Charter itinerary

Please note that this is a sample itinerary. As this is a private Mauritius Catamaran Charter there is flexibility to adapt it to your specific requirements. The itinerary below will allow you to explore some of Mauritius and its culture while also enjoying the exclusivity of a luxury liveaboard catamaran.

Day 1: Overnight in Black River Gorges

The flights coming into Mauritius tend to land in the late afternoon or early evening so we like to start this itinerary with a night on land up in the Black River Gorges National Park at one of our preferred small lodges. This will allow you time to relax after your flight and enjoy a meal and a good nights sleep before starting your adventure at sea. When you arrive at the airport there will be a transfer waiting for you to take you to the lodge which will take about an hour.

Day 2: Birding walk and boarding the catamaran

On the first morning, there is the opportunity to go for a walk in Ebony Forest, nearby, with a birding guide who will help you to find and identify several of the endemic bird species of Mauritius such as the Mauritius Pink Pigeon, Mauritius Olive White Eye, Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher and Mauritian Fody. Ebony forest can be quite steep in parts but fortunately, they have some 4x4s to help you make it to the top. The views are stunning and you will look down upon Benetier island where you will be mooring tonight on the Catamaran.

For lunch, we always recommend the Restaurant Chamarel which has incredible views of the ocean below as well as delicious local cuisine after which we head do to Black River to Rendez-Vous with the Pangolin Island Explorer.

As soon as you are on board and settled in your cabin we will be heading to the first mooring point in the crystal clear waters below La Morne and close to Crystal Rock and Benetier Island. The last few hours of the day can be spent swimming and snorkelling around the catamaran as the crew prepare your sundowners and dinner. Before bed, you can relax on the flybridge or trampolines with a nightcap taking in the beautiful night sky in all its splendour.

Day 3: Port Louis walking tour and Balaclava

There will be time for a quick dip in the morning before we set sail, enjoying breakfast along the way, north toward Port Louis (approx 4 hours) to meet with your guides for a walking tour of the city with a chance to try some delicious local cuisine. Port Louis is a small but bustling city with strong cultural representations from the various cultures that have settled here – French, English, Dutch, Chinese and Indian. Food is an important part of each of these cultures and you will learn all about the history of Port Louis (and Mauritius) while sampling some delicious local delicacies. Mauritius is a very safe country and taking your camera gear is no problem at all. The tour passes by some incredible photogenic spots – especially the market.

The tour will last around 3-4 hours before heading back to The Pangolin Island Explorer to sail further North to Balaclava – tonight’s mooring spot.

Balaclava has some great snorkelling with a good chance of turtle encounters. It is also a chance to relax onboard perhaps with a good book as the sun starts to set.

Day 4: Heading to the Northern Islands

In the morning there is the chance for keen divers to plunge the depths. We will arrange for the dive team to join you on board for a briefing and to get you kitted out. You will disembark the catamaran and take the dive boat to the two locations for a double dive before rejoining The Explorer as it sails gently past on the way to Coin de Mire.

Coin de Mire, also called Gunners Quoin, rises out of the ocean in a dramatic cliff face and is visible from most of the north side of Mauritius which is 8 kilometres offshore. There is some great diving and snorkelling at the base of the cliff and for the more energetic it is possible to land on the flatter eastern end of the 65ha island and walk up to the top of the cliff for a spectacular view of Mauritius.

Our mooring spot for the night is by Gabriel Island which is close to the larger Flat Island. Flat island has one of only two working lighthouses in Mauritius.

Day 5: Flat Island and Round island

The whole of day 5 can be spent exploring Flat island as well as neighbouring Round Island and Snake Island (nothing venomous). There is lots of birdlife including the very elegant Tropic Birds with their distinctive tails.

Snorkelling is excellent around this area as well as diving which can be arranged in advance.  This part of your Mauritius catamaran charter is all about relaxation and enjoying your time onboard as well as the tropical white sand beached islands that surround you.

Day 6: Grand Bay

After a delicious breakfast and perhaps another swim, snorkel or SUP we will make our way back towards the Mauritius mainland and Grand Bay. the bright blue waters of this iconic bay welcome you and you are free to wander into this small town and check out the shops and local eateries. A short drive away is the sugar plantation of La Bordonais which has an immaculately restored manor house that is open to visitors including a complimentary rum tasting!

That evening we will moor close to the 5* Royal Palm Hotel at the mouth of the bay and you will have the option to have dinner in one of the excellent local restaurants should you so wish. We have several suggestions for all types of cuisine from around the world.

Day 7: Tamarin

On the last full day at sea, we will start to head south again to La Balise Marine, where you boarded with one more overnight stop in the Tamarin River Mouth which sits between Port Louis and Black River. This will be the longest day of sailing (around 4-6 hours depending on the wind). Once we are moored you are free to explore the mangroves of the Tamarin River by snorkelling or SUPing as well as simply enjoying your last afternoon on board with a good book and a glass of something refreshing nearby!

Day 8: Disembarkation and Ile Aux Aigrettes

Depending on the flights or onward plans we will coordinate the disembarkation to meet the schedule. Flights back to South Africa tend to leave very early in the morning so we suggest staying one more night at a hotel (like The Preskil Island Resort) in the south especially as it is so close to one of the best birding spots on the island – Ile Aux Aigrettes – a short boat ride from the hotel.

If you are looking to extend your stay in Mauritius we will be happy to help you arrange a suitable hotel or even a private villa. There is plenty to explore on the island so we can arrange drivers and vehicles to show you around or you can just take some time to relax – a rare commodity sometimes!