Catamaran Cruise: Isle aux Cerfs, Including BBQ Lunch, in Mauritius

Sun, sea, and a barbecue at anchor. This full-day catamaran cruise links Mauritius’s southeast coast with the Grand River South East waterfalls and Isle aux Cerfs, giving you a lot of scenery in about seven hours. I especially like the included snorkeling gear and the chance to spot monkeys, bats, and dolphins along the route. The friendly Preskil crew earns repeated praise, though the meal may feel basic if you expect restaurant-level variety.

The cruise begins at Preskil Island Resort near Pointe Jerome, close to Mahebourg, and returns there at the end. You get lunch, snacks, and unlimited drinks on board, but hotel transport is not included, so reaching the meeting point is an important part of your planning.

Key points before you book

• The route packs in several sights: You visit the Grand River South East waterfalls, pass Ile du Phare, and spend time around Isle aux Cerfs.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You can swim and snorkel from the boat without arranging equipment separately.
• The crew gets the strongest praise: Several comments highlight the warm, professional service and clear explanation of the program.
• Lunch is served on board: The BBQ is plentiful and generally well received, although one assessment found the flavors and variety average.
• Dolphins are possible, not promised: You might see them playing in the catamaran’s wake, but they are a lucky extra rather than the main purpose of the trip.
• Allow a full day: The advertised duration is about seven hours, with the cruise starting and ending at Preskil Island Resort.

Setting out from Pointe Jerome near Mahebourg

Your meeting point is Preskil Island Resort at Pointe Jerome, in the southeast of Mauritius. This is not a hotel pickup service. Unless you arrange your own way there, the $82 price does not cover transport from your accommodation.

That detail matters more than it first appears. A boat trip is easy once you are on board, but you need to build the journey to the resort into your day. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which makes planning simpler if you are staying nearby or have arranged a return ride.

The published operating information lists departures from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays during the stated booking period. Since the exact departure arrangements can depend on availability and conditions, confirm the current schedule before you set out.

The boat carries a maximum of 30 people. That is not an intimate private sailing, but it is also not a huge party vessel. You should expect a social outing with enough people to make the open bar and shared BBQ feel lively.

A low tide has caused a delayed start on at least one outing, with the crew choosing safety over rushing away from shore. I see that as a sensible trade. You may lose a little time at the start, but a careful departure is better than forcing the boat through shallow water.

Grand River South East waterfalls in a short first stop

One of the first major sights is the mouth of the Grand River South East, usually called GRSE. The river runs through a gorge before reaching a picturesque waterfall, and the boat makes a short stop for a closer look.

The scheduled waterfall stop lasts about 10 minutes. That is enough for photos and a quick view, but not enough for a long walk, a swim, or a quiet hour beside the falls. Set your expectations correctly: this is a scenic pause from the water, not a land-based waterfall excursion.

The GRSE area gives the cruise some character beyond open sea and beach time. The route can also bring views of monkeys and a large bat colony near the river mouth. These sightings are part of the pleasure of keeping your eyes open, not guaranteed performances arranged on demand.

I would bring a camera that is easy to use quickly. With only a short stop, you will not want to spend the entire moment searching through a bag or changing settings. A hat and sunscreen also matter, since much of the day is spent exposed to sun and sea air.

The crew’s role is useful here. One highly rated experience praised the way the program was explained at the beginning, while another highlighted the staff’s friendly and professional manner. Clear instructions make a short sightseeing stop feel organized rather than hurried.

Passing Ile du Phare on the way to Isle aux Cerfs

The route continues toward Ile du Phare, also known as Lighthouse Island, before reaching Isle aux Cerfs. The supplied schedule lists it as a pass-by point rather than a long shore visit, so you should treat it as a scenic part of the boat ride.

This is one reason the trip works well as a full-day sampler of Mauritius’s southeast coast. You are not spending all seven hours in one place. Instead, the cruise strings together river scenery, offshore views, snorkeling, food, and beach time.

The boat itself is part of the experience. A catamaran gives you open views from the deck and lets you watch the coastline change as you move between the river mouth and the island. You might see dolphins near the wake, but no one can promise that wildlife will appear on a particular departure.

One mid-range assessment considered dolphins the only truly special part of the day, while other accounts described the whole outing as enjoyable and full of beautiful places. That difference tells you exactly how to judge this cruise. If your main goal is a guaranteed wildlife encounter or a highly guided nature tour, this may feel too casual. If you want a sunny day on the water with several possible sights, it offers a better fit.

Isle aux Cerfs, BBQ lunch, and open-bar drinks

Isle aux Cerfs is the main destination and the point where the day shifts from sightseeing to relaxation. Lunch is served on board, with a BBQ, snacks, and unlimited drinks included in the price.

The food receives a mixed but generally positive picture. One detailed assessment described the BBQ as plentiful and well cooked. Another found the meal average and wanted more variety and stronger flavors. I would expect a practical boat lunch rather than a carefully designed culinary event.

That is not a serious weakness for many people. You are eating during a day at sea, and having food already arranged means you do not need to search for a restaurant or lose beach time. The open bar also adds value, especially if you would otherwise buy several drinks during a long outing.

Still, do not book this mainly for gourmet cooking. The strongest part of the meal is convenience and quantity. If you have dietary requirements, the supplied information does not specify available alternatives, so ask before booking rather than assuming the BBQ can be adjusted.

