Private Charter Full Day Cruise: Île aux Cerfs

Sun, sea, and a private boat make a fine Mauritius day. This seven-hour cruise takes your group aboard the 45-foot Island Hopper from Pointe Jerome to Île aux Cerfs, with time for snorkeling, wildlife watching, and a stop at GRSE Waterfall. I especially like the private setting and the chance to use snorkel gear at no extra charge. The main catch is simple: the swimming time may feel short if you want a full afternoon in the water.

The crew also earns praise for its friendly manner, clear safety briefing, and useful explanations along the route. You should know that lunch and drinks cost extra, and hotel transport is not included, so the total price can rise beyond the quoted group rate.

Key Points at a Glance

• Private 45-foot yacht: Your group has the Island Hopper to itself, with space for up to 15 people.
• Île aux Cerfs stop: You get about one hour to swim, relax, explore, or consider activities such as parasailing.
• Snorkeling equipment included: Free gear makes the water stop easier and less costly.
• GRSE Waterfall by river: The 20-minute visit adds monkeys, giant bats, and other wildlife to the day.
• Optional meals: Standard barbecue lunch and drinks cost Euro 35 per person, while the lobster menu costs Euro 74.
• Strong guest satisfaction: The experience has a 4.9 rating from 21 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it.

Why This Private Cruise Works Well

A private charter changes the feel of a day on the water. You are not joining a large shared boat with strangers or following a fixed social rhythm. Your group can enjoy the outing together, which makes this a sensible choice for families, couples traveling with friends, or a special celebration.

The boat is the 45-foot, or 14-meter, Island Hopper, designed for day sailing. That gives you a proper yacht setting rather than a quick transfer boat. The route combines open-water cruising, a snorkeling stop, a river visit, and time on Île aux Cerfs, so the day has more variety than a beach-only trip.

I also like that the crew puts safety first. A clear safety briefing helps you settle in before the boat gets moving, and the crew is described as friendly and well informed about the sights. That matters on a private trip, because good service can make the difference between a pleasant cruise and seven long hours at sea.

Still, this is not a luxury package with everything covered. The quoted price is $1,335.67 for the full group of up to 15. At maximum capacity, that works out to about $89 per person, which is fair for a private full-day boat. For a smaller group, the per-person cost becomes much higher. Food, drinks, and transport to Pointe Jerome are separate.

Starting at Pointe Jerome at 9:00 a.m.

The cruise begins at HPGF+496 Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Pointe d’Esny at 9:00 a.m. The activity ends back at the same meeting point after roughly seven hours.

Because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, you need to arrange your own way to Pointe Jerome. The meeting point is near public transportation, but the information provided does not specify a transfer service or a hotel collection area. I would check your route carefully before booking, especially if your accommodation is far from Pointe d’Esny.

Arriving ready for a full day on the water is wise. The package includes the private cruise and snorkel equipment, but not food or drinks. You can either bring suitable provisions if permitted by the operator or add one of the barbecue menus.

The start time gives you a useful morning departure and enough daylight for the main stops. It also means you should not treat this as a late, casual outing. Plan your morning around reaching Pointe Jerome on time.

Cruising Toward Île aux Cerfs

The main island stop is Île aux Cerfs, a popular beach destination off Mauritius. You get about one hour to leave the catamaran and enjoy the island at your own pace.

That hour can work in several ways. You might swim in the clear water, sit on the beach, or simply use the time to enjoy the setting without an organized activity. You can also choose an activity such as parasailing, though the supplied tour details do not say that it is included in the charter price.

I like the freedom here. A private boat outing does not force every person in your group to do the same thing. One person can swim while another rests on the sand, and someone else can take a walk or look into an optional island activity.

The limitation is the short stop. One hour disappears quickly once you disembark, find a comfortable place, change, swim, and return to the boat. If your main goal is a long beach day, this cruise may leave you wanting more. It works better as a broad Mauritius outing that includes a beach visit, not as a dedicated Île aux Cerfs beach stay.

Snorkeling With Gear Included

The cruise includes a stop at a snorkeling location and free use of the provided snorkel equipment. That is a helpful inclusion, since you do not need to bring your own mask and fins or pay a separate rental charge.

The exact snorkeling duration is not given, so I would keep your expectations flexible. The experience is built around several stops rather than one long swimming session. One particularly useful point from the feedback is that the swim off the boat may feel too brief for people who want more time in the water.

You should think of snorkeling as one part of the day, not its entire purpose. The boat ride, wildlife sightings, island stop, and river cruise all share the schedule. If your group has strong swimmers and wants extra water time, ask the operator about the timing before departure.

Dolphin sightings are also possible during the cruise. They are a chance, not a guarantee, so treat them as an added possibility rather than the reason to book. The same applies to wildlife along the river. Nature does not follow a timetable, even when your catamaran does.

