REVIEW · GRAND RIVER SOUTH EAST
Catamaran Mauritius: South East 5 Islands Catamaran Cruises
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Philao Boat Cruise · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A day at sea in Mauritius feels different when you’re on a catamaran with five island stops. I like the mix of swimming time and a proper BBQ lunch, plus the chance to spot dolphins and tortoises around the islands. A fair heads-up: the waterfall and lighthouse breaks are short, so if you want long, slow wandering, you’ll need to pair this with independent time on land.
From Pointe d’Esny (Pointe Jerome wharf), this 6.5-hour outing stays relaxed and easy to follow. You’ll get English/French guidance, plenty of drinks on board, and a route built around the clearest water and the most scenic island viewpoints. If you’re sensitive to sun or you don’t like getting wet, pack for the day—this is very much a sea-and-lagoon experience.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- Why this southeast Mauritius 5-islands catamaran feels like real value
- The day’s flow: how the route keeps you from feeling rushed
- Ile aux Cerfs: the main event for snorkeling, BBQ, and wildlife hopes
- Grand River South East Waterfall: a quick scenic hit (not a long hike)
- Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse: self-guided exploring with a view payoff
- Ile aux Aigrettes: the quick pass that still gives you variety
- Drinks, crew, and the onboard vibe that makes the day feel easy
- What to pack for a Mauritius sea day (and how to avoid discomfort)
- Price and value: is $82 worth the route?
- Who this cruise is best for (and who might want something else)
- Should you book the Catamaran Mauritius South East 5 Islands cruise?
- FAQ
- Where does the cruise depart from?
- How long is the South East 5 Islands catamaran cruise?
- Are drinks included?
- What food is included on board?
- Is there time to swim and snorkel?
- Which islands are included in the itinerary?
- How long is the waterfall stop?
- How long do you spend at the lighthouse?
- What should I bring and wear?
- Are pets allowed?
Key highlights at a glance
- Pointe d’Esny departures: quick check-in and a smooth start right from the water
- Ile aux Cerfs is the anchor stop: swimming, snorkeling, BBQ lunch, and dolphin/tortoise watching time
- Short sightseeing timing: a waterfall moment plus lighthouse views without eating your whole day
- All drinks included: you can focus on the day, not the tab
- Professional, qualified skippers: peace of mind in the hands of experienced crew
Why this southeast Mauritius 5-islands catamaran feels like real value
For $82 per person, you’re not just buying a boat ride. You’re buying a full half-day formula: transport by water, multiple island viewpoints, and time in the lagoon, capped with food and drinks included. At 390 minutes total (about 6.5 hours), it’s long enough to feel like an outing but not so long that you’re cooked by the end.
What I like most is the way the day is shaped around the water. The plan gives you a big, practical chunk at Ile aux Cerfs for swimming and snorkeling, then adds scenery breaks (waterfall and lighthouse) without turning the trip into a series of frantic bus stops. And yes, you’ll get those hopeful wildlife moments—dolphins and tortoises—when the sea and timing are right.
The vibe tends to be laid-back. You’re on a powered catamaran, which usually means you’re moving at a pace that keeps things comfortable while still getting to several places. If your ideal vacation includes salt air, sunscreen, and not having to plan every minute, this checks those boxes.
The day’s flow: how the route keeps you from feeling rushed
Here’s how the timeline typically plays out on this 6.5-hour run from Pointe Jerome:
First, you meet at the wharf and get a quick start with coffee plus a safety briefing. That early reset matters. It means you’re not scrambling once you’re underway, and it gives you a moment to get your bearings before you step into the day.
Then the itinerary moves through stops in a smart order: one main island with swimming and lunch, then two shorter sights for variety, and finally a quick pass of another island. The result is a route that feels full without being exhausting.
A practical note: check in at latest 20 minutes before departure. It’s one of those small rules that keeps the whole day smooth, and it also gives you time to grab water shoes and settle before boarding.
