Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this day is the slow sail across Mauritius’s largest turquoise lagoon. From Pointe Jerome, near Mahebourg and Blue Bay, you head along the wild east coast to Ile aux Cerfs, with time for swimming, snorkeling, a waterfall visit, and lunch served on board.

I like the easy, all-in-one format: the crew prepares a generous BBQ buffet, and soft drinks, beer, water, and rum cocktails are available through the day. I also like the setting, which mixes calm lagoon sailing with traces of Mauritius’s naval past near Vieux Grand Port.

The main drawback is the weather. A June outing with strong wind, clouds, and cold conditions made swimming and snorkeling unpleasant. This is a fine-weather day at sea, so a poor forecast can change the whole experience.

Key points at a glance

• Ile aux Cerfs by catamaran: Sail within the protected waters of Mauritius’s largest lagoon before reaching one of the island’s best-known beach stops.
• BBQ lunch on board: Expect smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, salads, bread, fruit, coffee, and drinks.
• Swimming and snorkeling time: Bring a towel and sunscreen, but remember that sea conditions can affect how much time you actually spend in the water.
• Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall: See the waterfall in a natural coastal setting, along with historic reminders of French and English naval conflict.
• Friendly English- and French-speaking crew: The crew handles the food and drinks while keeping the day relaxed.
• Optional hotel pickup: Transfers are available if you choose that booking option and provide your hotel details.

A full day on Mauritius’s east coast

This is not a quick boat ride squeezed between other sights. Plan on roughly seven to eight hours, with the day built around the pleasure of being on the water.

You leave from Pointe Jerome, near the traditional village of Mahebourg and the Blue Bay Marine Park. The departure point matters because this part of Mauritius offers more than a pretty beach. It is close to one of the island’s protected marine areas, recognized under the International Ramsar Convention, and near the historic waters of Vieux Grand Port.

The catamaran stays within the broad lagoon for much of the route. That gives you calmer water than an open-sea cruise would normally offer, although wind and cloud can still make the ride chilly or rough. If you want a quiet day rather than a packed sightseeing schedule, the pace should suit you.

I would choose this outing for the combination of scenery and convenience. You do not need to arrange a separate boat trip, lunch reservation, snorkeling stop, and beach transfer. They are folded into one day, with the crew looking after the practical details.

Pointe Jerome and the Blue Bay setting

Pointe Jerome is the starting point for the catamaran. If you arrange hotel pickup, the provider confirms your collection time the day before, based on where you stay. If you do not choose the transfer option, you need to make your own way to the embarkation point.

That transfer choice affects the value more than it might first appear. The listed price is $111 per person, and the package includes the cruise and lunch. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only in the option that specifically offers them, so check the booking choice carefully before paying.

The departure area near Mahebourg gives the trip some local context. You are not simply being taken from a resort pier to a resort beach. You begin near an old Mauritian village and the Blue Bay marine area, then move into the lagoon and along the island’s historic southeast coast.

The exact swimming and snorkeling conditions depend on the day. The plan allows time for both, but the June outing with heavy wind and cloud shows why you should not treat water activities as guaranteed. Bring your towel and sunscreen, but also pack something light and warm if the forecast looks unsettled.

Sailing the largest turquoise lagoon in Mauritius

The catamaran ride is the heart of the experience. You spend the day within the lagoon, where the water can look remarkably clear and blue-green in good weather.

This sheltered setting is one reason the trip works well for people who want a relaxed sea day. You can watch the coastline, sit with a drink, and let the crew handle lunch rather than rushing from one stop to another. The cruise is also wheelchair accessible, which is useful information for anyone comparing boat excursions.

Still, sheltered does not mean perfectly calm. Wind can build across the lagoon, and clouds can take the warmth out of the day. One poor-weather outing left a passenger cold for much of the trip and unable to enjoy snorkeling. That is a fair warning: the catamaran is comfortable as a concept, but comfort depends heavily on the forecast.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the day. They prepare and serve the food, offer drinks, and create the easygoing mood that makes a long boat trip work. English and French are spoken, so you can ask questions and follow the day’s instructions in either language.

Swimming and snorkeling before lunch

The water stop gives the day its active side. You can swim and snorkel before continuing toward the waterfall and Ile aux Cerfs.

I like that these activities are part of a broader outing rather than the whole point. If you are happy floating in the lagoon for a while and then returning to the boat, you do not need to be a serious snorkeler. If water conditions are good, the stop gives you a chance to cool off and see some marine life before lunch.

The tradeoff is that equipment details are not provided, so you should not assume every water-sports item is included. Bring your towel and sunscreen, and ask about the snorkeling arrangements when you board if this is important to you.

The excursion is not suitable for pregnant women. Anyone else who is uneasy in the water should remember that you can enjoy the boat, food, and scenery without needing to spend long in the lagoon. Weather can also shorten or spoil this part of the schedule.

Grande Riviere Sud Est waterfall and old fortifications

The waterfall stop adds variety to what could otherwise be a beach-and-boat day. Grande Riviere Sud Est falls into a natural coastal setting, and the approach gives you a change of scene after the open views of the lagoon.

The area also carries a piece of Mauritius’s military past. Historic 18th-century ramparts remain nearby, linked to corsair activity and naval clashes. In 1810, Vieux Grand Port was the site of a battle between French and English forces.

You should not expect a full museum visit or a long historical walking tour. The value is in seeing these old defenses as part of the coast you are already exploring. It is a brief but useful reminder that this beautiful waterway was once an important strategic route.

