Here is a list of best 10 Mauritius cruises that will let you experience the different shades of colours on earth.
1. Catamaran Sunset Cruise
The north-west coast of Mauritius has a legendary sunset view. Sunset cruise will take you along the northern coastline of Mauritius, where you can appreciate the solitude of the ocean.
The cruise further heads towards Coin de Mire Island, where you will get to see spectacular sea cliffs off the coast of this island. An excellent view of the central mountain ranges can also be experienced. Occasionally, you will get to see dolphins and whales as you head towards the northern isles. The catamaran is 40 feet long and departs at 5:00 PM.
The cruise is operated only on Wednesdays and just in the summer season, which is the period between September and April. Drinks onboard include Mineral water, South African wine, soft drinks, and beer and rum cocktails. You can select your canapés and Mauritian snacks. A light sweater and a camera are recommended for a better experience.
Duration: 2 hoursActivity Hours: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PMPrice: per adult - MUR 1159.37, per child (ages 3-10) - MUR 599.68
2. Gabriel Island Cruise
The 45 feet catamaran is very spacious and departs from the Grand Bay. To lift the spirits of all people on board, the crew will play local Mauritian music. Before reaching Gabriel Island, the sailing time is around 1.5 hours.
The island is located in the extreme north of Mauritius. The size of the island is only 42 hectares. Identified as a protected natural reserve, Gabriel Island has a variety of flora and fauna. Besides, the island is famous for its unspoiled sandy beaches, and crystal clear water that surrounds the entire island.
There are some dive sites on the island as it is a renowned spot for snorkelling activities. It is an excellent place for relaxation and fun. You can come across dolphins and whales while heading towards Gabriel Island. You will also pass through a lagoon, which is also a popular site for snorkelling and swimming activities.
At around 12:30 PM, you will get to enjoy lunch on board. The delicious BBQ lunch buffet will be set either on the island or on the catamaran itself. The menu includes chicken, fresh fish and fresh salads, fresh Baguettes and banana flambé. If you are a vegetarian, it is better to inform the crew before so that they make the necessary arrangements.
You can select complimentary drinks during the day from softs drinks, diet coke, Rhum, Beer, white wine, red wine and rose wine. The cost lunch and beverages are included in the package price.
Activity time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PMDuration: 7 hoursPrice: per adult - MUR 1559.16, per child- MUR 799.57
3. Catamaran Cruise to Ile Aux Cerfs
It will be an exhilarating sail to Ile Aux Cerfs on 45 feet catamaran. It departs at Pointe Jerome on South East coast of Mauritius.
The island of Ile Aux Cerfs is near the east coast of Mauritius. It has swaying casuarinas and palm trees. The beaches are framed with turquoise waters which is a perfect setting for relaxing and having fun. You can snorkel and swim in the island's biggest lagoon.
Various other water sports are also available in this island. Around 11:00 AM, the catamaran stops for you to enjoy snorkelling inside the lagoon. You can enjoy rich marine life and swim amongst the superb corals and brightly coloured tropical fish.
Later, the catamaran takes up the mouth of Grande Riviere Sud Est to see the giant bat colony that lives on the bank of the river. You can also see a fantastic waterfall from afar. A delicious lunch is served on board.
The BBQ lunch served here includes paste salad; coleslaw salad; assorted meat platter consisting of chicken, fish, lamb brochette, beef brochette and pork sausage and baked yoghurt. After spending some time on the island, you will re-embark to the point. You will also be served slices of cake, coffee and tea on board.
Duration: 7 hoursActivity time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PMPrice: MUR 2358.72 per adult and MUR 1559.16 per child aged from 3 to 12 years
4. Flat Island Cruise
For a day full of drinks, fun and enjoyment, a trip to Flat Island is an appropriate one. This will include an unforgettable cruise as you sail on your private luxury cruise. As the catamaran departs at 9:00 AM from Grand Bay, you will be served breakfast a little later. The breakfast includes coffee, tea, juice, croissant and chocolate bread. You will have to sail around for one and a half hour before reaching Flat Island.
