Southeast of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

Sea, history, and lunch share one boat. This 6.5 to 7-hour catamaran trip brings together three of Mauritius’s best southeast experiences: snorkeling at Trou Moutou, a BBQ lunch with drinks, and free time on Ile aux Cerfs. I especially like the mix of active and easygoing moments, plus the chance to view Ile au Phare and Ile de La Passe from the water. The main drawback is that you need to reach Mahébourg yourself, and rough seas can change the route.

I also like that lunch and a broad choice of drinks are included, so the $85 price is easier to judge from the start. You can swim, snorkel, or simply sit in the sun, which suits mixed groups. Still, this is not a good choice if you are prone to seasickness or have limited mobility.

Key points at a glance

• Trou Moutou comes first: Start with a swim and snorkel stop at a natural aquarium known for its marine life.
• The historic islets add context: Sail past Ile de La Passe and Ile au Phare while the crew explains their importance.
• Lunch is served at sea: The BBQ includes fish, chicken, sausage, salads, rice, vegetables, bread, fruit, and a seafood dish.
• Grand River South East offers a change of pace: Look for monkeys, a large bat colony, river scenery, and the area’s waterfall.
• Ile aux Cerfs gives you an hour ashore: Use the time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or a walk.
• Mahébourg is the base: Meet at Pointe des Régates at 9:15 am and return around 4:30 pm, possibly closer to 5:00 pm.

Starting from Mahébourg at 9:15 am

Your day begins at the Jetty of Pointe des Régates in Mahébourg, a fishermen’s town on Mauritius’s southeast coast. You need to arrange your own way to the jetty because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The meeting time is 9:15 am, with departure planned for 9:30. I would arrive early enough to find the correct jetty, settle your belongings, and get comfortable before the boat leaves. Bring only what you need for the day. A waterproof bag is useful for a phone, wallet, and dry clothes.

The boat is the Silver Swordfish catamaran. The advertised schedule runs for about 6.5 to 7 hours, with a return to Pointe des Régates around 4:30 pm or 5:00 pm. That is a full day, not a quick morning outing, so leave room in your plans afterward.

The main setting is the southeast coast, where open water, small islands, river scenery, and historic sites come together. The pace is designed to give you several different views of Mauritius rather than keep you in one snorkeling spot all day.

Snorkeling at Trou Moutou

The first major stop is Trou Moutou, reached after sailing from Mahébourg. It is presented as a natural aquarium, with varied marine life in clear coastal water. The crew assists with swimming and snorkeling, which is helpful if you want guidance getting into the water.

I like this early start. You are not waiting until late afternoon for the main activity, and the water stop gives the day an active beginning. You can swim among fish, look around the underwater area, or remain aboard if you would rather enjoy the view.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you prefer using familiar gear. The tour information specifically suggests bringing it, but it does not promise that equipment is supplied for every participant. Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A cover-up and dry change of clothes will make the ride home more comfortable.

You are asked not to touch marine life. That is both a practical safety rule and the right way to treat the area. The same applies to plants along the coast and islands. Enjoy the setting without collecting shells, handling animals, or stepping on delicate underwater growth.

The sea is not always calm. If conditions become rough or unsafe, the captain can alter the direction of the cruise. That flexibility may mean missing or changing a planned stop, but it is an important part of a responsible boat trip.

Ile de La Passe and Ile au Phare from the water

After Trou Moutou, the catamaran sails in front of Ile de La Passe and Ile au Phare. This part gives the day more than sun and sea. The skippers provide a historical overview and explain the cultural importance of the islets.

Ile au Phare is known for its coral composition and historic character. Seeing it from the catamaran lets you appreciate the island’s position without turning the day into a long land excursion. The commentary is offered in English and French.

Ile de La Passe also adds a useful sense of place. These small islands are not just attractive photo stops. Their location helps explain why the southeast coast has mattered to Mauritius over time. You get a short lesson while the boat continues moving, which keeps the day flowing.

Do not expect a lengthy museum-style tour. The information is delivered during the cruise and around the islets. For me, that is the right amount for a beach and boat day: enough detail to make the scenery meaningful, without taking over the outing.

BBQ lunch with sea views

Around noon, lunch is served aboard the catamaran before the trip continues toward Ile aux Cerfs. Eating on the boat is one of the strongest parts of the package because you do not need to leave the water to find a restaurant or pay for a separate meal.

The standard BBQ menu includes grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, a seafood dish, rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit. The exact selection may suit people who want a substantial meal rather than a light snack.

A vegetarian menu is available with rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit. The kids’ menu is listed as the same as the adult menu, so families should keep that in mind if children prefer smaller or simpler portions.

Drinks include local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, mineral water, and cocktails. Nonalcoholic options are included as well. This is useful on a long sunny day, though I would still bring a personal water bottle if you prefer drinking often.

The meal is served against open-water views, with the breeze and movement of the catamaran shaping the experience. It is not a formal restaurant lunch. You should expect a casual setting, shared outdoor space, and the possibility of wind. Secure napkins, hats, and loose items.

At $85 per person, the included lunch and drinks matter. You are paying for a full day on the water, several sightseeing areas, a snorkeling stop, and time on Ile aux Cerfs. The value is strongest if you plan to eat, drink, swim, and use the boat for most of the day. It is less compelling if you only want a short transfer to the island.

