GBaie: 3 North Islands Cruise, Lunch & CoindeMire Snorkeling

The best part of this North Islands catamaran cruise is the changing sea around you. You sail from Grand Baie toward Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, then pass close to Coin de Mire, a steep rock that rises like a mountain from the ocean. The day mixes beach time, lagoon swimming, snorkeling, and a BBQ lunch at sea.

I like the chance to see three very different islands in one outing, and I like that the boat carries you between them rather than leaving you to arrange separate trips. The main drawback is crowding. When several boats reach the islands together, shade, seating, drinks, and quiet space can become scarce.

Key points to know before booking

• Coin de Mire is viewed from the water: You do not land on the island, but the catamaran sails as close as conditions allow.
• Ile Plate offers the clearest beach time: Expect a beautiful beach, lagoon swimming, and roughly an hour or more on shore.
• Ilot Gabriel is a natural reserve: It is known for its beach and nesting Paille en Queue birds.
• The BBQ comes after island time: Lunch is usually served back on the catamaran, though it may occasionally be served on an island.
• Bring your own snorkel equipment and extra water: Both are especially useful when the boat is crowded or the bar is closed.
• Weather controls the programme: Snorkeling and sailing times can change, and bad conditions can lead to rescheduling.

Setting sail for Mauritius’s North Islands

This is a full seven-hour day on the water, not a quick boat ride with a short photo stop. You spend much of the morning and afternoon moving between the islands, with long stretches for swimming, sitting, and enjoying the sea.

The exact departure time depends on availability, and you meet the operator on the beach. Contact your guide 24 hours before the activity so you know precisely where to go and when to arrive. The listed languages include English, French, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, and Arabic, which is useful for mixed-language families and groups.

The catamaran is described as well maintained, and one strong point is the friendly crew. The atmosphere can be lively, especially on family outings. Still, service quality may depend on the day. One sailing had a late captain and little explanation about the islands, while another had a lively crew that kept the mood cheerful for families with children.

I would treat this as a relaxed sea day rather than a guided cultural tour. You should not expect a detailed lecture about geology, wildlife, or island history. The reward is the scenery and the time outside, not a stream of facts.

Ile Plate: beach time with a practical catch

Ile Plate, or Flat Island, is usually the first major island stop. You get time on the beach, a chance to swim in the clear lagoon, and a change from the catamaran’s moving deck.

The beach and water are the reason to look forward to this stop. The colors shift from pale shallows near the sand to stronger blues farther out, and the lagoon gives you a calmer place to swim than the open sea. If you have children, this is likely to be one of the easiest parts of the day for them to enjoy.

The stop can last close to an hour, and sometimes longer depending on the programme. That sounds generous, but the island has little shade. I would bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and extra drinking water. The supplied information specifically asks you to bring the first three, but the water issue is worth taking seriously.

Drinks may be available on the catamaran, yet they are not always provided during the island stops. One outing left people on the islands for almost an hour without water, and another had only a limited supply of cold drinks. You can avoid much of this frustration by carrying your own refillable bottle if permitted by the operator.

Do not expect a developed beach club. The appeal is the open beach and clear water. The tradeoff is limited shade and few comforts once you step ashore.

Ilot Gabriel and its quieter natural setting

The second island stop is Ilot Gabriel, a natural reserve with a wide beach and nesting Paille en Queue birds. The name refers to the white-tailed tropicbirds associated with the island, though the main activity here is still swimming and relaxing rather than organized wildlife watching.

This is a good place to slow the day down. You can swim near the beach, sit on the sand, and enjoy the contrast between the bright shoreline and the open sea. The schedule gives you time to settle into the island rather than rushing through a five-minute photo stop.

The boat may leave you ashore while the crew prepares for the next stage. A dinghy then returns to collect you and take you back to the catamaran when lunch is ready. That small transfer is part of the rhythm of the trip, but it also means you should keep track of your belongings and listen for instructions.

The lack of drinks during island time is the key practical issue. If your group needs frequent water, do not rely on the advertised drinks being available at every stage. Some outings had soft drinks only on the way to the island, no ice, and one limited round later in the day.

Snorkeling near the islands and Coin de Mire

Snorkeling is included near the islands and again near Coin de Mire, but the second stop depends on sea and weather conditions. Bring your own mask and snorkel. The activity information does not promise equipment rental, and the instruction specifically asks you to bring your own gear.

Near the islands, you may have a beach and lagoon setting for your swim. This is the simpler snorkeling option because you can combine it with time on shore. The water is described as clear, and the colors around the islands make even an easy swim worthwhile.

Coin de Mire is the more dramatic setting. It is the third island in the route, a large rocky mass that rises sharply from the ocean. You sail very close to it, but you do not land there. If conditions allow, the crew may stop for snorkeling nearby.

That distinction matters. You are not booking a guided landing or a long exploration of Coin de Mire. You are booking a close sail past the rock, with possible snorkeling beside it. The sea can be more exposed here, and the captain has the final say. Safety comes first, so this part may be skipped when waves, wind, or visibility are poor.

I would not book this trip solely for Coin de Mire snorkeling. Think of it as a valuable extra on a broader island cruise. When it happens, the deep, clear water beside the rock can be the day’s most exciting swim. One particularly enjoyable moment came when passengers were allowed to jump into the clear deep water while waiting to return to Grand Baie. That kind of unscripted swim may be more memorable than a formal stop.

