Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

Five islands, one sunny day. This 7-hour power catamaran cruise gives you a broad taste of southeast Mauritius, from snorkeling at Eau Bleue to time at Île aux Cerfs, with a BBQ lunch and drinks included. I especially like the small-group format and the chance to mix active water time with easy hours on deck. I also like that the route includes less familiar sights such as Île au Phare and Île aux Aigrettes, not just the best-known beach stop.

The main thing to consider is the pace. You cover several places in one day, so some stops are brief rather than leisurely. The boat is designed to move quickly, and one recent passenger specifically praised its newer build and full-speed ride. That will please anyone who wants plenty of ground covered, but it may feel brisk if you prefer long, quiet stays at one beach.

The cruise leaves at 9:30 a.m. and returns around 4 p.m. Jonathan meets you at the Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in a Catamaran Cruises T-shirt. French and English are spoken, and the crew has earned especially strong praise for being professional, helpful, and good at offering advice.

Five Useful Things to Know Before You Go

• The $82 price includes the main day’s essentials: the catamaran ride, drinks, BBQ lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and the island route.
• Île aux Cerfs is the headline stop, but the route also takes in Île au Fouquet, Île au Phare, and views of Île aux Aigrettes.
• Eau Bleue is the snorkeling stop, with clear water and a chance to see the underwater life around the reef.
• The boat is a powered catamaran, so you get a faster ride than on a purely sailing-focused cruise.
• Dolphins and sea turtles are possible sightings, not guarantees. Keep your camera ready, but treat them as a bonus.
• Transfers are not included, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Why This Cruise Works Well in Southeast Mauritius

Southeast Mauritius is a good place for a boat day because the scenery changes often. You move through lagoon water, small offshore islands, reef areas, historic sights, and sandy beach country without spending the whole day on one narrow stretch of coast.

I like this sort of route for a first visit. You get a sample of several parts of the region in one outing, and the water keeps the day feeling relaxed even when the schedule is full. The boat also gives you a comfortable base between stops, with drinks available and lunch served onboard.

This is not a private charter. It is a small-group cruise, which means you share the boat and the schedule with other people. That keeps the mood social and helps make the $82 cost reasonable, but you will not have complete control over how long the boat stays at each location.

The supplied information does not give a precise passenger count, so do not assume an intimate six-person trip. Still, the small-group setup should feel more personal than a large coach-and-boat operation, especially with professional skippers and guides working in both French and English.

Meeting Jonathan at Pointe Jerome

Your day begins at the Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point. Look for Jonathan wearing a Catamaran Cruises T-shirt. The listed departure time is 9:30 a.m., with a return at about 4 p.m., giving you a full seven hours on the water.

The meeting details use both Pointe Jerome and Pointe D’Esny in the trip description. For that reason, check your final booking information carefully so you go to the correct embarkation point. Transfers are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting place.

Bring beachwear, a change of clothes, and a camera. Motion sickness prevention is sensible if you are prone to discomfort on boats. High heels, large bags, oversized luggage, baby strollers, non-folding strollers, baby carriages, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

Pack lightly. A day bag with dry clothes and personal essentials is more useful than a large suitcase, especially when you are moving between swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.

The Power Catamaran Ride

The boat is a powered catamaran, not a slow sailboat. That matters because the route covers several islands and water stops in one day. You spend less time waiting between places and more time seeing different parts of the coast.

One passenger from Denmark praised the newer boat and its full-speed ride, while also noting that the guides handled both French and English well. Expect a ride with some energy to it rather than a silent drift across the lagoon.

The twin-hull design should provide a broad deck and a useful place to sit between stops, though the exact seating arrangement is not specified. I would choose your spot early if you have a strong preference for shade, sun, or an unobstructed view.

The crew is another important part of the experience. Feedback from a January booking praised the team as professional, helpful, and willing to give good advice. That is valuable on a water day, where clear instructions and calm handling matter as much as scenery.

Mahébourg and the First Views

The route includes Mahébourg with scenic views along the way, local snacks, drinks, and a safety briefing. The listed stop lasts about 30 minutes, so think of it as an introduction to the coast rather than a full town visit.

The safety briefing is a useful start before swimming and snorkeling. Pay attention to the crew’s instructions, especially if you are not used to open-water conditions.

Mahébourg gives the cruise a local setting before the island stops begin in earnest. You may have time to take photos and enjoy the views, but this is not presented as a long walking tour or a detailed historical visit. The value here is the setting and the transition onto the water.

Snorkeling at Eau Bleue

The Grand Port District section includes a 20-minute swimming and snorkeling stop at Eau Bleue. This is one of the most active parts of the day, so have your beachwear ready and keep your camera protected from water.

The clear conditions are the draw. You can look below the surface at colorful coral and marine life, then return to the catamaran for a break. The stop is short, so you will want to get organized quickly rather than spend several minutes searching through your bag.

The information provided does not state whether snorkeling equipment is supplied, so confirm that point before departure. It does clearly include swimming and snorkeling, but it does not list masks, fins, or other personal gear separately.

I would rate this as a good sampler stop rather than a full reef session. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, the 20-minute timing may feel limited. If you want a balanced day with several sights, it is enough to add a refreshing burst of water time without taking over the entire schedule.

