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

The best part of this day is the chance to see three northern islands in one outing without having to arrange separate boats. Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel offer soft beaches and clear water for swimming or snorkeling, while Coin de Mire gives you a dramatic mountain rising straight from the sea.

I like the lively catamaran atmosphere, complete with music, cocktails, and friendly entertainers, and I like that lunch is a proper BBQ rather than a small snack. The main thing to know is that this is a relaxed cruising day, not a guided island tour. You make your own plans on the beaches, and Coin de Mire is viewed from the boat only.

Key points

• About 90 minutes to the northern islands: The ride gives you open-sea views and time to settle into the boat’s music and drinks.
• Two island stops: Spend free time on Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel swimming, snorkeling, walking, or resting on the beach.
• BBQ lunch on Ile Plate: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad.
• Close view of Coin de Mire: The catamaran sails near this steep sea mountain, but nobody gets off there.
• Drinks included while cruising: Juice, water, cocktails, and lunch drinks are provided, but bring bottled water for walks on the islands.
• Good value at $76: Boat transfers, island boat rides, lunch, and drinks are included, but hotel pickup is not.

A full northern-island day from Grand Baie

This cruise is designed as a full day on the water, not a quick boat ride with a short beach stop. You leave from the beach at Grand Baie, transfer by small boat to the catamaran anchored offshore, then head north toward Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel.

The ride to the islands can take around 90 minutes. That sounds long on paper, but it is part of the experience. You get broad sea views, mountain views back toward Mauritius, music, and time to enjoy the open deck. The boat has been described as fast and secure, which matters when you are crossing open water rather than staying close to shore.

The day lasts about seven hours in total. You should think of it as a mix of sightseeing, swimming, beach time, food, and music. It suits people who want a social boat day with plenty of freedom. It is less suited to anyone looking for a quiet, tightly timed nature excursion.

Starting at Grand Baie beach

The meeting point is on the beach at Grand Baie. Look for the gentleman holding a list, with other staff nearby. Since hotel transfers are not included, you need to arrange your own way to Grand Baie and arrive with enough time to find the meeting point.

The first boat transfer takes you from the beach out to the catamaran. This is worth knowing if you have mobility concerns or dislike getting into small boats from the shore. The transfer is part of the regular operation, but it is not the same as walking straight onto a vessel from a pier.

Once aboard, the mood becomes informal. Music and entertainment are part of the day, and the atmosphere can become quite festive on the return trip. If you want a peaceful morning at sea, choose a quieter place on the boat and treat the music as background. If you enjoy a social setting, this is one of the stronger parts of the experience.

Sailing toward Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel

The northern islands are known for their pale sand, clear water, and open feeling. From the catamaran, you see changing shades of blue and green as the boat moves across the sea. The surrounding mountains of Mauritius add another layer to the views, especially when you look back toward the main island.

Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel are visited by small taxi boats from the catamaran. You do not simply step from the large boat onto the beach. That extra transfer adds a little time and organization, but it also lets the catamaran remain offshore in deeper water.

At each island, you have roughly an hour of free time. That is enough for a swim, a short snorkeling session, a walk along the beach, or a simple break under the sun. It is not enough for a long exploration of every corner, so decide what matters most before you step ashore.

The beaches are the main attraction. Expect soft, powdery sand and clear water rather than shops, museums, or formal sightseeing. The islands feel appealing because the schedule leaves you alone to enjoy them in your own way.

Ile Plate: beach time followed by BBQ lunch

Ile Plate is where lunch is served, making it the practical center of the day. Before eating, you can swim, snorkel, stroll along the beach, or sit back and enjoy the scenery. The water can be remarkably clear, and snorkeling may reveal coral fish, larger fish, and possibly an octopus.

One account of the day also describes seeing turtles while snorkeling. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so I would treat this as a pleasant possibility rather than a promised feature. Bring your mask if you have one you like, though the supplied information does not specify equipment rental or provision.

The lunch is more substantial than the usual boat-day snack. The spread includes:

• Grilled fish
• Chicken
• Sausages
• Pasta
• Rice
• Bread
• Green salad

Drinks are served with lunch, and drinks are also available while cruising. Juice, water, and cocktails are included. You should still carry your own bottled water for the time you spend walking on the islands or waiting for a taxi boat. The included drinks are useful on the catamaran, but they do not remove the need for personal water during beach time.

The meal is one of the strongest value points. At $76 per person, you are paying for transport, two island visits, lunch, and drinks in one package. If you booked separate boat transfers, food, and drinks, the price would be harder to compare directly. The real value depends on how much you use the included parts. Someone who swims, eats lunch, and enjoys the full boat day is likely to find it fair. Someone who only wants a quick ride to a beach may prefer a shorter and cheaper trip.

Ilot Gabriel and the freedom to make your own plan

Ilot Gabriel offers another chance to get off the catamaran and spend time beside clear water. The schedule gives you about an hour, so you can choose a second swim, a little snorkeling, or a walk on the virgin beach.

There is no formal guided walk or talk on either island. That is not a flaw if you prefer freedom. You can take your time, sit in the sand, and enjoy the surroundings without following a guide through a set route. It is a drawback if you want detailed information about local plants, geology, wildlife, or island history.