The island stop includes about an hour for lunch and another hour for relaxing and swimming. Those are separate parts of the schedule, but the total time on the island is limited. You get a taste of Isle aux Cerfs, not an entire day to explore every corner.

Snorkeling from the catamaran

Snorkeling gear is included, which keeps this part of the day simple. You can use the equipment from the boat during the designated water stop, and the crew can provide guidance about where and when to enter the water.

One French-language assessment particularly praised the crew’s advice for the snorkeling stop. That small detail matters. Good timing and clear instructions can make a short swim much more enjoyable, especially if you are unfamiliar with the boat or need help judging the water.

The supplied information does not promise a particular reef, fish species, water temperature, or visibility. Conditions can change, so you should view snorkeling as an included activity rather than a guaranteed underwater spectacle.

You will want swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. These are practical suggestions for any boat day, not listed inclusions, so plan to bring them yourself. Keep personal items secure while you are in the water, and listen carefully when the crew explains the return-to-boat process.

This is also where the group size matters. With up to 30 people, the water stop may feel active rather than private. The advantage is that the crew has a clear routine for getting people in and out. The tradeoff is that you will not have the quiet, personal pace of a private charter.

Relaxing and swimming at Isle aux Cerfs

After lunch, you have about an hour for free time and swimming. This is the least structured part of the day, so you can slow down after the sightseeing and enjoy the island at your own pace.

An hour passes quickly. If you want a long beach stay, extensive exploring, or a lazy afternoon without a schedule, this cruise may feel too tightly timed. If you prefer variety and like having several experiences in one outing, the schedule keeps the day moving without becoming overloaded.

The island stop also gives you a break from the catamaran. Boat rides can be tiring in strong sun, even when the view is pleasant. Use the shore time to stretch, swim, dry off, and drink water before returning to the vessel.

The wording of the experience indicates that lunch is on board, while the free relaxation and swimming time is at Isle aux Cerfs. That distinction is useful when planning. You should not assume you will have a long restaurant meal or extensive island facilities as part of the package.

The crew, timing, and overall feel

The crew is the clearest strength of this outing. Multiple high ratings praise the staff as friendly, professional, helpful, and good at explaining the plan. One account called the crew outstanding and specifically praised the plentiful, well-cooked BBQ.

That service can make a big difference on a shared boat. A calm explanation at the start helps you understand the sequence of stops, the snorkeling arrangements, and the timing for lunch and swimming. The crew also responded quickly when low tide delayed the start, which suggests a practical approach to changing conditions.

The cruise has an overall rating of 3.7 from 25 ratings, so it is not a flawless choice for every kind of holidaymaker. The positive side is strong service, beautiful coastal stops, and the fun of a full day on the water. The less glowing side centers on food quality and the feeling that some sights may be less remarkable than expected unless dolphins appear.

I would describe the mood as relaxed, social, and sun-focused. This is not a quiet sailing lesson or a specialist wildlife expedition. You are paying for a day that combines transportation between sights with swimming, food, drinks, and a friendly crew.

Is $82 good value?

At $82 per person, the price covers roughly seven hours, a catamaran cruise, snorkeling equipment, BBQ lunch, snacks, unlimited drinks, and several scenic stops. That is a solid package if you plan to make use of most of the inclusions.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. You also avoid the effort of arranging separate transport between the GRSE area and Isle aux Cerfs.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long, quiet beach visit. Only about an hour is set aside for free relaxation and swimming, and the waterfall stop is only about 10 minutes. Much of the day is spent moving between locations or eating on board.

Hotel transfers are not included. Add the cost and time of reaching Pointe Jerome when comparing this with other cruises. You may find the package especially convenient if your accommodation is near Preskil Island Resort, but less so if you are staying far away and need a costly private transfer.

The drinks included are another useful saving. Since the cruise lasts most of a day in the sun, unlimited beverages can prevent the small purchases that quickly push up the cost of an otherwise inexpensive outing.

Who should book this catamaran day?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad taste of the southeast coast in one organized outing. It suits couples, families with children accompanied by adults, and small groups who like swimming, shared meals, and the possibility of wildlife sightings.

It is also a good choice if you value a helpful crew more than a highly polished luxury service. The maximum group size of 30 keeps the experience shared, but not enormous.

You may want another option if your priority is a serious snorkeling session, a long stay on Isle aux Cerfs, or a more adventurous wildlife trip. The schedule gives you a little of several activities rather than a large amount of one.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate. The available details do not give a more specific mobility assessment, so ask the provider directly if you have concerns about boarding, swimming, or moving around the boat.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that period are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. That policy gives you some protection, but keep the local cutoff time in mind.

Final call: book it for variety, not gourmet food

Book this cruise if you want a full, sunny day that combines the GRSE waterfall, Isle du Phare views, snorkeling, a BBQ, unlimited drinks, and time to swim. The crew’s warmth and practical help are major reasons to choose it, and dolphins, monkeys, and bats can add memorable moments.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed dolphin encounter, a long island stay, or a standout meal. At $82, it is best value as an all-in-one day on the water, not as a luxury cruise or a dedicated nature expedition.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

It starts at Preskil Island Resort at Pointe Jerome in Mahebourg, Mauritius, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the experience does not provide transfers.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes a BBQ lunch, snacks, beverages, and unlimited drinks from the open bar.

Can children join the cruise?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, and the boat has a maximum capacity of 30 people.