Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

The big draw here is the five-island route along southeast Mauritius, where a single catamaran day combines clear lagoon water, a barbecue lunch, a waterfall, and two very different island stops. You may also spot dolphins and tortoises, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

I like the generous all-drinks setup, which means you can settle in with coffee, beer, wine, spirits, or soft refreshments without keeping count. I also like the balance between active time in the water and easy sightseeing from the boat. The main caution is time: the waterfall stop lasts about 30 minutes, and the full outing runs for 6.5 hours, so this is a long, fixed schedule rather than a quick coastal cruise.

Key points to know before you book

• Five southeast islands in one day: See Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets, Ile aux Aigrettes from the water, and other island scenery on a single cruise.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a barbecue meal onboard, plus coffee, beer, wine, spirits, dessert, and welcome refreshments.
• Swimming and snorkeling are built into the day: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water shoes for time in the lagoon.
• Wildlife watching is part of the outing: The crew looks for dolphins, tortoises, and marine life, but sightings depend on nature.
• The departure point is Pointe D’Esny: Check in at Pointe Jerome wharf at least 20 minutes before departure.
• A short waterfall visit: Grand River South East Waterfall is included, but the stop is scheduled for only about 30 minutes.

A full day on Mauritius’s southeast lagoon

This is a water day first and an island tour second. You spend most of the 390 minutes aboard a powered catamaran, moving through the southeast lagoon, stopping to swim, snorkel, eat, and look at islands from both close range and the water.

That format works well if you want several Mauritius highlights without arranging separate boat trips. You get scenery, food, swimming, and wildlife watching in one booking. The tradeoff is that the schedule has several stops, so none of them feels like a long, private stay on one island.

The boat leaves and returns to Pointe D’Esny, with check-in at the Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf. You need to report to Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side of the wharf when facing the sea. Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early. A pickup can be arranged for an extra fee if requested at least 48 hours before the excursion.

The tour is offered in English and French. A private group option is available, which may suit families or friends who want more control over the day, though the supplied information does not specify the private-group size or surcharge.

Coffee, safety briefing, and setting out from Pointe Jerome

The day starts with coffee and a safety briefing at Pointe Jerome. This is a useful beginning, especially for anyone who does not often travel by catamaran or plans to spend time snorkeling.

From here, the boat heads into the southeast waters. You can expect scenic views along the way rather than a nonstop list of formal tours. The peaceful pace is part of the appeal. You have time to sit back with a drink, watch the coast pass, and let the crew handle the route.

This is also the point to organize your things. Keep your hat, sunscreen, camera, towel, and water shoes easy to reach. Flip-flops are listed as useful, but water shoes are the better choice if you plan to swim and snorkel. One practical tip is especially clear from the day’s advice: take beach shoes rather than ordinary flip-flops for Ile aux Cerfs.

Ile aux Cerfs: the main swimming and lunch stop

Ile aux Cerfs receives the longest portion of the itinerary, about 6.5 hours including the cruise, meal service, swimming, snorkeling, wildlife watching, and island time. It is the main reason many people choose this outing.

The beach and lagoon provide the classic Mauritius setting: pale sand, open water, and space to relax between boat activities. You can swim and snorkel in clear water, look for fish, or simply stay aboard with a drink while enjoying the views. The snorkeling has been particularly well received, with colorful fish noted during the stop.

The schedule gives you more than a quick photograph from the rail. You have time to get wet, dry off, eat, and settle into the slow rhythm of a boat day. That makes the cruise a good fit for couples, families, and groups with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can use the water time, while less active passengers can focus on lunch, scenery, and conversation.

Still, keep expectations sensible. This is not a private beach day with complete freedom to set your own timetable. The boat must keep moving through its planned route, and the island stop is shared with the rest of your group unless you choose the private option.

Barbecue lunch with drinks onboard

Food is one of the stronger parts of this package. A barbecue lunch is served onboard, with dessert and a broad drinks selection that includes coffee, beer, spirits, wine, and welcome refreshments.

That matters because boat trips can feel expensive once lunch, beverages, and water activities are added separately. Here, the major daytime extras are bundled into the $82 per person price. You can enjoy a glass of wine or a beer without treating every drink as another purchase, which helps the day feel relaxed rather than carefully budgeted.

You need to state any meal restrictions before the excursion. The operator specifically asks for this information, so do not wait until you are at the wharf. The supplied details do not identify the barbecue menu or confirm which dietary requests can be accommodated, so anyone with a strict allergy or special diet should check before booking.

The atmosphere is intended to be social and easygoing. You may find the crew serving food and drinks while the boat remains part of the scenery, rather than treating lunch as a separate restaurant stop. That saves time and keeps the route moving.

Dolphins, tortoises, and marine life

Wildlife watching is included, but it should be treated as a possibility, not a promise. The crew looks for dolphins and tortoises, and the itinerary includes general marine-life viewing.

Dolphins can make the boat ride memorable when conditions cooperate. Tortoises are another special possibility, and the crew has been praised for bringing passengers close enough to see them in their natural setting. Even so, animals choose their own schedule. Weather, water conditions, and luck all matter.

I would book this for the overall lagoon day, with wildlife as a welcome bonus. That mindset keeps the outing worthwhile even if dolphins stay out of sight. The clear water, snorkeling, islands, lunch, and views do not depend on one animal appearing at the right moment.

