Catamaran cruise to Ile aux Cerfs from Pointe Jerome

Paradise comes with a boat schedule. This seven-hour cruise from Pointe Jerome combines Ile aux Cerfs beaches, lagoon snorkeling, a Grand River South East waterfall stop, BBQ lunch, and an open bar for about $60 per person. I like the generous mix of swimming, scenery, food, and time ashore, and I like that the 42-foot catamaran has shade, toilets, showers, and space to stretch out.

The main drawback is reliability. Several people have reported arriving at Pointe Jerome and finding no representative or boat, with phone calls unanswered. Most of the available feedback is strongly positive about the crew and the day itself, but this serious meeting-point problem means you should confirm the departure shortly before going.

Key points to know before booking

• The day begins at 9:00 a.m. from Pointe Jerome, with an expected return near 4:30 p.m., depending on wind and tide.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop, with white sand, palm and casuarina trees, turquoise water, and time for swimming or a walk.
• The snorkeling stop is scheduled around 11:00 a.m., inside the island’s largest lagoon, with equipment supplied.
• Grand River South East is viewed from the water, including the waterfall, riverbank monkeys, and a giant bat colony.
• BBQ lunch and an open bar are included, with beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, juice, tea, coffee, and cake.
• A 42-foot catamaran provides shade and facilities, but the trip may be rescheduled if the sea becomes extremely rough.

Leaving Pointe Jerome at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting point is the Pointe Jerome embarkation area on Mauritius’s southeast coast. Look for a representative wearing a blue-teal shirt and a Mauritius Taxi Service badge. That person is meant to guide you to the correct catamaran, so do not simply follow the first boat crew you see.

I would arrive early. The stated departure is 9:00 a.m., and one failed departure reportedly involved a long wait from 8:45 until nearly 10:00 with no representative appearing. That kind of start can spoil an otherwise fine day, so save the provider’s phone number, confirm the meeting point in advance, and keep screenshots of your booking and payment details.

Once aboard, the boat is set up for a full day outside. The 42-foot catamaran has a large shaded cockpit, seating, and forward trampolines for sunbathing. You also have access to a toilet and shower, useful facilities on a seven-hour trip where swimming and saltwater are part of the plan.

The route follows the southeast coast. This is a pleasant time to settle in, take photographs, and enjoy the open bar. The crew also plays Mauritian sega music and shares local tales and jokes, creating a more social atmosphere than a quiet sailing charter. If you want a peaceful ride, the shaded seating area should be your first choice. If you want sun and a clear view of the water, the trampolines are more appealing.

Snorkeling in the lagoon around 11:00 a.m.

The first major activity is a swimming and snorkeling stop in the largest lagoon around the island. The water is described as clear, and the purpose of the stop is to see corals and brightly colored tropical fish.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which makes this easy if you are not carrying your own mask and fins. You should still bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and a change of clothes. The supplied information does not promise a particular species count or a guaranteed calm-water experience, so think of this as a good chance to see local marine life rather than a specialist wildlife excursion.

The stop is especially useful because it breaks up the sailing before lunch. You can cool off in the lagoon, then return to the boat for food and more coastline views. If you are not comfortable snorkeling, the main value is still the swim. The boat’s facilities also make changing easier, though a dry change of clothes will be welcome later in the day.

Tide and wind matter here. The catamaran may move differently from the advertised schedule, and the water conditions can affect how enjoyable the snorkeling feels. The trip is rescheduled only when weather is adverse or the sea is extremely rough, not simply because rain is falling. That is a sensible policy for a sea outing, but it means a cloudy day does not automatically cancel the cruise.

Grand River South East and its waterfall

After snorkeling, the catamaran continues along the east coast toward the mouth of Grand River South East. This part of the day adds more than a beach stop. You get a look at the river meeting the sea, with the waterfall visible from the water.

The boat also passes areas where monkeys live along the riverbank and where giant bats gather. These sightings are not presented as a formal wildlife tour, so keep your camera ready and your expectations sensible. You might see the animals clearly, or you might get only a brief look depending on distance, movement, and tide.

A useful detail from the day’s operation is that the waterfall visit can involve changing to another boat. That makes sense in a river mouth where a smaller craft may handle the route better, but it also adds a transfer and some waiting. If you have limited mobility, ask about this before booking, since the experience includes movement between boats rather than one uninterrupted ride.

The waterfall itself is seen from afar rather than reached on foot. That is worth understanding before you go. The appeal is the combination of river, forested banks, wildlife, and coastal scenery, not a long waterfall hike or a close-up swimming stop beneath the falls.

BBQ lunch with an open bar

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran after the river visit. The crew prepares a BBQ, and the meal is one of the most praised parts of the outing. It is a practical arrangement: you do not lose beach time searching for a restaurant, and the boat keeps moving or pauses in attractive water while you eat.

The included drinks are unusually generous for a $60 day trip. The open bar includes beer, rum, cocktails, soft drinks, and juice. Tea, coffee, and slices of cake are served later on the return ride. Alcohol is available throughout the day, so pace yourself carefully in the sun, especially if you plan to snorkel or swim again.

Vegetarian food is available if you notify the operator ahead of time. Do not wait until you are seated at lunch. The chef needs advance notice to prepare something suitable.

A lobster lunch is an optional extra, not part of the standard price. I would treat the included BBQ as the better value for most people, since the $60 price already covers the boat, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the principal stops. Choose the lobster only if that particular meal matters to you and you have checked the extra cost.

