Ile aux Aigrettes Catamaran Tour: Ebony Forest & Wildlife

Walk an ebony forest where the dodo once roamed, now home to species saved from extinction.

A private catamaran eco-tour from Mauritius to Ile aux Aigrettes, a wildlife reserve 800 meters offshore, includes a guided 1.5-hour trail through thick coastal vegetation, snorkeling stops at nearby islands, and a full lunch with drinks. You'll encounter Pink Pigeons, giant Aldabra tortoises, Mauritian geckos and the rare Telfair skink, plus the ruins of an ancient limekiln and views across Mahebourg Bay.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private Catamaran Eco Tour and Island Visit

• Pass by Ile aux Fouquets
• Pass by Ile aux Cerfs
• Explore Ile aux Aigrettes with guide

The experience

How do you reach an island where Mauritius' rarest animals actually live? The catamaran picks you up and sails to Ile aux Aigrettes, a natural reserve managed by the Mauritian Wildlife Fund. The boat has carried visitors for 39 years and operates under strict environmental protocols: the crew trains to international safety standards and the operations respect the island's protected status. You're never more than a small group, so the experience stays intimate and the guides can move at a pace that lets you actually spot wildlife rather than rush past it.

Once on the island, a guide leads you for 1 hour 30 minutes through an ebony forest that used to shelter the dodo. The thick vegetation is typical of Mauritius' coastal areas, but what matters is what lives there now: the Pink Pigeon, the Mauritian Kestrel (brought back from the brink of extinction), the Telfair skink still classed as endangered, and the giant Aldabra tortoise introduced to replace two endemic species now gone. You'll also see a nursery of thousands of young plants being raised for the island's restoration and the stone ruins of an old limekiln. The walk ends with a view across Mahebourg Bay before you return to the boat.

The catamaran then passes Ile aux Fouquets and stops at Ile aux Cerfs, where you can snorkel with the included equipment. Lunch is grilled fish and chicken, lobster, local salads, desserts and snacks, served with South African wine, sparkling wine and non-alcoholic drinks. The whole outing runs seven hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Use of snorkeling equipment.
• a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks including South African wine and sparkling wine.
• grilled fish and chicken, lobster, local salads, local desserts and snacks.

Options for this experience

7 options

Party of 1 to 6 peopleUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or French · 08:00Party of 1 to 6 people

Party of 7 peopleUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or French · 08:00Party of 7 people

Party of 8 peopleUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English or French · 08:00Party of 8 people

See 4 more options

Party of 9 peopleUp to 9 per booking · Guide in English or French · 08:00Party of 9 people

Party of 10 peopleUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or French · 08:00Party of 10 people

Party of 11 peopleUp to 11 per booking · Guide in English or French · 08:00Party of 11 people

Party of 12 peopleUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English or French · 08:00Party of 12 people

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Oceane Cruises Mauritius

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to observe rare endemic wildlife in their natural habitat while moving at a pace that lets sightings happen. The small-group catamaran format means your guide can pause when animals appear rather than keeping to a fixed schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see on Ile aux Aigrettes?

Pink Pigeons, Mauritian geckos, giant Aldabra tortoises and the endangered Telfair skink are the most common sightings. The Mauritian Kestrel, saved from extinction, also roams the forest but sightings depend on the day. The island is a working wildlife reserve, so encounters are real but not guaranteed on every visit.

How long is the walk on the island itself?

The guided trail through the ebony forest takes 1 hour 30 minutes. It covers the forest, a plant nursery, the ruins of an ancient limekiln and ends with a view of Mahebourg Bay before you return to the boat.

What's included in the lunch and drinks?

Grilled fish and chicken, lobster, local salads, local desserts and snacks are served, along with South African wine, sparkling wine and a choice of non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day.

Do I need snorkeling experience to join this tour?

No. Snorkeling equipment is provided and the stops are at shallow reef areas suitable for all levels. The tour is rated suitable for all physical fitness levels, though the island walk is on natural terrain.

What's the difference between the group size options?

You choose the group size at checkout: groups range from 1 to 6 people up to 12 people. Smaller groups move more flexibly through the forest. Larger groups share the cost across more passengers. The catamaran accommodates all sizes.