South East : OCÉANE Private Full Day Catamaran to Ile aux Cerfs

Mauritius looks best from the water. OCÉANE’s private catamaran day combines turquoise lagoons, Ile aux Cerfs, a beachside-style barbecue lunch, snorkeling, and Grand River South East Waterfalls in about seven hours. I like the private format for up to six people and the crew’s warm, careful service, especially during transfers to smaller boats. I also like that OCÉANE has 37 years of experience and puts real attention on safety and environmental care.

The main drawback is the sea itself. Conditions around Ile aux Cerfs can bring floating plastic, and the weather may affect the schedule. You also need to meet at Pointe Maurice in Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:30 a.m., so this is not a casual afternoon outing. Still, for a group sharing the cost, the mix of sailing, swimming, food, and scenery offers strong value.

Key points at a glance

• A private boat for up to six: You get the day with only your own group, which suits families, couples traveling together, and small celebrations.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main prize: Expect turquoise water, time on the famous island, and a coffee break during the afternoon.
• A real onboard lunch: The crew prepares a barbecue after the snorkeling stop, with drinks included according to the tour details and past customer feedback.
• Grand River South East adds variety: A 25-minute stop brings waterfalls, monkeys, and birds into a day otherwise focused on the sea.
• Crew care is a major strength: OCÉANE staff help with transfers and provide lifejackets or lifebuoys for anyone uneasy in the water.
• Plan ahead: The tour is often reserved about 55 days before departure, and the weather cancellation rule is important.

Why this private catamaran day works so well

The appeal is simple: you get a full day on Mauritius’s southeast coast without trying to organize several separate activities. You sail, stop for snorkeling, eat lunch onboard, visit Ile aux Cerfs, and see the Grand River South East Waterfalls before returning to the same meeting point.

I especially like the private setup. The price is $1,236.93 per group of up to six, not per person. Split six ways, that works out to roughly $206 per person. That is not a budget boat trip, but it becomes more reasonable when you value a private group, a full seven-hour outing, lunch, drinks, crew assistance, and transport between several coastal sights by water.

For two people, the calculation is much less attractive. You would be covering the same group price with only one other person, so this experience makes the most financial sense for a family or group of friends. It can also suit a birthday or special day, since the crew has been praised for treating one birthday passenger with extra care.

OCÉANE has operated catamaran charters in Mauritius for 37 years. That long run matters here because the company knows the southeast coast and the small islands around it. The crew also receives international-standard safety training, which is reassuring when your day includes boat transfers, open water, and snorkeling.

Meeting at Pointe Maurice in Trou d’Eau Douce

Your day starts at Pointe Maurice, at the listed location on an unnamed road in Trou d’Eau Douce. The start time is 9:30 a.m., and the trip returns to this same meeting point.

Pay close attention to the meeting instructions. The tour information gives the exact area but not a hotel pickup as a standard feature. One past account describes pickup from a hotel jetty by tender, while another mentions bus transport to the cruising area. That suggests transfer arrangements may vary by booking or accommodation, so I would confirm your pickup details before the morning of departure.

The start point sits in the southeast, close to the waters that lead toward Ile aux Cerfs and Grand River South East. Once aboard, the pace should feel more like a full coastal day than a rushed sightseeing circuit. You have enough time for several stops, lunch, swimming, and a stretch on the island.

Sailing past the southeast islands

The boat route includes a pass by the southeast islands, giving you a broad look at the coast rather than just one famous stop. This section is valuable because a catamaran lets you see the changing color of the water from the water itself, from deeper blue passages to clear shallows around the small islands.

A catamaran also gives you room to spread out. You can sit back during the sailing sections, watch the coast, and talk with your group instead of being packed into a small motorboat. The experience is still weather-dependent, so the comfort of the sailing day will depend on wind, sun, and sea conditions.

OCÉANE presents its operation as eco-friendly, with an emphasis on respecting the marine environment. That is a good principle for this coast, where clear water and coral areas are part of the attraction. You should still keep expectations realistic: a busy marine area can show signs of human use, including plastic in the water near Ile aux Cerfs.

Snorkeling among coral and small fish

The snorkeling stop takes place near one of the smaller islands. The water is described as crystal clear, with patches of staghorn coral and small fish. You might also see trumpet fish and coachmen, a fish noted for its white dorsal fin.

This is not presented as a serious reef expedition. It is a pleasant swim stop built into a wider sailing day. That makes it a good fit if you want to spend time in the water without making snorkeling the only purpose of your excursion.

The crew’s approach is a real plus for mixed-ability groups. If you feel uncertain in the water, they can provide a lifejacket or lifebuoy. They also help with transfers to smaller boats, a detail that matters more than it may sound. Moving from a catamaran into a tender or smaller craft can be awkward, especially for children, older adults, or anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

One practical point is worth noting: drinks may be held until after snorkeling, while soft drinks are available before then. This makes sense from a safety and swimming standpoint, but you should not expect an alcoholic drink before entering the water. The timing of drinks is a small detail, yet it helps set the right expectation.

The barbecue lunch after your swim

Once the snorkeling is over, the crew starts the barbecue grill. Lunch is prepared onboard and served after the water stop, turning the middle of the day into a relaxed meal rather than another rushed transfer.

