Mauritius : Full day All inclusive Ile aux cerfs Catamaran cruise

The star of this full-day Mauritius catamaran cruise is the easy combination of sea time, snorkeling, food, drinks, and an Ile aux Cerfs stop. You sail from Pointe Jerome through the southeast lagoon, with wide coastal views and plenty of time to sit in the shade, swim, or chat with the crew.

I especially like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which removes a lot of fuss from a long day near the coast. I also like the friendly, attentive crew. Roman is singled out for taking extra care of passengers, while drivers such as Raj and Nabil have been praised for punctual service. The main caution is that the boat, route, and stop times may not match older promotional photos, and some departures use an older catamaran.

Key points at a glance

• A full eight-hour water day: Pickup starts around 7:30 a.m., with return to your hotel after reaching Pointe Jerome at about 4:30 p.m.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: You can swim or snorkel at a protected lagoon stop without bringing your own equipment.
• Ile aux Cerfs is a short but worthwhile stop: Plan on about an hour to walk, relax, and enjoy the beach setting.
• Meals and drinks are included: You receive halal breakfast and lunch, plus alcoholic beverages.
• The crew is the strongest part: Service is attentive, drinks are regularly refreshed, and the atmosphere can include music and dancing.
• The waterfall visit needs checking: Conditions and access can change, and some departures no longer take the catamaran directly to the waterfall area.

Starting early at Pointe Jerome

Your day begins with hotel pickup at about 7:30 a.m. The driver takes you toward Pointe Jerome in southeastern Mauritius, where the catamaran departure is scheduled for around 9 a.m. Pickup and return transport are included, a useful feature when you are staying away from Trou d’Eau Douce or do not want to arrange a taxi for both directions.

The transfer is also part of the practical value. Drivers have been praised for arriving on time and helping with local information. Raj receives particular credit for friendly service, while Nabil is worth mentioning for a less positive reason: one passenger found the return transfer less satisfying. That is a reminder that the cruise crew and the transport service may feel like two separate parts of the day.

Confirm the exact pickup instructions before departure. A few people had trouble because the driver did not receive a clear drop-off point for the boat. If your pickup is from a cruise ship or a large resort, make sure you know whether you are meeting at the hotel entrance, a port gate, or another named location.

Pointe Jerome puts you near the southeast lagoon, where the water is generally calmer than the open ocean. The protected setting makes this a good choice for a relaxed day at sea rather than a rough, high-speed boat trip.

Sailing across Mauritius’s southeast lagoon

Once aboard, the cruise settles into an unhurried rhythm. You move across the lagoon, with time to take in the coast, sit under the shaded areas, and enjoy the view from the broad deck. The boat may carry up to 30 people, though some departures are much smaller. One particularly quiet outing had only six passengers, giving that group plenty of space.

You should not assume every departure will be this intimate. A maximum of 30 is still moderate for a catamaran, but the feel of the day depends on the number booked. If you dislike crowded boats, ask about the expected group size before paying.

The boat condition also varies in the firsthand accounts. Several descriptions call it clean and well maintained, and one departure used a brand-new catamaran. Another passenger found the vessel dated compared with newer boats nearby. I would treat this as a possible difference between boats rather than a guaranteed fault, but it matters if modern equipment is high on your list.

The crew creates much of the atmosphere. They serve drinks, check on passengers, make jokes, and sometimes turn the return sailing into a small party with music and dancing. The music may not suit everyone, and one person found the selection less appealing, but it is not usually played so loudly that it takes over the whole day.

You may also get a chance to sail under raised canvas if conditions allow. On one outing, the engine was stopped and the sails were lifted, adding a quiet, pleasant change to the usual motorized cruise.

Snorkeling in a protected lagoon

The snorkeling stop is one of the main reasons to book this tour. Equipment is provided, so you do not need to pack a mask and fins unless you prefer your own. You can choose to enter the water at the designated area or remain on the boat and enjoy the scenery.

The phrase protected lagoon matters. This is not presented as a demanding open-water snorkel. The sheltered setting should suit beginners and families who want a simple look beneath the surface without committing to a full specialist snorkeling excursion.

Time is the tradeoff. The itinerary includes snorkeling, the waterfall area, and Ile aux Cerfs within one day, so each stop has a limit. Some people felt there was not enough time for both snorkeling and the beach stop. If snorkeling is your main goal, you may find the session too brief. If you want a general Mauritius day with several sights, the shorter stop works better.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes. The equipment is supplied, but the tour information does not promise that every personal item will be available onboard. You should also be ready for a wet deck and strong sun, even when the morning begins cloudy.

Weather can shape the whole outing. One family had rain but still enjoyed the day because the crew kept everyone fed and entertained. The cruise requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

The GRSE waterfall question

The Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall is part of the stated route, but you should check the current plan before booking if this sight is essential to you. Conditions have changed. A recent departure did not take passengers to the waterfall by catamaran because the water was too muddy for the route. Another account describes a small boat transfer and a wait in line to see the falls.

That makes the waterfall a less dependable feature than the lagoon cruise or Ile aux Cerfs stop. You may see it, view the area, or have the route adjusted. The setting can add variety to the morning, but I would not choose this tour solely for a close waterfall visit.

The stop may also feel touristy. If a small boat is used, you could spend time waiting for access rather than quietly viewing the falls. That is not unusual for a popular attraction, but it can reduce the relaxed feel of the catamaran day.

