Exclusive Private Catamaran to Ile Aux Cerfs with Lunch

Mauritius looks best from the water. I like the private 42-foot catamaran because your group gets a more personal day out, and I like the easy mix of snorkeling, beach time, and coastal scenery. The main drawback is value: at $1,001 for up to 10 people, it is attractive for a full group but costly for a smaller party.

The seven-hour plan is well paced, with a 9:00 departure, a snorkeling stop around 11:00, lunch onboard, and time on Ile aux Cerfs. I would bring your own towel, spare clothes, and sunscreen, and I would not expect coffee, tea, or dessert with lunch. The boat’s interior may also need a little more attention to cleanliness.

Key points at a glance

• Private sailing for up to 10 people: The $1,001 rate works out to about $100 per person when the boat is full.
• Pointe Jerome departure at 9:00: You meet the representative at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty in southeast Mauritius.
• Snorkeling around 11:00: Equipment is included for a stop inside the island’s largest lagoon.
• Grand River South East views: The route includes the river mouth, a distant waterfall, giant bats, and monkeys along the riverbank.
• BBQ lunch and open bar onboard: Beer, rum, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks are included.
• Ile aux Cerfs beach time: You get time on the famous white sandbank, with optional parasailing and tube riding at an extra cost.

A private catamaran day in southeast Mauritius

This is a full-day outing built around water, sun, and an easygoing route along Mauritius’s southeast coast. You are not joining a large shared boat. The catamaran is reserved for your private group, with room for as many as 10 people.

That group size matters. For 8 to 10 people, the price becomes much easier to justify, especially if you want the freedom of staying together instead of being assigned to a mixed boat. For two or four people, the same flat rate feels far steeper.

The boat is a 42-foot catamaran designed for day charters. Its trampolines provide a useful place to stretch out and enjoy the breeze, though sunbathers should remember that shade is not the same as air-conditioning. The day is very much an outdoor experience, so bring protection from the sun and a change of clothes for the ride home.

The official timing calls for a 9:00 departure from Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty. The expected return to your hotel is around 16:15, though tide and wind can change the schedule. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange and pay for that separately if you want it.

Breakfast, open bar, and the first hours at sea

Once you board, the crew serves a light breakfast. It is a small but useful touch, especially if you have an early start or a drive to the jetty before sailing.

The open bar is available from the start. Included drinks cover alcoholic choices such as beer, rum, and cocktails, along with non-alcoholic beverages. This makes the cruise feel more like a relaxed social day than a simple boat transfer.

I would still pace yourself. The catamaran spends hours under strong sun, and alcohol affects you faster when you are warm, active, and surrounded by reflective water. Drink plenty of the non-alcoholic options, especially before snorkeling.

The crew also provides local Mauritian sega music, along with jokes and local tales. That can add real character to the day. It also means the atmosphere depends partly on the crew’s energy. A recent assessment described the staff as welcoming but not especially motivated to make the day more engaging, so you may find the entertainment pleasant rather than polished.

Snorkeling inside Mauritius’s largest lagoon

Around 11:00, the catamaran stops for snorkeling inside the island’s largest lagoon. Equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

This is one of the strongest parts of the itinerary for anyone who wants more than scenery. The lagoon offers a chance to see corals and brightly colored tropical fish in clear water, then climb back aboard without losing much of the day to transport.

The stop also breaks up the sailing. Seven hours on a boat can feel long if you only sit and watch the coast. A swim gives you something active to do and lets you experience the water rather than simply look at it.

Bring your own towel. It is specifically recommended, along with spare clothes, and that advice is worth taking seriously. After snorkeling, a dry shirt and shorts make the lunch and beach portion much more comfortable.

The snorkeling conditions can depend on wind, tide, and sea conditions. The route includes the stop, but the exact quality of visibility is not guaranteed. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations sensible: this is a scenic cruise with a snorkeling break, not a dedicated marine-life excursion.

Up the Grande Riviere Sud Est river mouth

After snorkeling, the catamaran continues along the east coast and heads toward the mouth of Grande Riviere Sud Est. This adds variety to the trip. You move from open lagoon water to a river setting, with views of the waterfall from a distance.

The river section also includes sightings of a giant bat colony and monkeys living along the bank. These details give the route a more local feel than a simple run between the jetty and Ile aux Cerfs.

Do not expect a close waterfall visit. The waterfall is seen from afar, and the schedule does not describe a shore landing there. That distinction matters if you are picturing a walk to the base of the falls. This is a passing viewpoint from the water.

The river mouth is also tied to the tide, wind, and boat route. The exact approach may vary. Still, it is a worthwhile addition because it gives you wildlife and river scenery before lunch, rather than filling the entire day with beach time.

BBQ lunch with rum, beer, and cocktails

Lunch is prepared onboard by the crew and served after the river section. The main meal is a BBQ, accompanied by alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

The setting is part of the appeal. Eating on a catamaran, with the coast and water around you, feels more memorable than stopping at a standard restaurant. The crew prepares the food onboard, which keeps the day moving and avoids another transfer.

Vegetarian food is available, but you must request it when booking. You should also report food allergies or illness in advance. The same advice applies to any dietary need that could affect the meal.

There are a few limits to keep in mind. Lobster lunch costs extra. Coffee and tea are not included, and there is no stated dessert. A simple serving of fruit or ice cream would improve the meal, particularly on a long, warm day.

