Exclusive Private Catamaran to Ile Aux Cerfs with Lunch

White sand, warm water, and a full day at sea. This private catamaran trip links several of Mauritius’s best coastal sights in one seven-hour outing. I especially like the chance to snorkel inside the island’s largest lagoon and the easygoing stop at Ile aux Cerfs, where you can trade the boat’s trampolines for soft white sand. The included BBQ lunch and open bar also make the $1,001 group price easier to understand.

The main caution is service quality. A verified booking from April 2025 reported a boat interior that was not very clean, no coffee or tea, and a crew that felt merely welcoming rather than eager to make the day special. You should also remember that this is a sea outing, so tides, wind, and heavy rain can affect the schedule.

Key Points to Know Before Booking

• Private 42-foot catamaran: The boat is reserved for your group of up to 10, with trampolines for sunbathing and relaxing.
• 09:00 departure from Pointe Jerome: Plan to reach the Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty in southeast Mauritius before departure.
• Snorkelling around 11:00: Equipment is included, with a stop inside the island’s largest lagoon.
• Grand River South East visit: The boat travels toward the river mouth for distant waterfall views, monkeys, and a giant bat colony.
• BBQ lunch and open bar: Beer, rum, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks are included, though coffee and tea are not listed.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: You get time on the famous white sand bank before returning to the jetty, with hotel arrival expected around 16:15.

What Your $1,001 Group Price Really Buys

At $1,001 per group of up to 10, the price works out to about $100 per person if you fill every place. For a couple, it is a far more expensive day, but the private format may still appeal if you want your own boat space and do not want to share the outing with a large public group.

The value comes from the package rather than from a single attraction. You receive a seven-hour catamaran cruise, light breakfast, snorkelling equipment, lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, a visit to Ile aux Cerfs, and a look at Grand River South East. A shared boat may cost less, but this option gives your group control over the social setting.

I would look at the price this way: it is strongest for a family group, a group of friends, or a small celebration where privacy matters. Ten people can make the cost reasonable. Two people paying the full amount should be sure they want a private charter, because the beach, lagoon, and waterfall views are not private sights.

The price does not cover hotel transfers. Pick up and drop off can be arranged for an additional charge, so your transport to Pointe Jerome needs attention before the morning of the cruise. Parasailing and tube riding also cost extra. A lobster lunch is available for an additional fee, while the standard meal is the included BBQ.

Starting at Pointe Jerome at 09:00

The day begins at the Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty in the southeast of Mauritius. A representative will meet you there in a uniform with an One Island Cruiser badge. That detail matters because the jetty can be a busy place, and knowing whom to look for removes some morning guesswork.

The listed departure time is 09:00. Your expected return to the hotel is around 16:15, although the exact timing depends on wind and tide. Even if you are using your own transport, allow enough time to arrive early. A late start could shorten your beach time or affect the sequence of stops.

Once aboard, the crew serves a light breakfast. It is not presented as a full meal, so do not count on a large morning spread. The open bar begins from the time you board, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available during the cruise.

The 42-foot catamaran gives you several ways to spend the morning. You can sit in the open areas, use the comfortable trampolines for sunbathing, or take in the views from the deck. Trampolines are pleasant when the sea is calm, though anyone prone to seasickness may prefer a steadier spot and a light breakfast rather than too much food or alcohol early in the day.

Snorkelling in the Largest Lagoon

At about 11:00, the catamaran stops for snorkelling inside the island’s largest lagoon. Equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear.

This stop is one of the strongest parts of the day. You are not only looking at the coast from the deck. You get a chance to enter the water and see the superb corals and brightly colored tropical fish described for the area. The warm water and clear conditions should make the stop appealing to confident swimmers and casual snorkellers alike.

Still, keep expectations sensible. Marine life is never arranged for easy viewing, and visibility can change with water conditions. The activity is also weather dependent in practical terms, even if the cruise runs. Bring a towel, a change of clothes, and sunscreen, and keep your camera protected from splashes.

The time of the snorkelling stop gives the day a useful rhythm. You begin with breakfast and sailing, then get active in the water before lunch. If you prefer not to snorkel, you can remain aboard and enjoy the scenery, though the trip’s value is lower if you plan to skip both the water stop and the beach.

Up the River Toward Grand River South East

After snorkelling, the catamaran follows the east coast and enters the mouth of Grand River South East. The route offers a change from open sea views to a river setting, with the chance to see a giant bat colony and monkeys living along the riverbank.

The waterfall is viewed from afar rather than visited at close range. That distinction is important. This is a scenic look from the boat, not a walk to the base of the falls or a separate waterfall excursion. The river section gives you another setting and a few memorable sights, but you should not book this trip mainly for a waterfall visit.

The mention of bats and monkeys adds interest, especially for anyone who enjoys wildlife. Sightings are not guaranteed, and the animals are part of the river scenery rather than a managed wildlife encounter. Bring binoculars if you already own a pair, but do not expect the crew to provide them.

This portion also makes the day feel less repetitive. A long cruise can become simply sun, sea, and drinks. The river passage breaks that pattern and gives the crew a chance to point out local sights. English and French are the listed guide languages, and the crew may share local tales and jokes during the outing.

BBQ Lunch, Drinks, and the Food Caveat

Lunch is prepared aboard by the crew and served after the river visit. The standard meal is a BBQ, with a selection of beer, rum, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. For many people, that combination is a major part of the pleasure: you eat on the water, without leaving the boat to find a restaurant.

