Catamaran cruise to Ile aux Cerfs from Pointe Jerome

The best part of this cruise is the changing scenery. You start on the southeast coast, cross clear lagoons, pause for snorkeling, look up the river toward Grand River South East Waterfall, then settle onto the white sands of Ile aux Cerfs. I like the open bar and BBQ lunch, and I like having both a proper shaded cockpit and sunny trampolines on the 42-foot catamaran.

The main caution is reliability. Several dated bookings from 2024 and 2025 report that no representative appeared at Pointe Jerome and that phone calls went unanswered. Confirm the departure shortly before you go, and arrive early enough to sort out any problem before the 9:00 a.m. sailing.

• 42-foot catamaran: A spacious boat with shaded seating, sunbathing nets, a toilet, and showers.
• Three-part day: Snorkel in the lagoon, view the waterfall and river wildlife, then spend time on Ile aux Cerfs.
• Lunch on board: BBQ food, tea, coffee, cake, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included.
• About 90 minutes on the island: Enough for a swim and beach walk, though not a full day ashore.
• Pointe Jerome departure: Meet the representative in a blue teal shirt with a Mauritius Taxi Service badge.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can cause a rescheduled sailing, but a full refund is offered if another date is not available.

A Full Day From Pointe Jerome to Ile aux Cerfs

At $60 per person, this is priced as a full-day outing rather than simply a boat transfer. You receive a seven-hour cruise, snorkeling gear, lunch, an open bar, a waterfall stop, and beach time. Those inclusions make the cost reasonable if you want several activities bundled into one day.

The cruise leaves Pointe Jerome at 9:00 a.m. and is expected back at the hotel around 4:30 p.m., although tide and wind can change the timing. Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional extras, so check that arrangement carefully before booking. If you are making your own way to the jetty, allow time to find the correct representative.

At Pointe Jerome, look for someone wearing a blue teal shirt and a Mauritius Taxi Service badge. That person is meant to guide you to the catamaran. Because some past bookings have involved missed departures and unanswered calls, I would save the contact details, confirm the meeting point, and avoid arriving at the last minute.

What the 42-Foot Catamaran Feels Like

This is a day-charter catamaran built for movement and relaxation. Its large shaded cockpit gives you a place to eat and get out of the sun, while the front trampolines offer the classic catamaran experience: lying close to the water as the boat moves between the islands.

The boat also has toilet and shower facilities. That matters on a seven-hour trip, especially after swimming or snorkeling. You should still bring a towel, a change of clothes, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, and a camera.

The boat’s size gives you more room than a small speedboat, but this is still a shared cruise. You will spend much of the day around other people, and the atmosphere is designed to be social. The crew uses local Mauritian sega music, jokes, and local tales to keep the mood light.

French and English are the working languages. The crew is also expected to explain the day and help with the snorkeling stop. Specific guide names are not provided, so you should not expect to book around a particular individual.

The Morning Sail Across the Southeast Coast

Once the boat leaves Pointe Jerome, the cruise is as much about the ride as the destination. The southeast coast gives you broad views of open water, pale beaches, and low island shores. The clear water is most impressive in the sheltered areas, where the boat moves more gently through the lagoons.

You can spend this first stretch in the shade, sit on the trampolines, or use the open bar. Alcoholic choices include beer, rum, and cocktails. Non-alcoholic drinks include soft drinks, juice, and cocktails. The bar remains available through much of the day, though responsible drinking is especially important before swimming.

The open bar is a real part of the value here, not just a welcome drink. It means you do not need to budget separately for drinks during the cruise. Still, I would pace yourself. The tropical sun, sea air, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly.

Snorkeling in the Largest Lagoon

At around 11:00 a.m., the catamaran stops inside the island’s largest lagoon for swimming and snorkeling. Equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. This is the point of the day for seeing corals and brightly colored tropical fish in the water.

The stop is a good fit if you want a simple introduction to Mauritius marine life without arranging a separate snorkeling trip. You can swim, use the provided equipment, and return to the boat when you are ready.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a scheduled swimming break, not an extended marine biology excursion. The exact water conditions depend on wind, tide, and weather. If the sea is rough, the crew may need to alter the plan or reschedule the entire trip.

Bring a towel and dry clothes for the return to the boat. A waterproof phone pouch is also useful if you want photographs, although the supplied information only specifically requires a camera and does not promise underwater photography equipment.

Grand River South East Waterfall and River Wildlife

After snorkeling, the catamaran continues along the east coast and heads toward the mouth of Grand River South East. The boat looks toward the waterfall from a distance rather than taking you to a land viewpoint beside it.

The river section adds variety to the day. You may see the giant bat colony and monkeys living along the riverbank. The waterfall is viewed from afar, so think of this as a scenic river visit, not a hike or close-up waterfall tour.

Some departures use a change of boat for the waterfall passage. That detail makes the stop more involved than simply pointing toward the falls from offshore, but the exact arrangement can depend on the day’s conditions and operation. Be prepared for a short transfer if the crew directs you to another boat.

This stop also shows why tide and wind matter. The catamaran operates around shallow coastal waters, river mouths, and narrow channels. One booking reported the hull scraping noticeably in the tide area. That does not automatically mean the day is unsafe, but it is a reminder that the route can feel less smooth than the open-water sections.

BBQ Lunch With the Bar Still Open

Lunch is served on board after the river and waterfall visit. The crew prepares a BBQ, and the meal is included in the $60 price. You also receive drinks from the open bar, making lunch one of the stronger practical features of the trip.

