Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

Southeast Mauritius is at its best from the water, and this seven-hour power-catamaran cruise gives you a full day of lagoons, small islands, snorkeling, and lunch without the fuss of changing boats. You’ll leave Pointe Jerome at 9:30 and return around 16:00, with stops near Île aux Cerfs, Eau Bleue, Lighthouse Island, and Île aux Aigrettes.

I like the mix of active and easygoing moments: clear-water snorkeling gives the morning some energy, while the BBQ, drinks, and open deck leave plenty of time to relax. I also like that the boat is powered, not a slow sailing catamaran. The main drawback is that the day depends on sea conditions, and anyone with limited mobility may find boarding and island stops difficult.

Key points to know before booking

• A full southeast-coast route: You’ll cruise past Île au Fouquet, Île au Phare, Île aux Cerfs, and Île aux Aigrettes, with views of the wider Grand Port area.
• Snorkeling at Eau Bleue: The stop is planned around swimming and viewing the underwater world in clear water.
• A proper lunch on board: The included meal is a BBQ, served with drinks, so you do not need to arrange lunch separately.
• Fast, newer power catamaran: A recent Danish booking review praised the newer boat and its ability to keep moving at a brisk pace.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Keep watch for dolphins and sea turtles, but treat sightings as luck rather than a guarantee.
• English and French support: The crew provides the tour in both languages, and you meet Jonathan at the Pointe Jerome embarkation point.

Why this cruise works well for a day in southeast Mauritius

This is a good choice if you want to see several corners of the southeast coast in one outing. The route brings together beach time, snorkeling, island scenery, a historic lighthouse, a waterfall visit, and lunch on the water. You get variety without spending the day driving between separate attractions.

The price is $82 per person. For that rate, the value comes from the combination of transport by boat, professional skippers, snorkeling and swimming time, a BBQ lunch, drinks, and several island views. A beach day might cost less, but it would not cover as much ground. A private boat would offer more control, but normally at a much higher total price.

The boat is a power catamaran, which matters if you dislike the slow pace of a sailing trip. One Danish booking from October 2025 praised the newer boat, the speed, and the guides working in both French and English. That brisk pace helps the group cover a broad route, though it also means this is not a quiet, slow sail with long stops at every island.

The atmosphere is described as relaxed and friendly, with time to have a beer, cocktail, wine, or soft drink while looking out across the lagoon. The format suits couples, families with older children, and friends who want both swimming and rest. It is less suitable if your main goal is a long, serious snorkeling session or a private, silent cruise.

Starting at Pointe Jerome at 9:30

You meet Jonathan at the Pointe Jerome embarkation point. Look for the person wearing a Catamaran Cruises T-shirt. The cruise departs at 9:30 and returns at about 16:00, giving you a fixed seven-hour outing.

Transfers are not included, so you must arrange your own way to Pointe Jerome. The meeting instructions are simple, but give yourself enough time to reach the point without rushing. The supplied information identifies Pointe D’Esny as the departure area and Pointe Jerome as the embarkation point, so check the exact meeting details when you book.

Bring beachwear, a change of clothes, and a camera. Motion sickness prevention is sensible if you are prone to queasiness, even on a stable catamaran. Leave high-heeled shoes, large bags, oversize luggage, and strollers at your accommodation. Electric wheelchairs are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Cruising past Mahébourg and Grand Port

The first part of the day gives you time to settle into the boat and take in the southeast coast. The route includes Mahébourg and the Grand Port District, with scenic views, a safety briefing, and local snacks along the way.

You may have a drink while the crew explains the day and the basic safety points. This early briefing is useful because the schedule includes swimming, snorkeling, and several boat approaches. Pay attention to where the crew asks you to stand, sit, or enter the water.

The southeast coast has a calmer feel than a simple resort beach outing. You are looking across open lagoon water toward small islands, reefs, and historic points. The boat makes the scenery easy to enjoy, but remember that a moving catamaran is not the same as a sightseeing bus. Keep your camera secure and hold onto loose items when the boat picks up speed.

Eau Bleue for swimming and snorkeling

The snorkeling stop at Eau Bleue is one of the strongest parts of the day. The planned water stop lasts about 20 minutes in the listed schedule, so treat it as a refreshing look at the reef rather than an extended snorkeling expedition.

The water is described as clear, with colorful coral reefs and underwater life. You can swim, use the snorkeling equipment available through the activity, and look for fish and other marine life. The value here is the easy access: you leave the boat, spend time in the water, then return without having to organize a separate snorkeling trip.

Twenty minutes goes quickly. If underwater viewing is your top priority, you may wish the stop were longer. If you prefer a balanced day, the shorter session works well because it leaves room for the islands, lunch, and wildlife watching.

Use the water stop sensibly. Listen to the skippers, stay within the area they indicate, and bring a change of clothes for the ride afterward. Sun protection is important, though the supplied packing information does not list sunscreen specifically. You should still plan for strong sun on an open boat.

Île aux Cerfs and the BBQ lunch

Île aux Cerfs is the best-known stop on this route, and it provides the beach-and-lagoon part of the day. The schedule allows about 30 minutes here, with time for drinks and a BBQ lunch.