Île aux Cerfs and the BBQ Lunch

Île aux Cerfs is the best-known stop on the route and likely the place many people picture when they book. The island section includes beer, wine, and a BBQ lunch, with around 30 minutes shown for the stop.

That timing deserves a practical note. Thirty minutes is not a long beach visit, especially if lunch, drinks, swimming, and photos all compete for your attention. The schedule may allow the food service and a short look around, but do not plan on a lazy half-day at the island.

The benefit is convenience. Your meal is included, and you do not need to find a restaurant or leave the boat to eat. Lunch onboard or during the island stop also keeps the day moving and leaves more room for the other sights.

Drinks are included throughout the cruise, with beer, wine, cocktails, and other onboard options listed. The exact drink selection may vary, so expect a relaxed social bar rather than a specialist tasting experience.

Île aux Cerfs is a strong fit if you want famous beach scenery without arranging a separate island transfer. It is less suitable if you want a long, unhurried stretch of sand with no schedule.

The Waterfall and the Smaller Islands

The cruise includes a waterfall visit, though the supplied details do not name the waterfall or give a precise stop length. Treat this as one of the day’s scenic extras rather than planning a major hike or extended visit.

The route also gives you views of Île au Fouquet, Île au Phare, Île aux Cerfs, and Île aux Aigrettes. Some of these islands are viewed from the boat rather than visited on foot, so your camera will be more useful than walking shoes.

Île au Phare, also called Lighthouse Island, receives a dedicated visit. The lighthouse adds a different note to the day, giving you a historic coastal marker among all the lagoon scenery. The details do not promise an interior tour, so expect to see and photograph the island rather than take part in a long museum-style visit.

Île aux Aigrettes is passed by during the cruise. That still matters because the island becomes part of the wider picture of the southeast coast, but you should not expect to land there.

This mix of stops keeps the outing from becoming just a beach transfer. You see islands that are visited, islands that are viewed from the water, and natural sights that appear along the route. The tradeoff is that each individual place gets limited time.

Dolphin Watching and Sea Turtles

The cruise includes dolphin watching in the Grand Port District and the possibility of seeing sea turtles along the way. The wording is important: these are wildlife opportunities, not scheduled animal encounters.

You may be lucky, but no responsible boat trip can promise dolphins or turtles on a particular day. Keep your camera close and listen for directions from the crew if an animal appears. It is better to enjoy a brief sighting without expecting a staged show.

For many people, this is one of the most memorable parts of the cruise. It adds a little anticipation to the stretches between islands, and it gives the day a natural element beyond swimming and beach views.

At the same time, do not choose this cruise solely for dolphins. If none appear, the included snorkeling, island scenery, lunch, and waterfall visit still form the core of the day.

What the $82 Price Really Buys You

At $82 per person, this is a mid-range full-day water outing. The strongest part of the value is how much is bundled into the cost: a seven-hour cruise, a power catamaran, drinks, a BBQ lunch, swimming, snorkeling, island views, a waterfall visit, and professional skippers.

You are also paying for variety. Organizing a boat, food, drinks, snorkeling, and several southeast coast sights independently would take more time and could cost more once transport and meals are added.

The price is less compelling if you only want a quiet beach day. Île aux Cerfs receives a limited scheduled stop, and the cruise moves through many locations. A private boat or a slower beach-focused trip would give you more control, but likely at a higher total cost.

Transfers are extra, so include your transport to Pointe Jerome when comparing the final expense. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option can help if your schedule is still changing, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Who Should Book This Day on the Water?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want one active day that combines scenery, food, swimming, snorkeling, and a chance to see wildlife. It suits couples, families with older children, and friends who enjoy a social boat atmosphere.

It also works well for a first visit to Mauritius because you see several southeast attractions without having to build separate plans for each one. The bilingual guiding in English and French is useful for mixed-language groups.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the itinerary involves boarding a boat, swimming, snorkeling, and moving through several stops.

You may also prefer another option if you dislike fast boat rides, short stops, or the possibility of changing sea conditions. Motion sickness prevention is worth bringing if that is a concern for you.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts 7 hours, departing at about 9:30 a.m. and returning around 4 p.m.

Where does the cruise begin?

Meet Jonathan at the Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point. He will be wearing a Catamaran Cruises T-shirt.

Is transport to the meeting point included?

No. Transfer is not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to Pointe Jerome.

What languages are spoken?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included as part of the cruise.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks onboard are included. The trip information specifically lists beer, wine, cocktails, and other drinks.

Can I snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling in clear water are included, with a snorkeling stop at Eau Bleue.

Will I definitely see dolphins or sea turtles?

No. Dolphin and sea turtle sightings are possible but are not guaranteed.

Can I bring a large bag or stroller?

No. Oversized luggage, large bags, baby strollers, non-folding strollers, and baby carriages are not allowed.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Should You Book the Five Islands Cruise?

Book it if you want a well-filled day on the southeast coast and value having lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and island stops handled in one package. The professional crew, bilingual service, newer power catamaran, and strong praise for helpful guidance all add confidence.

Skip it if your ideal outing is a slow beach day, a private boat, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The best way to approach this cruise is as a lively coastal sampler: enjoy the speed, take the short stops in stride, and treat dolphins, turtles, and perfect snorkeling conditions as welcome extras.