Île aux Cerfs: Private Catamaran Cruise with Gourmet Lunch

The best part of this private catamaran cruise is the freedom to enjoy Mauritius’s east coast without being packed onto a large boat. You cross Trou d’Eau Douce Bay, stop to swim and snorkel in the lagoon, pass small reef islands, and eat lunch at anchor behind Île aux Cerfs.

I like the combination of snorkeling before lunch and a proper BBQ served on board. I also like the chance to visit Île aux Cerfs while keeping the boat as your base. The main consideration is price: at $1,325 for up to six people, it makes the most sense for a full group, not a couple traveling alone.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to six: You get a more personal day than on a shared catamaran, with room to shape the pace around swimming, snorkeling, and the island stop.
• Six hours on Mauritius’s east coast: The day begins at Pointe Maurice Jetty and returns around 4 pm.
• Snorkel before the drinks begin: Alcohol is served after snorkeling, and the crew can cancel snorkeling if alcohol is consumed beforehand.
• Seafood BBQ on board: Lunch may include lobster, fish, and other BBQ fare, followed by dessert on the private beach at Île aux Cerfs.
• Several scenic stops: The route includes Grand River South East Waterfall, Île aux Fouquets Lighthouse, Île aux Aigrettes, Îlot Flamants, and Île aux Cerfs.
• Bring very little: Swimwear, a towel, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, a camera, and identification are the useful items. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Setting out from Pointe Maurice Jetty

Your day starts at Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’s east coast. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the jetty and arrive ready to board.

The route follows the sheltered waters of Trou d’Eau Douce Bay and the Eastern Reef. This matters because the boat day is not just a straight trip to Île aux Cerfs. You get a series of short scenic stops, with time for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and a meal.

The catamaran is reserved for your private group of up to six people. That is the strongest reason to choose this outing over a standard shared cruise. You are paying for space, privacy, and a more flexible feel rather than simply buying six individual boat seats.

Grand River South East Waterfall comes first

One of the early stops is Grand River South East Waterfall. The boat pauses for photographs, a visit, and wildlife viewing. It gives the morning a change of scene before the swimming stops begin.

You should think of this as a scenic stop rather than a long land excursion. The supplied schedule does not give a separate duration, so keep your expectations sensible. The appeal is seeing the waterfall from the water and adding a freshwater landmark to a day otherwise focused on the sea.

This first stop also gives you a chance to settle into the boat, take photographs, and enjoy the changing views along the coast. If you are hoping for a full waterfall hike, this is not that kind of visit. The experience is built around a boat-based look at the falls.

Île aux Fouquets and the first swim

The route continues toward Île aux Fouquets Lighthouse. Here, the plan includes an aperitif, free time, swimming, and snorkeling. The lighthouse gives the stop a distinctive visual marker, while the water provides the main reason to get off the catamaran or into the lagoon.

This is where the timing of the drinks policy becomes important. Do your snorkeling first. Alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling, and the management reserves the right to cancel the snorkeling activity if people drink beforehand. That is a sensible safety rule, but you need to follow it if swimming is a priority.

Bring a towel that dries easily and apply sunscreen before boarding. You can reapply during the day, but the sun on open water is strong, and a hat or cap is useful during the long stretches between stops.

Île aux Aigrettes and the Eastern Reef

Next comes Île aux Aigrettes, where you can stop for photographs, swim, snorkel, and look for marine life as the boat passes. The route description treats this as both a scenic passage and a water stop, so the exact amount of time in the water may depend on conditions and the day’s schedule.

The snorkeling is one of the most valuable parts of the outing because you are not simply looking at the sea from the deck. You get a chance to see the reef environment from inside the lagoon. The experience is not presented as a specialist snorkeling expedition, so you should expect an accessible holiday stop rather than a guided marine biology session.

Still, this section adds real substance to the day. A boat ride with lunch can become a passive sightseeing trip. Swimming and snorkeling make you part of the setting. I would put your mask, swimwear, and towel where you can reach them quickly instead of burying them in a bag.

Passing Îlot Flamants

Îlot Flamants is listed as a free-time and pass-by stop. It may be less about a formal activity and more about enjoying another small island and the water around it.

That variety is part of the charm of this route. The east coast is made up of reef water, small islands, sandbanks, and open views. You do not spend the entire six hours in one place, though that also means the stops may feel brief if you prefer slow, unhurried beach time.

The private format helps here. With only your own group on board, you can ask the crew about the timing and make the most of the stops that appeal to you. The experience is still shaped by the route and sea conditions, so private does not mean every part of the schedule is fully open-ended.

Lunch behind Île aux Cerfs

Lunch is served on the catamaran while anchored behind Île aux Cerfs. The included BBQ and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks turn the middle of the day into a long meal rather than a quick packed lunch.

Food is a major strength of this cruise. The meal has been described as including lobster, fish, and other BBQ dishes, with dessert served later on the private beach at Île aux Cerfs. The exact menu is not stated as fixed, so do not book it expecting a guaranteed list of every dish. The important point is that this is a cooked meal on board, not just snacks and fruit.

The setting also makes a difference. Eating at anchor keeps you close to the water and avoids breaking the day into a separate restaurant stop. You can spend lunch looking across the lagoon, taking a drink, and enjoying the boat without rushing to the next activity.