Ile aux Cerfs for beach time

The cruise then reaches Ile aux Cerfs, one of Mauritius’s most popular island stops. The planned visit lasts around an hour, giving you time to walk, look around, and relax by the beach before returning to the catamaran.

An hour goes quickly. You can use it to stretch your legs and enjoy the bright sand and shallow-looking coastal setting, but you will not have time for a slow island exploration. Some accounts describe a longer beach stay on certain departures, close to two hours, so the exact timing may depend on the day’s route and conditions. Ask the crew how long you will have before leaving the boat.

Ile aux Cerfs is best treated as a scenic break rather than a remote island adventure. The attraction is the combination of beach, water, and a change of scene after the morning’s snorkeling. If you want a full day on the island, this cruise will feel rushed. If you want to see it while also enjoying a catamaran and lagoon, the short stop makes sense.

Parasailing may also be visible or available around the island area, but it is not listed as an included feature. One outing passed a parasailing activity on the return journey. Do not assume this cruise includes parasailing in the $139.11 price.

Halal breakfast, barbecue lunch, and open drinks

Food is a major part of the value here. The day includes a halal breakfast and lunch, with lunch served on the catamaran around noon. The onboard barbecue has been described as plentiful and tasty, and several accounts praise both the food and the steady drink service.

Alcoholic beverages are included if you want them. Beer, wine, and a rum-based drink referred to as Jungle Juice have all been part of the onboard offering. The crew regularly refreshes glasses, so you do not need to keep searching for service.

That generous drink service is a plus for anyone seeking a carefree day, but it may not suit people who prefer a quiet, dry sailing. The music and dancing on the return trip can add fun, though the mood depends on the group and the music selection.

The halal meal provision is important for Muslim visitors and for anyone who wants the food arrangement settled in advance. Still, the supplied details do not list the exact menu or identify options for particular allergies. If you have strict dietary needs, contact Sam Tours before departure rather than relying on the standard meal description.

Lunch at sea also changes the experience. You do not lose more sightseeing time looking for a restaurant, and you can eat with the lagoon around you. The downside is that you have less choice than you would at a restaurant, and the meal schedule is fixed around noon.

How the $139.11 price works out

At $139.11 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Ile aux Cerfs. It is a fair package if you will use the included transport, meals, snorkeling gear, and drinks.

You are paying for a long day rather than a short transfer. The price covers hotel pickup and drop-off, roughly eight hours of activity, breakfast, lunch, alcoholic drinks, equipment, and the catamaran itself. Buying those parts separately could create more planning and extra costs.

The value is strongest for you if you want one easy, social day with several highlights. Families can appreciate the simple structure, and the crew has shown it can keep young children involved. On one rainy outing, the captain even let two boys take turns steering, though that should be treated as a special moment, not a promised feature.

The value is weaker if you want a small, silent sailing, a modern luxury boat, or a long snorkeling session. The boat may be older on some departures, the group can reach 30, and the island stop is short. A private charter or specialist snorkeling trip would likely offer more control, but the price would also be different.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius cruise most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see several southeast Mauritius highlights without arranging separate transport. It suits families, couples, and small groups who like a social boat with food, drinks, music, and easy access to the water.

It is also a good fit if you want snorkeling without carrying equipment. You can take part in the water stop or stay aboard, which gives mixed-ability groups some flexibility.

You may want another option if your priority is serious snorkeling, extended time on Ile aux Cerfs, or a guaranteed waterfall visit. The itinerary packs several activities into one day, so the pace is broad rather than deep.

The cruise is available seven days a week during the stated operating period, from May 13, 2025, through May 12, 2026. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. Public transport is nearby, but the included pickup is the more sensible choice for most people.

Small details that can make the day smoother

Use the pickup time as a firm target. Be ready before 7:30 a.m., especially if your hotel is outside the immediate departure area.

Keep your phone charged and save the operator’s contact details. The pickup confusion reported at a cruise ship shows why a clear meeting point matters.

Wear swimwear under light clothes and pack sun protection. The catamaran has shade, but you will still spend much of the day exposed to reflected light from the water.

Treat the waterfall as a possible part of the route, not the central promise. The lagoon cruise, snorkeling, meals, and Ile aux Cerfs are the more reliable reasons to book.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and bad weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a new date or full refund.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a well-fed, well-organized day on the water with hotel transport and a lively crew. The strongest reasons are the attentive service, included meals and drinks, protected-lagoon snorkeling, and the chance to visit Ile aux Cerfs without managing the details yourself.

Go in with realistic expectations. The boat may not always be new, the group may be larger than expected, and the waterfall stop can change with conditions. If those limits are acceptable, $139.11 buys a useful full-day introduction to Mauritius’s southeast coast and a pleasant way to spend a day afloat.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The excursion departs from Pointe Jerome in southeastern Mauritius. Hotel pickup is provided, with the day beginning around 7:30 a.m. and the boat reached at about 9 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately eight hours. The return to Pointe Jerome is scheduled for around 4:30 p.m., followed by transport back to your hotel.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and you can swim or snorkel at the designated protected lagoon stop.

How much time is provided on Ile aux Cerfs?

The planned island visit lasts about one hour. Actual timing can vary, and some outings have allowed longer beach time.

Are meals and alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The package includes halal breakfast, lunch served on the catamaran, and alcoholic beverages.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled for that reason, you will be offered another date or a full refund.