Grand Bay: Catamaran Cruise to Flat Island with BBQ Lunch

Flat Island is the star here: a low, wild island north of Mauritius where you can swim in a lagoon, walk quiet trails, and watch for the white-tailed tropicbird, known locally as the Paille en Queue. The catamaran ride also gives you fine coastal views of Cap Malheureux, Pereybere, and Grand Baie.

I like the all-in-one format: sailing, beach time, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks are covered for $70. I also like having free time ashore instead of being rushed from one photo stop to the next. The catch is that this is not always a calm sailing picnic. Groups can be large, music can be loud, and rough water has caused seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Flat Island is about 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux, near Round Island and Coin de Mire.
• A dinghy transfers you from Grand Baie beach to the catamaran, so expect a wet boarding step.
• Lunch includes fish, chicken, bread, salad, dessert, and drinks, including beer, wine, local rum, water, and soft drinks.
• Snorkeling is offered around the islands and sometimes at sea, depending on weather and sea conditions.
• The trip can carry more than 50 people, and seating for meals may be limited.
• Strong wind and waves are possible, so bring motion-sickness medicine if you are prone to nausea.

Grand Baie to Flat Island by catamaran

This seven-hour outing begins on the beach at Grand Baie, roughly midway along the shore. A staff member is assigned to welcome you, then a small boat carries you out to the catamaran. That transfer matters: you are not simply stepping from a pier onto a boat, so wear swimwear or clothes that can handle a splash.

Once aboard, the route heads north along the coast. Keep your camera ready as the boat passes views toward Pereybere, Cap Malheureux, and Grand Baie. The scenery is best enjoyed from the open areas of the boat, though seating can become competitive on a busy departure.

The catamaran is the main event, not just transport to the island. You get a full day on the water, but the mood depends heavily on the group and the sea. Some departures have felt like a lively party, with music played loudly from morning until the return. If you want quiet sailing, the wind in the sails, and long stretches of silence, this may not be your ideal boat trip.

What Flat Island offers ashore

Île Plate, or Flat Island, sits near Round Island at the far north of Mauritius. Its appeal is simple. You get open beach, a lagoon for swimming, walking paths, and a feeling of distance from the main island.

After the catamaran reaches the island, the dinghy takes you to shore. You can choose your own pace instead of joining a tightly managed walking group. Stretch out on the beach, swim in the lagoon, or follow the island trails to see more of the natural setting.

The amount of time ashore can vary. One account describes only about an hour on the island, with the meal served aboard the boat rather than on shore. Another departure provided a generous period of free time and lunch on the island. The description promises a BBQ lunch on Île Plate, but conditions, boat arrangements, and timing can change the setup. Ask the crew where lunch will be served that day.

That uncertainty is worth keeping in mind if your main goal is island exploration. This is best understood as a catamaran cruise with an island stop, not a full-day walking tour of Flat Island.

Swimming and snorkeling around Coin de Mire

The northern islands are known for clear water and tropical fish. Snorkeling is offered at your own pace, according to your comfort and ability. You may have time around Coin de Mire, the striking island passed closest to during the route, but the boat does not land there.

You should not expect a guided marine-life lesson. The appeal is having time to swim and look around without being forced into a strict schedule. If weather and sea conditions are good, the crew may also stop for snorkeling in open water on the return journey.

Your experience in the water will depend on the sea. Strong wind and waves have made some outings uncomfortable, and rough conditions can make boarding the dinghy or holding position in the water harder. Follow the crew’s instructions and do not treat the optional snorkeling stop as guaranteed.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have equipment you prefer. The activity includes snorkeling, but the supplied information does not specify the exact equipment provided. You will need swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

The BBQ lunch and drinks

The meal is a practical part of the package rather than a culinary reason to book the cruise. The planned lunch includes fish and chicken cooked on the barbecue, plus bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks include beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke, with juice and other soft drinks also available.

That is good value for a boat trip priced at $70 per person. You are not paying only for the sailing time. Food, drinks, the beach transfer, the island stop, and the swimming or snorkeling opportunity are included.

Still, expectations should stay sensible. One departure received criticism for a poor lunch and drink service. Another had food and drinks that were considered fine, but there were too few tables, so some people ate with plates on their knees. If more than 50 people are aboard and only around ten places are available at a table, lunch can feel informal and crowded.

If a seated meal matters to you, ask about the boat setup before booking. The meal arrangement may be less comfortable than the food itself.

The boat, the crew, and the group size

The crew is not a small private charter team. The boat can hold a large group, and the available seating is limited in relation to the number of passengers. There may be around 40 seats in the cockpit and roughly ten places at a dining table, so you might spend part of the journey standing, sitting on the deck, or moving around to find a comfortable spot.

