Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

Five islands, one generous day at sea. This catamaran outing gives you a broad look at Mauritius’ southeast coast, mixing open-water cruising with swimming, snorkeling, island visits, a barbecue lunch, and a stop at Grand River South East Waterfall. I especially like the all-inclusive feel, with drinks and food served onboard, and the chance to see dolphins and giant tortoises in their natural setting.

The main drawback is pace. You cover a lot of water in 390 minutes, so some stops are brief. The waterfall visit lasts about 30 minutes, and Ile aux Aigrettes is viewed while passing rather than explored on foot. If you want one quiet beach with hours to spare, this is not that kind of boat day. If you want variety, good crew service and plenty of time on the water, it offers strong value at $82 per person.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Pointe D’Esny departure: You meet at the Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf, beside Pointe D’Esny, and should arrive at least 20 minutes before departure.
• A 390-minute outing: Plan on roughly six and a half hours, including the cruise, food, swimming, snorkeling, island stops, and waterfall sightseeing.
• Food and drinks included: The onboard barbecue comes with drinks, dessert, coffee, wine, beer, spirits, and welcome refreshments.
• Wildlife sightings are possible: Dolphins and tortoises are part of the experience, but sightings depend on nature and conditions.
• Not every island means a long visit: Ile aux Cerfs and Ile aux Fouquets receive attention, while Ile aux Aigrettes is seen from the boat.
• Bring proper footwear: Water shoes are useful, especially around Ile aux Cerfs. Flip-flops alone may be awkward.

Why This Catamaran Trip Works

Mauritius has many boat excursions, but this one makes a case for itself by combining several popular southeast coast sights in a single outing. You are not paying only for a short ride to a sandbar. The day includes a working itinerary of islands, coastal scenery, a waterfall, food, drinks, and time in the water.

I like this format for a first visit to Mauritius. You get a sense of the coast without arranging several separate trips. The boat becomes your base for the day, which means you can swim, eat, dry off, and return to the water without constantly changing vehicles.

The cruise is operated by Philao Boat Cruise, with English and French available. A private group can be arranged, which may appeal to families or friends who want more control over the pace. The regular setup is better for people who enjoy a social day with a crew and other passengers, although the exact group size is not provided.

The strongest part of the experience appears to be the crew. Pascal and Alex are specifically associated with a warm, well-run outing, while Jonathan is noted for helping with transportation. At the wharf, you are told to look for Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side when facing the sea. That small detail matters because Pointe Jerome is the sort of meeting place where clear instructions save time.

Starting at Pointe Jerome

Your meeting point is the Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf at Pointe D’Esny. You need to check in no later than 20 minutes before the scheduled departure, so do not treat the start time as the time to arrive.

The opening routine includes coffee and a safety briefing. That is a sensible beginning for a day involving swimming, snorkeling, and several hours on a moving boat. Use this moment to ask about the plan for the day and tell the operator about any meal restrictions, since dietary needs should be specified before the excursion.

Pick-up can be arranged for an extra charge if requested at least 48 hours before the date of the outing. If you are making your own way to the wharf, the stated meeting instructions are simple: report to Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side of the wharf while facing the sea.

You should arrive with sunscreen already applied, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and a camera. Water shoes are particularly useful. A beach or island stop can be less comfortable in bare feet, and a French-language note specifically warns against relying only on regular flip-flops at Ile aux Cerfs.

Cruising Toward Ile aux Cerfs

The main part of the day takes place around Ile aux Cerfs, one of the best-known island stops on this coast. Here, the program shifts between scenic cruising, swimming, snorkeling, food, and time to look around on your own.

This variety is valuable because no single activity has to carry the whole day. If you are keen to snorkel, you can focus on the clear water and fish. If you prefer not to get in, you can remain onboard with a drink and enjoy the view. If you want a beach setting, Ile aux Cerfs provides that change of scene.

The island is described as having an especially beautiful beach, and one of the strongest recommendations is to bring beach shoes. You may find the shoreline more comfortable with proper footwear than with ordinary flip-flops. Bring a towel and keep track of your personal items, since the schedule moves between boat and shore.

Snorkeling is one of the more appealing parts of the outing. The water is described as clear, and the experience includes marine-life viewing. Specific species beyond dolphins and tortoises are not promised, but one recent outing included very good fish sightings. You should treat wildlife encounters as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

Dolphin watching is also part of the plan. The crew may look for dolphins during the cruise, and several recent outings had close sightings. The same applies to tortoises, including giant tortoises. These moments can be memorable, but no responsible boat operator can promise them on a particular day.

Lunch, Drinks, and the Onboard Mood

The barbecue lunch is included in the price, along with drinks. The listed choices include beer, wine, spirits, coffee, dessert, and welcome refreshments. That makes the $82 price easier to assess, since you are not adding a separate lunch bill and a string of small drink purchases during a six-and-a-half-hour outing.

Food is served onboard, which keeps the day moving and lets you eat with the sea around you. The meal is not just a practical stop between activities. It is part of the social character of the trip, and the crew places clear emphasis on a friendly atmosphere.

Recent feedback gives the catering and drinks particularly strong marks. The food is described as excellent, and the crew as attentive. That is useful if you are choosing between a bare-bones transfer and a full boat day. Here, your ticket covers a proper meal and a drinks service rather than only transport.

Still, tell the operator about dietary restrictions in advance. The activity information specifically asks you to do this, and it is better to clarify before boarding than to discover limits once lunch is being prepared.

