Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Adventure 2025: My Full Day Private Trip Review

So, you’re thinking about a private catamaran day out to Ile Aux Cerfs in Mauritius, right? Honestly, I get it. The pictures you see online are pretty amazing. We decided to just go for the private option for our trip in 2025, sort of wanting to see if it lived up to all the buzz. I mean, we wanted our own space and a day that was just about us, without a whole crowd of strangers. Actually, this is my real take on the experience, telling you what it was genuinely like, you know. I will basically walk you through our whole day, from stepping on the boat to that last sun-kissed moment coming back to shore.

Setting Sail: What the Morning Feels Like

Okay, so our day began in a small coastal village named Trou d’Eau Douce, which is basically the main starting point for these boat trips. As a matter of fact, the morning air was still cool and had that special salty smell. We got to the dock a little early, you know, and our catamaran was just waiting there, looking kind of impressive against the soft morning light. The crew, well, they welcomed us aboard with some seriously friendly smiles, and it really set a great mood from the very beginning. Actually, there’s a certain feeling you get when the ropes are untied and the boat slowly moves away from the land. It’s like you are literally leaving all your regular worries behind on that dock. The engine hummed to life, and frankly, we were off, gliding out into the gigantic, clear lagoon that Mauritius is so famous for.

You can just tell the crew knew exactly what they were doing. The captain, for instance, gave us a quick, informal briefing on safety and what the day would sort of look like. It was all very relaxed, not like a formal presentation or anything like that, right? They offered us some drinks almost straight away, so we were sitting with a cold drink in hand within minutes of leaving. We found a comfy spot on the netting at the front of the boat, which is obviously the best place to be. Lying there, with the water rushing underneath you and the sun starting to get a bit warmer on your skin, is, to be honest, an incredible sensation. The whole vibe was just so calm and private, and we knew, at the end of the day, we had definitely made the right call.

Cruising the Coastline: Sights, Sounds, and Snorkeling

Anyway, as we sailed along the east coast, the water turned into these almost unbelievable shades of blue and green. It’s really hard to capture in a photo how stunning it actually is. The skipper would, you know, point things out to us here and there, like little bits of history about the bays or the distant Lion Mountain. So, it felt like we were getting a personal tour instead of just a boat ride. The sound was just the wind in the sails and the water lapping against the hulls, which was extremely peaceful. It was just us, the boat, and this immense open ocean around us. It’s kind of a humbling feeling, you know.

Next, we anchored for our first stop: snorkeling. The crew picked a spot that was, like, perfectly sheltered inside the coral reef. They gave us all the gear we needed, and it was all in pretty good condition, frankly. Getting into that warm, clear water was so refreshing. And the underwater world there is just… well, it’s like another planet. There were schools of brightly colored fish just swimming around us, completely unfazed. We saw some amazing coral, though the guide rightly told us to look and not touch. It was more or less like swimming in a huge, natural aquarium. We probably spent a good hour in the water, just exploring around, and because it was a private trip, there was literally no rush to get out, which was really nice.

A Stop at the GRSE Waterfall: Nature’s Little Surprise

As I was saying, after the snorkeling fun, our next stop was a little different. We motored towards the mouth of the Grand River South East, or GRSE as everyone calls it. The change of scenery is actually quite dramatic. You go from the wide-open sea into a calm, winding river flanked by thick, green mangroves on both sides, right? The water becomes still, and the whole atmosphere gets very quiet and serene. You can pretty much hear the birds calling from the trees.

The boat navigates a little way up the river until you reach the main attraction, which is a lovely waterfall. It’s not a massive, thundering cascade, you know, but more of a pretty one that tumbles over dark volcanic rocks into the river. We got really close, so close that you could feel the fine spray from the falls on your face. Honestly, the crew told us to look out for the monkeys that live in the trees along the riverbanks. And, as a matter of fact, we saw a whole family of them jumping around in the branches. It was a really great photo opportunity and just a nice, peaceful interlude in the day’s adventure.

Lunch on Board: A Floating Barbecue Experience

Okay, by this point, we were starting to get really hungry. So, while we were at the waterfall, the crew had already started getting the barbecue going. The smell of grilling food drifting across the water was, like, totally amazing. They anchored the catamaran in a calm spot with a beautiful view, and lunch was served. I mean, the spread was genuinely fantastic. We had freshly grilled chicken and fish, which were cooked absolutely perfectly. There were also some tasty sausages, a variety of fresh salads, and some really delicious garlic bread. Honestly, simple food just tastes better when you’re eating it on a boat in the middle of a perfect lagoon.

They also made sure our drinks were always topped up. We tried some of the local Phoenix beer, and of course, the famous local rum with coke, which seems to be the drink of choice out on the water. The crew served us and then sort of gave us our space to eat and enjoy the moment. Sitting there, eating a fantastic meal, with the sun shining and that gentle rock of the boat… well, it was more or less a perfect moment. It didn’t feel like a tourist package at all; it felt, in a way, like we were having lunch on a friend’s boat.

The Main Event: Exploring Ile aux Cerfs

Finally, we motored over to the main destination: the famous Ile aux Cerfs. And to be honest, it is just as postcard-perfect as you’d imagine. The boat moors a little way off the main beach, and they take you to the island on a small dinghy, so you don’t have to wade through the water. The first thing that hits you is the color of the sand; it’s so fine and powdery white. The water along the shore is this shallow, warm, and brilliantly clear turquoise. It’s obviously why this place is so famous.

You have a good amount of time to spend on the island itself. Of course, the main beach area can get a little busy with people from all the different tours. But the great thing about Ile aux Cerfs is that it’s quite big, you know. You can just take a short walk along the coastline and find a quieter, more secluded spot under the shade of a Casuarina tree. We just spent our time swimming in the calm waters and walking along the beach, collecting shells. Some people go for the paid water sports like parasailing or banana boat rides, and stuff, but we were pretty content to just relax. At the end of the day, having that free time to do whatever you want is a huge plus.

Is a Private Catamaran Tour Really Worth It?

So, the big question is whether going private is a better choice than a shared catamaran trip. Frankly, it really depends on what you’re looking for. The shared trips are obviously a bit more budget-friendly. On the other hand, the private tour gives you something pretty special: freedom. You get to decide how long you want to snorkel, you know. You get to pick the music, or just have silence if you prefer. There’s no waiting for other people or being crammed onto a boat with fifty other tourists. You basically have this big, beautiful catamaran all to yourselves.

I mean, for us, it was totally worth the extra cost. For a special occasion, like an anniversary or a big family holiday, it’s an incredible treat. It is probably ideal for a group of friends, a family, or a couple who really want that intimate and personalized experience. You’re not just a ticket number; you’re a guest, and the crew treats you that way. At the end of the day, it’s about the quality of the experience. It’s the difference between just seeing Ile aux Cerfs and genuinely feeling like you’ve had a truly personal adventure on the waters of Mauritius. The journey back to the dock as the sun began to dip lower was just as lovely, a quiet time to just reflect on an absolutely brilliant day.

Read our full review: Full Day Private Catamaran Adventure in Ile Aux Cerfs Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Check Availability for Your 2025 Trip)