The crew has received mixed assessments. Some departures had a friendly, helpful team, and one crew handled rain and strong waves carefully, even changing boats because the original setup was not considered suitable for families with children. That shows useful attention to safety when conditions turn rough.

Other departures were less satisfying, with complaints about staff assistance and music played at excessive volume. The contrast suggests that the crew and atmosphere can vary by departure. You should be comfortable with a shared, social boat rather than expecting private-service attention.

The live guide service is offered in French and English. No individual guide name is provided, but staff are available to give information and manage the transfers and stops.

Weather can change the character of the day

Mauritius can give you bright skies, wind, rain, and choppy water on the same outing. The operator can change the date or start time if conditions are unsuitable. That flexibility is important because the route involves an open catamaran, small-boat transfers, swimming, and snorkeling.

One outing faced substantial wind and rain on the way to Flat Island. The skipper was considered safe and the crew focused on keeping people secure, but adults still had to hold on during the roughest sections. This is not a minor point if you are traveling with children or if you are not steady on your feet.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women. It is also a poor match for anyone who becomes easily seasick, unless you prepare carefully. Motion-sickness tablets are a sensible addition to your day bag, especially during windy months or when the forecast looks unsettled.

The best version of this trip is a calm day with enough sun for swimming and enough wind to make the catamaran ride enjoyable. On a rough day, the boat journey may dominate the experience.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the package offers solid value if you want several activities in one day. You receive the catamaran cruise, dinghy transfers, lunch, drinks, and a swimming or snorkeling stop. You also get access to an island that is not part of a normal beach day in Grand Baie.

The value falls if you mainly want a peaceful sail or a long visit to Flat Island. Loud music can change the mood, and a large group can make the boat feel crowded. If lunch is served on board, limited tables may also reduce comfort.

Compare this with what you would pay for separate boat transport, a meal, drinks, and a northern-island excursion. By that measure, the price is reasonable. Just do not confuse an inclusive package with a small-group luxury cruise. The product is closer to a lively shared day on the water.

How to prepare for the departure

Meet on Grand Baie beach, midway along the shore, where a staff member will welcome you. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so arrange your own way to Grand Baie and allow time to locate the meeting point.

Pack light, but bring the essentials:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• A waterproof bag for valuables
• Motion-sickness medicine if needed
• A phone or camera with protection from spray

You will move between the beach, a small transfer boat, the catamaran, and possibly the island shore. Bare feet and simple clothing are easier than bulky bags or formal beachwear.

Keep your plans flexible. The start time can depend on availability, and the date or timing may change if the weather is poor. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if the forecast is uncertain.

Who will enjoy this northern-island cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a full day with plenty of variety. It suits couples, friends, and confident swimmers who like a social boat atmosphere and do not mind music. Families may enjoy the beach and swimming, but rough seas can make the day difficult for young children.

It is also a good choice if you want to see Flat Island without arranging several separate activities. The drinks and meal simplify the day, and the optional snorkeling lets you decide how active you want to be.

I would look elsewhere if you need quiet, personal space, a carefully plated lunch, or a guaranteed long visit ashore. A smaller or more private boat would better suit those priorities. You should also reconsider if you are pregnant or prone to serious seasickness.

Should you book the Flat Island catamaran?

Book it if your ideal Mauritius day includes an open boat, tropical water, a BBQ, beach time, and a bit of party energy. The northern-island scenery is the strongest reason to go, and the package covers enough food, drinks, and activities to make $70 reasonable.

Skip it if the word cruise makes you picture silence, polished service, and plenty of personal space. The group may be large, the music may be loud, the meal seating may be limited, and rough water is a real possibility.

For the best odds of enjoying it, check the forecast, bring a towel and motion-sickness medicine, and think of Flat Island as one part of a longer catamaran day. That is the honest shape of the experience.

FAQ

Where does the Flat Island catamaran cruise leave from?

The meeting point is on Grand Baie beach, midway along the beach. A staff member will welcome you there.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts seven hours. The exact starting time depends on availability.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Grand Baie beach.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes fish, chicken, bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks can include beer, wine, local rum, water, Coke, juice, and other soft drinks.

Can I snorkel during the trip?

Yes. Snorkeling and swimming are included, with time around the islands at your own pace. An additional sea snorkeling stop may take place if weather and sea conditions are suitable.

Is the cruise suitable for pregnant women?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women. The sea can also become rough, so people prone to seasickness should consider taking suitable medicine.