Rain or sun, the sea does the talking. This Isle aux Cerfs catamaran cruise is built for a full day of sights and water time, with snorkeling gear included and a BBQ lunch onboard. One real consideration, though, is timing, since departures and stops can shift for safety when conditions are less than ideal, especially around tides and weather.

What you get is a tight route with two big anchors: the Grand River South East area for a gorge-and-waterfall look (plus chances for monkeys and bats) and then Isle aux Cerfs for swimming and relaxing. The trip caps at 30 people, so it feels more manageable than the huge party boats, and that matters when you are trying to get quick turns for photos, snacks, and pool-style beach time.

Key Highlights You Can Actually Use

• Snorkel gear is provided, so you can show up without extra rental hassle
• GRSE waterfall stop gives you a gorge view and wildlife chances (monkeys, and bats)
• Isle aux Cerfs beach time includes a proper lunch on board, then time to swim and chill
• BBQ lunch plus unlimited drinks keeps the day relaxed and low-planning
• Small group size (max 30) helps with pacing and getting gear on and off the boat fast
• Optional dolphin sightings can happen on the route, if nature cooperates

How This Isle aux Cerfs Catamaran Fits Your Mauritius Day

If your Mauritius plan needs a break from sand, roads, and schedules, this kind of catamaran day works well. You trade car time for open-water time, and you still hit multiple highlights in one go. The day is paced like a best-of reel: GRSE waterfalls and wildlife, then Isle aux Cerfs for a beach-style reset.

The reason it feels good for a lot of people is that the cruise handles the “logistics headache.” You do not have to line up separate tours for snorkeling, lunch, and transfers to the right spots. Instead, you get a structured route with built-in stops, plus an open bar that keeps the day easy to ride out.

The main thing to match to your expectations is this: it is not just a beach cruise, and it is not just a wildlife hunt either. It is a mixed day, and the fun comes from hopping between those moods.

Getting There: Preskil Island Resort as Your Launch Pad

Your meeting point is Preskil Island Resort, Pointe Jerome, Mahebourg. That matters because it tells you where the “start energy” will be, quiet morning coffee vs. a scramble at the last minute. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point, so you are not dealing with a one-way transfer back across the island.

Price-wise, this is one of those tours that is easiest to compare when you look at what is included. Your listed price is $82 per person for a roughly 7-hour day, with a mobile ticket. That is not a tiny spend, so you will want to get your money’s worth from the onboard inclusions: snorkeling gear, lunch, snacks, and unlimited drinks.

Also, note the transfer situation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the base experience. There is an upgrade mentioned for hotel transfers, so if you do not want to manage the ride to Preskil, make the transfer choice early.

The Route Starts with Grand River South East Waterfalls

The first big stop is the Grand River South East (GRSE) waterfalls area. The itinerary calls for a short, “get-your-eyes-on-it” stop, about 10 minutes, where you can view a gorge and end at a pictorial waterfall. Even with the short time, this stop is valuable because it gives you a different Mauritius feel. Instead of only coastal views, you get water carved into a dramatic, rocky setting.

Here is the key part for planning: your time is tight. That means you will want to:

• Keep your camera ready before you get off the boat
• Wear footwear that works on uneven ground
• Be okay with quick photos rather than a long hike

The area is also part of the wildlife story. The cruise description points to the mouth of the GRSE river, where you can have chances to spot monkeys and a giant bat colony. Not every stop will deliver wildlife sightings on schedule, and that is normal. Still, the fact that bats and monkeys are part of the route is what turns this from a generic waterfall stop into a “maybe something unexpected” moment.

One more practical note: the day requires good weather. When conditions are rough, water tours either change timing or cancel. Even if the first stop happens, you want to keep your mood flexible, since boat operations can shift.

Ile du Phare: The In-Between Island Stop

On the way to Isle aux Cerfs, the route includes Ile du Phare. You are not being asked to plan a full activity here, but it adds variety to the journey. Think of it as one of those visual “pause and look around” moments that makes the ride feel less like a straight line.

If you like travel days that unfold visually, these in-between points matter. Even when the time is short, it keeps the day from feeling like just travel plus beach.

Isle aux Cerfs: Lunch, Relaxing Time, and a Real Swim Window

Once you reach Isle aux Cerfs, the day shifts into beach mode. You get about 1 hour with lunch on board, then another hour for free relaxing time and swimming.

That structure is exactly what you need if you want a low-pressure beach experience. A single long beach block can turn into a slow drag, especially if the sun is strong. Here, the day builds in an on-boat meal first, then gives you a clean second window where you can focus on being in the water.

What to expect at Isle aux Cerfs:

• Lunch is included, served onboard while you are settled in
• You have time to swim and not just stand on the shore
• You can take a real break from the constant “watching the schedule” feeling

The downside is also tied to time. Two one-hour windows are not “all day lounging.” If your dream day is a full, slow beach stretch from late morning to sunset, this tour is more of a balanced sampler than a deep beach stay. Still, for many people it hits the sweet spot, because it leaves room for the morning GRSE stop and the afternoon water time.

