Catamaran Mauritius Cruise in the North Coasts

The best part of this Mauritius cruise is the chance to see three northern islands in one outing without arranging separate boat trips. From Grand Baie, you sail toward Flat Island and Gabriel Island, then stop near Coin de Mire for swimming and snorkeling among reef fish.

I like the simple onboard package: BBQ lunch, drinks, snacks, and transport are included, so you can settle into the day without watching every extra cost. I also like the stop at Gabriel Island’s sandbar, a fine place to stretch out after the morning sail. The main caution is the sea. High waves can make the ride uncomfortable if you are prone to motion sickness.

Key points to know

• Three island stops in one cruise: Visit Flat Island and Gabriel Island, with a snorkeling stop at Coin de Mire.
• Departure from Grand Baie: The catamaran leaves from Grand Baie Public Beach after a captain’s briefing.
• Food and drinks included: Start with tea, coffee, and cake, then have a BBQ lunch with drinks and snacks.
• Snorkeling is a major feature: Swim near Coin de Mire and in the lagoon by Gabriel Island.
• Transport from Port Louis: Pickup and return transport are included, with resort reception pickup details provided in advance.
• Rough-sea warning: The open-water crossing can be bumpy, especially for anyone sensitive to motion.

A northern-island day from Grand Baie

Mauritius is easy to admire from the shore, but the northern isles show you a different side of the country. The trip leaves Grand Baie, a major coastal starting point, and heads toward government-declared nature reserves known for pale sand, clear water, coral gardens, and seabird habitat.

You do not need to organize your own boat, lunch, or transfers. The package brings those pieces together in one outing priced at $170 per person. That is not a bargain-basement boat ride, but the value improves if you would otherwise need to pay separately for transport, food, drinks, and island access.

The catamaran used for the trip is called Wind Dancer. After boarding from Grand Baie Public Beach, you receive a captain’s briefing, then begin the crossing with tea, coffee, and cake. That small opening meal matters because the first part of the trip involves sitting back and getting used to the motion of the boat.

The listed duration is six hours, with some trip information describing the outing as six to eight hours. Pickup and return by road add roughly 30 minutes each way from Port Louis, plus about a 15-minute walk connected with the Grand Baie departure point. For planning, treat this as a substantial day rather than a quick morning boat trip.

Reaching Grand Baie and boarding Wind Dancer

If you are staying in Port Louis, transport is included. The road transfer is listed at about 30 minutes, and pickup takes place at your resort reception. A day before departure, you are contacted with more pickup details, so keep your accommodation information current when booking.

The boat leaves from Grand Baie Public Beach. Once aboard Wind Dancer, the captain gives a safety and route briefing. This is the right time to ask any practical questions, find a steady place to sit, and prepare for the open-water ride.

The trip offers shared and private options. A shared cruise suits you if you want the standard outing and do not need control over the schedule. A private option may appeal if your group values more personal space, though the supplied details do not specify the private boat size or any special private itinerary.

The first hour is mainly about the sea crossing. You get the breeze, broad views, and the pleasure of moving under sail, but you also get the motion of the water. One confirmed account describes high waves as uncomfortable for sensitive passengers. If you know you suffer from seasickness, take that warning seriously and choose your seat carefully.

Flat Island, the first major stop

The first island visit is Flat Island, also known as Ile Plate in the schedule. The crossing takes about an hour, and the stop is planned as a substantial part of the outing, with time for guided sightseeing, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Flat Island’s appeal is its simple setting: white sand, open sea, and clear water. You can explore the natural setting, enjoy views along the coast, and get into the water if conditions allow. The island is treated as a nature reserve, so the point is not a long list of built attractions. The pleasure comes from being in a protected island environment.

The schedule allows roughly three hours for the Flat Island and Gabriel Island portion of the day, though the exact division between the two stops may vary. Do not assume every minute is spent ashore. A catamaran day works best when you are happy with a mix of sailing, beach time, swimming, and short guided visits.

Flat Island also gives you a useful first chance to judge the sea conditions. If the water feels rough, you can pace yourself before the later snorkeling stop. If it is calm, this may be your first good swim of the day.

BBQ lunch and a slower hour on the water

After the Flat Island visit, you return to the catamaran for a BBQ lunch. Drinks and snacks are included, along with the initial tea, coffee, and cake. The meal keeps the day easy: you do not need to leave the boat searching for food, and you can eat while taking in the sea views.

The lunch is more than a minor convenience. Island excursions can become expensive when meals and drinks are separate, especially when you are away from shops for most of the day. Here, the food is part of the price, which makes the $170 rate easier to judge.

Still, do not book this as a food-focused cruise. The supplied information confirms a BBQ lunch but does not give a menu, dietary details, or the exact drinks served. If you have an important dietary need, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the meal can be changed.

Lunch also gives you a break between water activities. You can dry off, rest your legs, and enjoy the ride before reaching Gabriel Island. That pause is useful on a six-hour outing, especially if you plan to swim at more than one stop.

Gabriel Island and its famous sandbar

Gabriel Island is the second principal island visit. The stop includes sightseeing, scenic views, swimming, and wildlife viewing. Its main draw is the sandbar, where you can relax on pale sand with the lagoon around you.

This is likely to be the most photogenic part of the day, but it is not only a place for pictures. The sandbar gives you room to slow down after the boat ride. You can sit in the sun, wade in the lagoon, or snorkel in calmer water.

The lagoon is described as a place with active marine life, so bring your attention below the surface as well as toward the shore. Water conditions can affect visibility, and the schedule does not promise a particular number of fish or coral species. What you can count on is an opportunity to swim and snorkel in a setting chosen for its clear water and reef environment.

