Grand Baie: Catamaran 3 Islands Cruise & Lunch on the Island

The best part of this day is that you set foot on two northern islands, not just admire them from a boat. Ilot Gabriel gives you time for sand, sea, and a short island walk, while Ile Plate adds something unusual: a BBQ lunch served right on the island. Coin de Mire is viewed from the water, since landing there is not part of the trip.

I like the bright turquoise water and changing sea views on the cruise, and I like the cheerful crew, generous food, regular drinks, and music on the return ride. The $70 price is fair for a seven-hour outing with lunch, drinks, and island transfers included. The main catch is the long open-water crossing, which can be rough, and snorkeling is self-guided rather than a carefully managed lesson.

• Two island landings: Visit Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, then pass close to Coin de Mire.
• Lunch on Ile Plate: Eat a generous BBQ meal in a natural island setting, with drinks included.
• Grand Baie departure: Meet halfway along the beach, then take a dinghy out to the catamaran.
• Snorkeling and swimming: Enjoy shallow water around the islands, though currents, rocks, and coral can affect conditions.
• Party atmosphere: Expect music, dancing, and rum on the return cruise.
• Weather matters: Rough seas can shorten or change the island program, especially from June through September.

Two islands, three views, and a full day at sea

This is one of the better-value ways to see the northern islands of Mauritius. For $70 per person, you get a seven-hour catamaran outing, transfers between the beach and boat, access to the islands, a BBQ lunch, and drinks such as juice and beer.

The day is not built around a single guided attraction. It is a moving picture of northern Mauritius: open sea, pale beaches, reefs, low islands, and the changing color of the water. You spend enough time aboard to enjoy the sailing, but the two landings break up the ride.

The third island, Coin de Mire, is the exception. The catamaran passes as close as water depth allows, but you do not go ashore. That is worth knowing before you book. The appeal is the view from the boat, not a walk on all three islands.

Getting from Grand Baie beach to the catamaran

The meeting point is on Grand Baie beach, about halfway along the shore, opposite the red Express bus for Port Louis and the shop called Highlights. You first take a dinghy from the beach to the catamaran, so do not arrive expecting to walk straight onto the larger boat from a pier.

The meeting arrangement can feel less obvious than a standard marina departure. One practical step helps: provide a valid WhatsApp number when booking. The operator sends a written description, a video, and a Google location once you are in Mauritius.

The first boarding can take a little time, especially if the beach is busy or the group is large. Some departures have had more than 40 people aboard, and the transfer from catamaran to shore can be slow. Once underway, though, the catamaran is described as a decent-sized boat, and many people find it comfortable enough for the long crossing.

Shoes are not worn on the catamaran. Bring water shoes in a small bag for the beach, rocks, and shallow water, but be ready to leave them off while aboard. Keep cameras and towels protected if you sit at the front. Spray can reach that area, especially when the sea is lively.

The crossing from Grand Baie

The ride to the islands takes roughly an hour and a half in some conditions. This is not a quick shuttle. It is a central part of the experience, with wide views that you cannot get from the coast.

I would choose your seat based on the kind of day you want. The front of the catamaran gives you the most exciting ride and the strongest spray. The deck can also help if motion makes you queasy, but rough water is still possible. If you want to stay dry, keep to a more sheltered area and protect your belongings below.

The sea is often praised for its color, but it is not always calm. Strong chop can make the outward ride tiring, particularly if you skip breakfast or are prone to seasickness. Eat something light before departure, and consider bringing any usual motion-sickness remedy. The return can feel easier, with music, dancing, and drinks changing the mood after the more exposed morning crossing.

The crew keeps the day social. Expect a lively rather than quiet sailing trip, especially later in the afternoon. On some outings, people dance together on the way back, and the crew joins in the fun while still handling the boat and transfers.

Ilot Gabriel, your first island stop

Ilot Gabriel is one of the two places where you actually go ashore. The catamaran anchors as close as water depth permits, and a dinghy carries you to the beach. The transfer is part of the adventure, but it also means you should listen carefully to the crew when boarding and leaving the small boat.

You usually get around 45 to 60 minutes on Ilot Gabriel. That is enough for a swim, a little snorkeling, photographs, and a short rest, but not enough for a slow island ramble. Keep an eye on the departure time. The boat cannot wait for people who wander too far from the meeting point.

The water near the islands can be excellent for a simple swim. You might see plenty of small fish in the shallows, and some outings have included turtles and even a stingray. A separate turtle experience has sometimes been offered for an additional charge. If you take part, follow the guide’s instructions and keep your distance from the animals.

Snorkeling conditions are not fixed. Currents can be strong, and the bottom may be stony in places. Coral quality has also suffered in areas with heavy tourism. This is best treated as easy, independent swimming and snorkeling, not as a serious reef excursion led by a marine guide.

Bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins. Equipment is not included. Fins are especially useful if the water is moving or the bottom feels rough underfoot.

Ile Plate and the BBQ lunch

The second landing is Ile Plate, also called Flat Island. This is where the meal is served, and it is one of the strongest features of the trip.

The BBQ is prepared and served on the island rather than on the catamaran. That makes lunch feel like part of the outing, not a meal squeezed between boat stops. You eat with the beach and open sea nearby, then have time to swim or relax.

The food is generally generous, and seconds have been available on some departures. The meal has been described as fresh, tasty, and well organized, with vegan choices available on at least some outings. It is not a fine-dining lunch. Think of it as a hearty beach BBQ that does its job well after a morning in the sun.

