North: Cruise to the flat island & Gabriel island.bbq lunch

The best part of this northern Mauritius catamaran cruise is the variety packed into one day. You sail from Grand Baie to Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, step ashore for beach time, then pass close to Coin de Mire, the strange, steep-sided island that rises from the sea. Lunch is grilled on Ile Plate, and drinks are served aboard and with the meal.

I like the mix of free time and scenery. You are not marched from one stop to the next, so you can swim, snorkel, stroll, or simply stretch out on the sand. I also like the clear value: $76 covers the boat trip, island transfers, lunch, and drinks. The main point to consider is that this is a cruising day, not a guided tour, and hotel transfers are not included.

Key points at a glance

• Three northern islands in one day: Visit Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, then cruise close to Coin de Mire.
• About seven hours on the water: One reported schedule took about 90 minutes to reach the islands and roughly seven hours in total.
• Free time on both beach islands: Plan on about an hour at each stop for swimming, snorkeling, sun, or a walk.
• BBQ lunch on Ile Plate: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad.
• Boat party atmosphere: Music, cocktails, juice, water, and a sociable catamaran ride are part of the day.
• Bring your own bottled water ashore: Drinks are provided on the boat and at lunch, but you are asked to carry personal water while walking on the islands or waiting for the pickup boat.

From Grand Baie to the northern islands

You meet the crew on the beach in Grand Baie. Look for the person holding a list, with other staff nearby. From the beach, a small boat takes you out to the catamaran anchored offshore, so you should be ready to get your feet wet or handle a short transfer between boats.

Once aboard, the open sea becomes the main attraction. The trip to the islands can take about 90 minutes, according to the stated timing, so this is not a quick shuttle. You get a long look at the northern coast, the surrounding mountains, and the changing shades of the water.

The catamaran is described as fast and secure, with music creating a lively mood on the return trip. That makes the ride part of the entertainment rather than dead time. Still, the crossing can feel long if you want constant sightseeing or a quiet boat. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and beachwear, and keep your belongings secure during the transfers.

Drinks are available while cruising, including water, juice, and cocktails. You should still carry a bottle of water for time ashore. This small detail matters because the island stops are not presented as fully serviced beach resorts.

Ile Plate: powdery sand and a BBQ lunch

Ile Plate is one of the two islands where you can get off the boat. A smaller taxi boat takes you from the catamaran to shore, and you have free time to use as you wish. The available activities are simple but appealing: swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk along the beach and through the surrounding greenery.

The sand is described as soft and powdery, and the water can show several shades of blue and green as the depth changes. You do not need a formal program here. If you prefer a lazy beach hour, you can have one. If you want to get in the water, the conditions and clarity make this a good chance to look for coral fish.

The day’s BBQ lunch is served on Ile Plate. The meal includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad. Drinks are served with lunch, so you can eat without needing to buy anything extra on the island.

I like this arrangement because lunch breaks up the day naturally. You get time in the water first, then a proper meal, followed by a slower period on the beach. Do not expect a restaurant-style dining room or a refined menu. This is an outdoor island BBQ, and its appeal is the setting and generous range of familiar food.

Dietary information is not provided, so you should ask about special requirements before booking. The same applies to allergies. Do not assume the grilled dishes are prepared separately.

Ilot Gabriel: another chance to swim and snorkel

The second beach stop is Ilot Gabriel. It gives you another stretch of sand and another chance to choose your own pace. Some people will want to swim again, while others may prefer a stroll or a quiet break after lunch.

This second island is useful because it prevents the trip from feeling like a single beach stop with a long boat ride attached. You see a different shoreline, spend time in another setting, and can compare the two islands for yourself. The stated schedule allows about one hour at each island, although exact timing can depend on sea conditions and the day’s operation.

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to bring your own equipment if you have it, though the provided details do not confirm rental equipment. The water has been described as exceptionally clear, with coral fish, larger fish, an octopus, and the possibility of seeing turtles. Those sightings are never guaranteed, but they show why you should pack a mask and snorkel if you already own them.

The island stops are not guided walks. You will not receive a formal explanation of local ecology, island geology, or wildlife at each beach. Instead, you get freedom and scenery. That suits independent beach lovers, but anyone seeking a detailed naturalist presentation may find the experience light on interpretation.

Coin de Mire, Mauritius’s sea mountain

Coin de Mire is the third northern island on the route, but you do not land there. The catamaran passes as close as possible so you can admire its steep, unusual shape from the water.

This is an important expectation to set before you book. No catamaran stops for people to set foot on Coin de Mire, so it is a viewpoint stop rather than a beach visit. The payoff is the sight of a solitary mountain rising from the sea, with the northern coast and open water around it.

I find this stop valuable because it changes the rhythm of the day. Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel are about sand and swimming. Coin de Mire is about scale, shape, and the feeling of being offshore. Have your camera ready, but remember that the exact viewing distance depends on the captain and sea conditions.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the changing water

The cruise takes you through several kinds of water, from the shallow edges near the beaches to the deeper sea around the islands. The changing colors are one of the day’s visual pleasures, and the clear conditions can make even a short swim memorable.

