Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

Dolphins, islands, and lunch on the lagoon. This six-and-a-half-hour catamaran cruise from Pointe D’Esny combines easy sea time with several memorable stops along Mauritius’s southeast coast. I like the chance to swim and snorkel in clear Indian Ocean water, and I like that the price includes a barbecue lunch plus drinks rather than leaving you to keep paying onboard. The main drawback is pace: the waterfall stop lasts only about 30 minutes, and some island visits are brief.

I also like the mix of activity and downtime. You can look for dolphins and tortoises, walk on Ile aux Cerfs, see the old lighthouse on Ile aux Fouquets, or simply sit with a drink while the boat moves across the lagoon. The cruise has a strong 4.8 rating from 90 bookings, with special praise for the crew, food, organization, and memorable wildlife sightings.

Key points to know before booking

• Six and a half hours on the water: This is a full half-day outing, not a quick coastal ride.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a barbecue meal, welcome refreshments, beer, wine, spirits, coffee, dessert, and other drinks.
• Pointe D’Esny is the base: You check in at Pointe Jerome wharf and return to the Philao Boat Cruise point.
• Wildlife sightings are possible, not guaranteed: Dolphins and tortoises are part of the search, while marine life can also appear during snorkeling.
• Ile aux Cerfs is the main beach stop: Bring water shoes, since beach footwear is recommended instead of ordinary flip-flops.
• A short waterfall visit: Grand River South East Waterfall receives around 30 minutes, so keep expectations sensible.

Why this southeast Mauritius cruise works well

The southeast coast gives this outing a useful mix of scenery. You are not spending the entire day at one beach or sitting on a boat without a plan. The route includes open water, small islands, a waterfall, a lighthouse, snorkeling, food, and possible wildlife sightings.

I like this kind of outing for a first look at the coast. You get a broad taste of the area without arranging several separate trips. The boat moves between stops, but there is also plenty of time to relax. That balance matters because six and a half hours can feel long if every minute is scheduled.

The experience starts at Philao Boat Cruise, with the actual meeting point at Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf in Pointe D’Esny. You should arrive at least 20 minutes before departure and look for Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side of the wharf when facing the sea. Pickup can be arranged for an extra charge if requested at least 48 hours before the excursion.

The cruise is guided in English and French. A private group option is available, which may suit families or friends who prefer a more personal outing. The supplied details do not give a fixed group size, so ask before booking if the number of passengers matters to you.

Coffee, safety, and the start at Pointe Jerome

The first part is practical rather than glamorous. At Pointe Jerome, you check in, have coffee, and receive a safety briefing before boarding or getting underway.

That briefing is worth paying attention to. You will be moving between a catamaran, the water, beaches, and island stops, so knowing where to sit and how the crew handles swimming time helps the day run smoothly. The crew is described as professional and qualified, and the strongest praise centers on organization and attentive service.

I would use this first pause to apply sunscreen, secure your hat, and check that your phone or camera is protected from spray. After departure, the lagoon views begin to do the work. The scenery is the main attraction between stops, with calm water, islands, and changing views from the boat.

Ile aux Cerfs brings the biggest slice of the day

Ile aux Cerfs receives the most time, around six and a half hours in the scheduled program. That figure covers the main cruise portion and its activities, not six and a half hours sitting on the beach. You can expect swimming, snorkeling, lunch, scenic cruising, island time, and wildlife watching to fit into this central part of the outing.

The island is especially useful for people who want options. You can get into the water, look for fish while snorkeling, walk around, or stay aboard and enjoy the food and views. One French booking described the beach as incredible, while another specifically praised the fish seen during snorkeling.

The water is presented as clear and suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Still, conditions can affect visibility and comfort, and wildlife sightings depend on nature. Dolphins and tortoises are possible highlights, not a promise. The best approach is to enjoy the water and scenery first, then treat a close encounter as a bonus.

The beach footwear tip is practical. One booking specifically advised using beach shoes rather than going barefoot or relying on ordinary flip-flops. Bring water shoes if you have them. They can also help when walking near the water or over rougher surfaces.

Barbecue lunch and an open bar atmosphere

Food is a major part of the value here. The included barbecue lunch is served onboard, along with drinks and dessert. Coffee, beer, wine, spirits, and welcome refreshments are listed, so this is not a bring-your-own-lunch cruise.

Several bookings praised the quality of the food and the attention from the crew. That is useful because a boat meal can easily become an afterthought on a long day. Here, lunch is part of the experience, with the social mood of eating at sea adding to the appeal.

You should still tell the operator about meal restrictions before the excursion. The booking information asks you to specify them, but it does not list which special diets can be accommodated. Do not wait until you are onboard.

The drinks make the $82 price easier to assess. A separate boat trip, restaurant lunch, snorkeling session, and island visits could cost more when purchased individually. The value is strongest if you plan to swim, eat onboard, and make use of the included drinks. If you mainly want a quiet beach day, you may not use enough of the package to justify the cost.

Searching for dolphins and tortoises

Wildlife watching adds excitement, but you should keep your expectations realistic. The crew looks for dolphins and tortoises, and the cruise also includes marine life viewing during the day. Some people have had very close sightings of dolphins and giant tortoises, while snorkeling can reveal fish in the water.