A vegetarian option is available, but you need to advise the operator at booking so the chef can prepare for it. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance. The information provided does not give a full menu, so anyone with strict dietary needs should ask for more detail before paying.

The lobster lunch is not included. It costs extra, which is easy to miss if you assume every food option belongs to the standard package. I would treat the BBQ as the basic meal and consider lobster only if it is important to you and the added charge is clear.

There is also a small but useful expectation-setting point: coffee and tea are not listed among the drinks. One verified booking specifically noted the absence of both and wished for a simple dessert such as fruit or ice cream. If you like a hot drink after breakfast or expect a sweet finish after lunch, bring that expectation down.

The food is served in a casual boat setting, not a formal dining room. That is part of the charm, but it also means the condition of the interior matters. The same booking reported that the inside of the boat was not very clean. You may spend most of the day outdoors, yet this is still a fair concern when lunch and breakfast are served as part of the experience.

Ile aux Cerfs and the White Sand Bank

After lunch, the catamaran cruises through the canal between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary. The boat then drops you at the famous white sand bank of Ile aux Cerfs for time ashore.

This is the postcard part of the trip. You can walk on the white sand, swim, dry off in the sun, and enjoy the warm-water setting at your own pace. After spending the morning moving between the sea, lagoon, and river, the beach stop gives you an uncomplicated place to relax.

I like that Ile aux Cerfs comes after lunch rather than at the very start. You have already had the active part of the day, including snorkelling, so the beach works as a pause before the return cruise. If you want a busy schedule, you can add paid water sports such as parasailing or tube riding. Those activities are not included, so check the extra charges before agreeing to them.

The beach is also where expectations need a little balance. Ile aux Cerfs is famous for its beauty, but this is not an untouched private island experience. The attraction is the sand, water, and setting, while the private part of the trip is your catamaran group, not exclusive ownership of the beach.

Your time ashore is followed by reboarding and the cruise back to the hotel jetty. The exact return time can change with tide and wind. Plan your evening with some flexibility rather than booking a tight dinner or another fixed activity soon after the stated 16:15 arrival.

Crew Style, Music, and Boat Comfort

The crew is described as friendly and willing to share local tales and jokes. Mauritian sega music may play during the cruise, giving the return journey a local touch and helping keep the mood relaxed. That music, along with the open bar and outdoor seating, fits the informal character of a private day at sea.

But the service may not be consistently polished. The April 2025 booking described the staff as just welcoming, without much effort to make the day more enjoyable. That is a useful warning for anyone choosing this trip for special-occasion service. The boat can provide the setting, but the atmosphere depends heavily on how proactive the crew is on your particular departure.

You should also expect a practical catamaran rather than a luxury yacht. The vessel is 42 feet long and designed for day charters. It has comfortable trampolines, but the available information does not promise cabins, air conditioning, showers, or a formal dining area.

Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, a camera, spare clothes, and a change of clothes. Bring your own towel because one is not included. A waterproof pouch for your phone is sensible, though it is not specifically listed as required.

Weather, Swimming, and Who Will Enjoy It Most

This cruise suits people who want several coastal experiences in one day and like being outside. It works particularly well for:

• Families or friend groups that can share the private group price
• Couples who place a high value on privacy
• Confident swimmers and casual snorkellers
• People who enjoy a relaxed day with music and drinks
• Visitors who want Ile aux Cerfs without arranging separate sea, river, and beach outings

It may be less suitable if you want a tightly managed luxury service, a detailed wildlife tour, or a close-up waterfall visit. It is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes boat movement, hot sun, or time in the water.

Cyclones and torrential rain can affect operations. If the operator cancels because of a cyclone or torrential rainfall alert, you receive a full refund. That protects you from the most serious weather disruption, but ordinary wind and tide changes can still affect the schedule.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when your Mauritius plans are still taking shape, but they do not remove the need to check the weather and your transport plans close to the date.

Is This Private Catamaran Worth Booking?

I would book this trip if you have a group of up to 10 and want a full day that combines snorkelling, a river visit, BBQ lunch, drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs. The private format and all-in-one route are the main reasons to choose it. Filling the boat also makes the $1,001 price much easier to justify.

I would hesitate if you are a couple on a tight budget, expect spotless luxury, or care strongly about polished service. The reported lack of coffee, tea, dessert, and interior cleanliness may sound minor, but those details shape how a long day feels.

My practical call: book it for the private group setting and the mix of stops, not for gourmet food or high-end hospitality. Confirm the vegetarian or allergy arrangements, ask about transfer cost, pack your own towel and spare clothes, and keep your afternoon flexible. If those points suit you, this can be a pleasant and efficient way to see the southeast coast and spend time on one of Mauritius’s most famous beaches.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

It departs at 09:00 from the Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty at Pointe Jerome in the southeast of Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts seven hours. Expected arrival back at the hotel is around 16:15, but tide and wind can affect the timing.

Is the catamaran private?

Yes. The experience is for a private group of up to 10 people and uses a 42-foot catamaran.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. The cruise includes a snorkelling stop inside the island’s largest lagoon and provides snorkelling equipment.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch, alcoholic drinks such as beer, rum, and cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Lobster lunch costs extra.

Is hotel pick up included?

No. Pick up and drop off are available for an additional charge. You need to arrange your transport to and from the Pointe Jerome jetty unless you pay for the extra service.