Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this day is the setting: you sail through Mauritius’s largest turquoise lagoon toward Ile aux Cerfs, with time for swimming, snorkeling, a waterfall stop, and lunch on board. It is a full day built around water, sun, and easygoing island scenery.

I like the friendly crew, who prepare lunch and keep drinks flowing, and I like the mix of activities. You are not stuck on the beach all day, but you also are not rushed from one stop to the next. The main drawback is weather. On a windy, cloudy day, the boat can feel cold and snorkeling may be cut short.

Key points

• Pointe Jerome departure: Start near Mahebourg and Blue Bay Marine Park, in a less resort-focused corner of Mauritius.
• Lagoon sailing: Cruise within the broad, sheltered waters of Mauritius’s largest lagoon.
• Swimming and snorkeling: Bring a towel and sunscreen, but leave valuables behind.
• Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall: Reach the waterfall by boat and see the natural setting near old coastal defenses.
• BBQ lunch on board: Expect smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, salads, bread, fruit, coffee, and drinks.
• Ile aux Cerfs: Finish at one of Mauritius’s best-known sandy island escapes, with water sports and parasailing available at extra cost.

Setting Out From Pointe Jerome Near Mahebourg

Your day begins at Pointe Jerome, close to the old village of Mahebourg and the protected Blue Bay Marine Park. This is a useful starting point if you want more than a resort beach. The area has links to Mauritius’s French and British colonial past, and the nearby waters are protected under the International Ramsar Convention.

If you choose the hotel-transfer option, pickup is available from hotels in Mauritius. The collection time is confirmed the day before and depends on where you are staying. Be sure to select the transfer option when booking, since hotel pickup is not automatically included in every booking.

The cruise lasts about 7 to 8 hours, so this is not a quick half-day outing. You should expect a relaxed but full schedule, with several hours on the water and enough time for stops along the coast. The tour is guided in English and French, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Sailing Through Mauritius’s Largest Lagoon

Once on the catamaran, the main pleasure is simply being on the water. The route follows the wild east coast of Mauritius and stays within the island’s largest turquoise lagoon. That matters on a day at sea because the lagoon offers a more protected setting than open ocean sailing, though it does not remove the effects of wind and cloud.

I like this part because the boat is not just transport between attractions. You get time to sit, watch the coast, swim, and enjoy the drinks included throughout the day. Soft drinks, beer, water, and rum cocktails are available, with jungle juice and Mauritian coffee also singled out as popular choices by past customers.

The mood is more relaxed than instructional. This is not a specialist marine tour with a long naturalist talk. Instead, the focus is on a pleasant day out, with the crew handling the food and service while you enjoy the scenery.

Weather deserves serious attention here. A June outing with strong wind, heavy cloud, and low temperatures made it too cold for one customer to enjoy the cruise or snorkel. That is a fair warning, especially if you tend to feel chilly on boats. Pack a light cover-up along with swimwear, even if the forecast looks warm.

Swimming and Snorkeling Before Lunch

The cruise includes time to swim and snorkel before the waterfall visit and lunch. The exact length of this stop can depend on conditions, so you should treat it as an important part of the day but not assume perfect water time.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen. You should also avoid bringing valuables, since a boat, swimming stop, and beach visit are not ideal places for watches, expensive cameras, or loose jewelry. The supplied information does not promise that snorkeling equipment is included, so check the current booking details if you need gear.

The Blue Bay area is a strong setting for a water stop. Its marine environment has protected status, and the cruise starts near the Marine Park. Still, clear water and comfortable swimming depend on the day. A rough or cloudy morning can affect visibility and make getting into the water less appealing.

That weather issue is the biggest uncertainty in the experience. On a sunny day, swimming and snorkeling add a welcome change from sitting on the catamaran. In poor conditions, the same section may become a cold, windy pause. If you are booking during a season when weather can shift quickly, bring sun protection and something warm rather than relying on swimwear alone.

Grande Riviere Sud Est Waterfall by Boat

The waterfall stop adds variety to what could otherwise be a simple beach cruise. Grande Riviere Sud Est sits in a natural coastal setting, and reaching it by boat gives the stop a different feel from a land-based sightseeing visit.

The river area also carries an important piece of Mauritius’s past. Eighteenth-century ramparts can still be seen nearby. They were connected with corsair activity and naval conflict, including the Battle of Vieux Grand Port in 1810, fought between French and English forces.

You should not expect a long historical tour with a museum-style presentation. The attraction is the combination of river, waterfall, old defenses, and the route itself. If you enjoy seeing how Mauritius’s scenery and past fit together, this is a worthwhile pause.

The waterfall may not be the main reason to book the trip, especially if your priority is a long beach stay. Its value comes from breaking up the day and showing you a different side of the east coast. You get natural scenery, a little history, and a short stop before returning to the catamaran routine.

A Mauritian BBQ Served on Board

Lunch is one of the strongest practical reasons to consider this cruise. The crew prepares and serves a BBQ buffet on the catamaran, so you do not need to leave the boat looking for food during the middle of the day.

The menu includes:

• Smoked marlin mousse
• Grilled fish
• Chicken
• Sausages
• Rice salad and potato salad
• Crudités
• Freshly baked bread
• Fresh fruit
• Coffee

This is a generous island-style meal rather than a small snack between activities. The smoked marlin mousse gives the menu a local touch, while grilled fish and chicken offer familiar choices. Salads, bread, fruit, and coffee round it out.

