Full Day Catamaran Luxury Cruise to Northern Islands w Lunch

Mauritius saves some of its best scenery for the water. This six-hour catamaran trip from Bain Boeuf heads past the steep rock face of Gunners Coin to Flat Island and Gabriel Island, with swimming, snorkelling, lunch, and drinks along the way. The day is built around being outside, not checking off monuments.

I like the island-hopping route, which gives you several different views rather than one beach stop. I also like that lunch, bottled water, snorkelling gear, and alcoholic drinks are included, so the $115 price covers more than the boat ride. The main caution is weather: rain and rough conditions can take the shine off the day, and one July trip had to cancel the Coin de Mire snorkelling stop because of dangerous forecasts.

Key points to know before booking

• A Lagoon 380 catamaran leaves at 09:45 from Coin de Mire Attitude in Bain Boeuf.
• Flat Island comes first for snorkelling, followed by a barbecue lunch served on board.
• Gabriel Island is the main afternoon stop, with Gunners Coin and Coin de Mire viewed along the route.
• The final Coin de Mire snorkel depends on sea conditions and may be cancelled when forecasts are unsafe.
• Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to reach the meeting point at reception by 09:30.
• The trip is not suitable for children under two, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people prone to seasickness.

A northern-island day from Bain Boeuf

You meet at the reception of Coin de Mire Attitude at 09:30, ahead of the 09:45 departure. The boat is a Lagoon 380 catamaran, a useful detail for anyone comparing this with a smaller speedboat trip. You are signing up for a steady day on the water, with room to sit, eat, and look out across the coast.

The listed sailing window runs from 09:45 to roughly 15:30 or 15:45, depending on the schedule used. Allow around six hours overall. Since there is no hotel transfer, factor in your own transport to Bain Boeuf and make sure you arrive early enough for the safety briefing.

English and French are available. No guide names are provided, so do not book this expecting a named historian or a formal island tour led by a specialist. The focus is the boat, the water, the stops, and the relaxed rhythm of a full day outside.

Passing Gunners Coin’s steep cliffs

One of the first memorable sights is Gunners Coin, also known as Coin de Mire. The island is described by its sheer cliffs and dramatic rock formation, so this part of the route gives you a strong coastal view before the swimming stops begin.

You will mainly experience Gunners Coin from the water on the outward or return journey. That matters because the rock is a visual highlight, not a listed landing point. Have your camera ready, but keep your expectations realistic: this is not a guided walk across the island.

The route also gives you a feel for how different Mauritius looks from offshore. From land, you see beaches and resorts. From the catamaran, you get open water, cliffs, low islands, and changing views as the boat moves between them.

Flat Island brings the first swim

The catamaran continues toward Flat Island and Gabriel Island, with time for snorkelling in the lagoon around Flat Island. This is the part of the trip that will matter most to anyone booking for swimming rather than sightseeing.

Snorkelling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and fins. Bottled water is also supplied. You still need to bring a towel and beachwear, and it is sensible to arrive ready to get wet rather than treat the first stop as a quick photo break.

The water is described as clear, but visibility is never guaranteed. Sun, wind, rain, and sea conditions can all change how much you see. If the forecast is poor, the water portion may feel limited, so check conditions before you commit to this kind of outing.

The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. That is worth taking seriously. A catamaran can feel smoother than some smaller boats, but you are still spending several hours at sea. If motion usually bothers you, this is a weak match even if the island route looks appealing.

Barbecue lunch served on the boat

After time in the water, lunch is served on board. The meal is a barbecue, and alcoholic drinks plus bottled water are included. This is one of the better practical features of the package because you do not need to leave the boat to find food between island stops.

A boat lunch also keeps the day moving. You can eat while staying close to the water rather than losing time arranging a separate meal on shore. At the same time, this is a catamaran outing, not a restaurant cruise, so the meal should be judged as a convenient included lunch rather than a reason to book on its own.

The drink package is useful for the price. A $115 outing can become expensive once you add food, snorkelling hire, and drinks elsewhere. Here, those main costs are folded into the booking. The value is strongest if you plan to swim, eat on board, and make use of the included drinks.

Do remember that the listing only specifies barbecue lunch, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages. It does not give a menu or describe options for dietary needs. If you have food restrictions, ask before booking rather than assuming a special meal is available.

Gabriel Island after lunch

After lunch, the catamaran continues to Ilot Gabriel. This gives the afternoon a different pace from the first swim stop. Flat Island is associated with snorkelling, while Gabriel Island is the later island discovery on the route.

The supplied details do not state how long you stay ashore, what facilities are available, or whether a guided walk takes place. Plan for a flexible island stop rather than a structured sightseeing program. You might find the appeal is simply time near the sand and water, with the catamaran providing the base for the day.