The onboard mood seems best suited to people who enjoy a relaxed, sociable cruise. You can sip a drink, look across the lagoon, and let the schedule carry you from one sight to the next. It is less suited to someone seeking silence, solitude, or a tightly focused snorkeling session.

Grand River South East Waterfall

The boat also visits Grand River South East Waterfall for about 30 minutes of sightseeing. This adds an inland-looking feature to a day otherwise built around sea and islands.

The stop gives you a change from the catamaran and lagoon. You can take in the waterfall and scenery before returning to the coastal route. Because the visit is short, keep your expectations measured. One recent assessment found the waterfall stop too quick, and that is a fair concern for anyone who wants time to linger.

Thirty minutes can work well for a quick look and photographs. It is not enough for an unhurried exploration. If the waterfall is your main reason for booking, this tour may feel rushed. If it is one piece of a wider day, the short stop helps preserve time for swimming, snorkeling, and the islands.

Ile aux Fouquets and the Old Lighthouse

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile au Phare, receives a dedicated visit of about 30 minutes. The stop includes a look around, self-guided time, and scenic views from the boat.

The lighthouse gives this part of the cruise a sense of place beyond beaches and swimming. You get a coastal landmark tied to the island’s past, while the boat route shows how these small islands sit within the wider lagoon. The visit is not presented as a long guided historical tour, so you should expect a short stop rather than a detailed lecture.

That can be a plus if you prefer freedom to look around at your own pace. It can be a drawback if you want extensive background about the lighthouse or the islands. The experience gives you a glimpse, not a full museum-style visit.

Passing Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes is included in the route, but you pass by it rather than go ashore. This distinction is important when you decide what kind of island experience you want.

From the boat, you can contemplate the island and take in the scenery without adding another landing to an already full schedule. It helps the cruise cover more of the southeast coast. On the other hand, you should not book this outing expecting a guided visit or walking tour of Ile aux Aigrettes.

The route is designed around changing views and short encounters. Some places are stops, while others are seen from the water. That is why the day feels full, but it also explains why the pace may seem brisk.

How the $82 Price Measures Up

At $82 per person, this is a midrange to strong-value boat excursion if you plan to use its full package. The price includes the five-island cruise, barbecue lunch, all drinks, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, the waterfall stop, and the services of professional skippers.

A cheaper boat trip might take you to one location, but you would need to compare what is included before deciding it is a better deal. Here, lunch and drinks remove several extra costs. The six-and-a-half-hour duration also gives you a full day’s activity rather than a short scenic ride.

The value is best for you if you want variety. You get a beach, snorkeling, wildlife watching, a lighthouse island, a waterfall, and time on the lagoon. The value is weaker if you dislike organized schedules or will skip swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and most island stops.

The private-group option may change the value calculation for families or groups of friends, but no private-group surcharge is provided. Ask for the current price before booking if this matters to you.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. Weather, sea conditions, and wildlife cannot be controlled, so flexible booking is helpful when planning your Mauritius days.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most

I would point this experience toward couples, families, and friends who want a broad introduction to the southeast coast. You do not need to choose between a beach stop and a scenic cruise because both are built into the day.

It also suits people who like having meals and drinks handled for them. You can focus on the water, views, and company rather than finding lunch between stops.

Snorkelers should find enough here to make the outing worthwhile, especially if you enjoy seeing fish in clear water without needing a specialist expedition. Wildlife enthusiasts may be pleased by dolphins and giant tortoises, but you need to accept that sightings are never certain.

This is less suitable for anyone who wants a quiet, private sail, a long visit at every island, or extensive time at the waterfall. The itinerary is active and varied, with short stops woven into a longer cruise.

What to Pack for the Catamaran

Keep your packing simple, but do not leave out the basics:

• Hat and sunscreen for long periods outside
• Swimwear and a towel
• Water shoes, especially for Ile aux Cerfs
• Flip-flops for easy movement around the boat
• Camera for the islands, waterfall, and wildlife
• Any information about meal restrictions, provided before departure

Pets are not allowed. You should also arrive ready to board, since late check-in could make the start stressful.

Should You Book the Five-Island Cruise?

Book it if you want a full southeast coast day with strong food and drink inclusions, swimming, snorkeling, island scenery, and a chance to see dolphins and tortoises. The crew’s friendly service, especially the care associated with Pascal, Alex, Jonathan, and Nathalie, adds to the appeal.

Skip it if your priority is a slow visit to one island or a long, detailed waterfall tour. The 30-minute waterfall stop and the pass-by view of Ile aux Aigrettes show that this is a sampler of the coast, not an in-depth visit to every place.

For most people, the $82 price is fair because it covers the boat, meal, drinks, water activities, and a long day of sightseeing. Bring water shoes, arrive early at Pointe Jerome, and tell the operator about meal restrictions. Those small steps will help you get the most from a busy but enjoyable day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf at Pointe D’Esny. On arrival, report to Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side of the wharf when facing the sea.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes a barbecue lunch, drinks, coffee, beer, wine, spirits, dessert, and welcome refreshments. You should specify any meal restrictions before the excursion.

Is swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are included, along with time to enjoy the clear Indian Ocean waters.

Which islands do you visit?

The route includes Ile aux Cerfs and Ile aux Fouquets, also known as Ile au Phare. You also pass by Ile aux Aigrettes and visit other island areas as part of the five-island cruise.

Can I arrange hotel pick-up?

Pick-up can be arranged at an additional cost if you request it at least 48 hours before the excursion date.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and water shoes. Pets are not allowed.