The GRSE Waterfall and River Wildlife

The cruise heads up the Grand River to GRSE Waterfall for about 20 minutes. This portion gives the outing a different mood. Instead of open water and beaches, you move along the river and look toward the trees on both banks.

You may spot monkeys, giant bats, and other wildlife in their natural setting. These sightings depend on conditions and luck, but the river route gives you a real chance to look for them without leaving the boat.

The waterfall stop is brief, yet it adds useful variety. A day spent only beside beaches can begin to feel repetitive, while the river brings a change in scenery and a chance to pay attention to Mauritius beyond the shoreline. I would keep your phone or camera ready, but avoid treating any animal sighting as promised.

The tour also passes by other points without stopping. Since those places are not identified in the available details, you should not plan around them as major visits. They are part of the cruise route rather than scheduled shore activities.

Wildlife Watching Without False Promises

The experience offers several wildlife possibilities: dolphins at sea, monkeys along the Grand River, and giant bats in the trees near the riverbanks. That mix is one of the most appealing parts of the outing because it gives you more than postcard views.

At the same time, these are chances to see animals, not guaranteed encounters. A responsible approach is to enjoy the search and let the day surprise you. The crew can point out sights and explain what you are seeing, but even a good crew cannot order dolphins or monkeys onto the schedule.

The helpful safety briefing also matters here. You can enjoy the boat and watch the water with more confidence when the basic procedures are explained at the start. The feedback specifically praises the crew’s safety guidance, friendly service, and knowledge of the sights.

Lunch, Drinks, and the Real Cost

Food and beverages are not included in the base price. You can add a standard barbecue lunch and drinks for Euro 35 per person, or choose the VIP barbecue menu with lobster and drinks for Euro 74 per person. Tea and coffee are also available.

The standard menu is the more sensible choice if you want to keep the cost under control. The lobster option turns the cruise into a more celebratory meal, but it adds a substantial amount for every person in your group. Since the charter itself is already priced for a private group, you should decide in advance whether the meal matters to the occasion.

For a group of 15, the base price divides well. For two or four people, it is a much more expensive day, even before lunch and drinks. I would book it for the privacy, the boat, and the flexible group setting, not because it is the cheapest way to reach Île aux Cerfs.

The value improves when you are sharing the cost with a larger party. It also improves if you would otherwise need to arrange several separate activities, such as a boat ride, snorkeling, a river visit, and an island stop. You get all of those elements in one organized day.

Who Will Enjoy the Island Hopper Most

This cruise suits you best if you want a private day at sea and your group values time together. It is particularly well matched to:

• Families or friends who want their own boat
• Couples marking a special occasion
• Groups of up to 15 who can share the charter cost
• People who want beaches, snorkeling, river scenery, and wildlife in one outing
• Visitors comfortable arranging their own transport to Pointe Jerome

It may be less suitable if you want a long, quiet stay on Île aux Cerfs. The island visit lasts about an hour, and the water stops are not described with long swimming periods. It is also not the best fit if you need hotel transportation included or want a package with food and drinks already covered.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied details. Still, the day includes boarding a catamaran, getting off at an island, and using water equipment. If someone in your group has specific mobility or swimming concerns, ask the operator for current practical guidance before paying.

Booking Timing and Cancellation

The cruise is booked, on average, 58 days ahead, which suggests that planning early is sensible, especially for a private boat with a fixed group capacity. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

You get free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund. Keep that deadline in mind when arranging flights, transport, or other Mauritius plans.

The mobile ticket is convenient, but you still need to reach the meeting point yourself. Save the Pointe Jerome location and allow enough time to get there for the 9:00 a.m. start.

My Verdict on This Seven-Hour Mauritius Charter

I like this cruise because it gives you a full day with several distinct experiences, while the private format keeps the outing personal. The friendly crew and strong safety briefing are important advantages, especially for anyone who wants to enjoy a yacht day without feeling uncertain about the setup.

The biggest weakness is the schedule. Île aux Cerfs receives only about an hour, and the swimming time may feel limited. Food, drinks, and transport are also extra, so the headline price is not the final cost for most groups.

You should book it if your priority is a private catamaran, a mixed route, and the chance to see dolphins, monkeys, and giant bats. If your only goal is several hours on the beach or in the water, choose a simpler island or beach outing with more time at one location. For a group that can share the cost, this is a well-rounded and memorable way to spend a day around Mauritius.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at HPGF+496 Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the Pointe Jerome meeting point.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private tour, and only your group participates.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers a group of up to 15 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is provided for free during the snorkeling stop.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the base price. A standard barbecue lunch and drinks cost Euro 35 per person, while the VIP barbecue menu with lobster and drinks costs Euro 74 per person.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Pointe Jerome on your own.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not accepted for a refund.