and Grand River South East Waterfalls.

Is snorkeling part of the experience?

Yes. You can snorkel near patches of staghorn coral and small fish. The crew can provide a lifejacket or lifebuoy if you feel uncomfortable in the water.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.