Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

The best part of this five-island catamaran cruise is the variety packed into one sea day. You move from open lagoon views to swimming and snorkeling, a barbecue lunch, the Grand River South East waterfall, the old lighthouse on Ile aux Fouquets, and a look at Ile aux Aigrettes.

I like the easy all-in setup: lunch and drinks are included, so you are not keeping count of every coffee, beer, glass of wine, or soft drink. I also like the chance to see dolphins and tortoises in the wild, though neither sighting can be promised.

The main drawback is time. Six and a half hours sounds generous, but the waterfall stop lasts about 30 minutes, and one French-speaking guest felt that was too brief. Ile aux Aigrettes is only viewed while passing, so this is a sightseeing cruise with short island visits, not a slow exploration of every island.

Key points at a glance

• Five sights in one sea day: See Ile aux Cerfs, Grand River South East Waterfall, Ile aux Fouquets, Ile aux Aigrettes, and the surrounding southeast lagoon.
• A full onboard meal: The barbecue lunch comes with dessert and drinks, including beer, coffee, spirits, and wine.
• Swimming and snorkeling time: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water shoes for time in the clear lagoon.
• Wildlife is possible, not guaranteed: The crew looks for dolphins, tortoises, and marine life along the route.
• Pointe D’Esny departure: Check in at Pointe Jerome wharf at least 20 minutes before departure.
• Crew names to know: Jonathan and Nathalie handle arrival at the wharf, while Pascal and Alex are among the skippers praised for their care onboard.

Why this southeast Mauritius cruise works so well

This is a good choice when you want one organized day on the water rather than several separate excursions. The route combines scenery, food, swimming, wildlife watching, and a little island history without asking you to arrange boats, lunch, drinks, and transfers separately.

The catamaran gives you room to sit back and watch the coast pass by. You can spend part of the day on deck with a drink, then change pace with a swim or a look below the surface. That mix matters in Mauritius, where a full day at sea can become repetitive if it offers only one beach stop.

The mood is relaxed rather than formal. Philao Boat Cruise uses professional skippers, and the crew speaks English and French. If you want a private group, that option is available, though the supplied information does not specify the extra cost or maximum group size.

The advertised price is $82 per person. I consider that reasonable for a 390-minute outing because it covers the catamaran cruise, barbecue lunch, drinks, snorkeling, swimming, and the listed stops. You are paying for convenience as well as the boat ride. It becomes especially useful if you would otherwise need to buy lunch and drinks separately.

Starting at Pointe D’Esny and Pointe Jerome

The meeting point is Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf at Pointe D’Esny. This is also where the boat returns, keeping the day simple at both ends.

Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure. At the wharf, report to Jonathan or Nathalie on the left-hand side when you face the sea. That detail is worth saving on your phone, since a busy waterfront is not the place to wander around guessing which boat is yours.

Pickup can be arranged for an additional charge if requested at least 48 hours before the excursion. The information provided does not list pickup areas or the exact fee, so ask before booking if hotel transport matters to you.

The day begins with coffee and a safety briefing at the Pointe Jerome embarkation point. That is a useful start. You can get your bearings, meet the crew, and hear the basic rules before the boat moves into the lagoon.

The lagoon ride and the first wildlife search

Once underway, the boat becomes the main attraction. You get broad views of the southeast coast and time to settle into the rhythm of the water. The cruise includes scenic views on the way, not just transport between fixed stops.

Dolphin watching and marine-life viewing are part of the outing. Keep your camera ready, but treat these as possible encounters rather than scheduled performances. The same applies to tortoises. The crew can look for them, yet nature sets the timetable.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it is also worth understanding before you pay. If you need guaranteed animal sightings, this is not that kind of trip. If you enjoy the possibility of seeing wildlife while moving through a beautiful lagoon, the search adds a pleasant element of anticipation.

The boat is powered, and the trip is designed for both sightseeing and rest. You can take in the sea views, have a drink, and let the crew handle the route. A glass of wine or a cold beer makes more sense here than it would on a rushed sightseeing bus.

Ile aux Cerfs, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch

Ile aux Cerfs is the longest part of the day, with about six and a half hours of cruise activities centered on this section of the route and the surrounding sights. It is the place for the most relaxed combination of beach time, water activities, food, and free time.

The clear water is the star. Bring swimwear and a towel so you can get in without hesitation. Snorkeling is included, and one recent account specifically praised the fish seen during the snorkeling stop. Do not forget sunscreen, a hat, and water shoes.

Water shoes are a particularly useful choice for this trip. One piece of practical advice from the excursion is to avoid ordinary flip-flops at Ile aux Cerfs and use beach shoes instead. Flip-flops are still listed among the recommended items, but water shoes offer better footing around wet or uneven areas.

The barbecue lunch is served onboard. It includes dessert, and the drinks selection listed for the day includes beer, coffee, spirits, and wine, along with welcome refreshments. That makes the meal more than a simple packed lunch. You can eat, have a drink, and stay with the sea views rather than breaking away to find a restaurant.

Food restrictions should be stated when you book. This is important because the excursion specifically asks you to provide that information in advance. The available details do not list a vegetarian, vegan, halal, or allergy menu, so do not assume a special meal is available without asking.

The most praised part of the onboard service is the care from the crew. Guests have singled out the food, drinks, and attentive service, with Jonathan also receiving thanks for transportation. Pascal and Alex are among the crew members named in positive comments about the day. Those details suggest a hands-on operation rather than a bare-bones boat transfer.