Ile aux Cerfs: the main event for snorkeling, BBQ, and wildlife hopes
If you only care about one stop, make it Ile aux Cerfs. This is the heart of the cruise. You’ll get a full menu of what you actually want from a lagoon day: swimming and snorkeling, plus BBQ lunch and plenty of onboard drinks.
This stop is also where the wildlife watching is woven into the experience. The day includes dolphin watching and marine life viewing, along with extra chances to spot tortoises. Nobody can guarantee sightings on the water, but the itinerary is clearly built to maximize observation time around the islands.
What’s practical here is the mix. Some people on board will spend the morning snorkeling. Others want beach time and a slower pace. Either way, you’re not stuck waiting for the next stop—this is the time window that makes the entire cruise feel worth it.
One useful tip from experience-based advice: don’t assume flip-flops are enough for island shoreline time. If you’re going into rocky or uneven spots around the water, water shoes or beach footwear will make the day easier. Bring your towel, and if you have sunscreen, apply before you’re out in the open sun.
Grand River South East Waterfall: a quick scenic hit (not a long hike)
The Grand River South East Waterfall stop is listed as about 30 minutes for sightseeing. That’s not a full excursion to hike and linger. It’s more like a well-timed pause where you can step out, take in the view, and get back on track.
So if your personal travel style is all about long, slow nature walks, this part may feel short. But if you want to see something dramatic without sacrificing your swimming time, that half hour works. The cruise keeps the waterfall moment as a scenic contrast to the lagoon, which helps the day feel varied rather than repetitive.
I also like that the waterfall stop isn’t positioned in a way that breaks the rhythm of the water activities. You still get the real payoff at Ile aux Cerfs.
Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse: self-guided exploring with a view payoff
Next is Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse, again with about 30 minutes for a self-guided tour and scenic views on the way. This is your “stand and look” stop. You’re trading swim time for a different kind of scenery—more coastline, more perspective, and a sense of the islands’ layout.
Self-guided time is often the best way to keep a cruise from feeling like a checklist. You can move at your own pace. If you want photos, this is the moment. If you’d rather just breathe in the sea air and enjoy the setting, you can do that too.
A small caution: since this is a short window, keep your camera ready but don’t run. The point isn’t speed. It’s making it easy to enjoy the view before the boat moves on.
Ile aux Aigrettes: the quick pass that still gives you variety
The Ile aux Aigrettes portion is a pass-by of about 15 minutes. That means you won’t do a full landing-style visit for long. But it adds variety to the route and helps break up the day so it doesn’t feel like you’re repeating the same scenery.
For many people, the real value of a short stop is mental. You get another island profile, another angle, another bit of coastline to see from the water. It also helps keep the day’s pacing smooth and protects the time you actually spend swimming and eating.
If your priority is maximizing time in the water, the short nature of this stop makes sense. It supports the main experience rather than competing with it.
Drinks, crew, and the onboard vibe that makes the day feel easy
This cruise includes all drinks, along with the BBQ lunch, dessert, and the general onboard atmosphere. That matters because it removes one of the most annoying parts of island touring: constantly deciding where to eat or how much to budget on the day.
You can also expect a live guide in English and French, so you’re not stuck guessing. The guide support plus a competent crew is part of why this trip earns such strong satisfaction overall.
In the onboard reviews, crew names pop up in a friendly way—people thank Jonathan for transportation and mention Pascal and Alex by name for making the outing enjoyable. At the wharf, Jonathan or Nathalie handle reporting on the left-hand side when you’re facing the sea. Having named staff like that usually signals organized operations, not a chaotic boarding scramble.
The most important value here is the pacing. With a well-run catamaran day, you can actually relax. You’re not constantly asking where to go next.
What to pack for a Mauritius sea day (and how to avoid discomfort)
Bring hat, sunscreen, and swimwear—the sun hits hard on a lagoon day, and there’s plenty of open time. Also pack a towel and a camera, because the islands and water don’t hold back on photo opportunities.