The BBQ is best viewed as a solid part of the cruise rather than a fine dining event. You are paying for the whole experience: the boat, crew, drinks, views, and stops. The food helps hold the day together, but it is not the only reason to book.

Ile aux Cerfs and the famous white sandbank

After lunch, the catamaran heads through the channel between Ile aux Cerfs and the Anahita sanctuary. You then get time on Ile aux Cerfs, the best-known beach stop on the route.

The island is famous for white sand and clear water. It is the sort of place made for swimming, sitting in the shallows, taking photographs, and doing very little. After the morning’s snorkeling and river cruise, this slower stretch gives you room to relax.

The beach is also the most postcard-like part of the day. If you want a classic Mauritius image, this is where you are most likely to find it. Bring your camera, but do not spend the entire stop behind it. The sandbank and water are the point.

Optional water sports include parasailing and tube riding, but they cost extra. These activities are not part of the $1,001 package, so ask about the price before agreeing. If some members of your group want water sports and others prefer quiet beach time, the stop can work well because both choices are available.

You eventually return to the catamaran for the sail back to the jetty. The boat then reaches the hotel area at an expected time of about 16:15, subject to weather and tide.

What the $1,001 group price really buys

The listed price covers the full private catamaran for up to 10 people. At maximum capacity, that is about $100.10 per person. For a group of 10, the price includes a boat, light breakfast, snorkeling gear, lunch, open bar, beach time, and the river and waterfall route.

That is a fairer calculation than looking at the total alone. A private boat gives your group a shared experience without strangers, and the fixed cost becomes reasonable when divided among family or friends.

For a couple, the math is much less appealing. You would still receive the same seven-hour route and inclusions, but the per-person cost would be roughly $500.50 before transport or extra activities. A smaller group should compare this with shared catamaran trips.

Remember the added costs:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Lobster lunch
• Parasailing
• Tube riding

The price also does not cover extras such as coffee, tea, or dessert. That is not a major issue for most people, but it helps you set the right expectations before departure.

Boat comfort and small service gaps

The trampolines are a pleasant feature. They give you a place to stretch out, sunbathe, and watch the water from a low position close to the surface.

The boat’s interior is a weaker point. One recent French-language assessment found it less clean than expected. That does not ruin an outdoor sailing day, but it is useful information if you care about polished finishes and spotless indoor spaces.

The service style may also be fairly casual. The crew provides drinks, lunch, music, jokes, and local stories, but the level of personal attention can vary. I would choose this trip for its route and private setting, not because it promises luxury service.

English and French are the stated working languages. The meeting representative can be identified by a uniform and an One Island Cruiser badge. That should make the jetty meeting simpler, though the exact pickup arrangement is not included in the base price.

Weather, clothing, and planning tips

Mauritius weather can shape the entire day on the water. In the event of a cyclone or torrential rainfall alert, the operator provides a full refund if the operator cancels. Wind and tide can also affect the return time, even when the cruise goes ahead.

Pack light, but pack the right things:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• A towel
• A camera
• Spare clothes
• A change of clothes after snorkeling

You should also tell the operator about vegetarian needs, food allergies, or illness when booking. Do not wait until lunch to raise a dietary concern.

The meeting point is Pointe Jerome Embarkation Jetty in the southeast. Since transfers are not included, check your route to the jetty before the day begins. The scheduled departure is 9:00, and a late arrival could cut into the sailing time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this private sailing day

I would recommend this experience most strongly to a full family group, a group of friends, or anyone marking a special occasion. The private format lets you share the boat with people you know, and the mix of swimming, snorkeling, lunch, music, and beach time keeps the day varied.

It also suits people who want a classic Mauritius outing without arranging several separate activities. You get sea views, a lagoon stop, a river route, a distant waterfall, wildlife sightings, lunch, drinks, and Ile aux Cerfs in one day.

It is less suited to:

• Solo visitors or couples who cannot share the fixed cost
• Anyone seeking luxury-level boat interiors and service
• Serious snorkelers who want a dedicated reef trip
• People who dislike strong sun or long periods outdoors
• Anyone expecting a close-up waterfall visit
• Diners who want dessert, coffee, or tea included

The private group size is the key decision point. The experience makes much better financial sense when eight to ten people share the fee.

Should you book this catamaran?

Book it if you have a large enough private group and want a relaxed day that combines several southeast Mauritius highlights. The best reasons are the private 42-foot catamaran, included snorkeling, onboard BBQ, open bar, and time on Ile aux Cerfs.

Pause before booking if your group is small or if you expect spotless interiors and highly attentive service. Also budget for transport, and remember that lobster, parasailing, and tube riding cost extra.

My practical verdict: good value for a full group, moderate value for a smaller one. The route is attractive and well paced, but the experience is strongest for its setting and inclusions, not for luxury polish.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

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

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled departure time is 9:00.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours. The expected arrival back at the hotel area is around 16:15, depending on tide and wind.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private group can include up to 10 people.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The experience includes a snorkeling stop and snorkeling equipment.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included onboard. Vegetarian food is available if requested at the time of booking.

What drinks are included?

Alcoholic drinks such as beer, rum, and cocktails are included, along with non-alcoholic beverages.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are available at an additional charge.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the operator cancels because of a cyclone or torrential rainfall alert, a full refund is provided.