Catamaran cruise to Ile aux Cerfs from Pointe Jerome

The lagoon is the star of this day. This 7-hour catamaran cruise from Pointe Jerome combines calm turquoise water, a snorkeling stop, the Grand River South East waterfall, and time on Ile aux Cerfs for $60 per person. I especially like the included BBQ lunch and open bar, and the friendly crew adds local sega music, jokes, and stories rather than treating the boat like a floating bus.

I also like the balance between active and lazy time: you can snorkel and swim, then stretch out on the white sand or shaded catamaran deck. The main concern is reliability. Several very positive trips praise the crew, food, and value, but three serious reports describe the operator not appearing at the meeting point. Confirm the trip directly before setting out, and keep your booking details handy.

Key points before you book

• A full east-coast day: You leave Pointe Jerome at about 9:00 a.m. and normally return around 4:30 p.m., depending on wind and tide.
• Two major sights: The route includes Ile aux Cerfs and the Grand River South East waterfall, viewed from the river mouth.
• Snorkeling equipment included: The boat stops around 11:00 a.m. in the island’s largest lagoon for swimming and a look at coral and tropical fish.
• Food and drinks are covered: You get BBQ lunch, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, then tea, coffee, and cake later.
• Comfortable 42-foot boat: There is a shaded cockpit, seating, sunbathing trampolines, toilets, and showers.
• Check the operator before departure: The meeting point is Pointe Jerome, where a representative in a blue teal shirt with a Mauritius Taxi Service badge should guide you to the boat.

Why this cruise works well for a Mauritius day

I see this as a strong choice if you want several east-coast highlights without arranging separate transport, boat trips, meals, and beach time. The day has a clear rhythm: sail, snorkel, see the river and waterfall, eat, relax on Ile aux Cerfs, then sail back.

That matters in Mauritius, where the best coastal sights are spread out. You are not simply paying for a boat ride to one beach. Your $60 includes the catamaran, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, the waterfall visit, and the island stop. Optional hotel pickup costs extra, as do parasailing, tube riding, the undersea walk, and a lobster lunch.

The cruise suits couples, families, and groups of friends who want an easy day on the water. It also works for anyone who prefers a social boat atmosphere. The crew plays Mauritian sega music, tells local tales, and keeps the mood light with jokes.

If you want a quiet, private sailing trip, this may feel too lively. The boat is designed for shared day charters, not an intimate private outing. You should also expect the exact order and timing to shift with tide and wind.

Meeting the boat at Pointe Jerome

The stated departure time is 9:00 a.m. at Pointe Jerome on the southeast coast of Mauritius. At the embarkation point, look for a representative wearing a blue teal shirt and a Mauritius Taxi Service badge. That person should direct you to the catamaran.

I would arrive early enough to find the meeting point without stress. One of the few serious problems connected with this experience is a failure of the organizer to appear for some scheduled departures. In one case, a person waited from 8:45 to 9:50 without receiving a call or answer. Other reports describe the activity as canceled or unavailable when the customer arrived.

That does not match the many successful outings, but it is too serious to ignore. Before leaving your hotel, confirm the departure with the provider using the contact details on your booking. Save screenshots of the meeting instructions and confirmation. If the trip is canceled because of dangerous sea conditions, an alternative date should be offered, or you should receive a full refund if that date does not work.

The cruise is offered in French and English. Pickup and drop-off are optional, not part of the standard $60 price, so check your transport plan before booking.

Sailing toward Ile aux Cerfs

The opening part of the trip is about being outside. The 42-foot catamaran gives you several ways to spend the time: sit in the large shaded cockpit, take a place on the comfortable trampolines, or move around for different views.

I like that the boat has both shade and sun. Mauritius can be hot, and a full day without cover would quickly become tiring. The onboard toilet and shower are useful extras, especially when you are swimming and staying at sea for several hours.

The east coast is best enjoyed slowly. From the deck, you get open water, changing views of the shore, and the chance to settle into the warm-weather pace. The crew keeps the open bar available from the time you board. Drinks include beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, juice, and other non-alcoholic options.

The open bar adds real value, but pace yourself. You still have snorkeling, a boat transfer near the waterfall, and a beach stop ahead. Drinking too much early in the day is an easy way to turn a pleasant sea trip into a long afternoon.