Flat Island is located in the extreme north of Mauritius and is closest to Round Island. Housing one of the only two lighthouses in Mauritius, this island is 253 hectares large. The topography of the island is flat but has one single hill topped by the lighthouse. Flat Island is a favourite spot for divers, snorkelers and other water sports.
You can enjoy the natural environment of the island by relaxing on the sandy beaches and swim or snorkel in those waters. You will also pass through a fantastic lagoon, in which snorkelling is a must activity. You will even get to see Pigeon Rock, one of the exotic places in Mauritius.
You have a choice to set the schedule as to when to have a break or where to stop. The BBQ lunch will be served on board which prepared by the crew. There is live music on board, and you will be offered a free snorkelling gear. It would be better for you if get your hats, T-shirts, sunblock cream and swimsuits to have a fantastic experience.
Duration: 7 hours 30 minutesActivity time: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PMPrices: MUR 29943.79 for exclusive catamaran hiring and MUR 1159.37 per passenger
5. West Coast Catamaran Cruise
This exclusive cruise includes a visit to Benitiers Island, Crystal Rock and seeing Dolphins.
The south-west coast of Mauritius is considered to be one of the most beautiful areas, and this cruise is along the same region. As the cruise starts heading towards Tamarin Bay, you will encounter a large number of Dolphins waiving at you. After Tamarin Bay, the cruise will take you to La Preneuse, which is a beautiful lagoon.
You can also have a look at colourful coral reefs. The ship will stop at multiple points where you can swim or snorkel in the waters to look at the amazing underwater marine life. Later, you will be taken to visit the famous Crystal Rock, from where you can see amazing Rempart Mountain and the Black River mountain range. You will also enjoy a magnificent view of Le Morne Mountain.
As the catamaran heads towards Benitiers Island, the BBQ lunch will be served on board. The island has some lagoons where you can explore coral reefs and other marine life through snorkelling in those waters. There will be a non-stop supply of drinks like Beer, Soft drinks and tropical juices. The catamaran is 40 feet long and is very spacious. The flat decks enable you to lounge and get a clear view of the sceneries.
Duration: 6 hours 45 minutesActivity time: 9:00 AM to 3:45 PMPrices: MUR 27944.87 for exclusive Catamaran hiring and MUR 2358.72 per passenger
6. Cruise Around Mauritius
This four-day sea adventure will take you to the coves, beaches, islets and many more. You will be sailing on Catamaran Lagoon 500, which is the most spacious catamaran operating in Mauritius. It has spacious cabins with high-top designs. This air-conditioned Catamaran has four-bedroom suites. It offers basic fishing and snorkelling equipment, as well as bath towels. You can choose your live boards too.
Though the itinerary can be customised according to your choices, this is how the cruise usually takes place.
- On the first day, you get to see La Preneuse, which is a popular site for snorkelling while discovering the abundant marine life of the area. Then, you will be headed to Tamarin Bay, where you will have the privilege to watch Spinner and Bottlenose Dolphins in their natural habitat. You can take a cultural trip around the capital city of Port Louis, and more precisely for shopping in the waterfront. You can spend a pleasant afternoon in the Grand Bay village, and lunch will be served on board.
- On the second day, you will enjoy the north coast of Mauritius. Gunner's Point and Flat Island will mesmerise you. You can see the nesting grounds to colonies of tropicbirds that can be seen flying.
- The third day will be spent on the eastern coast of Mauritius. Anahita, one of the most beautiful sites on the east coast with blue Indian Ocean waters, is a peaceful and enchanting place. Later, you will reach Ile Aux Cerfs, where you can spend your day relaxing on the white sandy beaches.
- On the fourth day, you will leave to Black River, where you will have the chance to spend the whole day cruise outside the lagoon.
