Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

The best part of this five-island catamaran cruise is its mix of open-water scenery and easygoing stops. You can swim in clear lagoon water, eat a BBQ lunch onboard, pass small historic islands, and keep watch for dolphins and tortoises without packing several separate excursions into your day.

I like the generous food and drinks, which include BBQ lunch, wine, beer, spirits, coffee, dessert, and welcome refreshments. I also like the friendly crew, with Jonathan, Nathalie, Pascal, and Alex singled out for attentive service and good organization. The main caution is time: the waterfall stop lasts only about 30 minutes, and dolphin sightings depend on luck.

Key things to know

• Six and a half hours on the southeast coast: This is a full half-day cruise, not a short boat ride.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop: Plan on swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying the island scenery.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The onboard BBQ comes with drinks, coffee, wine, beer, spirits, and dessert.
• Dolphins and tortoises are possible, not promised: Keep your camera ready, but treat wildlife sightings as a bonus.
• The meeting point is Pointe Jerome wharf at Pointe D’Esny: Arrive at least 20 minutes before departure.
• Bring water shoes: They are more useful than ordinary flip-flops for island and water stops.

What this six-and-a-half-hour cruise is really like

This outing is built around a relaxed day at sea rather than a fast checklist of attractions. You leave from Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf at Pointe D’Esny and spend the day moving through the southeast lagoon, with time for swimming, snorkeling, food, drinks, and short sightseeing stops.

The route combines natural scenery with pieces of Mauritius’ coastal past. You see Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets lighthouse, Ile aux Aigrettes from the water, and the waterfall at Grand River South East. The catamaran gives you a broad view as you travel, while the swimming and snorkeling breaks keep the day from becoming a long stretch of sitting.

The boat is powered, and the experience includes professional skippers who handle the route and safety briefing. English and French are available, and private groups can be arranged if you prefer a more personal outing.

At $82 per person, the price is reasonable for a 390-minute trip that bundles the cruise, island visits, lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and waterfall viewing. You are not paying only for transport. You are paying for a full day at sea with food and beverages already handled, which can make the cost easier to justify.

Starting at Pointe D’Esny and Pointe Jerome

Your day begins at the Philao Boat Cruise meeting point, at the Pointe Jerome wharf in Pointe D’Esny. On arrival, report to Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side of the wharf when facing the sea.

Arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure. That gives you time to find the correct boat, check in, and settle before the safety briefing. Coffee is available at the start, a small but welcome touch if your morning begins early.

Transport to the wharf is not included by default. Pickup can be arranged for an extra charge, but you need to request it no later than 48 hours before the excursion. If you are staying away from Pointe D’Esny, settle that detail before booking rather than assuming a hotel transfer is part of the price.

The meeting point is practical, but you should not arrive at the last minute. A working wharf can be less obvious than a hotel lobby, and the instructions to find Jonathan or Nathalie are worth saving on your phone.

Cruising toward Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main part of the outing. The schedule allows time for the catamaran ride, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, beach scenery, and a self-guided look around the island.

This is where the day feels most like a classic Mauritius lagoon trip. The water is clear, and you can get in for a swim or use the snorkeling time to look at marine life. Bring your own camera if you want photographs in the water, but protect it carefully from spray and splashes.

The island stop is not presented as a formal guided walk. You will have the freedom to enjoy the surroundings at your own pace, then return to the boat for food and drinks. That arrangement suits people who want a loose schedule, though visitors looking for detailed commentary at every stop may find the self-guided format limited.

Ile aux Cerfs is also the place where footwear matters. One useful tip is to bring water shoes instead of relying only on flip-flops. They are easier for wet surfaces and rougher ground near the water.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and the social side of the boat

Food is one of the stronger parts of this excursion. A BBQ lunch is served onboard, along with dessert and a broad selection of drinks. The package lists beer, wine, spirits, coffee, and welcome refreshments, so you do not need to buy each drink separately during the cruise.

That all-inclusive approach matters on a six-and-a-half-hour trip. You can focus on the water instead of wondering where lunch will come from or carrying a large supply of drinks. The onboard meal also keeps the group together and gives the middle of the day a natural pause.

The atmosphere is designed to be social and relaxed. The crew provides the boat handling and practical support, while you have time to sit back, talk, take photographs, or watch the islands pass.

Meal restrictions should be shared when you book. The tour specifically asks you to provide that information, so do not wait until lunch service to explain a dietary need.

Grand River South East waterfall

The cruise includes a sightseeing stop at the Grand River South East waterfall, with about 30 minutes set aside for it. This adds a change of scenery after the open lagoon and beach time.

The stop is short, so think of it as a view and photo opportunity rather than a long exploration. You will not have hours to linger. If the waterfall is a major reason for booking, keep your expectations in proportion to the schedule.

That said, the stop breaks up the day well. The combination of water, rocky shoreline, and falling water gives you a different view of southeast Mauritius than the beach and lagoon sections provide.

One practical point is that timing can feel tight here. A quick visit works for people who want to see several sights in one day, but it may disappoint you if you prefer slow walks or extended sightseeing.