The food is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Past praise highlights an excellent barbecue and a good choice of drinks, along with soft drinks. The meal is prepared by the crew, which gives it a more personal feel than simply opening a packed lunch from a cooler.

You should think of this as a convivial boat lunch, not a formal restaurant meal. The setting is the main attraction: you are surrounded by lagoon water, with the boat moored near a small island. If your group enjoys eating outdoors and taking its time, this part of the day should be especially satisfying.

If you have dietary needs, ask OCÉANE before booking or before departure. The supplied details do not specify vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or child-specific menu options, so it would be unwise to assume that every request can be handled onboard.

Ile aux Cerfs and the afternoon coffee break

Ile aux Cerfs is the headline stop. The island is famous for its bright water and easygoing beach atmosphere, and the itinerary allows time to visit it rather than simply viewing it from the boat.

The tour includes an afternoon coffee break on the island. That is a pleasant touch after the morning’s snorkeling and lunch. It also gives you a change of setting: instead of spending every minute aboard the catamaran, you can walk around, sit near the water, and enjoy the island at a slower pace.

One account describes about two hours on the island, with time for the sea and the beach. The exact length may vary with conditions and the day’s operation, but you should expect a useful block of free time rather than a quick photo stop.

I would keep expectations measured. Ile aux Cerfs is a well-known stop, not a deserted tropical island. The water can be wonderfully clear, but the area may also show signs of heavy use. Plastic in the sea was a specific concern raised in the feedback, and OCÉANE acknowledged the issue. The company’s environmental aims are encouraging, but they do not guarantee a spotless marine setting every day.

Grand River South East Waterfalls in 25 minutes

The waterfall stop lasts about 25 minutes, so it is short but adds a welcome change from the lagoon. Grand River South East Waterfalls gives you a chance to see the river mouth and surrounding scenery, with monkeys and birds noted as part of the visit.

This is more of a compact sightseeing pause than a long walk or nature excursion. You will not have hours to explore. Instead, the stop breaks up the sailing day and lets you see a different side of Mauritius’s southeast coast.

The animals are wild, so sightings are never guaranteed. The itinerary specifically notes monkeys and birds, but you should treat them as possible sightings rather than a staged wildlife encounter. That is part of the appeal: you are looking at a natural place, not visiting an animal park.

The crew, safety, and family feel

The crew receives the most consistent praise. Their service is described as lively, professional, and attentive, with particular care during boat transfers. Joey is specifically praised for a warm welcome, and one birthday passenger described receiving VIP-style attention from the crew.

That combination of friendliness and practical help is exactly what you want on a boat day. A good crew does more than serve lunch. They help you board, explain what is happening, keep an eye on swimmers, and make the day feel easy for the whole group.

OCÉANE also emphasizes a family spirit within its staff. That comes through in the personal service described by past customers, including the repeated praise for particular boat crews. Boat numbers two and five received especially strong personal compliments, though the exact crew assignment may not be something you can choose.

The safety standards are another reason this experience suits families and mixed groups. Lifejackets and lifebuoys are available for people who are uncomfortable in the water, and the crew has international-level safety training. You should still listen carefully to instructions and be honest about your swimming ability.

Is $1,236.93 good value?

The price needs to be judged by group size. For six people, the cost is about $206 each. For a private seven-hour charter that includes multiple locations, a prepared barbecue lunch, drinks, crew support, and use of the catamaran, that can be fair value for a special day in Mauritius.

For three people, the rough cost rises to about $412 each. For two, it is about $618 each. At those prices, I would book only if privacy and a custom-feeling day matter more to you than finding the cheapest boat excursion.

The private format also saves you from having strangers set the mood. Your group can enjoy the sailing, lunch, and island time together. That is especially useful for a birthday, anniversary, family outing, or group of friends who want one memorable day rather than a standard shared cruise.

Book ahead if this is important to your plans. The experience averages about 55 days of advance booking, which suggests popular dates can fill well before arrival. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you want several classic Mauritius experiences in one day and you have a group large enough to share the private price. It is a strong match for people who enjoy swimming, easy snorkeling, open-air meals, and scenic boat rides.

It also suits families because of the crew assistance and flotation equipment. Less confident swimmers can still enjoy the water from a safer position, and nobody has to take part in snorkeling.

You might choose something else if you want a quiet, empty beach, a serious wildlife outing, or a dedicated scuba and reef trip. The Ile aux Cerfs area can be affected by marine litter, and the day includes only 25 minutes at the waterfalls. This is a broad, social sightseeing day, not a wilderness expedition.

Final call: book it with the right group

Book OCÉANE if you can fill most of the six-person capacity and want a polished southeast Mauritius day with personal crew service. The strongest reasons are the private boat, the excellent barbecue, the clear snorkeling area, and the careful help during transfers.

I would be more cautious for a small party paying the full group rate, or if your main goal is untouched nature. For everyone else, especially a group celebrating something, this is a well-rounded and memorable way to see the coast. Check the weather forecast, confirm transport to Pointe Maurice, and ask about food needs before you commit.

FAQ

How long is the OCÉANE catamaran experience?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Pointe Maurice, PQRV+VF2, on an unnamed road in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Pointe Maurice.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Does the tour include Ile aux Cerfs?

Yes. The day includes a visit to Ile aux Cerfs, with an afternoon coffee break and time to enjoy the island and its water.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.