Footwear can be the difference between a fun day and a sore one. The tour info suggests flip-flops, but I’d upgrade that advice with common-sense sea conditions: if you plan to move around shore areas, water shoes or beach footwear are often safer and more comfortable.
And yes, you should bring a light layer if you get chilly in wind on the water. Even in warm weather, catamaran breeze can cool you down after you’ve been in the sun.
One clear rule: no pets are allowed.
If you have meal restrictions, it’s smart to specify them ahead of time, because the tour notes request that you flag any restrictions on meals.
Price and value: is $82 worth the route?
At $82 per person for about 6.5 hours, this is priced like a full-day activity compressed into a half-day format. You’re paying for transportation by catamaran, multiple island stops, and the fact that drinks and BBQ lunch are included.
So the real question isn’t just whether the boat is expensive. It’s whether the package replaces what you’d otherwise spend on boat time plus food. Here, it does. You get lunch and drinks without needing to hunt down restaurants between swim sessions.
You also get the structure: safety briefing, guided language support (English/French), and a route designed around the islands that work well for lagoon time. If you’re the kind of traveler who hates logistics, paying for organized sailing is often money well spent.
It also helps that the trip carries a strong overall satisfaction score—an average of 4.8 from 90 reviews. That doesn’t guarantee a perfect day, but it does suggest consistency in the experience: good food, attentive crew, and real time to swim/snorkel.
Who this cruise is best for (and who might want something else)
This tour is a great fit if you:
- Want a hands-on lagoon day with swimming and snorkeling time
- Like a mix of island sights and water fun
- Prefer an organized outing with food and drinks included
- Are hoping for a chance at dolphin and tortoise spotting
It may be less ideal if you:
- Want a long, deep nature hike on land (waterfall and lighthouse windows are short)
- Need long uninterrupted beach time beyond the Ile aux Cerfs block
- Don’t enjoy being out in the sun and on the water for several hours
As for group style, it notes private group availability, which can be a good option if you’re traveling with family or want a quieter rhythm.
Should you book the Catamaran Mauritius South East 5 Islands cruise?
If you want one activity that gives you Mauritius at sea-level—lagoon water, island views, and a solid meal—then yes, this is the kind of booking that tends to pay off. The biggest strength is the way Ile aux Cerfs anchors the day with real swimming and snorkeling time, while the other stops add variety without draining your energy.
Book it if your ideal day is relaxed, social, and outdoorsy. Bring the right footwear, show up on time at Pointe Jerome, and you’ll set yourself up for a smooth sail.
Skip it only if you’re craving long shore exploration or detailed guided history hours. This tour is about time on the water and island impressions, not museum-style storytelling.
FAQ
Where does the cruise depart from?
It departs from Pointe Jerome wharf (Pointe d’Esny). The meeting point is at Pointe Jerome embarkation wharf, and you should report to Jonathan or Nathalie on the left-hand side when facing the sea.
How long is the South East 5 Islands catamaran cruise?
The total duration is 390 minutes, which is about 6.5 hours.
Are drinks included?
Yes. The cruise includes all drinks, and it also includes lunch and dessert during the day.
What food is included on board?
You’ll have BBQ lunch plus dessert. The schedule at Ile aux Cerfs includes lunch and onboard meal service.
Is there time to swim and snorkel?
Yes. The cruise includes swimming and snorkeling, mainly during the Ile aux Cerfs stop.
Which islands are included in the itinerary?
The cruise includes Ile aux Cerfs, Ile au Phare (Ile aux Fouquet), Ile aux Aigrettes (pass by), plus a waterfall visit at Grand River South East Waterfall.
How long is the waterfall stop?
The Grand River South East Waterfall sightseeing stop is listed as 30 minutes.
How long do you spend at the lighthouse?
The Ile aux Fouquets Lighthouse stop is listed as 30 minutes.
What should I bring and wear?
Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and water shoes.
Are pets allowed?
No. Pets are not allowed.