Still, do not expect Ile aux Cerfs to feel like a private island. It is a major stop on a popular Mauritius boat route, and the experience here is built around enjoying the water and the boat, not finding total solitude.

Grand River South East Waterfall in 30 minutes

The cruise continues to the Grand River South East Waterfall for sightseeing. The scheduled stop lasts about 30 minutes.

The waterfall gives the day a change of scenery. After open water, beaches, and snorkeling, you get a short look at one of the southeast coast’s best-known natural sights. The approach by boat is part of the attraction, with the river setting adding a different mood to the lagoon.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick visit and photographs, but it is not a long nature walk or an extended stop. You should stay aware of the time and follow the crew’s instructions so the boat can keep to its route.

I would treat this as a scenic pause, not the main reason to book. One guest felt the waterfall stop was too short, and I can see why. If you want a long waterfall visit, seek out a dedicated excursion. Here, it is one piece of a much broader day.

Ile aux Fouquets and its old lighthouse

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile aux Phare, receives a 30-minute visit. The stop includes a self-guided look and scenic views from the water.

The lighthouse gives the cruise a sense of place. It is not just another beach stop. The island connects the day to Mauritius’s maritime past, when ships relied on coastal markers and lighthouses to navigate these waters.

With only half an hour, you should expect a compact visit rather than a detailed historical tour. The tour is guided in English and French, but the information supplied does not promise a full talk at every island. You will have time to see the setting and take photographs, while the boat crew keeps the schedule moving.

This is a strong stop for anyone who likes a little history mixed into a beach day. It also breaks up the swim and lunch portion with something visually different.

Passing Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes is viewed from the boat rather than visited. The scheduled pass takes about 15 minutes.

That distinction matters. You will not have time to walk ashore or explore the island. Instead, you see it as part of the coastal scenery while the catamaran continues along the route.

The island still adds interest to the cruise, especially for anyone curious about Mauritius’s protected natural areas. But I would not book this excursion specifically to visit Ile aux Aigrettes. Choose it for the full route, with the island serving as a short scenic sight along the way.

Drinks, atmosphere, and the pace onboard

The all-inclusive drinks help shape the day. Coffee is available at the start, and the onboard selection includes beer, spirits, wine, dessert, and welcome refreshments. You can enjoy a drink while watching the coast instead of worrying about carrying enough supplies for a long outing.

That said, included drinks do not mean you should skip water, sunscreen, or a hat. The sea can feel pleasant while the sun remains strong. Bring your own refillable water bottle if you prefer a particular drink or need regular hydration.

The atmosphere is one of the tour’s biggest strengths. The crew aims for a friendly day with music or conversation, though the exact entertainment is not specified. You should expect a social boat outing, not a silent wildlife survey.

A private group is available if you want more control over the people around you. The standard booking details do not explain how private departures differ in schedule or menu, so confirm those points before paying the extra cost.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Keep your packing simple, but do not leave out the items that make a sea day easier:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Hat and sunscreen
• Water shoes, especially for Ile aux Cerfs
• Flip-flops for easy movement onboard
• Camera or phone in a waterproof case
• Any medication or personal essentials you need for 6.5 hours

Pets are not allowed. Meal restrictions should be provided when you book, not mentioned for the first time at the wharf.

The experience is suitable for people who want to combine relaxation with some activity. You can swim and snorkel, but you can also stay onboard, eat, sip a drink, and watch the views. The supplied information does not describe accessibility arrangements, so contact the operator directly if mobility support is important to you.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and small groups who want a full southeast Mauritius day with plenty included. It works particularly well if you value a friendly crew, a cooked lunch, and a route that offers more than one beach.

It also suits first-time visitors who want to sample several coastal sights without arranging separate transport. The English and French guiding options make the setup easy for many international visitors.

You may want another type of excursion if your priority is a long, quiet stay on one island, a serious snorkeling session, or an extended waterfall visit. The itinerary moves at a steady pace, and some stops are short. Wildlife sightings are also never certain.

The high rating of 4.8 from 90 reviews fits the strongest parts of the experience: the crew, food, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, and the chance to see dolphins and tortoises. The occasional concern is also clear: the waterfall visit may feel rushed. I would book with that tradeoff in mind.

Should you book the five-island catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a well-filled sea day with lunch, drinks, snorkeling, swimming, coastal scenery, and several island stops included for $82. The crew names, clear meeting instructions, and flexible cancellation up to 24 hours before departure make planning easier.

Before booking, check your meal needs, arrange paid pickup at least 48 hours ahead if required, and bring water shoes rather than relying only on flip-flops. If you can accept short sightseeing stops and wildlife sightings that depend on luck, this cruise offers a convenient and enjoyable way to see the southeast coast of Mauritius from the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart and return?

The cruise departs from Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf at Pointe D’Esny and returns to the Philao boat cruise meeting point.

How long does the excursion last?

The cruise lasts 390 minutes, or about 6.5 hours. The waterfall stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes, the Ile aux Fouquets stop for about 30 minutes, and the pass by Ile aux Aigrettes for about 15 minutes.

What is included in the price?

The experience includes the five-island cruise, barbecue lunch, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, the waterfall visit, and the chance to watch for dolphins, tortoises, and other marine life.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and water shoes. Water shoes are especially useful at Ile aux Cerfs.

Are dolphins and tortoises guaranteed?

No. Dolphin and tortoise watching is included as part of the experience, but sightings depend on conditions and chance.

What languages are available, and can I book a private group?

The tour is available in English and French. A private group option is available, though the supplied details do not state the additional price or group size.