BBQ lunch on the catamaran

Lunch is usually served after the island stops, when the dinghy brings you back aboard. The meal includes a BBQ, salad, and drinks. In rare cases, lunch may be served on an island instead.

The food receives mixed but generally useful feedback. One outing found the food very good, while another described lunch as acceptable but ordinary and served in a rushed way. I would expect a straightforward group meal rather than a special Mauritius food experience.

The timing makes sense: you swim and relax first, then return to the boat when the food is ready. It also means you should not assume that lunch will be waiting during the island stop. If you need a snack before the BBQ, carry one, provided the operator allows it.

Drinks are the weak point. The experience includes drinks, but reports describe limited service, warm soft drinks, no ice, and a bar that closed after one round. The practical fix is simple: bring extra water and do not count on unlimited cold beverages throughout the seven hours.

The BBQ adds real value to the $70 price, especially because the outing occupies most of a day and combines transport, lunch, a guide, and several island stops. The value is less convincing if you want a polished food service or a well-stocked open bar.

What the boat day feels like

A catamaran gives you more room than a small speedboat and lets you enjoy the trip at a slower pace. You can watch the sea change color, sit with family or friends, and move around while the boat is underway.

The tradeoff is capacity. One of the clearest complaints was that the catamaran felt too crowded, with insufficient seating toward the end of the day when people were hot and tired. Another outing had around a dozen catamarans in the area at once, which reduced the sense of privacy and made the islands feel less peaceful.

That does not mean every departure will be packed. Group size and the number of boats operating that day can vary. Still, you should choose this trip for shared fun, not solitude. If your ideal island day means a quiet beach and plenty of empty deck space, a smaller private charter may suit you better.

Music and atmosphere can also vary. The crew may provide a lively mood, but some departures had little onboard atmosphere, with music from other boats carrying across the water. In another case, the music was turned up loudly near arrival, apparently to attract attention from people on shore. If you prefer a calm boat, this is worth keeping in mind.

Weather, timing, and changes at sea

The captain can reschedule the trip when bad weather is known in advance. Once you are on the water, the captain may also alter the timing or remove part of the programme if sea conditions make it unsafe.

This is most important for the Coin de Mire section and snorkeling. The operator cannot control wind, waves, or visibility, so you should keep your plans flexible around this seven-hour outing. If you have a flight, a wedding, or another fixed appointment later that day, leave a generous buffer.

The starting time is not fixed in the supplied details, so check availability when booking. Contact the guide the day before, as the meeting point is on the beach and precise instructions matter.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also be comfortable boarding a catamaran, stepping into a dinghy, walking on a beach, and getting in and out of the water. No special skill level is stated, but you should be a confident enough swimmer for the snorkeling sections you choose to join.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it most to families and friend groups that want a shared day outside. The itinerary gives children several changes of scene: boat, beach, lagoon, island, lunch, and possible snorkeling near a dramatic rock.

It also suits people who want to see several North Island highlights without arranging separate transport. The multilingual guide service is useful for international groups, although the amount of commentary may be limited on some departures.

You may want another option if you need dependable drinks, generous shade, quiet surroundings, detailed island interpretation, or a carefully timed meal. The cruise is also less suitable if snorkeling at Coin de Mire is your only priority, since weather may cancel that section and there is no landing there.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the price is reasonable for a seven-hour catamaran outing that includes island transport, guide service, BBQ lunch, drinks, and several swimming opportunities. You are paying for a full day on the water, not just a short transfer.

The value depends on what you want from the day. Families can do well because one booking covers a large block of entertainment, lunch, beach time, and swimming. Friends may also find the shared boat atmosphere enjoyable.

The price feels less attractive if the catamaran is crowded, drinks are limited, lunch is rushed, or Coin de Mire snorkeling is cancelled. Since those issues can affect the experience, I would book with realistic expectations and bring your own snorkel equipment, towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and extra water.

Should you book the North Islands cruise?

Book this cruise if you want an easy, social day that combines Ile Plate, Ilot Gabriel, and a close sail past Coin de Mire. The strongest parts are the sea views, beach time, clear swimming water, friendly crew on a good day, and the chance to jump into deep water near the end of the trip.

Skip it if you need a quiet or highly polished experience. The crowding, limited island shade, uneven drink service, and weather-dependent snorkeling are real considerations.

For $70, I think it is a fair choice for families and groups who value variety over luxury. Pack more water than you think you need, bring your own snorkeling gear, and treat Coin de Mire snorkeling as a bonus rather than a guarantee. That approach gives you the best chance of enjoying the day for what it is: a broad, sunny island outing with a few rough edges.

FAQ

How long is the North Islands catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts seven hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Ile Plate, Ilot Gabriel, and a close sail near Coin de Mire. You do not land on Coin de Mire.

Can I get off at Coin de Mire?

No. The catamaran sails as close as possible to Coin de Mire, but the island is not a landing stop.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling near the islands and near Coin de Mire is included, but the Coin de Mire snorkeling section depends on weather and sea conditions.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

Yes. You should bring your own mask and snorkel because the activity information specifically asks you to bring your own equipment.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch, salad, and drinks are included. Lunch is usually served on the catamaran, though it may occasionally be served on an island.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and your own snorkeling equipment. Extra drinking water is also a sensible addition because drinks may not be available during the island stops.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The captain may reschedule the trip if bad weather is known in advance. The duration, start time, and programme can also change when sea conditions require it.

What languages are available?

Guide services are available in English, French, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, and Arabic.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.