Snorkeling in the largest lagoon

At about 11:00 a.m., the catamaran stops inside the island’s largest lagoon. This is the main water activity of the morning, with time to swim and use the supplied snorkeling equipment.

You can expect a relaxed look at the underwater world, including coral and brightly colored tropical fish. The experience is not presented as a specialist reef expedition. It is a convenient lagoon stop that lets you cool off and see marine life without arranging another excursion.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, sun hat, camera, and a change of clothes. Comfortable shoes are also recommended. A waterproof phone case would be sensible for anyone hoping to take pictures, although that item is not listed as included.

Sea conditions affect the quality of this stop. If wind or tide changes, visibility and comfort may vary. The operator says the whole outing can be rescheduled when the sea is extremely rough or the weather is adverse, not simply because of ordinary rain.

If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations reasonable. The stop is one part of a varied day, not several hours of guided marine study. If you mainly want a swim in warm lagoon water and a chance to spot fish, it should fit well.

The Grand River South East waterfall

After snorkeling, the catamaran heads along the east coast and enters the mouth of the Grand River South East. The boat goes upriver far enough to view the waterfall from a distance.

This section adds variety. Instead of spending the entire day on open sea, you move into a river setting with trees along the banks, monkeys, and a large bat colony. The waterfall is seen from afar rather than reached on foot, so do not expect a hike or a close-up waterfall swim.

The timing can involve a change of boat near the waterfall. One account describes a short transfer before seeing the falls, so be prepared for a little movement between vessels. This may be part of the river visit rather than a simple catamaran-only route.

I like this stop because it gives you a glimpse of the island beyond the beach. You see animal life and the river mouth, not just postcard water. Still, the stop is brief and viewing conditions depend on the tide. The catamaran may scrape or touch the bottom in shallow areas, especially when tide management is not ideal. That issue was specifically raised in connection with one outing.

BBQ lunch and an open bar on board

Lunch is served on the catamaran after the river visit. The crew prepares a BBQ on board, with drinks available throughout the day.

This is one of the most praised parts of the experience. A boat lunch saves you from leaving the route to find a restaurant, and the meal becomes part of the social atmosphere. Beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, juice, and non-alcoholic cocktails are included. Later, on the return journey, you get tea, coffee, and slices of cake.

Vegetarians should advise the operator before the trip so the chef can prepare a suitable meal. A lobster lunch is available as an extra, but it is not part of the $60 package.

The food is a practical value point. A cheaper-looking cruise can become expensive once you add lunch, drinks, and equipment. Here, the main costs are bundled together. You are paying for a long day at sea, not only transportation between Pointe Jerome and Ile aux Cerfs.

The one thing I would not assume is a restaurant-style dining experience. This is a friendly BBQ prepared by the crew on a working day boat. Expect a casual meal rather than formal service.

Time on the white sands of Ile aux Cerfs

After lunch, the boat cruises through the channel between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary. You then spend time on the island’s famous white sandbank.

This is the most relaxed part of the day. Ile aux Cerfs is known for pale sand, casuarina and palm trees, and clear turquoise water. You can swim, walk along the beach, sit in the sun, or simply enjoy the setting without a timetable for a little while.

The scheduled island time appears to be around 1.5 hours in at least one outing. That is enough for a swim and a short beach walk, but not enough to explore every facility or take part in several paid activities. The island offers optional water sports such as parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk, but you pay separately for those.

This short stop is worth understanding before booking. The cruise is not an Ile aux Cerfs beach day with a boat ride added. It is a complete east-coast excursion with a limited island visit. If you want many hours on the sand, a direct island transfer may suit you better. If you want snorkeling, a river visit, lunch, and a beach stop in one day, the timing makes sense.

The island can also be busy, especially because it is one of Mauritius’s best-known beach destinations. The boat and lagoon route give you more than a standard beach transfer, but you should not expect an empty private island.

The return sail to Pointe Jerome

Once your island time ends, you return to the catamaran and sail back to Pointe Jerome. Tea, coffee, cake, and the open bar are available during the ride.

