Exclusive Private Catamaran Adventure: Ile aux Cerf (Full Day Cruise incl Lunch)

Mauritius looks best from the water. This full-day private catamaran trip links several east-coast highlights in one outing: Trou d’Eau Douce, Grand River South East, a lagoon snorkeling stop, and Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the private format and the included hotel pickup, since you avoid sharing a boat with a large tour group or arranging separate transport.

I also like the generous package: snorkeling equipment, a three-course barbecue lunch, hotel transport, and an open selection of local drinks are included. The main caution is value. At $993.32 per group of up to four, this can make sense for four people, but it becomes a very expensive day for only two. One 3-out-of-5 assessment praised the scenery but felt the boat seemed old, the meal was only average, and the experience offered less personal choice than the price suggested.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for up to four: Your group gets the catamaran experience without other tour groups joining the activity.
• Three major water stops: You visit the Grand River South East waterfall, snorkel in the lagoon, and spend time on Ile aux Cerfs.
• Full-day timing: Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m., boarding is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., and return to Trou d’Eau Douce is expected around 4 p.m.
• Lunch and drinks included: The package covers a three-course barbecue meal plus wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum.
• Extra charges apply: Parasailing, tube riding, undersea walking, and lobster lunch are not part of the base price.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can cancel the trip, with a different date or full refund offered by the operator in that situation.

What the private price really buys you

The headline price is $993.32 per group, with a maximum of four people. Split four ways, that works out to about $248.33 per person. For two people, the cost rises to roughly $496.66 each. That difference changes the decision completely.

For four friends or a family group, the price includes transport from your accommodation, a private vehicle, a private catamaran outing, lunch, drinks, equipment, and guide and driver services. You are paying not only for the boat but also for the convenience of having the day arranged from hotel door to hotel door.

For two people, I would look closely at your priorities. If privacy, flexibility within the planned schedule, and a polished special-occasion day matter most, the price may be acceptable. If you mainly want to reach Ile aux Cerfs, swim, and see the waterfall, less costly shared options may offer better value.

The private label does not mean you can redesign every part of the day. The route and stops are already set. That point matters because the 3-out-of-5 assessment specifically felt there was not much room for individual preferences despite the cost. Think of this as a private version of a popular east-coast day cruise, not a completely custom sailing charter.

From your hotel to Trou d’Eau Douce

Pickup is offered from any accommodation or hotel in Mauritius, using a fully air-conditioned private vehicle. The stated starting time is 8:30 a.m., though the exact pickup time can vary with your location. You should confirm the time before departure and leave room in your morning plans.

The road journey takes you toward Trou d’Eau Douce, a fishing village on Mauritius’s east coast. The catamaran is scheduled to leave at 9:30 a.m., so the early pickup is practical rather than decorative. You need time to reach the coast, meet the guide, and board without rushing.

Once aboard, the crew provides local music and conversation. The day is meant to feel easygoing, with drinks available throughout and time to sit back between stops. The company provides a certified guide and driver, but the supplied details do not give individual guide names, so you should not expect a named specialist-led tour.

One useful point is the small group limit. Up to four people can share the private boat, which suits a family or a group of friends who want to talk, eat, and swim together without strangers at the table. It also gives you a quieter setting than a large excursion boat, though the boat itself may not feel new. That older-boat criticism is the clearest warning in the available feedback.

Grand River South East waterfall by speedboat

The first major stop is Grand River South East, one of the east coast’s best-known river and waterfall visits. After reaching the river, you transfer to a speedboat for the short run upstream, about 500 meters, to the waterfall.

This transfer adds some energy to the morning. You are not simply sailing past the river mouth. You get a short ride inland and a view of the falls from the water. The riverbanks are also a good place to watch for monkeys moving through the older trees. Mauritian fruit bats may be perched high above the river as you approach the waterfall.

The waterfall visit is scheduled for about 30 minutes. That is enough for a look and some photographs, but not enough for a long walk or a relaxed nature stop. Keep your expectations in proportion: this is a compact sightseeing visit folded into a boating day.

After the waterfall, you return to the catamaran and continue toward Ile aux Cerfs. The order works well because the river stop breaks up the sailing before the main beach and lagoon portion of the excursion.

Snorkeling in the east-coast lagoon

The catamaran then moves into clear lagoon water for a swimming and snorkeling break. Equipment is supplied, which saves you from bringing a mask and snorkel of your own. You should still bring a towel and spare clothes, since both are specifically left to you.

The snorkeling appeal is straightforward: coral reefs and tropical fish in shallow lagoon water. The description promises hundreds of brightly colored fish, but marine life is never guaranteed at a precise spot or on every outing. Conditions, water clarity, and timing can affect what you see.

This is a useful part of the trip if you want more than beach photographs. You can get into the water, look around the reef area, and then return to the boat for lunch. If you do not snorkel, the stop still works as a swimming break, but you may find the water time less rewarding than someone who enjoys looking below the surface.

Because this is a full-day cruise, bring sun protection and clothing that can handle repeated transitions between water and boat. The supplied information confirms towels are not included. That is a small detail, but forgetting one can make the rest of the day less comfortable.

Barbecue lunch and the open drink service

Lunch is a three-course barbecue meal served either on the beach or aboard the catamaran. The stated menu includes vegetables, rice or pasta salads, and grilled garlic bread. Grilled chicken and sausages are named among the main-course choices, with vegetarian and Halal options available when requested in advance.