Ile aux Fouquets lighthouse and Ile aux Aigrettes

The next island sight is Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile au Phare. You have about 30 minutes for a visit and self-guided exploration, along with scenic views from the boat.

The lighthouse gives this section of the cruise a historical angle. You are not simply looking at another beach. The island and lighthouse offer a reminder that these small pieces of land helped shape movement and navigation around Mauritius’ southeast coast.

Do not expect a long guided history lesson. The visit is self-guided, so the value lies in seeing the site, taking in the setting, and learning what you can at your own pace.

Ile aux Aigrettes is a shorter encounter. The catamaran passes by for roughly 15 minutes rather than stopping for a full visit. That is enough to admire it from the water and take photographs, but not enough for a walk ashore.

The contrast between the two stops is useful when planning your expectations. Ile aux Fouquets offers a proper visit, while Ile aux Aigrettes is mainly a scenic passing point.

Wildlife watching: dolphins, tortoises, and marine life

Dolphin and tortoise watching are included, but wildlife never follows a timetable. The crew can look for animals during the cruise, yet no responsible operator can guarantee a close sighting.

You may also see marine life while snorkeling. The snorkeling stop gives you a chance to look beneath the surface rather than only watching the sea from the catamaran. Bring a camera suited to water if you want to record it, but keep your attention on the experience instead of spending the whole stop framing pictures.

Tortoises are another possible highlight, and close encounters can happen. Still, treat them as an added reward, not the main reason to pay for the cruise. The boat route, island visits, swim, food, and scenery remain worthwhile even if wildlife stays out of sight.

The crew’s role matters here. A professional skipper can help the day run smoothly and guide the boat toward likely viewing areas, but conditions and animal behavior remain outside anyone’s control.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Pack lightly, but bring the right items. Your most useful kit includes:

• Hat and sunscreen
• Swimwear and towel
• Water shoes
• Flip-flops for easy movement
• Camera
• Any personal meal information requested at booking

Water shoes deserve special attention. They are specifically useful for the Ile aux Cerfs stop, and they are a better choice than bare feet when moving around wet or uneven areas.

You should also protect anything sensitive from spray. The tour is conducted on a catamaran in open water, so cameras, phones, and spare clothing should be kept secure.

Pets are not allowed. The tour is suitable for people who want swimming, snorkeling, and time on a boat, but the provided information does not promise special arrangements for mobility needs or other access concerns. If you have a specific requirement, ask the operator before reserving.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and small groups who want a full day that combines several southeast Mauritius sights. It is especially useful if you prefer one organized experience instead of booking a separate boat trip, beach visit, waterfall outing, and lighthouse stop.

It also suits people who value convenience. Lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and the main sightseeing stops are included, and the crew handles the route. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option gives you some booking flexibility, while free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure.

You should think twice if you dislike group boat outings, want a quiet private charter, or prefer long visits at each attraction. A private group option is available, but the standard experience still follows a set route and timetable.

This is also not the right choice if your sole goal is guaranteed dolphin watching. Wildlife sightings are possible, not certain. Book it for the full combination of sea time, island scenery, food, swimming, and wildlife chances.

Is the $82 price good value?

At $82, the package offers solid value if you plan to use most of what is included. A 390-minute cruise with a BBQ meal, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snorkeling, island visits, a waterfall stop, and lighthouse views covers a lot of ground in one day.

The price is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride and lunch. You also avoid the hassle of arranging several southeast-coast visits on your own.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short beach stop or a quick waterfall visit. Those are only parts of a long cruise, and the tour works best when you enjoy the journey as much as the stops.

The reported score of 4.8 from 90 ratings supports the idea that the crew, organization, food, and wildlife possibilities are major strengths. The most useful caution is not about the price, but about pacing: the waterfall visit may feel too brief, and the island stops do not all offer the same amount of time.

Should you book the five-island cruise?

Book this catamaran trip if you want an easy, food-included day on the southeast coast with swimming, snorkeling, island scenery, and a chance to see dolphins or tortoises. The combination of attentive skippers, a full BBQ lunch, drinks, and several distinct sights makes the $82 fare a fair deal.

I would choose it for a first visit to this part of Mauritius, especially if you have limited time and want several experiences combined. Bring water shoes, arrive early at Pointe Jerome, and keep your expectations realistic about wildlife and the short waterfall stop.

Skip it if you want a slow, highly detailed historical tour or guaranteed animal sightings. For everyone else, this is a practical way to spend a full day on the lagoon without having to organize every piece yourself.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and returns at the Philao Boat Cruise point near Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf at Pointe D’Esny.

What time should I arrive?

You should check in at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Who should I report to at the wharf?

When facing the sea, report to Jonathan or Nathalie on the left-hand side of the wharf.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch and dessert are included onboard.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes welcome refreshments, coffee, beer, wine, spirits, and other listed drinks.

Which islands and sights are included?

The route includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets or Ile au Phare, a view of Ile aux Aigrettes, and the Grand River South East waterfall.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the excursion for a full refund.