Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

The best part of this five-island catamaran cruise is the easy mix of sea time and shore stops. You will cross the southeast lagoon, swim and snorkel in clear Indian Ocean water, eat a barbecue lunch onboard, and pause at places such as Ile aux Cerfs and the old Ile aux Fouquets lighthouse.

I like that drinks and lunch are included, so the $82 price covers more than a boat ride. I also like the chance to see dolphins, giant tortoises, and marine life without having to plan separate outings. The main drawback is that the waterfall stop lasts only about 30 minutes, and Ile aux Aigrettes is viewed from the boat rather than visited.

Key points to know before booking

• Pointe D’Esny departure: Meet at Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf at least 20 minutes before departure.
• A full 390-minute outing: You get a substantial day on the water, not a short sightseeing cruise.
• Food and drinks included: Expect barbecue lunch, dessert, coffee, beer, wine, spirits, and other drinks.
• Best swimming stop: Ile aux Cerfs provides time for swimming, snorkeling, and a self-guided visit.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Dolphins, tortoises, and sea life are part of the search, but sightings depend on nature.
• Bring proper footwear: Water shoes are a smart choice, especially if you plan to walk on Ile aux Cerfs.

Why this southeast Mauritius cruise works so well

This outing gives you a broad look at the southeast coast without making you arrange several separate trips. In one 390-minute stretch, you move between open water, a waterfall, small islands, a lighthouse, snorkeling areas, and a beach stop.

I see this as a good choice if you want your Mauritius day to feel relaxed rather than tightly scheduled. The powered catamaran handles the route while you sit back with a drink, watch the coast pass, and wait for the crew to point out wildlife.

The tone is social and easygoing. The crew includes professional skippers, and names connected with the operation include Jonathan, Nathalie, Pascal, and Alex. Jonathan may also be able to arrange transportation, but pickup is an extra-cost service and must be requested no later than 48 hours before the excursion.

The cruise starts and ends at Pointe D’Esny, near the Pointe Jerome wharf. You should report to Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side of the wharf when facing the sea. Arriving 20 minutes early matters here, since a boat departure is less forgiving than a late arrival at a city museum.

Starting at Pointe Jerome and settling into the boat

At the embarkation point, you receive coffee and a safety briefing before the cruise gets moving. That first briefing is useful, since your day includes swimming, snorkeling, walking ashore, and time near open water.

The catamaran is powered, which means the trip is built around covering several locations rather than quietly sailing under wind power. You can expect scenic views on the way between stops, with the lagoon providing the main show.

This is not a private yacht experience by default. A private group is available, but the standard arrangement is a shared cruise. If you want the day to feel more personal or need a specific meal arrangement, ask about the private option and state any meal restrictions before you go.

Ile aux Cerfs: the main beach and water stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the heart of the excursion. You get time for a self-guided visit, swimming, snorkeling, and a meal onboard. The island is known for its striking beach, and the stop gives you a chance to get off the boat and enjoy the setting at your own pace.

I would treat this as the day’s most important stop. If you want to swim, put on your swimwear before departure or keep it easy to reach. Bring water shoes rather than relying only on flip-flops. One useful tip is that beach footwear is recommended for Ile aux Cerfs, especially if you expect to walk beyond the soft sand.

The snorkeling is a strong reason to choose this cruise. Clear water can make it easier to see fish and other marine life, though visibility changes with conditions. You receive time in the water, but this is not presented as a specialist snorkeling trip with long guided sessions. It is better suited to casual swimmers and people who want a pleasant taste of the lagoon.

The stop also includes a barbecue meal, with dessert and drinks. You can expect coffee, beer, wine, spirits, and other refreshments as part of the onboard service. That makes the cruise feel like a full day outing rather than a boat transfer with a packed lunch.

One practical point: ask about meal restrictions when booking. The operator specifically requests this information, so do not wait until you are standing on the boat.

Barbecue lunch and the atmosphere onboard

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the value. At $82 per person, you are paying for a long cruise, a barbecue, drinks, water activities, island visits, and the crew’s operation of the boat. A separate lunch and drink bill can quickly make a simple boat trip more expensive, so the inclusive setup is helpful.

The food is served onboard, and the package includes dessert. Drinks are also covered, including coffee, beer, wine, and spirits. If you prefer a nonalcoholic day, you can still enjoy the cruise without treating the bar service as the main attraction.

I like the fact that the meal fits naturally into the day. You are not losing a large block of time searching for a restaurant or returning to shore for lunch. Instead, the boat becomes your dining room while the lagoon and islands provide the view.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a relaxed barbecue cruise, not a formal dining experience. The appeal is the combination of food, sea air, and company. If you mainly want fine cuisine, the cruise should not be your first choice. If you want a generous, uncomplicated meal between swims and sightseeing, it makes good sense.

Grand River South East waterfall: scenic, but brief

The cruise includes about 30 minutes of sightseeing at the Grand River South East waterfall. This adds a change of scenery and gives you something different from beaches and coral water.

The stop is short. I would see it as a scenic pause rather than a major waterfall excursion. One guest specifically found the waterfall visit too quick, and that is a fair concern if waterfalls are high on your list.

You will have enough time to look, take photographs, and appreciate the setting, but not necessarily enough time for a slow exploration. If you want a day centered on the waterfall, choose another activity. If you want it as one attractive chapter in a wider southeast coast cruise, the 30-minute stop fits the plan.