I like the fact that lunch is part of the sailing experience. You can eat with the lagoon around you instead of spending time at a separate restaurant. The tradeoff is that a buffet served on board is casual. If you want a refined restaurant meal or a very quiet dining setting, this is not that kind of lunch.

Drinks are included during the day, with water, soft drinks, beer, and rum cocktails. That adds real value to the $111 price, particularly because a long boat trip can make buying separate drinks inconvenient and expensive. Drink responsibly, especially in the tropical sun, and keep water in the mix.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the headline destination, and the cruise gives you a scenic way to reach it. The island is known for bright water and sandy shores, making it the natural final stop on a lagoon-focused day.

The visit is best understood as free time in a popular island setting, not a private-island escape. Water sports and parasailing are available at an extra cost, but they are not included in the tour price. If you want those activities, budget separately and confirm the arrangements once you arrive.

Ile aux Cerfs suits you if you want a classic Mauritius beach scene after the sailing and waterfall stops. It may suit you less if you prefer a quiet, remote shore with very few other people. The supplied details do not specify how much time is spent on the island, so do not book this trip expecting a guaranteed full afternoon there.

The cruise’s strength is the complete mix: lagoon views, swimming, a waterfall, lunch, drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs. If you only want beach time, a dedicated beach trip may give you more time on the sand. If you want to see several highlights in one day, the catamaran format makes better sense.

The Crew Makes the Day Easier

The crew is central to the experience because they serve lunch, manage the boat, and look after the drinks. Strong praise centers on their warm and attentive service. One customer described the crew as exceptionally considerate, while another called the team fantastic and recommended the jungle juice and Mauritian coffee.

That kind of service matters on a day that lasts most of your waking hours. You are not responsible for finding lunch, arranging each boat transfer, or planning a separate route to the waterfall. The crew creates a simple rhythm: sail, stop, eat, drink, and continue.

The provider is Turquoise Voyages, also known as Samtours. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named guide to be guaranteed. English and French are the working languages.

Is $111 a Fair Price?

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a beach in Mauritius. The value comes from what is bundled into a long day: the catamaran cruise, lunch, drinks, swimming and snorkeling time, a waterfall visit, and the trip to Ile aux Cerfs.

The price looks more reasonable if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, a boat outing, lunch, and drinks. It is also useful if you want one organized day rather than several independent bookings. Hotel pickup and drop-off can be included, but only if you choose that option, so compare the price carefully before paying.

The value drops if you plan to skip the water activities, avoid alcohol and soft drinks, or spend most of the day on Ile aux Cerfs itself. In that case, a simpler beach transfer could be a better match.

I would judge the price as fair for a full-service day at sea, especially for couples and families who prefer having food and transport arranged. The weather caveat remains important. A cloudy, windy day can reduce the value because swimming and snorkeling are two of the main reasons to book.

Who Should Book This Cruise?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an easy way to combine several east-coast highlights. It suits couples, groups, and anyone who likes a social boat day with a proper meal rather than a bare-bones transfer.

It is also a good fit for visitors staying away from the southeast who want hotel pickup. The optional transfer removes the need to make your own way to Pointe Jerome, though you should confirm your hotel name when booking.

You may want to choose another outing if your priority is guaranteed snorkeling in calm, clear water. You may also want a different plan if you dislike boats, feel cold in wind, or want a very private beach experience. Pregnant women should not take this tour, according to the activity restrictions.

The 4.6 rating from 106 reviews reflects a strong overall response, with especially high praise for the crew, food, and smooth holiday atmosphere. The lower experience came from bad weather, not from complaints about the lunch or staff. That helps clarify the decision: the quality of your day depends heavily on sea and sky conditions.

Practical Details Before You Go

Pack a towel and sunscreen. Add a light layer for wind and clouds, even if you expect hot weather. Do not bring valuables, and keep your belongings simple.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. The full duration is approximately eight hours.

If you need hotel pickup, select the correct option and provide the hotel name. Pickup timing is confirmed the day before and varies by location. The meeting point for those making their own way there is Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point.

Should You Book It?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want a full, social day that combines Mauritius’s lagoon, a waterfall, an island beach, a BBQ, and included drinks. The attentive crew and generous lunch make the $111 cost easier to justify.

Skip it if you want a short, quiet beach visit or if poor weather is forecast. On a sunny day, this has the ingredients for a memorable Mauritius outing. On a cold, windy one, the lack of snorkeling and outdoor comfort can change the whole experience.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 7 to 8 hours, with the full tour generally taking about eight hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Mauritius, near Mahebourg and Blue Bay Marine Park.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you choose the transfer option. The collection time is confirmed the day before and depends on your hotel location.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included. The onboard BBQ buffet includes smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice and potato salads, crudités, fresh bread, fruit, and coffee.

What drinks are included?

Soft drinks, beer, water, and rum cocktails are available during the day. Jungle juice and Mauritian coffee are also mentioned as drink choices.

Does the tour include snorkeling?

The itinerary includes time to swim and snorkel, but the supplied details do not confirm that snorkeling equipment is included.

Are water sports included at Ile aux Cerfs?

No. Water sports and parasailing at Ile aux Cerfs are not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. You should avoid bringing valuables.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can pregnant women join the cruise?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for pregnant women.