A boat-cooked BBQ has a relaxed feel that suits this kind of day. You do not have to leave the water, find a restaurant, or pay island prices for a meal. Tea, coffee, and slices of cake are served later on the return journey.

Vegetarians need to advise the operator before departure so the chef can prepare suitable food. That is important because a standard BBQ menu may not meet your needs without advance notice. The supplied information does not specify the full menu, so contact the operator if you have allergies or need more detail.

The lunch timing also breaks up the day well. You have active time in the water first, then a meal, then a slower afternoon on the island. If you prefer to spend the whole day ashore, this schedule may feel too boat-focused.

Ile aux Cerfs: White Sand, Turquoise Water, and Limited Time

After lunch, the catamaran passes through the channel between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary before stopping at the island’s famous white sandbank. This is the most recognizable part of the excursion, with pale sand, palm and casuarina trees, and clear turquoise water.

You have about 90 minutes on Ile aux Cerfs according to one detailed account of the schedule. That gives you enough time for a swim, beach photographs, and a short walk. It is not enough time to explore every facility or take part in several paid activities.

The island offers water sports such as parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk, but these cost extra. A lobster lunch is also an optional upgrade, though it would replace or supplement the included BBQ depending on the arrangement. I would not book this cruise expecting all water sports to be part of the $60 price.

The short island visit is both a strength and a weakness. You get to see one of Mauritius’s best-known beach settings without arranging another boat. On the other hand, anyone hoping for a long, quiet afternoon on the sand may feel hurried.

The Return to Pointe Jerome

Once the island stop ends, you return to the catamaran for the sail back to Pointe Jerome. Tea, coffee, and cake are served, and the open bar continues. This is a good time to dry off, sit in the shade, and let the crew’s music and stories carry the final part of the trip.

The expected hotel arrival is around 4:30 p.m., but the timing is not fixed. Tides, wind, and sea conditions can affect the route. Avoid booking an evening activity that requires a tight connection after this cruise.

The return also gives you another chance to use the catamaran’s seating in different ways. If the morning sun was strong, the shaded cockpit will be welcome. If you want one last look at the coast, the trampolines offer a better view, though you should follow crew instructions whenever the boat is moving.

The Value of the $60 Price

For $60, the cruise covers the main costs of a day on the southeast coast: boat transport, snorkeling gear, swimming, a BBQ meal, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and access to the island stop. Add the waterfall and river visit, and the package can be good value for someone who wants variety without arranging separate tours.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink, do not snorkel, or mainly want a long stay on Ile aux Cerfs. In that case, much of the package is not useful to you, and a simple island transfer might be a better fit.

Pickup and drop-off are not included in the base price. Paid water sports and the lobster lunch also sit outside the standard package. Factor those extras in before you compare this with other Mauritius boat trips.

There is also a value question beyond money: reliability. The overall rating is 4.2 from 14 ratings, but several low ratings describe a failure to operate the booked trip. That is a serious concern, not a minor complaint. The strong positive feedback focuses on the friendly crew, good welcome, snorkeling, waterfall, boat, and food, but those strengths matter only if the boat actually departs.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a social day on the water and like having several experiences in one package. It suits couples, friends, and families who want swimming, snorkeling, music, lunch, and a famous beach without planning each part separately.

It is also a good match if you enjoy a relaxed boat day more than a formal sightseeing tour. The crew’s local stories, jokes, and sega music create an easygoing Mauritian atmosphere.

You may want another option if you need a guaranteed timetable, dislike group activities, or want serious snorkeling time. The island visit is short, the waterfall is viewed from a distance, and the cruise depends on sea conditions.

I would also be cautious if you are booking around a flight, wedding, or other fixed event. The advertised return is 4:30 p.m., but tide and wind can shift the schedule. Keep your plans after the cruise flexible.

Booking Tips That Matter

Confirm the departure before the day of travel, especially because several past bookings report that no one appeared at the meeting point. Save the operator’s phone number and arrive before 9:00 a.m. Look for the blue teal shirt and Mauritius Taxi Service badge at Pointe Jerome.

Tell the operator in advance if you are vegetarian. Pack sun protection even if you plan to stay in the shaded cockpit, since the trampolines and beach are exposed. Comfortable shoes are useful for moving around the boat and walking on Ile aux Cerfs.

If the weather is adverse and the sea is extremely rough, the trip may be moved to another date. Rain alone does not necessarily cancel the cruise. If no alternative date is available, a full refund is offered, and cancellation up to 24 hours ahead also qualifies for a full refund.

Should You Book It?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want good activity variety for one price: snorkeling, a river and waterfall visit, a BBQ, open drinks, and a white-sand island stop. The friendly crew, onboard facilities, and relaxed music add plenty of charm.

I would book only after confirming the departure details directly. The reported no-show incidents are too serious to ignore. With that precaution, this is a reasonably priced southeast Mauritius day for people who value a lively boat experience more than long, quiet time on the beach.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Pointe Jerome Embarkation on the southeast coast of Mauritius.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

Departure is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. The expected return to the hotel is around 4:30 p.m., although tide and wind can affect the timing.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a swimming and snorkeling stop in the island’s largest lagoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is prepared and served on board. Vegetarian guests should advise the operator in advance so suitable food can be prepared.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The cruise includes an open bar with alcoholic drinks such as beer, rum, and cocktails, along with soft drinks, juice, and non-alcoholic cocktails. Tea, coffee, and cake are served on the return journey.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are optional and are not included in the standard cruise price.

What happens if the sea is too rough?

The trip may be rescheduled if the weather is adverse and the sea is extremely rough. If another suitable date is not available, a full refund is offered.