The best approach is to use one stop for swimming and the other for a slower beach break. The day can become tiring if you spend every minute in the sun, so a short rest is sensible. A towel, sunscreen, and beachwear are essential. There is also little reason to bring formal clothing, since the experience stays casual from start to finish.

Coin de Mire, the island you see from the sea

Coin de Mire is the third northern island, but it is not a beach stop. The catamaran sails as close as possible so you can view its steep profile from the water. It looks like a curious mountain placed in the middle of the sea, and that change in scenery helps break up the beach stops.

No catamaran stops to let people set foot on Coin de Mire. This point is important when comparing the trip with island-hopping cruises that promise several landings. Here, the value is the view and the approach, not a walk ashore.

The sailing near Coin de Mire is also a good chance to take photographs. Keep your camera ready before the boat turns away, since the best angle may not last long. You also get a different sense of distance and scale from the water than you do from a beach.

Food, drinks, and the boat atmosphere

The catamaran is not just transport between stops. Music and onboard entertainment shape the day, particularly on the return to Grand Baie. The mood can become something close to a small party, with people relaxing after lunch and swimming.

This is good news if you want a cheerful social outing. It may be less appealing if you expect a silent sail or a private charter. The supplied information does not give a group size, so I would not book this expecting a small, intimate boat.

The drinks package adds useful value. You can have water, juice, cocktails, and drinks during lunch without paying separately each time. Still, bring your own sealed water bottle for the islands, as the included service is not necessarily available while you are ashore.

The BBQ menu has enough variety for a mixed group. Fish, chicken, and sausages cover several tastes, while rice, pasta, bread, and salad make the meal more filling. The food is served outdoors on the island, so you should expect a casual setting rather than restaurant-style service.

What the seven-hour schedule feels like

A full day at sea can feel wonderfully easy or slightly long, depending on your expectations. The schedule has a clear rhythm: boat ride, island time, lunch, another island visit, a rest, the Coin de Mire cruise, then the return to Grand Baie.

You are not being rushed through a string of formal attractions. Much of the day is open time, and that makes the outing restful for some people. I like that you can decide how active to be. You can snorkel, swim, walk, eat, listen to music, or simply sit with the view.

The tradeoff is that the islands are not visited for long. An hour goes quickly once you account for the taxi boat, finding a place on the beach, and getting back for the next departure. If your main goal is a long snorkeling session, a dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better.

Sea conditions also matter. The trip can be rescheduled in bad weather after consultation with you. Safety comes first, and if poor weather prevents a new date, a full refund is available after approval through the booking site. This is a useful safeguard for a sea-based activity, since conditions can change the quality of the day.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and groups who want several northern highlights in one day. It is especially suitable if you like a mix of beach time and social entertainment rather than a quiet, highly guided tour.

Snorkelers should find plenty to like, with clear water and the possibility of coral fish, larger fish, turtles, and an octopus. Still, wildlife is not guaranteed, and the island time is limited. You should also be comfortable with transfers between the beach, the catamaran, and the islands.

This is a good match for people who want:

• A complete day on the water
• Two island landings
• A cooked lunch instead of packed food
• Drinks included in the price
• Music and a friendly atmosphere
• Freedom to choose how to spend beach time

I would hesitate to recommend it if you want hotel pickup, a private boat, a detailed island lecture, or a long stop at Coin de Mire. The activity is a cruise with independent island time, not a guided cultural tour.

Practical tips before you go

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Sun protection matters because much of the day takes place on open water or bright sand.

Bring a personal bottle of water for the island stops. Also consider a waterproof bag for your phone, wallet, and other small items during the taxi boat transfers and swimming breaks.

Arrive at the Grand Baie beach meeting point ready to identify the staff member with the list. Since hotel transport is excluded, leave time for your own journey to the start point.

The activity is offered in English, French, Hindi, and Urdu. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms are helpful if your Mauritius plans may shift.

Should you book the Ile Plate and Gabriel Island cruise?

At $76 per person, I think this is a solid choice if you want an easy, all-in-one northern-island day. The strongest parts are the two beach stops, the clear snorkeling water, the generous BBQ, and the included drinks. The catamaran views and Coin de Mire approach give the day more variety than a simple beach transfer.

Book it if you want a social cruise and the freedom to set your own pace on the islands. Skip it if you want a quiet private trip, long snorkeling time, or the chance to land on Coin de Mire. For most people seeking a lively day from Grand Baie, the combination of scenery, food, swimming, and music makes the price worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The activity starts on the beach at Grand Baie. Look for the gentleman holding a list, with other people from the activity nearby.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to Grand Baie.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

You land on Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel. The catamaran also sails close to Coin de Mire, but you do not go ashore there.

Can you get off at Coin de Mire?

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

How much time do you get on the islands?

You have about one hour of free time on each of Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel for swimming, snorkeling, walking, or relaxing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. 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 lunch and while cruising, including juice, water, and cocktails. Bring your own bottled water for walking on the islands or waiting for a taxi boat.

Is this a guided island tour?

No. This is a cruising activity with free time on the islands. You choose how to spend your time rather than following a guided island visit.

What should you bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and your own bottled water for the island stops.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip may be rescheduled after consultation with you. If it cannot be rescheduled, you may receive a full refund after approval through the booking site.