Snorkeling Off the Boat: Gear Included, Expectations Kept Real

The cruise includes snorkeling with gear provided and the chance to snorkel from the boat. That is a big deal for value and comfort. You do not need to shop for equipment, find a rental shop, or worry about transport for your mask and fins.

What I like about this setup for you is that it reduces friction. The crew handles the logistics of getting you snorkeling-ready, and you are not wasting half a day coordinating an extra activity.

Still, keep the reality in mind. Snorkeling quality depends on water and conditions that day. The tour does not promise crystal-clear perfection, it offers a snorkeling window as part of the cruise day. If you are flexible and treat it as a fun add-on, it is a strong part of the experience.

Quick tips that help on boat-based snorkeling days:

• Put on sunscreen early, then reapply after you are back
• Keep a light, dry layer for when you are moving between warm beach time and cooler boat time
• If you wear glasses, you may want a plan for eye protection, since only basic gear is mentioned as included

BBQ Lunch and Open Bar: Good Fuel, Easy Mood

On board, the meal plan is simple and built for a warm-water day: BBQ lunch plus unlimited drinks (open bar), along with snacks.

This is one of the highest-value parts of the tour because it means you are not hunting for food between stops. When you factor in what this kind of cruise day would cost if you had to pay separately for lunch and drinks, the package starts to look more reasonable.

What you should expect from the food: the BBQ is described as plentiful and well cooked on the day, and the drinks are set up to keep everyone comfortable. At the same time, there is also a note of mixed satisfaction around meal variety and flavor. So if you are a super picky eater, do not count on a restaurant-level buffet experience. Count on a filling BBQ that keeps the day moving.

If you want the best experience:

• Eat when the meal is served, not when you feel hungry
• Stay hydrated with the drinks, even if the open bar is tempting
• Consider bringing a small snack of your own if you know you get hungry between courses, though snacks are already included

Crew and Group Size: Small Boat Energy

This cruise runs with a maximum of 30 travelers, which is a real quality-of-life detail. Smaller group size usually means less waiting, quicker turnover for boarding, and less crowding when you are getting snorkeling gear or moving around on deck.

The crew is also repeatedly described as friendly, professional, and helpful, with an emphasis on advice for the stops. That kind of onboard guidance matters, especially at the GRSE waterfall area where you may have to move fast for photos and then return to the boat.

One more thing to keep in your mental checklist: timing can be affected by the sea, including low tide situations. The tour description says the experience requires good weather, and in practice, safe operations can mean the start or early minutes shift. If your day has a strict dinner reservation later, keep some buffer.

Price and Value: Is $82 a Good Deal?

At $82 per person for an about 7-hour cruise, the value depends on what you want most. If you want:

• A ready-to-go catamaran day
• Snorkeling with gear included
• BBQ lunch
• Unlimited drinks
• A route that covers GRSE waterfalls plus Isle aux Cerfs

…then the package makes sense because so many “extras” are rolled into the ticket.

If you are mainly after one thing, like only beach time, then this might feel like you are paying for a lot of mixed content. The cruise is not just a single-purpose beach day. It is a multi-stop day where you switch modes, so you get more variety, but you are not in one place all day.

Also, watch the overall rating. A 3.7 average across 25 reviews suggests it is a solid experience for many people but not perfectly consistent in every detail, especially around the meal or the dolphin expectation. If you go in with a “this is a cruise with good odds of fun, not a guaranteed wildlife safari” mindset, you will likely be happier.

Who This Cruise Is Best For

This Isle aux Cerfs catamaran cruise fits well if you:

• Want a full-day activity that is mostly handled for you
• Like snorkeling but do not want to manage gear rentals
• Enjoy a mix of waterfalls and beach time in the same day
• Prefer a smaller group size around 30 people
• Appreciate onboard comfort: unlimited drinks, snacks, and a BBQ lunch

It is less ideal if your top priority is a long, slow beach day with no schedule pressure. The Isle aux Cerfs time is solid, but it is still time-boxed.

Should You Book This Isle aux Cerfs Cruise?

I think this is a smart booking when your Mauritius trip needs one “big day out” that rolls multiple highlights into a single ticket. You get a logical route, included snorkeling gear, and a lunch-and-drinks setup that keeps everyone relaxed. The GRSE waterfalls stop adds variety that you would likely pay for separately if you were building your own day.

I would book it if you can go with the flow on timing and you are not expecting every wildlife moment to happen on cue. If dolphins are your dream, keep expectations flexible, since sightings are not guaranteed in the information you get.

I would skip or reconsider if:

• You do not want the day split between multiple stops
• You need a long beach block with no schedule
• You cannot get to the departure point at Preskil Island Resort, Pointe Jerome without arranging the transfer upgrade

If you want a practical, fun Mauritius day with real water time, this cruise is one of the better ways to do it in a single chunk.

FAQ

What does the ticket include?

The ticket includes snorkeling with provided gear, snacks, unlimited drinks (open bar), and a BBQ lunch. Admission tickets for the included stops are also listed as included.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard experience. A transfer upgrade is mentioned if you want a smoother day.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is listed as about 7 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

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

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. The cruise includes snorkeling from the boat with gear provided.

Is this tour okay for children?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the experience notes that most travelers can participate.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.