Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises

Five islands, one easygoing sea day. I like the mix of swimming in clear lagoon water and seeing several very different islands from a single catamaran. I also like that the $82 price includes a barbecue lunch, drinks, snorkeling, and a waterfall stop, rather than charging extra every time you want a drink or a plate of food. The main drawback is time: the stop at Grand River South East Waterfall lasts about 30 minutes, and one recent booking found it too short.

This is a relaxed, social boat outing rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise. The crew, including Pascal, Alex, Jonathan, and Nathalie, has earned especially warm praise for friendly service, good organization, and generous food and drinks. If you want a polished day on the water with plenty of scenery and little planning, this cruise makes a strong case for itself.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Five-island route: You travel from Pointe D’Esny to Ile aux Cerfs, Grand River South East Waterfall, Ile aux Fouquets, Ile aux Aigrettes, and nearby waters.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect a barbecue lunch, dessert, coffee, beer, wine, spirits, and other drinks served during the day.
• Swimming and snorkeling time: The main island stop includes time in the water, with fish and marine life possible around the snorkeling area.
• Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised: The crew looks for dolphins and tortoises, and recent outings have had close encounters with both.
• Bring proper footwear: Water shoes are a better choice than ordinary flip-flops, especially around Ile aux Cerfs.
• Plan for a long day: The cruise lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours, with check-in at least 20 minutes before departure.

Starting at Pointe D’Esny

The day begins at the Philao Boat Cruise meeting point at Pointe Jerome wharf in Pointe D’Esny. You should arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure. At the wharf, look for Jonathan or Nathalie on the left side when you face the sea.

That small direction matters. Pointe D’Esny is the departure and return point, and the cruise does not include standard transport from your hotel. Pick-up can be arranged for an extra charge if you request it no later than 48 hours before the excursion.

The first moments are simple but useful. You can have coffee, meet the crew, and receive a safety briefing before the catamaran leaves. The briefing gives you the basic information you need for a day around open water, swimming, snorkeling, and moving between the boat and islands.

The cruise is available in English and French. A private group option is also available, which may suit families or groups who want a more personal setting. The supplied details do not specify a fixed group size, so ask about capacity if that point matters to you.

Why the Southeast Coast Works So Well by Boat

Mauritius is often sold through beaches, but the southeast coast gives you a broader picture. From the catamaran, you see low islands, open lagoon water, historic structures, coastal scenery, and places that are difficult to connect in one land-based outing.

A boat also gives the day a natural rhythm. You move between sightseeing, swimming, eating, and simply sitting with a drink as the water passes beneath you. You are not rushing from one road stop to another.

The catamaran is powered, so the trip is built around reaching several sites in a reasonable time rather than waiting for wind conditions. That makes the five-island route practical. At the same time, a powered boat can feel busier and noisier than a quiet sailing trip, especially if you are seeking complete silence.

The best part of this format is the balance. You get enough structure to keep the day moving, but enough open time to enjoy the lagoon without a packed schedule of land attractions.

Ile aux Cerfs: The Main Island Stop

Ile aux Cerfs is the centerpiece of the outing. The schedule allows about six and a half hours for the main cruise section, including lunch, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, island time, and scenic travel. This is where the day feels most like a full island escape rather than a quick boat transfer.

The beach is a major reason to choose this trip. One recent booking described the sand and water at Ile aux Cerfs as incredible, and the island gives you the classic tropical setting many people hope to find in Mauritius. You can walk, rest, swim, or stay close to the boat and enjoy the view.

Bring more than bare feet. The practical advice from the excursion is to pack water shoes instead of relying only on flip-flops. Water shoes are useful around rocky or uneven areas and give you more confidence when entering the water. You should also pack a towel, swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, and a camera.

The swimming stop is not just a quick photo pause. You have time to get into the clear water and snorkel. Fish have been spotted during the snorkeling, giving the water session more substance than simply floating beside the catamaran.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The trip promises swimming and snorkeling, not a specialist reef expedition. Marine life can vary with water conditions and luck. You may see colorful fish, and you might spot dolphins or tortoises, but no wildlife encounter is guaranteed.

Lunch, Drinks, and the Social Side of the Cruise

The barbecue lunch is one of the strongest parts of the value. Food is cooked and served during the outing, with dessert included. Drinks include coffee, beer, wine, spirits, and other refreshments, so you are not left calculating the cost of every bottle or glass.

That matters on a six-and-a-half-hour cruise. A cheaper boat trip can become less attractive once you add lunch, drinks, and equipment-related extras. Here, the main meal and beverages are part of the package, which makes the $82 price easier to assess.

Recent bookings gave especially high marks to the food and drinks. One described the onboard service as excellent, while another praised the full lunch and attentive staff. Pascal and Alex were singled out for helping create a memorable day, and the general mood onboard seems to be one of easy conversation and shared enjoyment.

I would choose this cruise if you like a friendly atmosphere. It is not designed as a private, silent retreat unless you reserve the private group option. You will likely spend much of the day around other people, with music, conversation, food, and movement between the boat and the islands.

If you have meal restrictions, provide that information when booking. The operator specifically asks for dietary restrictions in advance, so do not wait until lunch is being served.

Grand River South East Waterfall

The waterfall stop adds a change of scenery after the open lagoon. Instead of looking across wide water toward islands, you pause for about 30 minutes to see Grand River South East Waterfall.

A half-hour is enough for a brief look and photographs, but it is not a long visit. You should treat this as a sightseeing stop, not a full waterfall walk or extended exploration. One recent booking found the stop too quick, and that is the clearest limitation in the schedule.