Snorkeling reports from the trip include coral fish, larger exotic fish, an octopus, and possible turtle sightings. I would treat the wildlife as a bonus rather than a promise. Marine animals move freely, and visibility can change with weather, waves, and location.

You should bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. A hat may also be useful, although it is not listed as required. Apply sunscreen before boarding and again after swimming. The sun on a boat can feel less intense than it is, especially when wind keeps you cool.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the safest place to enter the water. The information supplied does not specify lifeguard arrangements, flotation equipment, or exact snorkeling conditions. Families and less confident swimmers should take a sensible approach and follow the crew’s instructions.

Music, drinks, and the social side of the catamaran

This is not a silent sightseeing cruise. Music and a cheerful onboard atmosphere are part of the experience, particularly on the ride back to Grand Baie. The return can feel like a small boat party, with people relaxing after the beach stops.

You get drinks while cruising and with lunch, including water, juice, and cocktails. The package is generous for the price, but it does not remove the need to bring your own bottled water for the islands. You may be walking on warm sand or waiting for the small boat, and the crew specifically asks you to carry personal water for those moments.

The social atmosphere can be a major plus if you enjoy meeting people and having music in the background. It is less suitable if you want a private, hushed sail. There is no stated private boat option, so assume a shared experience with a mixed group.

The available languages are English, French, Hindi, and Urdu. No individual guide names are provided. This is another clue that the emphasis is on operating the cruise and letting you enjoy the islands, rather than on a long, narrated tour.

What the $76 price really covers

At $76 per person, the price is strong for a full day on the water. The cost includes the transfer from Grand Baie beach to the catamaran, the catamaran cruise, taxi boat transfers to Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, lunch, and drinks. You also get the scenic passage near Coin de Mire.

The value is especially good if you planned to pay separately for a boat trip, island transfers, and lunch. The package removes several small costs and keeps the day simple. It also includes the parts that are hardest to arrange independently, such as reaching both beach islands and cruising close to Coin de Mire.

There are limits. Hotel transportation is not included, so you need to reach the Grand Baie meeting point yourself. The experience is also not a guided visit, so you are paying for access, scenery, food, and free time rather than detailed commentary.

The listed rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 36 ratings. The most praised elements are the friendly onboard staff, the music, the clear water, the snorkeling, and the BBQ. One particularly enthusiastic account describes the boat as fast and secure, the islands as beautiful, and the food as satisfying. Those are the areas where this cruise offers its best value.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

The day can run for about seven hours, based on the stated timing. That makes it a substantial part of your Mauritius itinerary, not a short morning outing. Avoid scheduling another fixed activity immediately afterward.

You meet on the beach in Grand Baie and finish back at the same meeting point. Hotel pickup is not included. The meeting instructions are simple, but arrive with enough time to find the person holding the list and prepare for the transfer boat.

Weather matters at sea. If conditions are poor, the trip may be rescheduled after consultation with you. If it cannot be rescheduled because of bad weather, a full refund is available after the required approval process. This policy is sensible for an open-water trip, but keep a spare day in your schedule if the cruise is especially important to you.

Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want to see several northern islands in one day without arranging separate boats and meals. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, groups of friends, and anyone who likes a social boat ride with music.

It is also a good match for people who prefer choice. You can snorkel, swim, walk, sunbathe, eat, or rest. The schedule gives you structure without filling every minute with commentary.

You may want a different outing if you need a quiet sailing experience, a private boat, a detailed guided tour, or guaranteed wildlife sightings. You should also think carefully if you dislike boat transfers or long periods at sea. The two island landings are reached by smaller taxi boats, and Coin de Mire is viewed only from the catamaran.

Should you book the northern islands cruise?

Book it if your priority is a full day of scenery, swimming, island beaches, BBQ food, and easy logistics for $76. The combination of Ile Plate, Ilot Gabriel, and a close pass by Coin de Mire gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer.

The strongest reason to go is the balance of freedom and activity. You get a lively catamaran, clear water, two beach stops, lunch, and the chance to see marine life without paying extra for each part. Just bring your own bottled water for shore time, arrange your route to Grand Baie, and remember that this is a self-directed island visit rather than a guided tour.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts on the beach in Grand Baie. Look for the person holding a list, with other staff nearby.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Grand Baie.

Which islands do you visit?

You land on Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel. The catamaran also passes as close as possible to Coin de Mire, but you do not get off there.

Can you walk on Coin de Mire?

No. The catamaran does not stop for people to set foot on Coin de Mire. You view the island from the water.

Is lunch included?

Yes. BBQ lunch is served on Ile Plate and includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are served during the cruise and with lunch. Options include water, juice, and cocktails. You are still asked to bring your own bottled water for walking on the islands or waiting for the pickup boat.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, so you must make your own way to the Grand Baie beach meeting point.

How much free time do you get on the islands?

You get about one hour of free time on each of Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or stroll.

What should you bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and your own bottled water for time ashore.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip may be rescheduled after consultation with you. If it cannot be rescheduled, a full refund may be provided after approval.

What languages are available?

The available languages are English, French, Hindi, and Urdu.

Can you cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later.