Grand River South East and its waterfall

At about 1:30 pm, the catamaran heads toward Grand River South East. The mood changes here. Instead of open coast and small historic islands, you move up an estuary surrounded by river scenery.

The route offers views of the area’s waterfall, along with the chance to spot a large bat colony and monkeys along the riverbank. These sightings are not guaranteed, since animals move and sea conditions can affect the route, but they give this trip a broader appeal than a simple beach cruise.

I like this section because it shows a different side of southeast Mauritius. The river is not just a passage to the next stop. It adds wildlife and local scenery to a day otherwise focused on the coast.

The catamaran’s size and the river route also make this a good time to take photographs. Keep your phone protected, though. You are still on a boat, and spray, wind, and sudden movement are possible.

One hour on Ile aux Cerfs

Around 2:00 pm, you disembark on Ile aux Cerfs, one of Mauritius’s best-known island beaches. Free time lasts until about 3:00 pm, giving you roughly an hour to choose your own activity.

You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk along the sand. This flexibility is important because not everyone in a group wants the same thing. One person can sit in the shade or stroll while another heads into the water.

An hour is enough for a taste, but not enough for a slow exploration of every corner. I would decide what matters most before you arrive. If swimming is your priority, change quickly and go straight to the beach. If you want photographs and a walk, leave time before returning to the boat.

Ile aux Cerfs is popular, so this is not the quietest or most remote stop of the day. Its appeal is easy access to attractive sand and clear water, not solitude. The catamaran format lets you enjoy the island without spending the entire day there.

Remember that lunch is served before this stop, and the main drinks are included aboard the catamaran. You may still want cash or a card for personal expenses, but the supplied information does not include any extra island purchases in the price.

What the day feels like on board

The trip combines scheduled stops with relaxed sailing. There is enough structure to keep the day moving, yet you still have stretches when you can sit back, watch the coast, and enjoy the catamaran.

The drinks service helps make the boat feel social, while the BBQ gives everyone a natural break in the middle of the day. If you prefer quiet sightseeing, you may find the shared boat atmosphere less peaceful than a private charter. The details do not specify the group size, so you should not assume an intimate cruise.

French and English are the listed languages. That makes the sightseeing commentary accessible to many visitors, though the amount of explanation may vary with the conditions and the captain’s presentation.

Comfort depends heavily on sun protection. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, a jacket, a cover-up, and spare clothes. The jacket is worth packing even on a warm day because wind can make the return ride feel cooler.

This is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is specifically not recommended for people prone to seasickness. If you know that boat movement bothers you, a shorter land-based activity may be a better fit.

How the $85 price measures up

The $85 cost covers a substantial package: the catamaran ride, snorkeling stop, historical sightseeing, BBQ lunch, drinks, the Grand River South East section, and free time on Ile aux Cerfs.

That makes the price reasonable for someone who wants a complete southeast coast day without arranging several separate activities. The included alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages also reduce the usual extra costs of a long excursion.

The value depends on how much of the package you use. Strong swimmers and beach lovers will likely get the most from it. You also gain value if you enjoy wildlife viewing and want a boat ride that includes more than a single island transfer.

You should budget separately for transportation to Mahébourg and personal expenses. Hotel pickup is not included, and the trip ends back at Pointe des Régates.

The schedule is full, but not rushed in every section. The main limitation is the one-hour stay at Ile aux Cerfs. If you want a whole day on that island, choose a dedicated island visit instead.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and groups with mixed interests. One person can snorkel, another can focus on photographs, and someone else can enjoy the food and views without entering the water.

It also suits you if this is your first visit to the southeast and you want a broad introduction in one day. The route includes coast, sea life, historic islets, river scenery, wildlife, a waterfall, and a famous beach.

It is a weaker choice for anyone seeking a private, quiet sailing experience. It is also unsuitable if you are uncomfortable on boats, need step-free access, or dislike a schedule with several transitions.

The strongest practical tip is simple: prepare for a full day in the sun and water, arrive early at Mahébourg, and protect your belongings. Your enjoyment will depend as much on comfort and sea conditions as on the planned stops.

Should you book the Silver Swordfish catamaran?

Book this trip if you want a lively, all-included day that packs the southeast coast into one outing. The best features are the early snorkeling at Trou Moutou, the BBQ lunch with drinks, and the variety of scenery between Mahébourg, Grand River South East, and Ile aux Cerfs.

Skip it if you want a long, unhurried stay on one beach or if boat motion is a serious concern. For most active visitors who like a little history with their swimming and lunch, the $85 price offers solid value and a satisfying look at several sides of Mauritius.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at the Jetty of Pointe des Régates in Mahébourg, Mauritius. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What time should I arrive?

You should meet the crew at 9:15 am. Departure is scheduled for 9:30 am, with return planned around 4:30 pm and possibly as late as 5:00 pm.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served aboard the catamaran. The menu includes grilled fish, chicken, sausage, salads, rice, vegetables, bread, fruit, and a seafood dish. A vegetarian menu is also listed.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks include local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, mineral water, and cocktails, along with nonalcoholic choices.

Can I snorkel during the trip?

Yes. Snorkeling and swimming are planned at Trou Moutou, and you can also swim or snorkel during free time on Ile aux Cerfs. You may bring your own snorkeling gear if preferred.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The captain may change the direction of the cruise if sea conditions are rough or the route becomes unsafe. This can affect the planned stops, but the change is made for safety.