The unlimited drinks are useful for a long tropical day, but remember the order of events. Snorkeling comes before alcohol. If you are traveling with children or do not drink, the non-alcoholic options mean you can still take part in the meal and the relaxed atmosphere.

Île aux Cerfs: beautiful, popular, and not always peaceful

Île aux Cerfs is the main beach stop. You are encouraged to visit the island for sunbathing and a walk, then enjoy dessert on the private beach. The island offers the classic Mauritius scene: pale sand, clear lagoon water, and plenty of space for photographs.

It is also the part of the day most likely to divide opinions. Île aux Cerfs is a famous stop, and popular places can feel busier and more commercial than the quiet reef islands earlier in the route. One account from this trip found the island too crowded and preferred a sandbank for snorkeling instead. That is useful to keep in mind if your ideal day means silence and empty sand.

The private boat gives the crew some ability to adjust the day, but you should not assume that an alternate sandbank is guaranteed. The stated route includes Île aux Cerfs, and conditions, crowd levels, and operational decisions can affect the exact plan.

I would treat the island as a worthwhile photo and beach stop, not the sole reason to book. The strongest day combines the waterfall, reef swimming, boat lunch, and island visit. If you want a completely remote beach experience, this may feel too developed at certain times.

Crew service and the feel of a private cruise

Service is repeatedly praised, with Sonia named for excellent customer care and Marie-Lou and Dario also connected with especially warm comments about the day. The practical meaning for you is that the crew is an important part of the experience, not just the people steering the boat.

The crew handles the route, food, drinks, and water stops, while you get to focus on enjoying the day. The available languages are English and French, so communication should be straightforward for guests who speak either language.

A private group works especially well for families, close friends, or a small celebration. You can share the boat without strangers and enjoy the scenery at your own pace within the planned schedule. For a couple, the price is harder to justify unless privacy is a top priority or you are willing to pay for a more exclusive day.

Is $1,325 good value?

The listed price is $1,325 per group of up to six. With six people, that works out to about $221 per person before you arrange transport to the jetty. That is not a budget boat trip, but it includes a private catamaran, six hours, a BBQ lunch, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snorkeling stops, and access to a full east-coast route.

The value improves sharply as your group gets larger. Six friends can split the cost and gain a private boat rather than booking separate places on a shared cruise. A smaller group pays much more per person, so compare the price with shared catamaran options before booking.

I would also compare what matters most to you. If you mainly want a cheap ride to Île aux Cerfs, this is too expensive. If you want a private setting, seafood lunch, drinks, swimming, a waterfall stop, and several reef locations in one half-day, the package is easier to defend.

The price includes the meal and drinks, but not hotel pickup or drop-off. Add the cost and time of reaching Pointe Maurice Jetty when you work out the full budget.

Practical details that can make the day better

Pack swimwear, a towel, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat or cap, and a camera. Bring a passport or ID card as requested, but leave luggage and large bags at your accommodation because they are not allowed on board.

Wear something comfortable for moving between the catamaran, the water, and the beach. Keep your camera protected from spray, and avoid bringing valuables you do not need.

The cruise lasts six hours and returns to Pointe Maurice Jetty around 4 pm. Check the available start time when booking, since the exact departure time is not fixed in the supplied details.

The activity is described as wheelchair accessible in one section, but it is also marked as not suitable for wheelchair users elsewhere. That is a real contradiction. If anyone in your group uses a wheelchair, contact the operator before paying and ask about the jetty, boarding, deck access, and transfers.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your east-coast plans depend on weather or a changing Mauritius schedule.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can fill the six-person capacity. You get the best price per person and the privacy feels more meaningful when everyone on board already knows each other.

It also suits people who want a full day on the water without choosing between sightseeing and beach time. The waterfall, lighthouse, reef islands, snorkeling, BBQ, and Île aux Cerfs make the route varied.

Families should note the alcohol rule and keep the swimming schedule clear. Couples may love the quiet, private setting, but should compare the cost against a smaller shared tour. Guests who dislike crowded beach stops should enjoy the earlier reef locations most and treat Île aux Cerfs as one part of the day.

Should you book it?

Book this private Île aux Cerfs catamaran cruise if you can share the $1,325 cost with a group of up to six and want privacy, seafood, drinks, and several east-coast stops in one outing. The crew service, lobster and fish BBQ, and snorkeling are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a strict budget, or if you want a quiet, untouched beach all day. Île aux Cerfs can be busy, and the exact balance between island time and reef stops may change. For the right group, though, this is a polished Mauritius boat day with enough variety to feel like more than a simple beach transfer.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and returns at Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts six hours. The planned return to Pointe Maurice Jetty is around 4 pm.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the private catamaran, BBQ lunch, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are planned at locations including Île aux Fouquets and Île aux Aigrettes. Alcohol is served after snorkeling, and snorkeling may be canceled if alcoholic drinks are consumed beforehand.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat or cap, and a camera. Luggage and large bags are not allowed.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

The activity information is inconsistent. One section states that it is wheelchair accessible, while another says it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Contact the operator before booking to confirm whether boarding and the catamaran can meet your needs.