Drinks are included, with juice and beer among the options. Drinks are sometimes served in reusable cups. The supply has generally been generous, though warm drinks and a shortage of readily available water have been concerns on some days. I would ask at the start where drinking water is kept, and pack extra water if the operator allows it.

Do not underestimate the sun. You are exposed on the beach, on the boat, and in the water. Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a towel are practical essentials. A light cover-up helps during the lunch break, while swimwear and comfortable clothing make the transfers easier.

Swimming and snorkeling around the islands

You control your own swimming time and pace. This suits confident swimmers who want freedom, but it is less ideal if you expect a formal snorkeling session with equipment, instruction, and a guide in the water.

The clearest benefit is flexibility. You can swim in shallow water, snorkel as much as your ability allows, or simply lie back and enjoy the beach. You can also take a quiet break after lunch instead of rushing straight into the sea.

The drawback is that conditions vary. Some areas have rocks, coral, or current, and the trip does not provide a structured snorkeling program. People who need flotation support or close supervision should take extra care. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is not suitable for pregnant women.

Take only what you need ashore. Since the catamaran stays offshore and the dinghy handles transfers, a small waterproof bag is much easier than a large beach bag. Keep phones and valuables dry.

Passing Coin de Mire from the water

Coin de Mire is the third island, but you do not land there. The catamaran passes near it, as close as depth and sea conditions permit.

This stop is mainly about the view and the feeling of reaching a more remote part of the northern coast. It adds variety to the route and gives you another island perspective without another beach transfer.

If setting foot on all three islands is important to you, this tour will not meet that expectation. The description is accurate when it says three islands, but the actual landings are Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate only.

Crew, languages, and the mood onboard

Service is offered in English and French. The crew is often described as friendly, energetic, helpful with the dinghy transfers, and careful about safety instructions.

English explanations can be harder to follow at times because of strong French accents. If an instruction is unclear, ask for it to be repeated, especially when the crew gives boarding times or meeting points. The captain’s safety decisions are final, and the captain can change or cancel the route if the sea becomes unsafe.

Music is a major part of the return trip. The mood can shift from quiet island break to a small party, with dancing and rum. That is a plus if you want a social day. It is less appealing if you want a silent, private cruise.

The boat can also feel crowded. Some departures have had more than 40 people, and large numbers of people make island transfers slower. Still, the atmosphere tends to work well for solo visitors and couples who enjoy meeting other people.

Weather, rough seas, and seasonal limits

The captain may reschedule or cancel when conditions are unsafe. From June through September, rougher winter seas can make it impossible to visit all three islands as planned.

Even when the trip runs, the order or length of stops can change. Sea conditions affect anchoring, dinghy transfers, snorkeling, and how close the catamaran can approach Coin de Mire. A beautiful sunny forecast on land does not guarantee a smooth crossing.

You should book this with a flexible attitude. The sea is the reason the trip is scenic, but it is also the reason the plan cannot be guaranteed minute by minute. If conditions prevent all three islands, safety takes priority.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70, this is good value if you want a full day rather than a short boat ride. Lunch, drinks, two island landings, the third-island pass, and all transfers are included. Similar days can become expensive once you add meals, boat shuttles, and separate island access.

The value drops if you dislike long boat rides, crowded departures, or self-guided snorkeling. You are paying for the complete mix of sailing, scenery, food, and swimming, not for expert marine instruction or a private cruise.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Grand Baie beach yourself and locate the meeting point. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now, pay-later booking is offered.

Who should book this northern-island cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and anyone who wants a sociable day on the water. It works especially well if your ideal outing includes a generous lunch, music, swimming, and beautiful views rather than a quiet luxury cruise.

It is also a good choice for people who want to see more than one island without arranging several separate boat trips. The two landings give the day a useful rhythm, and lunch on Ile Plate is more memorable than eating aboard the catamaran.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, have mobility limits, get badly seasick, or need a tightly structured snorkeling tour. You should also reconsider if the idea of sitting in direct sun for much of seven hours sounds tiring.

Final call: book it if you want a lively day at sea

Book this tour if you want a social, good-value island day with a real BBQ on Ile Plate, swimming at Ilot Gabriel, and a lively musical ride home. Bring water shoes, sunscreen, a towel, snorkeling gear, and a waterproof bag. Sit near the front for spray and excitement, or choose a more sheltered spot if you want a calmer ride.

The strongest reason to go is the combination of two island visits and lunch on the beach. The strongest reason to hesitate is the rough open-water crossing and the fact that Coin de Mire is viewed only from the catamaran. If those limits suit you, this is a memorable way to experience northern Mauritius.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts about seven hours, including the catamaran ride, dinghy transfers, island time, lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.

Which islands can I visit?

You set foot on Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, also called Flat Island. The catamaran passes near Coin de Mire, but you do not land there.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included and is served on Ile Plate. Drinks, including juice and beer, are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment. Fins can be useful because some areas have current and stony sections.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet halfway along Grand Baie beach, opposite the red Express bus for Port Louis and opposite the Highlights shop. A WhatsApp number is requested so the operator can send directions, a video, and a Google location.

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 languages are available?

The tour is offered in English and French.

Can weather change the itinerary?

Yes. The captain can cancel or reschedule for safety. Rough sea conditions, especially during the June to September winter period, can also make it impossible to visit all three islands.