Grand River South East Waterfall in 30 minutes

The catamaran also visits Grand River South East Waterfall for sightseeing. The stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes, giving you time to look at the falls and take photographs.

This is a scenic change from the open lagoon. You get a short inland-style sight on a day otherwise dominated by sea and sand. It also breaks up the long ride and gives you a different view of the southeast coast.

Do not expect a long walk, extended exploration, or a leisurely waterfall visit. Thirty minutes passes quickly, and this is the one part of the route that may feel rushed. If the waterfall is high on your personal list, keep that limit in mind. If you mainly want a boat day with a short scenic stop, the timing should feel reasonable.

Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse and Ile aux Aigrettes

The route continues to Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile au Phare in the supplied details. You receive about 30 minutes for a visit, self-guided exploration, and scenic views on the way.

The lighthouse gives the cruise a touch of island history and character. It is not simply another beach stop. You can look around at your own pace during the allotted time and enjoy the contrast between the small island setting and the wide lagoon around it.

The itinerary also passes by Ile aux Aigrettes for about 15 minutes. This is a viewing stop from the boat rather than a landing. That distinction matters. You can contemplate the island and photograph the scenery, but you should not expect to walk ashore there.

Together, these two stops give the day more variety. Ile aux Cerfs is the main swim and beach stop, Ile aux Fouquets adds a lighthouse and island visit, and Ile aux Aigrettes is a brief passing view. The route is better suited to seeing several places than spending half a day on one quiet island.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is a major part of the experience. The boat is operated by professional, qualified skippers, and the service includes safety guidance, food, drinks, swimming time, and sightseeing.

Jonathan is specifically associated with transport assistance, while Jonathan, Nathalie, Pascal, and Alex are names connected with the team and onboard service. If you arrange paid pickup, Jonathan may be the person helping with that part of the day. At the wharf, look for Jonathan or Nathalie on the left-hand side when facing the sea.

The strongest praise centers on attentive service, good organization, and a cheerful onboard mood. That is important on a 6.5-hour cruise. A poorly run boat day can feel long, while a well-managed one gives you room to relax without constantly checking the clock.

You should still remember that service on the water depends on the conditions and the group. A private group can offer a more personal feel, but the standard details do not specify the number of passengers on each departure. If group size is a deciding factor, ask before you pay.

Is $82 a fair price?

At $82 per person, this is a strong value if you plan to use the full package. The price includes the five-island cruise, barbecue lunch, all listed drinks, swimming, snorkeling, the waterfall visit, island sightseeing, and wildlife watching.

You would pay more if you arranged a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and separate sightseeing stops one by one. The value is especially clear for people who want a full day on the water without planning each detail themselves.

The price is less compelling if you want only a short scenic cruise or a quiet beach stay. You are paying for a long route and several activities. If you do not care about snorkeling, swimming, lunch onboard, or seeing more than one island, a shorter cruise may suit you better.

The best way to judge the cost is to ask how much of the day you will use. Bring your swimwear and take part in the water time, enjoy the meal, and make use of the included drinks. If you stay dry and leave early, you will miss much of what the price covers.

What to pack for a comfortable catamaran day

Pack light, but bring the items that make time on the water easier:

• Hat and sunscreen
• Swimwear and towel
• Camera
• Flip-flops and preferably water shoes
• Any personal items needed for the full 6.5 hours

Water shoes deserve special attention. They are specifically recommended, and the advice for Ile aux Cerfs favors beach shoes over ordinary flip-flops. Your phone or camera should be protected from spray, especially if you hope to photograph dolphins, tortoises, or the lighthouse.

Pets are not allowed. Meal restrictions should be provided before the excursion. Check-in is required at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility when your Mauritius plans are still taking shape.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want a well-filled sea day with several ingredients in one outing. It suits people who like a mix of swimming, snorkeling, beach time, food, drinks, island scenery, and light sightseeing.

It is also a good choice for families and couples who do not all want the same activity. One person can snorkel, another can relax with a drink, and everyone can share the barbecue and boat views. The private-group option may be worth checking for a family celebration or a group that prefers a more personal arrangement.

I would think twice if you dislike fixed schedules, get uncomfortable on long boat trips, or want extended time at the waterfall. The itinerary covers a lot of ground, and the waterfall and Ile aux Aigrettes stops are brief. This is a varied day, not a slow private charter.

Should you book the South East 5 Islands Cruise?

Book it if you want good value from a full day on Mauritius’s southeast coast. The combination of snorkeling, a barbecue lunch, included drinks, Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, the waterfall, and possible dolphin and tortoise sightings gives you plenty for the price.

My main advice is to set the right expectations. Choose the cruise for the complete mix, not for a guaranteed wildlife encounter or a long waterfall visit. Arrive early at Pointe Jerome, bring water shoes, report dietary needs in advance, and keep your afternoon free. If that sounds like your kind of Mauritius day, Philao Boat Cruise offers a practical and enjoyable way to see several southeast highlights from the water.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and returns to Philao Boat Cruise at Pointe D’Esny. Check in at the Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf.

How early should I arrive?

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

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts 390 minutes, or about 6.5 hours.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and French.

Is pickup available?

Pickup can be arranged for an additional cost if you request it at least 48 hours before the excursion date.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the five-island cruise, barbecue lunch, all listed drinks, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, the waterfall stop, sightseeing at Ile aux Fouquets, a view of Ile aux Aigrettes, and dolphin and tortoise watching.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and water shoes.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.