This final stretch is useful downtime. You can sit under the shaded cockpit, dry off after the beach, or lie back on the trampolines if the sea is comfortable. The crew continues with music and conversation, which helps the return journey feel like part of the outing rather than a simple transfer.

The expected arrival back at the hotel is around 4:30 p.m., although the actual return depends on tide and wind. Since pickup and drop-off are optional, confirm whether your booking includes transport. If it does not, arrange your own way back from Pointe Jerome.

I would avoid scheduling an important evening activity too tightly after this cruise. Sea conditions can alter the timing, and the tour is meant to fill most of the day.

What the $60 price really covers

At $60 per person, this is good value if you use the included features. The package covers:

• The catamaran trip from Pointe Jerome
• Ile aux Cerfs
• The Grand River South East waterfall
• A snorkeling and swimming stop
• Snorkeling equipment
• BBQ lunch
• Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Tea, coffee, and cake on the return
• Toilet and shower facilities on the 42-foot boat

You still need to budget for transport if you want pickup and drop-off, plus any island water sports or lobster lunch. Those extras can change the final cost quickly.

The strongest value comes from the combination of food, drinks, and a full day on the water. The price is less compelling if you do not drink, do not care about the waterfall, and want only a short beach visit. In that case, a simpler beach transfer may be more suitable.

The main concern: confirm before you go

I would not book this experience casually and then forget about it. Most of the available feedback is strongly positive, with repeated praise for the crew, snorkeling, waterfall stop, BBQ, and overall value. French-speaking customers especially describe a welcoming crew that takes care of people throughout the day.

But there are three serious complaints involving no-show departures, unanswered phone calls, and claims that the operator was not present at the meeting point. The reports are not minor complaints about a late lunch or rough water. They concern whether the trip happened at all.

That creates a practical booking risk. Confirm the outing shortly before departure, arrive at Pointe Jerome early, and identify the representative by the blue teal shirt and Mauritius Taxi Service badge. If no one is present, contact the provider immediately and document your attempts.

This warning does not erase the positive experience described by other customers. It simply means reliability deserves more attention here than it would on a standard museum visit or hotel booking.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it most to you if you want:

• Several southeast Mauritius sights in one day
• A social catamaran atmosphere
• Swimming and casual snorkeling
• A prepared lunch with drinks included
• Time on a famous white sand beach
• French or English service
• A boat with shade, toilets, and showers

Families should find the mix of beach, swimming, wildlife, and food appealing, though adults should keep an eye on children around the water and during any boat transfer. Couples can enjoy the scenery, but should not expect a private or especially quiet cruise.

I would hesitate if your top priority is a guaranteed private experience, a long snorkeling session, close access to the waterfall, or many hours alone on Ile aux Cerfs. I would also postpone booking until you have confirmed the operator if your travel schedule is tight.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise?

Yes, with one important condition: confirm the departure directly before you travel to Pointe Jerome.

The actual day offers a lot for $60. You get a comfortable 42-foot catamaran, snorkeling, a river and waterfall visit, Ile aux Cerfs, BBQ lunch, an open bar, and a crew praised for its warm service. The day feels varied rather than repetitive, and the included meals and drinks make the price fair.

The reported no-show problems are serious enough to require caution. If the operator confirms your place and the representative is present at Pointe Jerome, this should be a fun, good-value way to see the southeast coast. If no confirmation arrives, do not assume everything is fine.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Pointe Jerome on the southeast coast of Mauritius.

What time does the cruise leave?

The scheduled departure time is 9:00 a.m.

What time does the cruise return?

The expected return is around 4:30 p.m., although the timing depends on tide and wind.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are optional extras, so check your booking and arrange transport if needed.

What language is used on the cruise?

The activity is offered in French and English.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a snorkeling and swimming stop.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is prepared and served on board. A lobster lunch costs extra.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, and juice. Tea, coffee, and cake are served on the return journey.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, change of clothes, camera, sunscreen, sun hat, and comfortable shoes.

Can vegetarians be catered for?

Yes, but you need to tell the operator in advance so the chef can prepare a suitable meal.

What happens if the sea is extremely rough?

The trip can be rescheduled when the weather is adverse and the sea is extremely rough. An alternative date should be offered, or you should receive a full refund if another date is unavailable.