Do not forget basic sun protection. The supplied details do not list equipment or a shaded area, so you should confirm what snorkeling gear is provided and bring anything essential for your comfort. A towel, swimwear, and protection from strong sun are sensible choices for any outing built around swimming, even though the operator’s included-items list does not spell out every personal item.

Gabriel Island works well for different energy levels. You can swim and snorkel, or simply sit on the sandbar and enjoy the setting. That flexibility makes the stop easier for mixed groups, where one person wants to be in the water and another would rather stay dry.

Coin de Mire, the natural aquarium stop

On the way back to Grand Baie, the catamaran stops near Coin de Mire. This is described as a natural aquarium, with a chance to swim and snorkel among colorful reef fish.

Coin de Mire is not presented as a long island walk. Its value is underwater. You get a final chance to see marine life from the water, making it a good counterpoint to the beach time at Flat Island and Gabriel Island.

If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, pay close attention to the sea conditions on the day. The trip includes this stop, but water clarity and comfort can change. The open-water crossing can also be rough, and the same waves that make sailing exciting may make snorkeling less relaxing for some people.

The confirmed booking account gives this stop particular weight, describing the snorkeling pause as very good and the overall trip as worth recommending. That matches the structure of the day: the cruise is not only a ride to beaches. It combines reef time, a lagoon swim, and island visits.

The return to Grand Baie and Port Louis

After Coin de Mire, the catamaran heads back to Grand Baie in the afternoon. You then make your way back to the transport connection, with the road journey to Port Louis listed at about 30 minutes.

If you have an evening reservation, leave breathing room. The advertised duration is six hours, but the broader timing allows six to eight hours, and sea conditions can affect the pace. The return transfer is included, but exact pickup and drop-off timing should be confirmed with the operator.

The transport is especially useful if you are staying at a resort or connecting with a cruise stop. A confirmed booking included pickup at a cruise terminal and return there after the outing. The supplied details specifically mention resort reception pickup, so contact the operator in advance if your accommodation or arrival point is different.

What the $170 price really includes

At $170 per person, this is a mid-to-high priced boat day rather than a casual short cruise. The cost includes transportation, entrance fees, a BBQ lunch, drinks, snacks, and a six-hour outing. Those inclusions reduce the need for extra spending during the day.

The value is strongest if you want a complete package. Paying for transport from Port Louis, a catamaran seat, two main island visits, snorkeling opportunities, food, and drinks separately could easily make a self-arranged day less simple. The private option may also be useful for groups that want a more personal setting, although the available details do not state its added cost.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet beach day or dislike boat motion. You are paying for the crossing as much as the islands. If high waves make you uncomfortable, part of the day may feel like a challenge rather than a treat.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking give you some useful flexibility. These terms do not remove the need to check weather and sea conditions, but they make it easier to hold a place while your plans settle.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise most

I would choose this outing if you want to pack several northern-island highlights into one day. It suits you if you enjoy open-water sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and simple island exploration more than formal sightseeing.

It is also a good fit for couples, families, and groups with mixed interests because you can choose between active time in the water and slower time on the beach or boat. The included lunch and transport help keep the day straightforward.

You may want to reconsider if you are highly sensitive to motion, do not swim, or prefer a fixed schedule on land. The high-wave warning is the key practical issue. The experience is built around the sea, and the sea sets the mood.

English and French guiding are available. That makes the briefing and guided portions easier for many passengers, though the supplied details do not name individual guides.

Practical tips before you book

Check the starting time and pickup details before departure. The operator provides more pickup information a day in advance, and the trip has both a road transfer and a beach boarding point.

Ask what snorkeling equipment is supplied if you do not have your own. The activity includes snorkeling opportunities, but the included-items list does not specifically name masks, fins, or other gear.

Plan for a full day of sun and water. Wear swimwear, bring a towel, and protect yourself from the sun. Keep valuables to a minimum, since the day centers on swimming and movement between boat, beach, and lagoon.

If you are prone to seasickness, prepare before boarding and tell yourself honestly whether a rough crossing will spoil the day. The cruise has strong points, but no island view can cancel out a miserable ride.

Should you book the northern-island cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized sea day with three northern-island stops, included meals, drinks, and transport from Port Louis. The best reasons are the Gabriel Island sandbar, the snorkeling near Coin de Mire, and the convenience of seeing several protected island areas without arranging separate trips.

Skip it if you want a calm, land-based outing or if rough seas are a serious concern. At $170, the price makes sense for a complete package, not for a simple transfer to one beach.

For most active visitors who enjoy the water, this is a strong way to see Mauritius from offshore. Just treat the wave warning as real, not as fine print.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The catamaran departs from Grand Baie Public Beach.

Is pickup from Port Louis included?

Yes. Transportation is included, and the listed route includes pickup in Port Louis, a road transfer of about 30 minutes, and return transport.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is six hours. Other timing information describes the outing as six to eight hours, so you should allow extra time for the full day and transfers.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire. Flat Island and Gabriel Island are the main island visits, while Coin de Mire is a snorkeling stop on the return route.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served onboard the catamaran.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. Drinks and snacks are included, along with tea, coffee, and cake at the start of the cruise.

Can I swim and snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are available at the island stops, including the lagoon near Gabriel Island and the natural aquarium area near Coin de Mire.

What languages are available for the tour?

Live guiding is available in English and French.

Can I choose a private cruise?

Yes. Both shared and private options are available.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.