Ile aux Fouquets and its weathered lighthouse

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile au Phare, is included as a visit and self-guided stop. Its lighthouse gives the cruise a strong sense of place and connects the pretty island scenery with Mauritius’s maritime past.

This is one of the more distinctive parts of the route. Beaches can begin to look similar during a long island holiday, but a lighthouse offers a different kind of photo and a reminder that these waters have long mattered to ships and coastal navigation.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. You will have time to look around and take scenic photographs, but the visit is not a long guided historical tour. The activity is offered in English and French, and the route includes a live guide, so you can ask questions during the outing. Still, the main focus remains the boat ride and the natural setting rather than detailed interpretation at each island.

Ile aux Aigrettes from the water

Ile aux Aigrettes is viewed as the boat passes by, with about 15 minutes set aside for the sight. This is worth knowing before you book, since the five-island label may suggest that every island receives a full landing.

Here, you stay aboard and take in the island from the water. It works as a scenic passage between the larger stops, but it is not a walking visit or a dedicated wildlife tour on land.

That limited access is not necessarily a flaw. It helps the cruise cover more of the southeast coast in one day. You simply need to understand that the route combines full stops, short sightseeing visits, and one pass-by.

Dolphins, tortoises, and sea life

The crew includes dolphin watching, tortoise watching, and marine life viewing in the day’s activities. Several recent bookings resulted in close sightings of dolphins and giant tortoises, and the snorkeling provided chances to see fish.

Those encounters are a pleasant bonus, not a guarantee. Animals move freely, and the cruise cannot promise that dolphins or tortoises will appear on your departure. I would book this for the lagoon, islands, swimming, and food first. If wildlife shows up, it becomes the day’s highlight.

The same rule applies to snorkeling. Bring your camera if you have a waterproof option, but protect it carefully and do not let photography distract from basic water safety. The operator asks you to bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and water shoes, all of which are useful on a boat day in strong tropical sun.

What the $82 price really buys you

At $82 per person, this cruise offers good value for people who want several activities bundled together. The 6.5-hour schedule includes the catamaran ride, island visits, snorkeling, swimming, a barbecue lunch, drinks, a waterfall stop, and the chance to see marine life.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for:

• A boat trip through the southeast lagoon
• Lunch and drinks
• Snorkeling time
• A visit to Ile aux Cerfs
• Sightseeing near the waterfall and lighthouse
• A wildlife search for dolphins and tortoises

The price is less attractive if you only want a quiet, short boat ride or if you dislike group outings. The route is long, and several stops are brief. You are paying for variety and convenience, not extended time at every single site.

Pickup is not included in the base price. You meet at Pointe Jerome wharf in Pointe D’Esny, while transportation can be arranged for an extra charge if requested at least 48 hours ahead. Factor that into your total budget if you are staying away from the southeast coast.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want an easy day with plenty of variety. Swimmers and casual snorkelers will get the most from the Ile aux Cerfs stop, while photographers will appreciate the lighthouse, waterfall, beaches, and changing coastal views.

It also suits people who like having meals and drinks organized in advance. You can spend the day enjoying the sea instead of thinking about where to eat next.

This is not the best match for anyone seeking a quiet private charter unless they book the private-group option. It may also disappoint you if you want a long guided history tour, extended time at the waterfall, or a guaranteed dolphin encounter.

The boat is a good fit for families, but each person should be comfortable with a full day around water. Bring the listed items, especially sunscreen, a towel, and water shoes. Pets are not allowed.

Practical details that make the day easier

Check in at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure. At Pointe Jerome wharf, look for Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side when you face the sea.

The cruise is offered in English and French. You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still shifting. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

The schedule is listed as 390 minutes, or 6.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date. Since the trip includes swimming and snorkeling, keep your camera, phone, and other valuables protected from spray.

I would also wear swimwear under light clothing, use reef-friendly sunscreen if available, and choose sandals or water shoes that you can manage on both a boat and an island. Flip-flops are listed as suitable, but water shoes are the more practical choice for uneven or wet ground.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book this outing if you want one well-filled southeast Mauritius day covering beaches, islands, a lighthouse, a waterfall, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. The strongest reasons are the broad route, the included barbecue, and the warm, attentive service associated with crew members such as Jonathan, Pascal, Alex, and Nathalie.

Think twice if you want long stops at every location. The waterfall visit is brief, Ile aux Aigrettes is only seen from the boat, and wildlife sightings depend on luck.

For most people, the $82 price is fair because it combines transport on the water, food, drinks, and several activities. Arrive early, bring water shoes, tell the operator about meal restrictions, and treat dolphins and tortoises as welcome surprises rather than promises.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and returns at the Philao Boat Cruise meeting point at Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf in Pointe D’Esny.

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts 390 minutes, which is about 6.5 hours. Check availability for the departure time on your chosen date.

What is included in the price?

The package includes the five-island cruise, drinks, barbecue lunch, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, the Ile aux Fouquets or Ile au Phare stop, Ile aux Cerfs, views of Ile aux Aigrettes, the waterfall visit, and wildlife watching for tortoises and dolphins.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch and dessert are included, along with drinks such as coffee, beer, wine, and spirits. You should specify any meal restrictions when booking.

Can I arrange hotel pickup?

Pickup can be arranged for an additional cost if you request it at least 48 hours before the excursion date.

Which languages are available?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and water shoes. Water shoes are especially useful for the Ile aux Cerfs stop.

Are dolphins and tortoises guaranteed?

No. Dolphin, tortoise, and other marine life sightings are included as watching opportunities, but encounters depend on natural conditions.