Catamaran Cruises in Mauritius: Which One to Choose

A catamaran day cruise is one of the few experiences in Mauritius that almost everyone enjoys, whatever their age or fitness level. The twin-hull design sits flat and stable on the water, so it handles the lagoon far more gently than a speedboat, and the wide front deck gives you space to sunbathe or shelter under the canopy. For most visitors it is the easiest way to reach the snorkelling spots, sandbanks and offshore islets that you simply cannot see from a beach lounger.

There is no single best cruise, because the island has three very different coastlines and each suits a different kind of day. The east is famous for the lagoon around Ile aux Cerfs, the north for a string of nature-reserve islands, and the west for calm waters, dolphins and sunset light. Knowing the differences before you book saves you a long, hot transfer to the wrong side of the island. If you are still mapping out your week, our things to do in Mauritius and /destinations pages give a sense of which region your hotel sits closest to.

Ile aux Cerfs, off the east coast near Trou d'Eau Douce, is the most popular catamaran destination on the island, and for good reason. The lagoon here is shallow, turquoise and enormous, with white-sand beaches on the islet itself and a separate sandbank where the boat anchors for swimming. A typical full-day trip leaves around 9:30am, cruises across the lagoon with a stop for snorkelling, then anchors near the famous Grand River South East waterfall before mooring off Ile aux Cerfs for a barbecue lunch of grilled fish, chicken, sausages and salads, usually with beer, wine, soft drinks and local rum punch included.

Expect to pay roughly 55 to 85 EUR per adult for a shared full-day cruise with lunch, with children typically half price. The trade-off is that this is the busiest route: in peak months several catamarans share the same anchorage, so it feels social rather than secluded. If you want the lagoon at its quietest, ask for an early-departure boat. Because the east is a long drive from the west-coast and northern resorts, factor in transfer time and book your road transport in advance through airport transfers rather than scrambling for a taxi on the day.

From the north coast, cruises head out to a cluster of small islands off Cap Malheureux: Ilot Gabriel, Coin de Mire (Gunner's Quoin), Flat Island (Ile Plate) and the rocky Round Island in the distance. These are protected nature reserves with some of the clearest water in Mauritius, and the snorkelling around Ilot Gabriel is genuinely excellent, with good coral and reef fish in calm conditions. Most full-day trips depart from Grand Baie or Cap Malheureux, anchor off Gabriel for swimming and a beach barbecue, and give you time ashore on the soft white sand.

Prices are similar to the east, broadly 60 to 90 EUR per adult including lunch and drinks. The northern crossing is more exposed than the sheltered east lagoon, so the sea can be choppier, especially in the windier winter months from May to October. If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, choose a calm-weather day and sit near the centre of the boat. The upside is scenery: the dramatic silhouette of Coin de Mire and the open ocean make this the most photogenic of the three regions.

The west coast around Tamarin, Black River and La Gaulette offers a different rhythm. Mornings here are about dolphins: pods of spinner and bottlenose dolphins gather in Tamarin Bay, and early catamaran or speedboat trips let you swim near them, weather and regulations permitting. Many west-coast cruises continue south to Ile aux Benitiers, a long sandy islet near Le Morne, stopping at the Crystal Rock formation that rises straight out of the lagoon. The backdrop of Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage site, makes this one of the most beautiful stretches of water on the island.

The west is also the home of the sunset cruise. Shorter two to three hour evening trips, often with canapes, drinks and music, run from around 30 to 55 EUR per person, while full-day dolphin-and-Benitiers cruises with lunch sit closer to 55 to 80 EUR. Because the west coast is sheltered from the prevailing south-easterly wind, the water is frequently the calmest on the island, which makes it a sensible choice in the windy winter season. You can find west-coast boat trips and other excursions on our tours & activities page.

A standard shared catamaran carries anywhere from a dozen to forty guests with a crew of two or three. Snorkelling masks and fins are normally provided, the barbecue is cooked on board or on the beach, and drinks flow steadily through the day, so pace yourself in the heat. Cruises run rain or shine in most conditions, though operators will postpone or reroute if the sea is genuinely rough. Toilets on board are basic, and changing space is limited, so arrive ready for the water.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a light cover-up and a dry bag for your phone and valuables. The tropical sun is intense even on cloudy days, and the deck offers little shade once the canopy seats fill up. A waterproof phone pouch is worth its weight for photos at the snorkelling stops. If you would rather have the boat to yourselves for a birthday, proposal or family group, private charters are widely available and usually start from around 400 to 600 EUR for a half day, scaling up with boat size and catering.

Mauritius has two seasons, and they matter for cruising. The summer months from November to April are hotter and more humid, with warmer water and the calmest seas overall, but this is also the cyclone window, so an occasional trip is cancelled at short notice. The winter months from May to October are cooler, drier and breezier; the south-easterly trade winds can make the east and north choppier, while the sheltered west coast often stays calm. Whale and dolphin activity on the west is good much of the year.

Whatever the season, morning departures generally have the lightest wind and the best light for snorkelling, with the sea building through the afternoon. Book a day or two ahead in peak periods such as the European winter holidays and the local school holidays, when the popular Ile aux Cerfs boats fill quickly. If you are unsure how a cruise fits with the rest of your itinerary, our AI trip planner can help you slot it onto a day that matches where you are staying and the weather forecast.

The simplest way to book is to reserve directly with a licensed operator that confirms the boat, the route, the inclusions and the pickup arrangement in writing. Check exactly what the price covers: lunch, drinks, snorkelling gear, national-park or landing fees, and hotel transfers are sometimes extra. Confirm the group size too, since a shared cruise can mean anything from an intimate dozen to a packed forty, and ask whether departure is guaranteed or weather-dependent.

As a licensed Mauritius tour and transfer operator, Belle Mare Tours arranges catamaran cruises on all three coasts together with the road transfers that get you there on time, so you are not relying on a separate taxi the morning of your trip. Tell us your dates, your group size and where you are staying, and we will match you to the route that makes sense for your side of the island rather than the one that is simply easiest to sell. Combining the cruise with your airport transfers or a wider day tour usually works out cheaper and far less stressful than booking each piece separately.