Arriving at Ile aux Cerfs

After lunch, the catamaran enters the channel between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary before reaching the island’s famous white sand bank. This is the part of the trip most people picture when they think of a Mauritius catamaran day.

Ile aux Cerfs is known for casuarina and palm trees, white beaches, and bright turquoise water. The setting is made for simple pleasures: stroll along the sand, swim in the lagoon, sit under the trees, or take photographs of the water and shore.

The island has facilities and optional water sports, including parasailing, tube riding, and an undersea walk. These activities cost extra. That is helpful if your group wants more action, but you should not feel obliged to add anything. The beach stop already gives you the classic island experience included in the fare.

Allow roughly 90 minutes for the island portion on a typical run, while remembering that the exact time can change with tide and wind. That is enough for a walk and swim, but not enough to explore every corner or fit in several paid activities. If you want a long, unhurried beach day, this cruise may feel too structured. If you want several different experiences in one outing, the shorter stop is a fair trade.

The shoreline may be busy, particularly because Ile aux Cerfs is one of Mauritius’s most popular day destinations. The catamaran format helps you reach the beach without arranging a separate boat, but it does not turn the island into a private retreat. Come for the scenery and variety, not complete solitude.

Sailing back with sega music and cake

After the island stop, you return to the catamaran for the trip back to Pointe Jerome. Tea, coffee, and cake are served, while the open bar remains available.

This final stretch is less about sightseeing and more about enjoying the boat. The crew’s music, jokes, and stories help keep the mood light. Feedback about the staff is especially strong, with repeated praise for a friendly, attentive crew and good explanations. French and English are the working languages, so the cruise suits mixed-language groups.

The scheduled return is around 4:30 p.m., though the operator gives tide and wind as reasons the timing can shift. Do not plan a tightly timed evening activity immediately afterward. Hotel pickup and drop-off are optional rather than included, so you need to arrange your own way to Pointe Jerome unless you add transport.

Is the $60 price good value?

At $60 per person, this is a strong package if you want a full day on the water rather than a short sightseeing cruise. You receive:

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

Paying separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a beach transfer could quickly cost more. The open bar is a major part of the value, although it matters less if you do not drink alcohol.

The price does not include transportation to Pointe Jerome, paid water sports, or lobster lunch. Those extras can change the final cost, so I would decide ahead of time whether your group wants them. The standard package is already full enough for one day.

The trip also offers more variety than a simple beach transfer. You see the coast, swim in the lagoon, look for river wildlife, view a waterfall, eat on board, and spend time on Ile aux Cerfs. The compromise is that none of these activities receives unlimited time.

What to pack for this catamaran day

Keep your packing simple and practical. Bring a towel, sunscreen, sun hat, camera, comfortable shoes, and dry clothes. A change of clothes is particularly useful after snorkeling and swimming.

Comfortable shoes matter when moving around the boat and during the island stop. You should also protect your camera from spray and keep personal items secure while you swim.

The catamaran has shade, but you will still spend many hours outdoors. Apply sunscreen before boarding and renew it after swimming. The open bar and warm weather can make dehydration easy to miss, so alternate alcoholic drinks with water or soft drinks.

Who will enjoy it most?

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families, and groups who want a social day with plenty included. It works well for people who prefer a planned route and do not want to organize separate transport, snorkeling, lunch, and boat tickets.

It also suits first-time visitors who want several southeast coast highlights in one outing. The combination of the waterfall, lagoon, and Ile aux Cerfs gives you a useful introduction to the area.

You may want another option if your priority is a quiet, private sailing experience, a serious wildlife tour, or several hours alone on the beach. The boat includes music, jokes, drinks, and group activities, so the mood is more cheerful day out than private escape.

The physical demands are moderate but not zero. You need to board the catamaran, swim or snorkel from the boat if you choose to do so, and possibly change vessels for the river portion. Ask the operator about that transfer if you have mobility concerns.

The one booking concern I would not ignore

The cruise itself earns very strong marks for its crew, lunch, scenery, snorkeling, and overall value. But there are multiple serious reports of the operator failing to appear at Pointe Jerome, with no answer on the supplied phone number. That is not a minor inconvenience. It can cost you a day and leave you without a clear way to recover your plans.

Before committing, confirm the departure time and meeting point directly. Arrive early, identify the blue-teal-shirted representative with the Mauritius Taxi Service badge, and keep the cancellation and refund terms available. The stated policy allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if rough seas force a change.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want excellent inclusions for around $60, a friendly social crew, a BBQ lunch, an open bar, snorkeling, and a well-filled day around Mauritius’s southeast coast. The strongest parts are the variety and the value. You are not paying only to sit on a boat.

I would book cautiously rather than blindly. Confirm that the departure is operating, especially if your schedule is tight, and avoid pairing it with an important evening commitment. If the meeting arrangements are verified, this is a lively and practical way to see Ile aux Cerfs. If the operator cannot confirm your trip, choose a more dependable option.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from the Pointe Jerome embarkation point in southeast Mauritius. A representative wearing a blue-teal shirt and a Mauritius Taxi Service badge is expected to guide you to the catamaran.

What time does the cruise start and end?

Departure is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. The expected return is around 4:30 p.m., although wind and tide can affect the timing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is prepared and served on board. Vegetarian food can be arranged if you advise the operator before the trip.

Are drinks included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a stop for swimming and snorkeling in the lagoon.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip can be rescheduled if conditions are adverse and the sea is extremely rough. Rain alone does not automatically mean cancellation. An alternative date is offered, or a full refund is issued if another date is not available.