That open-ended format suits you if you like a loose schedule and plenty of time outside. It is less suitable if you want detailed commentary, a packed list of activities, or guaranteed time at every named site. The islands are the setting for the trip, but the experience is still primarily a catamaran cruise.

The Coin de Mire snorkel is weather dependent

On the return journey, the boat is scheduled to stop at Coin de Mire for another snorkelling session in what is described as a natural aquarium. This is potentially one of the most attractive water stops because the setting combines clear water with the dramatic offshore rock already seen earlier.

But do not treat this stop as guaranteed. In July 2024, poor weather led to the Coin de Mire snorkelling session being cancelled because forecasts indicated dangerous conditions. Rain also reduced the enjoyment of the day, and time was spent sheltering under huts on the first island.

That is not a minor footnote. Mauritius has strong sun much of the year, but a boat day remains exposed to wind and rain. The crew should put safety first, and cancelling a snorkel in unsafe conditions is the right call, even though it can leave you feeling that you received less than planned.

I would book this with a flexible attitude. If a clear forecast holds, the combination of Flat Island and Coin de Mire snorkelling could make the day. If the weather turns, you may spend more time sitting under cover, looking at the islands rather than swimming around them.

What the $115 price really covers

At $115 per person, the price is not simply paying for transport. You receive the catamaran cruise, snorkelling equipment, a barbecue lunch, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages. For a full day on the north coast, that is a fair package if you value convenience and plan to use the inclusions.

The value drops if you do not drink alcohol, dislike group boat outings, or mainly want to visit one island. You are paying for the whole route and the onboard meal, not a short transfer to Gabriel Island.

There are also extra costs to consider. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to arrange your own way to Coin de Mire Attitude in Bain Boeuf, arrive at reception by 09:30, and return to your accommodation after the boat comes back.

The rating is 4.3 from three recorded reviews, which suggests a generally solid experience but is too small a sample to treat as a guarantee. The only detailed account available describes a very disappointing rainy day, with several groups unable to enjoy the views and the final snorkel cancelled. That example is a useful warning about weather, not proof that every departure will be poor.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This trip suits you if you want a simple full-day water outing with the main practical details handled. It is a good fit for confident swimmers, people who enjoy snorkelling, couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a boat day.

It also works well if you prefer one booking that combines several elements. You do not need to arrange a separate lunch, rent snorkelling equipment, or buy drinks during the day.

You should think twice if you need step-free access, use a wheelchair, have mobility limitations, or are bringing a large bag. Oversize luggage, large bags, baby strollers, fishing, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Children under two are not accepted.

The same caution applies if you dislike uncertainty. The route names several islands, but weather may change the swimming plan. A forecast can also affect how pleasant the ride feels, even when the boat still sails.

What to bring for a more comfortable day

Bring beachwear and a towel, as those are specifically required for the water stops. Keep your belongings compact because large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed.

A small personal bag is the sensible choice, though the exact storage arrangements are not provided. Pack only what you need for the boat, the swim, and the return trip. If you rely on prescription motion-sickness medicine, speak with a medical professional before your excursion, especially since the activity is unsuitable for people prone to seasickness.

Arrive at 09:30 rather than cutting it close to the 09:45 departure. The meeting point is the reception of Coin de Mire Attitude, and the day begins with a safety briefing. Since transfers are not included, confirm your route to Bain Boeuf in advance.

Should you book the northern-island catamaran?

Book this cruise if you want a convenient day of island views, snorkelling, a barbecue lunch, and drinks without arranging each part separately. The route gives you Gunners Coin’s cliffs, Flat Island’s lagoon, Gabriel Island, and a possible final swim at Coin de Mire.

I would book it with two conditions: check the weather forecast and be comfortable with a sea-based day that may change. The $115 price is reasonable when you use the meal, equipment, water, and drinks, but the experience depends heavily on safe sea conditions.

If you are prone to seasickness, need accessible facilities, want hotel pickup, or require a tightly controlled sightseeing schedule, choose another Mauritius activity. If you are happy to let the weather set the pace, this is a practical way to spend a northern-island day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is at the reception of Coin de Mire Attitude Hotel in Bain Boeuf, Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at the meeting point by 09:30. The catamaran is scheduled to leave at 09:45.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts about six hours. The scheduled return is listed as approximately 15:30 to 15:45.

Which islands are included in the route?

The route includes Gunners Coin, Flat Island, and Gabriel Island. The boat also plans a snorkelling stop at Coin de Mire on the return journey, subject to sea conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is served on board.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. The use of snorkelling equipment is included.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Transfers from your hotel to the meeting point and back are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear. Oversize luggage, large bags, baby strollers, fishing equipment, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.