The short timing makes sense when you consider the route. The cruise is trying to include five islands, a waterfall, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife watching in a single day. Something has to remain brief, and the waterfall appears to be that part of the plan.

I would still value the stop because it breaks up the day. You get a land-based sight in the middle of an ocean outing, even if you will not have much time to linger.

Ile aux Fouquets and Its Lighthouse

Ile aux Fouquets, also called Ile au Phare, is the most distinctive historic stop on the route. The island is known for its lighthouse, and the catamaran allows about 30 minutes for a visit, self-guided exploration, and views from the water.

This is a good place to pay attention to the setting rather than expect a long guided tour. The supplied details do not promise an interior lighthouse visit or a formal talk on the island. You will have time to see the site, take photographs, and learn about its place in the coastal story at your own pace.

The lighthouse gives the cruise a point of character. Ile aux Cerfs supplies the beach and swimming, while Ile aux Fouquets adds an old maritime landmark. Together, they make the route more varied than a simple beach transfer.

Wear sun protection here. The stop is exposed, and your hat, sunscreen, and water shoes are worth having close at hand. The boat provides drinks, but you should still dress for a long day in bright outdoor conditions.

Ile aux Aigrettes from the Water

Ile aux Aigrettes is viewed in passing rather than visited ashore. The schedule allows about 15 minutes for the boat to pass by, so you should think of it as a scenic viewpoint, not a walking stop.

That distinction helps avoid disappointment. The island is part of the five-island story, but you will not have the same time there as at Ile aux Cerfs or Ile aux Fouquets. Have your camera ready and listen to the guide if information is provided in English or French.

This short passage also keeps the overall route moving. The day works because the boat connects several points without turning each one into a long stop.

Dolphins, Tortoises, and the Limits of Wildlife Watching

Dolphin watching and tortoise watching are included aims of the outing. Recent departures have had memorable sightings, including dolphins and giant tortoises seen quite close to the boat. Those encounters can become the emotional high point of the day.

But you should approach wildlife watching with patience and luck. The crew can look for animals, but it cannot control where dolphins or tortoises appear. If you book mainly for a guaranteed wildlife encounter, you may be disappointed.

The stronger reason to book is the complete experience: islands, food, swimming, and the chance of wildlife. If dolphins appear, they add something special. If they do not, you still have a full lagoon cruise with several planned sights.

This is also a good reason to keep your camera ready but not spend the entire day behind it. Some of the best moments may be a sudden glimpse of a fin, a tortoise near the boat, or a quiet stretch of water between stops.

Is $82 Good Value?

At $82 per person, the price is reasonable for a 390-minute outing because it includes several costly elements: the boat trip, barbecue lunch, all drinks, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, and the waterfall stop.

The value is strongest if you intend to eat and drink onboard. Coffee, beer, wine, spirits, dessert, and welcome refreshments are all included, so the package covers much of what you might otherwise buy separately.

You are also paying for convenience. Planning a separate route to Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Fouquets, the waterfall, and the nearby islands would take more effort and would not necessarily give you the same time on the water. A single departure and return point keeps the day easy to manage.

The price is less attractive if you want a short, quiet cruise or if you dislike group-style outings. You are committing most of a day, and the route gives only a brief stop at the waterfall and a pass-by at Ile aux Aigrettes.

Overall, I see this as a good-value full-day activity for people who want variety. It is not the cheapest possible boat ride, but it includes enough food, drinks, water time, and sightseeing to justify the cost.

What to Pack for a Comfortable Day

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Camera
• Flip-flops, plus water shoes if you have them
• Any information about meal restrictions
• A light cover-up if you prefer extra sun protection

Water shoes deserve special emphasis. The advice from the operator and a recent booking both point in that direction. Ordinary flip-flops can be awkward around wet, uneven surfaces, while water shoes give you better grip.

Pets are not allowed. Check-in is required at least 20 minutes before departure, and the meeting point is the Pointe Jerome wharf in Pointe D’Esny.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the excursion for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several activities around changing holiday plans.

Who Should Book This Cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and friends who want one well-filled sea day. You get enough activity to avoid boredom, but the schedule still leaves room to sit, eat, swim, and enjoy the view.

It is also a good fit if you want English or French guidance and prefer a professional crew to handle the route. The crew’s strong points are organization, attention, and a friendly onboard mood.

You may want another type of outing if your priority is a slow, private sail, a serious snorkeling session, or a long visit at every island. The five-island plan gives you breadth, but some stops are necessarily short.

Should You Book the South East 5 Islands Cruise?

Book this cruise if you want the southeast coast in one package, with a barbecue, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, a lighthouse, a waterfall, and a chance to see dolphins or tortoises. The combination is the real selling point, and the $82 cost covers the parts that often add up on a boat day.

I would book it with two expectations in mind: the waterfall visit is brief, and wildlife sightings depend on luck. Bring water shoes, arrive early, tell the operator about meal restrictions, and let the crew set the pace. For a relaxed but full day on the Mauritius lagoon, Philao Boat Cruise offers a practical and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

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

How long does the cruise last?

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

What is included in the price?

The price includes the five-island cruise, all drinks, barbecue lunch, swimming, snorkeling, island visits, the waterfall visit, and viewing of Ile aux Aigrettes. Dolphin and tortoise watching are also included as part of the outing.

Is hotel pick-up included?

No. Pick-up can be arranged for an additional cost if requested at least 48 hours before the excursion date.

What languages are available?

Live guidance is available in English and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch and dessert are included. You should provide information about any meal restrictions when booking.

Can I swim and snorkel?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are included, with time provided during the Ile aux Cerfs portion of the cruise.

Are dolphins and tortoises guaranteed?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and water shoes. Pets are not allowed.