For me, this stop helps balance the beach appeal of Ile aux Cerfs. You get scenery, swimming, food, and a little history without turning the day into a formal heritage tour.

The onboard BBQ lunch

Lunch is served on the catamaran, which keeps the day moving and saves you from searching for food on Ile aux Cerfs.

The buffet includes smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice and potato salads, crudités, freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, and coffee. That is a substantial spread, with enough variety for people who want seafood, meat, salads, or lighter fruit and vegetables.

The smoked marlin mousse is the most distinctive item. It gives you a taste of local island cooking rather than a generic sandwich lunch. The grilled fish also fits the setting, though the exact preparation may vary.

Drinks are available throughout the day, including water, soft drinks, beer, and rum cocktails. A rum-based drink often associated with the outing is called jungle juice, and Mauritian coffee is another specialty mentioned by the crew. Drink sensibly, especially in the sun, and keep water in the mix.

A meal on board is practical, but it also means the boat becomes the lunchroom. You do not get a quiet table on shore, and the movement of the catamaran can matter if you are prone to seasickness. Still, for most people, eating with the lagoon around you is part of the appeal.

Ile aux Cerfs and the optional extras

Ile aux Cerfs is the main destination, with time to enjoy the island after the cruise and water activities.

The island is known for pale sand and clear lagoon water, but you should keep your expectations realistic. This is a popular day-trip destination, not a deserted island. Its appeal comes from easy access, attractive water, and the chance to spend a few hours in a classic Mauritius setting.

Water sports and parasailing are not included. If you want either activity, you will need to arrange and pay for it separately at Ile aux Cerfs. That is important when comparing this trip with packages that advertise a long list of activities in the headline price.

I see the optional extras as a choice rather than a weakness. If you want a quiet day, you can swim, walk, sit, and return to the boat. If you want more action, you can budget for a separate parasailing or water-sports activity. Do not choose this cruise expecting those activities to be part of the $111 price.

Is $111 a fair price?

At $111 per person, the value depends on what you would otherwise pay for transport, a boat trip, lunch, and drinks.

The base package includes the catamaran cruise and BBQ lunch. The drinks throughout the day add useful value, especially since the list includes beer and rum cocktails as well as water and soft drinks. Hotel transfers can make the package more worthwhile if you are staying far from Pointe Jerome, but only when you select the pickup option.

You are also paying for a full day rather than a short scenic cruise. The waterfall stop, swimming and snorkeling time, Ile aux Cerfs visit, and onboard meal give the price a solid structure.

I would call it reasonable for a full-day catamaran outing, provided the weather is good and you understand what is not included. Parasailing, other water sports, and possibly your transport are outside the basic price. If your main goal is a cheap ride to the beach, this may feel expensive. If you want a planned day with food and drinks handled for you, it makes better sense.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day?

This trip suits you if you want a relaxed mix of swimming, sightseeing, and food. Couples, families, and small groups who prefer a planned outing over arranging several separate activities should find the format useful.

It also suits people who want a social boat day without giving up every quiet moment. You can join the crew for lunch and drinks, then spend time watching the coast or sitting on deck.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, feel cold in windy weather, or need guaranteed snorkeling conditions. The June experience shows that a bad forecast can turn a beautiful plan into a long, uncomfortable day.

The outing also works well as a special holiday day. It was described as a memorable final day for a honeymoon, and the combination of drinks, a generous meal, warm crew service, and sunset-style island scenery can feel festive without needing a formal luxury package.

Practical details before you book

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, though the stated duration is seven to eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

You can meet at Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point, Mauritius, or choose a booking option with hotel pickup and drop-off. If you want collection from your hotel, enter the hotel name when booking and confirm the timing when contacted the day before.

English and French are available. The experience is wheelchair accessible, but the suitability of individual swimming and snorkeling activities may depend on your needs and the conditions that day.

Bring:

• A towel
• Sunscreen
• A light layer if the forecast is windy or cloudy

Do not bring valuables. The operator also lists the activity as unsuitable for pregnant women.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your island schedule is still changing, but they do not protect you from a disappointing weather day after the cancellation window has passed.

Should you book this cruise?

Book it if you want a full-day Mauritius outing that combines lagoon sailing, Ile aux Cerfs, a waterfall, a seafood-friendly BBQ, and drinks without making you plan each part yourself.

I would choose the transfer-inclusive option if getting to Pointe Jerome is inconvenient. I would also check the forecast shortly before the cancellation deadline. In sunshine, this can be an easy, generous day with a friendly crew and plenty to do. In cold, wet, windy weather, the water activities lose much of their appeal.

The strongest reasons to book are the crew service, the onboard meal, and the relaxed route through the lagoon. The main reason to hesitate is not the itinerary itself, but the fact that this is an outdoor boat day. If the weather looks good and you are happy treating parasailing and other water sports as optional extras, the $111 price offers a practical way to see the east coast and Ile aux Cerfs in one outing.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Pointe Jerome Embarkation Point in Mauritius, near Mahebourg and the Blue Bay Marine Park.

How long does the experience last?

The excursion lasts approximately seven to eight hours, with the tour information describing it as roughly eight hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you choose the option that includes transfers. You must provide your hotel name, and the collection time is confirmed the day before based on your location.

What food is included?

The BBQ buffet includes smoked marlin mousse, grilled fish, chicken, sausages, rice and potato salads, crudités, freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, and coffee.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks, beer, water, and rum cocktails are available during the day.

Are parasailing and water sports included?

No. Water sports and parasailing at Ile aux Cerfs are not included in the tour price.