Mauritius Catamaran Cruise & Boat Trip to Ile aux Cerfs (+ Review & Tips)

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Looking for a catamaran cruise or boat trip in Mauritius and wondering which one to choose? During my first trip to Mauritius, I took a full-day catamaran cruise along the southeast coast, combining snorkeling, several islands, a waterfall, lunch on board, and some time at famous Ile aux Cerfs.

It turned out to be one of my favorite days in Mauritius. Our itinerary included snorkeling, a visit to Ile aux Fouquets (Lighthouse Island), a BBQ lunch on the boat, Grand River South East Waterfall, and free time at Ile aux Cerfs.

The exact tour I took is no longer available, but I found this highly rated Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise, which follows practically the same itinerary as ours. So if you are looking for a similar experience, this is the tour I would book.

In this guide, I share my experience and what you can expect on a Mauritius catamaran cruise to Ile aux Cerfs. You’ll also find tips for choosing between a catamaran and a speedboat, plus my recommendations for some of the best boat trips in Mauritius.

Planning the rest of your trip? See my guide to the best things to do in Mauritius for all the top places, activities, and practical tips.

Mauritius Catamaran Cruise Review & Ile aux Cerfs Itinerary

You may be wondering what a catamaran cruise in Mauritius is actually like and what to expect. Based on my experience, it’s a very relaxed way to spend a day and see some of the smaller islands, beaches, and coastal scenery that you wouldn’t otherwise get to visit.

Our trip included snorkeling, several island stops, a waterfall, a BBQ lunch on board, and plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery. Drinks were included throughout the day, and the atmosphere on board was casual and fun.

The itinerary below is based on the catamaran cruise I personally took along the southeast coast of Mauritius, including a visit to Ile aux Cerfs. While the exact tour is no longer available, this catamaran cruise follows practically the same itinerary and is the closest option I have found to the trip we did.

Most Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruises follow a fairly similar format, although the exact stops, snorkeling locations, and time spent on the island can vary. Below, you can read about what our day looked like.

Snorkeling on a Boat Trip in Mauritius

Our catamaran cruise departed from the southeast coast of Mauritius, and snorkeling was the first activity of the day. Shortly after boarding, the crew handed out masks, snorkels, and fins, and we jumped into the clear blue water.

To be honest, the snorkeling here was just okay. There wasn’t much coral, and we mostly saw small fish. It was still enjoyable, but I wouldn’t choose this particular boat trip primarily for the snorkeling.

A few days earlier, I had taken a snorkeling trip from my hotel in Belle Mare, on the east coast of Mauritius, and the underwater scenery there was much better.

That said, snorkeling was just one small part of our catamaran cruise, and I really enjoyed getting into the water. With so many other stops and activities throughout the day, the less-than-spectacular snorkeling certainly didn’t detract from the experience.

Ile aux Fouquets – The Lighthouse Island

Our next stop on this catamaran trip along the southeast coast of Mauritius was Ile aux Fouquets, commonly known as Lighthouse Island because of the abandoned lighthouse that dominates this tiny island.

Several boat tours stop here, but the island itself didn’t feel particularly crowded when we visited.

The water around Ile aux Fouquets is very shallow, so we transferred from our catamaran to a smaller boat and had to walk the last few meters through the water. Water shoes are very useful here!

The lighthouse dates from the 19th century and is now abandoned and in ruins. To be honest, it looks more impressive from a distance than up close, but the island is still an interesting stop and offers a glimpse into Mauritius’ maritime history.

Our guide gave us a short introduction to the history of the island, after which we had some free time to explore. Ile aux Fouquets is very small, so you don’t need long here. You can walk around the lighthouse, take some photos, and enjoy the views of the surrounding coastline and ocean.

Before long, we were back on the small boat heading to our catamaran. It’s a short stop, but one I was glad was included in our itinerary, especially since it’s a place you wouldn’t normally get to see when exploring Mauritius by land.

TIP: Not all Ile aux Cerfs cruises visit Lighthouse Island. If you want to see it, check the itinerary carefully when booking. This highly rated speedboat tour includes Ile aux Fouquets, along with Ile aux Aigrettes, snorkeling, Grand River South East Waterfall, and Ile aux Cerfs.