You should advise the operator about vegetarian needs, food allergies, or illness at booking time. Do not wait until boarding. The meal is included, but a lobster lunch costs extra, and the price is not specified in the supplied information.

The open drink service is one of the stronger inclusions. It covers locally available wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and rum. That can add real value during a long day on the water, especially for a group that would otherwise buy drinks separately.

Still, I would keep expectations grounded. A barbecue served in a beach or boat setting is convenient and fitting for the day, but it is not a restaurant meal. The 3-out-of-5 assessment found the food merely acceptable. If lunch quality is central to your plans, the included meal may not justify the premium by itself.

Three hours around Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main event. The island is known for white sand, palm trees, and clear turquoise water, and the approach by catamaran gives you the best visual introduction. The schedule allows about three hours here, either as part of the lunch and snorkeling block or as a separate island visit after those activities.

You can walk along the beach, swim, sit in the sand, or simply enjoy the view. The island is designed for an easy outdoor day, so you do not need to fill every minute with an organized activity.

Several water sports are available at extra cost. These include parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking. Since they are not included, ask about prices before committing. If your group wants these activities, the final cost can move well above the advertised package price.

This is where the private format can feel most useful. Your group can choose how much time to spend swimming, walking, or resting, within the overall schedule. But do not confuse private transport with unlimited island time. The boat has a planned return, and the day still follows a shared timetable between its major stops.

Ile aux Cerfs can also feel busy because it is a popular island destination. The supplied information does not promise an empty beach or a secluded setting. You are paying for the route, the private boat, and the included services, not for exclusive use of the island.

Sailing back to Trou d’Eau Douce

The return sail to Trou d’Eau Douce is expected around 4 p.m. From there, the driver takes you back to your hotel. The total experience lasts about seven to eight hours, although the road distance from your accommodation can affect the full day.

The final sail gives you a slower stretch after the waterfall, snorkeling, lunch, and island time. That pace is welcome, but anyone hoping for constant activity may find the later hours relaxed rather than event-packed.

The vehicle transfer is a practical benefit. You do not need to arrange a taxi at the coast or worry about getting back after drinks. If you are staying far from Trou d’Eau Douce, though, your day may begin earlier and end later than the advertised cruise times.

Who should book this private cruise?

I would consider this trip for a group of four who want a simple, all-in-one day and value privacy. Families can benefit from the private vehicle and boat, while friends may appreciate having lunch and drinks without joining a large group.

It also suits people who want several east-coast highlights in one outing. You see a river waterfall, spend time in the lagoon, visit Ile aux Cerfs, and return by boat, rather than choosing only one of those activities.

You may want to skip it if you are a couple on a tight budget, since the per-person price becomes steep. I would also hesitate if you care strongly about a modern boat or refined food. The available 3-out-of-5 assessment raises both concerns, and the base package does not include the popular paid water sports.

The trip is not a good choice if weather is likely to disrupt your plans. It requires good weather, and the operator may cancel during a cyclone or torrential rain alert. In that case, the stated policy offers a new date or full refund when the operator cancels, but the standard customer cancellation policy is non-refundable and does not allow changes for any reason.

Practical details that can make the day better

Ask for the exact pickup time based on your hotel. The published start time is 8:30 a.m., but pickup varies by location.

Bring a towel and spare clothes for snorkeling. Wear something comfortable for both the boat and beach, and pack sun protection.

Tell the operator about vegetarian food, Halal requirements, allergies, or illness at booking. Vegetarian and Halal meals are available, but advance notice is important.

Budget separately for parasailing, tube riding, undersea walking, and lobster lunch. None is included in the quoted group price.

Remember that at least two people are required to book. Most people can participate, and the meeting area is near public transportation, though hotel pickup is already included.

Should you book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran day?

Book it if you have four people, want a private boat, and prefer one organized day with transport, lunch, snorkeling gear, drinks, the waterfall, and Ile aux Cerfs all bundled together. The route is attractive, the schedule covers the east coast’s main water-based sights, and the private setting is the strongest reason to choose it.

Think twice if you have only two people or expect a new boat and gourmet lunch. The price is high, optional activities cost extra, and the available assessment raises fair concerns about the boat’s condition, food, and limited personalization.

My practical verdict: good for a private group day, less convincing as a luxury splurge. Split four ways, it offers reasonable convenience. For two, compare the cost with shared cruises before paying, and confirm the boat, menu, and weather arrangements in advance.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran experience last?

The cruise and activities take about seven to eight hours. Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m., the catamaran departs Trou d’Eau Douce at about 9:30 a.m., and return to Trou d’Eau Douce is expected around 4 p.m.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Mauritius, private air-conditioned transportation, the private catamaran activity, a three-course lunch, waterfall sightseeing, snorkeling equipment, selected unlimited local drinks, and guide and driver services.

Is lunch suitable for vegetarians or Halal diets?

Yes. Vegetarian and Halal lunch options are available. You should advise the operator about dietary needs when booking, along with any food allergies or illness.

Are water sports included?

No. Parasailing, tube riding, and undersea walking cost extra. Lobster lunch also has an additional charge.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring your own towel and spare clothes for snorkeling. The supplied information does not state that towels are provided.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, a different date or a full refund is offered. Customer cancellations are otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed.