Île aux Cerfs: Private Catamaran Cruise with Gourmet Lunch

Paradise works best from the water. This six-hour private catamaran trip from Trou d’Eau Douce combines calm lagoon swimming, reef snorkeling, island stops, and a freshly served BBQ lunch, all within the sheltered waters of Mauritius’s eastern reef. I especially like the private group setting, limited to six people, and the generous food and drink service, including unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The main point to consider is the price: at $1,325 per group, it makes the most sense for a full group rather than one or two people.

The day also benefits from a flexible feel. You can swim, snorkel, stop for photos, or spend time on Île aux Cerfs, while the crew handles the boat and meal. Just remember that alcohol is served after snorkeling, and the operator may cancel snorkeling if people drink beforehand.

Key things to know before you book

• Private catamaran for up to six: You get the boat and crew for your own group, rather than sharing the day with a large crowd.
• Lunch is served aboard the boat: Expect a BBQ meal, with past menus praised for lobster, fish, and other grilled food.
• Snorkeling comes before alcohol: The crew takes the safety rule seriously, so save the rum, beer, or wine until after you leave the water.
• Île aux Cerfs is the main beach stop: You can walk, sunbathe, take photos, and enjoy dessert on or near the private beach.
• The route includes several small islands: Grand River South East Waterfall, Île aux Fouquets Lighthouse, Île aux Aigrettes, and Îlot Flamants add variety beyond one beach stop.
• Bring only day-use essentials: A swimsuit, towel, high-SPF sunscreen, hat, camera, and passport or ID are recommended. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Why this private cruise works so well

The eastern coast of Mauritius is made for a boat day. From Trou d’Eau Douce, the catamaran heads into a broad lagoon protected by the Eastern Reef. That protection matters because the water is generally the focus here: swimming, snorkeling, floating, and watching the color shift from clear shallows to deeper blue.

I like that this is not simply a transfer to Île aux Cerfs. The route includes a waterfall, a lighthouse, several islets, and snorkeling areas before the boat reaches the main island. You get a succession of short scenes rather than six hours spent in one place.

The private format is the biggest comfort. With room for up to six people, you can settle into your own pace more easily. A family can keep the day relaxed, friends can share the cost, and a couple can enjoy plenty of space, though the price is high for only two people.

The crew also receives the strongest praise in the available feedback. Sonia is singled out for excellent customer service, while Marie-Lou and the wider crew are described as warm and attentive. Dario is thanked for helping make one lunch memorable. These names suggest a personal style of service, though exact crew assignments can change.

Leaving Pointe Maurice Jetty at Trou d’Eau Douce

Your starting point is Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the jetty. Allow enough time to arrive ready for boarding, since the boat returns around 4 pm and the total outing lasts about six hours.

Pack like you are heading to a beach, not an airport. A swimsuit, towel, hat or cap, sunscreen, and camera are the useful basics. You also need a passport or ID card. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so keep your belongings in a small day bag.

The host or greeter speaks English and French. The boat is described as wheelchair accessible in the general activity details, but the same information says the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. That contradiction deserves a quick check with Oceane Cruises Mauritius before booking if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair.

Grand River South East Waterfall sets the scene

The first notable stop is Grand River South East Waterfall. The boat pauses for photographs, a visit, and wildlife viewing. This gives you an early change of pace before the swimming portion begins.

The waterfall is best understood as a scenic stop rather than a long shore excursion. You are likely to appreciate it most if you enjoy taking photos and seeing a different side of the east coast. It also breaks up the ride, which is useful for anyone who does not want constant sun and saltwater from start to finish.

The exact length of the stop is not specified, so do not build your expectations around a long walk or extended exploration. The key value is the view from the water and the chance to watch for wildlife.

Île aux Fouquets brings swimming and snorkeling

The cruise continues toward Île aux Fouquets Lighthouse, where the schedule allows time for an aperitif, swimming, and snorkeling. This is one of the most active parts of the day.

The lighthouse gives the stop some character beyond sand and sea. You get a recognizable landmark for photos, then the chance to put on your swimwear and enter the lagoon. The snorkeling is intended to show you the marine life around the reef, although visibility and sightings naturally depend on conditions.

There is an important practical rule here. Alcoholic drinks are served only after snorkeling, and the management reserves the right to cancel snorkeling if alcohol has been consumed first. Follow that rule without argument. It protects the water activity and keeps the day running safely.

If snorkeling matters most to you, make it your priority early in the cruise. Have your mask, towel, and sunscreen ready before you settle into the drinks and lunch portion.

Île aux Aigrettes adds another marine-life stop

Next comes Île aux Aigrettes, with a photo stop, swimming, snorkeling, a pass by the island, and marine-life viewing. The boat may not linger here as long as it does at Île aux Cerfs, but the stop adds another chance to see the lagoon from a different position.

I like this part of the route because it keeps the day from becoming too predictable. One stop centers on a waterfall, another on a lighthouse, and this one brings the attention back to fish and the reef. If you prefer a packed schedule of small discoveries, this variety is a plus.

Do keep your expectations measured. The supplied schedule does not promise a guided marine biology talk or a long island visit. Think of it as a chance to observe, swim, and take photos from or near the boat.

Passing Îlot Flamants keeps the cruise moving

Îlot Flamants is listed as a pass-by and free-time stop. It is not presented as the main beach break, so the attraction is the view and the changing scenery as the catamaran moves through the lagoon.

This is a small detail, but it helps explain the rhythm of the day. You are not constantly getting off and back onto the boat. Some places are simply part of the cruise route, giving you time to enjoy the wind, water, and views between the more active stops.

Île aux Cerfs is the main reward

Île aux Cerfs is the centerpiece of the outing. The catamaran anchors behind the island, where lunch is served aboard. You can also visit the island for sunbathing or a walk, then enjoy dessert on the private beach.

This is where the day shifts from sightseeing to leisure. After the waterfall and snorkeling stops, you can stretch out, take photographs, swim again, or wander along the beach. The island is famous, so it can feel busy in places. One useful piece of feedback came from a private group that found Île aux Cerfs too crowded and preferred being taken to a sandbank for snorkeling instead.

That is an important advantage of booking a private boat. If conditions or crowds make the main island less appealing, the crew may have more room to adjust the day. Do not assume every departure will change the plan, but a private arrangement gives you a better chance of discussing options.

The island is also the spot for the classic photographs: bright water, pale sand, and a catamaran anchored offshore. Bring your camera, but protect it from spray and sand.

The BBQ lunch is a major part of the value

Lunch is not a packed meal eaten quickly onshore. It is served on the catamaran while the boat is anchored behind Île aux Cerfs. That makes the meal part of the setting, not just fuel between activities.

The food receives unusually strong praise. Specific meals are described as including lobster, fish, and other BBQ dishes, with lobster cooked perfectly. The menu can change, so you should not book solely on the promise of a particular seafood item, but the feedback points to fresh, generous cooking as one of the cruise’s best features.

Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. That can add real value for a group that plans to spend much of the afternoon relaxing aboard. It also means you do not need to keep buying drinks during the day.

Still, the price needs a careful look. At $1,325 for up to six people, the full boat works out to roughly $221 per person if six people share it. For two people, the same total is much harder to justify. The private boat, crew attention, meal, drinks, and several stops make the cost more reasonable for a group celebrating something or wanting privacy, but it is not a budget beach excursion.

What the six-hour pace feels like

The listed return is around 4 pm, giving you a full half-day on the water. The experience includes an hour associated with the Trou d’Eau Douce catamaran portion, along with the waterfall, island passes, snorkeling, lunch, and beach time.

You should expect a relaxed but active schedule. There is enough movement to prevent boredom, yet enough time at anchor for swimming and food. The private setup helps here, since your group can enjoy the quieter moments without having to fit into a large party’s mood.

The tradeoff is exposure to the sun. You will spend much of the day outdoors, around reflective water, so high-SPF sunscreen and a hat are not optional extras. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, and keep a towel handy for the boat ride between stops.

Who should book this catamaran day?

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of four to six people who care about privacy, seafood, and a full day on the lagoon. Families, couples traveling with friends, and small celebrations are a natural fit.

It is also a good choice if you dislike large shared excursions. The private group format gives you a quieter boat environment and may allow more discussion about where to spend free time. The crew’s service is repeatedly praised, which matters when the boat, meal, and timing all shape your day.

You should think twice if you mainly want a cheap way to reach Île aux Cerfs. You can expect to pay for the complete private package, not just transportation. Also reconsider if you do not swim, dislike strong sun, or want a long cultural visit on land. The value here comes from the water, scenery, food, and attentive service.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before committing to other plans.

Final verdict: book it for privacy and the full package

I would book this cruise if I had a group large enough to share the $1,325 cost. The combination of snorkeling, the waterfall, several island views, a private catamaran, unlimited drinks, and a well-regarded BBQ lunch gives the day more substance than a simple beach transfer.

The strongest reasons to book are the crew service, the flexible private setting, and the food. The main caution is Île aux Cerfs itself, which may feel crowded at times, although the private boat can make the day less rigid and may offer alternatives such as a sandbank stop.

For six people who want an easy, scenic day with very little planning once they reach the jetty, this is a strong splurge. For one or two people watching costs, I would compare the total price with shared cruises before booking.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The meeting point is Pointe Maurice Jetty in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts six hours and is expected to return to Pointe Maurice Jetty around 4 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the jetty.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The private catamaran is available for a group of up to six people.

What food and drinks are included?

A BBQ lunch is included, along with unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Lunch is served aboard the catamaran while anchored behind Île aux Cerfs.

Can I snorkel and then have alcoholic drinks?

Yes, but alcoholic drinks are served after snorkeling. The management may cancel snorkeling if alcohol is consumed beforehand.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, high-SPF sunscreen, a hat or cap, and a camera.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.