BBQ Lunch on Catamaran

While we were snorkeling and exploring Lighthouse Island, the crew was busy preparing lunch on the catamaran.

They fired up a BBQ right on the deck, grilling meat and seafood, which was served with flatbread, fresh vegetables, and other sides. Everything was delicious and made the whole boat trip even more enjoyable.

There were also vegetarians in our group, and they had plenty of options to choose from.

Sailing Along the East Coast of Mauritius

After lunch, we set sail toward Grand River South East. It took about an hour to get there by catamaran, which gave us plenty of time to relax on the nets and cushions at the front of the boat.

This was one of the most relaxing parts of the day: simply enjoying the coastal scenery, sunshine, and sailing before our next stop.

TIP: Don’t underestimate the sun on a catamaran! Use plenty of sunscreen and ideally wear a hat or UV shirt, especially when relaxing on the nets at the front of the boat.

Grand River South East Waterfall

Grand River South East (GRSE) Waterfall is one of the most popular natural attractions along the southeast coast of Mauritius and a common stop on boat trips to Ile aux Cerfs.

The waterfall is located upriver, in an area that larger catamarans can’t reach. So we transferred to a smaller boat for the final part of the trip. The boat took us surprisingly close to the falls, close enough to feel the spray from the water.

It’s a short excursion, but the boat ride itself is part of the experience, passing through a narrow river surrounded by lush vegetation and rocky cliffs.

The waterfall is especially impressive when the water level is high, and I definitely think it’s worth including when choosing an Ile aux Cerfs boat tour.

Ile aux Cerfs

The last stop of our catamaran cruise was Ile aux Cerfs, one of the most popular destinations for boat trips on the east coast of Mauritius. With white-sand beaches, clear water, and a lush interior, the island looks beautiful as you approach by boat.

That said, don’t expect a deserted tropical island. Ile aux Cerfs is very popular with day-trippers, and you’ll see plenty of catamarans and speedboats arriving throughout the day. The area around the main arrival point can get quite busy.

There are restaurants and bars on the island, as well as places selling souvenirs and beach essentials. You’ll also find plenty of water activities, including parasailing, banana boat rides, water skiing, and other water sports.

If you visit Ile aux Cerfs independently or book a tour that spends most of the day here, you’ll have more time to walk around, find quieter areas, enjoy the beach, or try some of the activities.

However, most catamaran cruises and boat tours combine Ile aux Cerfs with several other stops, so your time on the island will usually be quite limited. Our group mostly relaxed on the beach and tried a few water activities rather than exploring much farther.

Good to know: On tours that also include snorkeling, Grand River South East Waterfall, and other stops, you can typically expect around 1–2 hours at Ile aux Cerfs. That’s enough time for the beach or an activity, but not enough to explore much of the island. If Ile aux Cerfs itself is your main priority, look for a tour that focuses mostly on this island, like this one.

Catamaran vs. Speed Boat

I’ve traveled this coast by both catamaran and speedboat, and they offer quite different experiences.

A catamaran is slower and more relaxed. You have more space to move around, usually a bathroom, and nets at the front where you can lie down and enjoy the ride. The downside is that group catamaran cruises tend to carry more people and spend more of the day sailing between stops.

A speedboat gets you around much faster, so tours can include more places or give you more time at each stop. There’s less space to move around, however, and the boat itself is more about getting from place to place than relaxing along the way.

Which would I choose? For a relaxing day on the water, I’d pick a catamaran. For sightseeing and visiting as many places as possible, I’d choose a speedboat. But ultimately, I’d compare the itineraries first and choose the tour that visits the places you most want to see.

Below are my recommended catamaran cruises and boat trips in Mauritius, including some of the best options for both.

Best Mauritius Catamaran Cruises and Boat Trips

There are lots of catamaran cruises and boat trips in Mauritius, and the itineraries can look very similar at first. The main things to consider are which coast you want to explore, whether you prefer a catamaran or speedboat, and how many stops you want to make during the day.