Do not expect a long, unstructured afternoon on the island. The cruise is designed to visit several places, so Île aux Cerfs is one stop within a larger circuit. That can be an advantage if you want a broad introduction to the southeast. It may disappoint you if you imagined spending most of the day on one beach.

Lunch is served as a BBQ on board, with drinks included. Beer, wine, cocktails, and other drinks are part of the experience, so you can eat without searching for a restaurant or carrying a packed meal. Having lunch on the catamaran also keeps the day moving while you continue to enjoy the lagoon views.

The meal is a practical part of the price, not just a small snack. You are out for seven hours, and lunch plus drinks would add to the cost if purchased separately. The relaxed setting also suits a social day with friends or family, though food preferences and special dietary needs are not specified, so ask the operator before booking if that matters to you.

Lighthouse Island and the outer islands

The route continues to Lighthouse Island, also called Île au Phare. You visit the island rather than simply seeing it from the boat, giving the day a small historical and scenic element.

The lighthouse adds variety after the beach and snorkeling stops. You are not spending the entire day looking at water from the same angle. Instead, the route shifts between open lagoon views, low islands, shoreline scenery, and a historic structure.

The cruise also takes in Île au Fouquet and Île aux Aigrettes. Île aux Aigrettes is listed as a pass-by rather than a main landing, so expect to view it from the boat. The same applies to some of the other named islands, depending on the conditions and the captain’s timing.

A waterfall visit is included as part of the day, though the supplied schedule does not give a precise stop length or identify its exact position. That is worth keeping in mind. You should expect a scenic visit, but not assume a long walk or a dedicated waterfall hike.

Dolphins, turtles, and the luck factor

Dolphin watching takes place along the route, and you may also see sea turtles. These are welcome possibilities, not fixed performances. The crew can take you through areas where sightings may occur, but no responsible boat operator can promise that wildlife will appear on schedule.

This is a good reason to keep your expectations flexible. If you see dolphins, it can become the most memorable moment of the day. If you do not, the cruise still includes snorkeling, islands, lunch, and the lighthouse.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip staring through a screen. Wildlife can appear quickly, and the wider views are part of the experience. The lagoon is often most enjoyable when you simply watch the water and listen for the crew’s updates.

What the boat and crew add

The tour uses a power catamaran and professional skippers. The catamaran format gives you more deck space and a steadier platform than many smaller excursion boats, though the information does not provide a passenger limit, so you should not assume a private or tiny group.

A recent booking praised the boat as newer and the guides as good in both French and English. Another verified booking from Mauritius, in January 2026, gave the experience five stars and described the crew as professional, helpful, and good at offering advice. That is the kind of service you want on a water day, where small decisions about timing, swimming, and weather affect the whole outing.

The boat is built for movement. One review specifically noted the fast pace, which is useful on a route with several islands. The tradeoff is that the journey may feel more like a sightseeing cruise with active stops than a gentle sailing escape.

Who should book this outing

I would point this cruise toward anyone with one free day in southeast Mauritius who wants a broad sample of the coast. It suits you if you like to alternate between swimming, island visits, food, drinks, and simply sitting on deck.

It is especially practical for:

• Couples wanting a relaxed day with scenery and lunch included
• Families with children who can manage boat boarding and swimming
• Friends looking for a social outing with drinks and a brisk route
• First-time visitors who want several southeast highlights in one day
• Anyone who prefers a powered boat to a slow sailing trip

I would think twice if you need step-free access, use a wheelchair, or want a long, technical snorkeling session. The short water stop and broad route favor variety over depth. You should also consider motion sickness and bring suitable prevention if boats bother you.

Practical details that affect your choice

The tour is offered in English and French. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your plans are still shifting.

The activity does not allow high heels, large luggage, baby strollers, non-folding strollers, baby carriages, or electric wheelchairs. Pack light and bring only what you need for the water and the boat.

The schedule lists the cruise as seven hours, leaving at 9:30 and returning at 16:00. Times and stop lengths can change with sea conditions and the captain’s judgment, so keep your day free rather than scheduling a tight evening connection.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book it if you want good variety for $82: snorkeling, a BBQ lunch, drinks, Île aux Cerfs, Lighthouse Island, island views, and the chance to see dolphins or turtles. The professional crew, English and French support, and newer power catamaran add confidence to a long day on the water.

Skip it if your ideal outing is private, slow, or focused almost entirely on snorkeling. For most active visitors who want a friendly, well-filled day on the southeast coast, this is a strong value, provided you are comfortable arranging your own transport and accepting that wildlife sightings and exact stop times can vary.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

You meet Jonathan at the Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point. He will be wearing a Catamaran Cruises T-shirt.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts seven hours. It departs at 9:30 and returns around 16:00.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on board, and drinks are included.

Is snorkeling part of the activity?

Yes. The cruise includes swimming and snorkeling in clear water, with a snorkeling stop at Eau Bleue.

Which islands can I see?

The route includes views of Île au Fouquet, Île au Phare, Île aux Cerfs, and Île aux Aigrettes. The schedule also includes a visit to Lighthouse Island and a stop at Île aux Cerfs.

Is the cruise available in English?

Yes. The live tour guide service is available in English and French.