That possibility gives the cruise a sense of purpose beyond transport. You are not simply moving from one island to another. You are watching the water, scanning the route, and waiting to see what appears.

At the same time, no responsible operator can guarantee wild animal encounters. Weather, sea conditions, and animal movement all matter. I would book this for the chance to see wildlife, not as a guaranteed dolphin show.

The boat also offers a calmer way to experience the coast. If you do not want to swim for long, you can stay dry, sip a drink, and enjoy the views. That flexibility makes the outing workable for mixed groups where one person wants snorkeling and another prefers a quiet seat.

Grand River South East Waterfall in 30 minutes

The waterfall stop lasts about 30 minutes. It gives you time for sightseeing and photographs, but it is not a long visit.

The waterfall adds a change of scenery after the open lagoon and island stops. You leave the sea views for a short look at one of the southeast’s better-known natural sights. If waterfalls are a top priority, this may feel rushed. One booking specifically called the stop too short.

I would treat it as a scenic pause rather than a full waterfall excursion. Keep your camera ready, follow the crew’s timing, and do not expect a long walk or extended exploration. The short stay also helps the cruise fit several major sights into one day.

Ile aux Fouquets and its old lighthouse

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile aux Phare, receives around 30 minutes. You visit the island, take in the lighthouse, and enjoy the views on the route.

This is one of the more distinctive stops because the lighthouse gives the island a clear identity. It is not just another patch of sand in the lagoon. The visit also adds a little historical character to a day otherwise centered on swimming, food, and scenery.

The stop is partly self-guided, so you should not expect a long formal talk at every point. Use the time to look around, photograph the lighthouse, and listen for information from the crew. Like the waterfall, it is a compact visit. If you prefer unhurried island walks, the schedule may feel brisk.

Passing Ile aux Aigrettes

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

This is an important distinction when deciding if the cruise matches your interests. You will see the island as part of the route, but you should not expect to land, walk around, or take a guided tour there. It is a scenic viewing point within a larger day rather than a full stop.

The short pass helps keep the route varied. You get another island view without giving up more time for swimming or lunch. Still, if Ile aux Aigrettes is your main reason for booking, choose an outing that specifically includes landing there.

What the $82 price really covers

At $82 per person, the cruise sits in the middle of a full-day activity budget rather than a simple boat transfer. The price includes the five-island cruise, lunch, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, the waterfall stop, lighthouse visit, and wildlife watching.

I see the best value in the all-in format. You do not have to arrange lunch separately, and drinks are covered. The day also has several distinct parts, so you are paying for more than a ride from one beach to another.

The value will depend on your habits. You are likely to feel good about the price if you enjoy an active day, eat onboard, have several drinks, and use the snorkeling time. You may feel less satisfied if you dislike group boat outings, rarely drink, or want long periods at one quiet beach.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the excursion for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius schedule is still changing. Check the available departure times before choosing your date.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Flip-flops
• Water shoes

I would give the water shoes priority because of the specific advice about Ile aux Cerfs. Sunscreen and a hat matter too, since much of the day takes place outdoors on or near the water.

Pets are not allowed. You should also arrive at least 20 minutes early, especially if you are finding Pointe Jerome for the first time. Extra-cost pickup must be requested no later than 48 hours before the excursion date.

Who should book the Philao catamaran cruise?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want one organized day that combines scenery, swimming, snorkeling, food, and several southeast coast sights. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who enjoy having choices rather than following one narrow activity.

It also works well for mixed interests. One person can snorkel while another relaxes with a drink. The private group option may appeal to people who want a more personal setting, though you should confirm the arrangement before paying.

I would think twice if you want long, quiet visits at every island. The waterfall and lighthouse stops are short, Ile aux Aigrettes is viewed from the boat, and the timetable covers a lot. Wildlife is also never certain.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want strong overall value from a six-and-a-half-hour sea outing. The combination of an onboard barbecue, included drinks, snorkeling, Ile aux Cerfs, lighthouse views, a waterfall visit, and possible dolphins or tortoises gives the day real variety.

Skip it if your priority is a slow beach day or a dedicated wildlife trip. For most people who want to see several sides of Mauritius’s southeast coast without arranging separate activities, the $82 package is a sensible choice. Bring water shoes, arrive early, tell the operator about meal restrictions, and treat the wildlife sightings as a lucky extra rather than a guarantee.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and finishes at the Philao Boat Cruise point, with meeting and check-in at Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf in Pointe D’Esny.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts 390 minutes, which is six and a half hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the five-island cruise, drinks, barbecue lunch, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, the waterfall visit, Ile aux Fouquets or Ile aux Phare, views of Ile aux Aigrettes, wildlife watching, and the services of professional skippers.

Is lunch served onboard?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served onboard, with dessert and drinks included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The listed drinks include welcome refreshments, coffee, beer, wine, spirits, and other beverages.

Can I snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are included, with time to explore the clear waters around the islands.

Will I definitely see dolphins and tortoises?

No. The cruise includes dolphin and tortoise watching, but sightings depend on conditions and animal movements.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and water shoes. Beach shoes are specifically recommended for Ile aux Cerfs.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the excursion for a full refund. The booking can also be reserved with payment made later.