Based on the itinerary of the trip I did, plus current traveler reviews and the places included, these are the Mauritius boat tours I would consider:

• Best overall and most similar to our trip: Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Transfers. This is my top pick if you want a relaxing catamaran trip similar to the one described in this article. It includes snorkeling, Grand River South East Waterfall, lunch and drinks on board, and time at Ile aux Cerfs. Hotel transfers are included as well.
• Best speedboat tour: Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs. This tour covers even more places in one day, including Ile aux Aigrettes, Lighthouse Island, snorkeling, Grand River South East Waterfall, and Ile aux Cerfs. If sightseeing is more important to you than spending a leisurely day sailing, I would choose this one.
• Best classic Ile aux Cerfs catamaran cruise: Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs. This is a good option if you mainly want to sail, snorkel, have lunch and drinks on board, and spend some free time at Ile aux Cerfs.
• Best boat trip in northern Mauritius: Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to the Northern Isles. If you are staying around Grand Baie, I would seriously consider this instead of traveling across the island for an Ile aux Cerfs cruise. The trip visits Flat Island and Gabriel Island and includes snorkeling at Coin de Mire, plus lunch and drinks on board.

TIP: If you can’t decide between a catamaran and a speedboat, think about what you want from the day. I would choose a catamaran for a more relaxed day on the water and a speedboat if you want to see as many places as possible. Speedboats cover distances much faster, whereas on a catamaran the sailing itself is a big part of the experience.

Is a Boat Trip or Catamaran Cruise in Mauritius Worth It?

Yes, I think a boat trip is absolutely worth doing in Mauritius, especially if you want to combine sightseeing with a relaxing day on the water.

I really enjoyed our catamaran cruise. In one day, we went snorkeling, visited Lighthouse Island, saw Grand River South East Waterfall, spent time at Ile aux Cerfs, and enjoyed a BBQ lunch and drinks on board. We covered quite a lot without it ever feeling rushed.

More importantly, several of these places can only be reached by boat, so a cruise allows you to see a completely different side of Mauritius.

If you only have a few days and prefer exploring the island itself, there are certainly many other things to do in Mauritius. But if your itinerary allows it, I would definitely include a catamaran cruise or speedboat trip. It was one of my favorite days of the trip, and I’d happily do it again.

Practical Tips for a Boat Trip in Mauritius

• Compare itineraries and book in advance. Boat trips can differ quite a bit in terms of stops, time on Ile aux Cerfs, transfers, and what’s included. Reading recent customer reviews can also help you choose. You can compare boat trips here, or see my recommended tours above.

• Check the departure point. If hotel transfers aren’t included, choose a tour that departs reasonably close to where you’re staying. Mauritius is bigger than it looks, and you don’t want to spend hours driving before and after your boat trip.

• Check what’s included. Many full-day tours include lunch and drinks, but snorkeling equipment, hotel transfers, or activities on Ile aux Cerfs may be extra.

• Wear your swimsuit. It’s much easier than trying to change on the boat.

• Bring water shoes. They are useful for getting in and out of the boat in shallow water, snorkeling, and walking on rocky or coral-covered areas. I’ve used my water shoes in Mauritius all the time.

• Take plenty of sun protection. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. I also recommend a lightweight long-sleeved shirt or UV shirt since you’ll be exposed to the sun for much of the day.

• Check whether towels are provided. If not, bring one from your hotel or pack a travel towel from home.

• Bring some cash. You may need it for water activities or souvenirs on Ile aux Cerfs, and you may also want to tip the boat crew.

• If you’re prone to motion sickness, come prepared. Catamarans are generally quite stable, but conditions can vary. Consider taking your usual motion-sickness medication before departure rather than waiting until you feel unwell.

So, if you’re considering a catamaran cruise or boat trip in Mauritius, I hope this guide gives you a better idea of what to expect and helps you choose the right tour.

For me, it was one of the most enjoyable days of the trip and a great way to combine sightseeing, snorkeling, beautiful beaches, and some relaxing time on the water.

Have a great time in Mauritius!

More Tips for Your Trip to Mauritius:

• What to see: Best Things to Do in Mauritius
• Must-visit: L’Aventure du Sucre in Mauritius
• Where to stay: The Ravenala Attitude Review

TIP: Save this guide for later, share it with your friends, or pin it to Pinterest so you can easily come back to it when planning your trip.