Duration: 4 daysActivity time: 7:00AM to 5:00 PMPrices: starting from MUR 139924.24
7. Luxury Fishing Trip to St.Brandon
If you are crazy about fishing and looking for a virgin fishing destination, then this excursion is exclusively for you. Spend eight days in a luxurious catamaran with spacious cabins. It is equipped with all extras like air-conditioned rooms, water tanks, water coolers, ice maker, TV, DVD and an excellent variety of films and music to keep you spirited.
Considered to be fish heaven, St. Brandon is going to be the most bonefishing experience you will ever encounter in your life. This is a group of 50 islands, coral ridges and vast island sand flats. The island hosts a small population and is therefore considered to be in a magnificent condition.
One can encounter coral reefs, lobsters, fish stocks and many more exciting creatures. The target species include Bone Fish, Trevally, Bluefin, Golden Trevally and Green spot Trevally. The fishing will be organised from the catamaran.
Besides fishing, you can escape the human civilisation for eight days and enjoy full board meals. You will have a 4 and half days of fishing experience on this cruise. Snorkel in the waters to see sharks, rays, turtles and many large sea mammals. You will also have opportunities to see 'turtle nesting'. As the best season for fishing is all around the year, you can go on this cruise even when you make immediate plans to visit Mauritius.
Duration: 8 daysActivity time: flexible according to preferencesPrice: starting from MUR 779577.89
8. Ile Aux Cerfs
This private trip takes you to the island of Ile Aux Cerfs including a BBQ lunch, an unlimited supply of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and many more. The cruise starts at 9:30, departing from Trou D'Eau to the Ile aux Cerfs.
The catamaran will sail along the east coast with crystal clear waters. It will first cruise along the direction of Grand River Waterfalls.
After reaching Grand River, you will go by small speedboats to visit the waterfalls which are 500 meters upstream. It will then sail to a lagoon, where you can take a swimming break.
Snorkelers will have an extraordinary time here, as the Mauritian lagoon is home to some of the world's most breathtaking coral reefs and marine life ever. You will also get to enjoy a BBQ lunch buffet set on the beach or the catamaran.
When you head to Ile Aux Cerfs, you will discover swaying palm trees with pure white beaches and vivid turquoise waters. On this excursion, you can enjoy an open bar service for free, including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Duration: six hoursActivity time: flexible according to your preferencesPrices: starting from MUR 35780.63
9. Coin De Mire
With a full day cruise, get set to explore and adventure at Coin De Mire. As the catamaran departs from Grand Bay, you will enjoy some delicious snacks on board. This point, also known as Gunner's point is located 9 KM away from the northern tip of Mauritius.
It is an islet which covers an area of about 76 hectares containing basalt rocks and plant species.
Home to lush green gardens and rich biodiversity, one can come across some birds on this island. And as you reach the diving spot, you will be equipped for the session. You will dive between 4 and 40 meters deep inside the water.
You can explore Djabeda wreck, which is the highlight of this dive site. You can also pass through fantastic coral gardens and plenty of fish. This will undoubtedly be an excellent exploration.
Duration: 8 hours
Activity time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Price: starting from MUR 31582.90
10. Port Louis
A visit to Port Louis on a private catamaran cruise is going to be a relaxing cruise with an intimate ambience. You will spend your day on Leopard 43, a luxurious catamaran. As you navigate through the northern coastline of Mauritius, you will enjoy stunning landscapes and ocean views.
You can enjoy a typical tour when the catamaran takes you to Port Louis. Tasting the local food, shopping from the street stalls, and buying handicrafts from the craft market will remain memorable.
Textiles, food, spices, fruits, and locally made products are sold at low prices in the Central Market of Port Louis. Onboard, you will be provided with Continental breakfast which includes coffee, tea, French pastries among others.
Unlimited drinks including Rum, Beer, Wine, Soft drinks and many more are offered as complimentary too. With this, your unforgettable day ends.
Be it an extended holiday or a short stay in Mauritius; you have so many cruises to select from. Discovering Mauritius Cruise by sailing in its waters is a dream for many. Do not forget to take a camera, sunblock creams, swimsuits, and other things you might require while enjoying itinerary.Duration: 8 hoursActivity hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PMPrices: starting from MUR 23187.44