Boat Rental in Mauritius: 3 private charters with a skipper, 2026 prices

This is the classic private way to enjoy a sunset on the Mauritian west coast. The catamaran is chartered for your group alone (no other guests) and leaves from Black River in the south-west. The usual route heads up towards Tamarin Bay and passes off Le Morne Brabant as the sun sets behind the UNESCO-listed mountain.

The skipper takes care of all the sailing and anchoring, so you can simply sit back and enjoy the sunset. Capacity depends on the catamaran (generally 6 to 12 people at this price), so check when booking. It's rated 5 out of 5 on Manawa, but from just 1 verified review so far.

Who it's for: couples after a private romantic evening, marriage proposals, birthdays, small groups of friends or family of up to 8-10 people, and travellers staying on the west coast (Tamarin, Flic en Flac, Le Morne) who'd rather not cross to the east coast. Who it's not for: large groups (the speedboat or pontoon boat packages hold more people) and travellers staying in the east or north (it's a long drive to Black River).

Manawa price €282.33 for the private charter, roughly €30-50 per passenger for a group of 6 to 8. Flexible cancellation for bad weather. Check drinks and aperitifs with the operator, as most offer them as an extra. This package also appears on my catamaran cruise page.

This package gives you a speedboat to yourselves from Trou d'Eau Douce, on the east coast. Its edge over the catamaran is speed: in a single half-day you can combine Île aux Cerfs, a stop at the GRSE waterfall and, if you wish, a run down to the Mahébourg lagoon in the south-east. No reviews have been published on Manawa for this package yet.

The flat rate of €412.74 generally covers 6 to 8 passengers depending on the boat, so €50-70 per person for a full group. The skipper does the driving and will stop several times for swimming or snorkelling if you ask.

Who it's for: groups of 4 to 8 who want to see as many spots as possible in a half-day, travellers staying on the east coast (Belle Mare, Trou d'Eau Douce, Palmar), and groups short on time. Who it's not for: couples who prefer a slower pace (the €282 sunset catamaran cruise suits them better) and anyone prone to seasickness (a speedboat is less stable than a catamaran or pontoon boat).

Manawa price €412.74 for the private charter. Flexible cancellation for bad weather. The route is agreed with the skipper on the morning, depending on your wishes and the weather.

A pontoon boat is quite different from a speedboat or sailing catamaran: it's a wide, flat-bottomed motor catamaran with a fixed roof that keeps passengers completely out of the sun. The deck has deep bench seating and plenty of open space in the middle. It suits families with children or groups who want a relaxed trip with nothing to handle. No reviews have been published on Manawa yet.

The flat rate of €480.24 covers 12-15 passengers depending on the boat, so €35-50 per person for a full group. It leaves from Trou d'Eau Douce, and the usual route takes in Île aux Cerfs, the GRSE waterfall and a loop of the eastern lagoon. The skipper will stop whenever you like for a swim, some snorkelling or a picnic lunch on one of the island's beaches.

Who it's for: families with children (plenty of space and a roof against the fierce tropical sun), large groups of 10-15 people, anyone after a long, lazy outing with stops on request, and people who burn easily (most of the deck is shaded). Who it's not for: couples looking for romance (the €282 sunset catamaran cruise suits them better) and groups in a hurry who want to see as many spots as possible (the €412 speedboat is the better pick).

Manawa price €480.24 for the private half-day charter. Flexible cancellation for bad weather. Meals and drinks are generally not included (check with the operator), but most listings allow you to bring a picnic on board.