North of Mauritius: Sunset Catamaran Cruise, Drinks & Snacks

The best part of this cruise is the timing. You leave Grand Baie in late afternoon, sail away from the bay, and watch the northern coast change as the sun drops. The possible green flash is a fun bonus, though it is never promised.

I like the easy two-hour length and the included drinks, from local rum and Phoenix beer to wine, juice, and soft drinks. I also like the relaxed social feel created by the large catamaran, snacks, and sunset views. The main drawback is the food: the canapés are a light selection, and one dish-focused guest found them underwhelming.

Key points

• Two hours on the water: The cruise leaves Grand Baie at 5:00 p.m. from October through March, or 4:30 p.m. from April through September.
• A full drinks selection: Local rum, red, rosé and white wine, Phoenix beer, juice, soft drinks, and mineral water are included.
• Sunset views without a long boat trip: You sail toward the horizon, then return to Grand Baie as darkness arrives.
• Light snacks, not a full meal: Expect tomato chatini with croutons, nachos with dips, moolkoo, and banana chips.
• The green flash is a possibility: Keep watching just after sunset, but treat it as luck rather than part of the guarantee.
• Plan for sea movement: The experience is not recommended for people prone to seasickness or those with mobility impairments.

Sailing out of Grand Baie as daylight fades

You meet the Blue Safari, Sportfisher, and Croisieres Australes team at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, facing the sea near the jetty. The meeting time changes with the season, which makes sense in Mauritius, where sunset comes earlier during the cooler months.

From October through March, arrive at 4:45 p.m. for the 5:00 p.m. departure. From April through September, meet at 4:15 p.m. and leave at 4:30 p.m. The cruise ends at the same jetty two hours later, at 7:00 p.m. in summer and 6:30 p.m. in winter.

Give yourself enough time to find the office and complete the boarding process. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own way to Grand Baie. That is worth noting if you are staying outside the north of Mauritius or relying on a tight evening transfer.

Once aboard, the trip begins in the bay before heading out toward the open horizon. This is not a sightseeing cruise with a long list of formal stops. Its appeal is simpler: you are on the water at the right time of day, with room to watch the light change and enjoy a drink.

The northern coast from a catamaran

A catamaran gives you a broad, open platform rather than the enclosed feel of a small motorboat. You can usually move around to find a better angle for photographs, though the safest place to stand or sit will depend on the captain and sea conditions.

The cruise follows the northern coastline and the lagoon, with views back toward Grand Baie and out toward the setting sun. As the afternoon fades, the water and sky take on warmer tones. You will want sunglasses early in the trip, then a jacket or cover-up once the breeze picks up after sunset.

The setting is especially good for people who want a scenic outing without committing to a full-day sailing trip. Two hours is long enough to feel like a proper boat experience, but short enough to fit around dinner plans. You are not spending most of the day in transit or waiting for a long series of activities.

The tradeoff is that the route can change. If the sea is rough or a passage is not safe, the captain may alter direction. That could mean less time on the intended line along the coast, but it is the right call. A sunset is not worth an uncomfortable or risky crossing.

Drinks that suit a mixed group

The included beverage menu is one of the stronger reasons to consider this cruise at $55 per person. You get local rum, red wine, rosé, white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water.

That range matters because it lets everyone take part in the social side of the trip. You can try a local spirit, settle in with a beer, or stick with juice, water, or a soft drink. This is more useful than an experience that includes only one alcoholic option and charges extra for everything else.

The drink service also helps set the mood. The cruise is not built around a formal tasting or a guided lesson about Mauritian rum. Instead, the beverages are there to enjoy while the catamaran moves through the lagoon and the sun drops behind the horizon.

If you want cocktails, the experience is described as including them, with local rum forming part of the selection. Exact cocktail choices are not specified, so do not book this expecting a fixed cocktail menu or a specialist rum presentation.

Snacks with a Mauritian touch

The food is a snack spread rather than dinner. You can expect tomato chatini with croutons, nachos and dips, moolkoo, and banana chips.

Tomato chatini brings a local flavor to an otherwise familiar selection. Moolkoo is a Mauritian-style savory snack, while banana chips are easy to nibble with a drink. Nachos and dips round out the offering for people who prefer something familiar.

This is enough to take the edge off your appetite during a two-hour cruise, but I would not treat it as a replacement for an evening meal. If you usually eat early, have a proper meal before or after the trip. The return time leaves you in Grand Baie at a useful hour for dinner.

The food is also the least consistent part of the experience in terms of appeal. The drinks and atmosphere receive the strongest praise, while one person specifically felt the snack selection could be improved. That is a fair warning for anyone choosing a sunset cruise mainly for food.

Sunset photography and the green flash

The central event comes as the sun nears the horizon. The crew sails toward the open view, giving you time to take photographs and watch the changing colors without a rushed stop.

Bring your phone or camera, but keep it protected. A waterproof bag is useful around any boat, and a cover-up or change of clothes can save you from ending the evening in damp clothing if spray reaches the deck. The supplied essentials also include sunscreen, a hat or cap, sunglasses, a towel, non-slip shoes, insect repellent, and a waterproof jacket.

The green flash is the most unusual detail attached to this cruise. In the brief moment just after the sun disappears, atmospheric conditions can sometimes produce a green glint. It is rare, and the trip cannot guarantee it. Think of it as a small piece of luck, not the main reason to pay for the cruise.

The sunset itself is the dependable attraction. The green flash is simply something to watch for when the horizon is clear.

Returning to Grand Baie after dark

After sunset, the catamaran turns back toward Sunset Boulevard. In summer, you return at about 7:00 p.m. In winter, you are back around 6:30 p.m.

That return timing makes this outing easy to combine with dinner in Grand Baie. It also means the final part of the trip takes place as the sky darkens, so bring a jacket even if the afternoon felt warm. The wind can feel cooler once the sun is gone.

This is a short cruise, and that is both a strength and a limitation. You get a tidy sunset experience with no late-night finish. But you will not have hours of sailing, a distant island stop, or a large activity program. The boat ride is the activity.

What the $55 price gives you

At $55 per person, the price is reasonable if you value the combination of boat time, drinks, snacks, and sunset scenery. You are paying for a two-hour catamaran outing from a convenient northern base, with beverages included rather than added one by one.

The value is strongest for couples, friends, and small groups who want a shared evening experience. A few drinks in Grand Baie plus a boat ride could quickly approach the same cost, especially if everyone in your group wants something different. Here, the main elements are bundled together.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike group boat trips, or expect a full meal. Nonalcoholic drinks are included, so nondrinkers are not left out, but the cruise still gets much of its atmosphere from social drinking and casual snacks.

You should also remember that transport to Grand Baie and personal expenses are not included. If you need a taxi from another part of Mauritius, add that cost when comparing this with a cruise that offers hotel pickup.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it to anyone staying in or near Grand Baie who wants a low-effort way to see the coast at its prettiest time of day. It suits people who like photography, casual sailing, included drinks, and a friendly onboard atmosphere.

It is also a good choice for a final evening in Mauritius. The cruise has a clear beginning and end, does not take up a full day, and gives you a memorable setting for the last part of a holiday. The large catamaran and easy pace make it more social than an intimate private charter.

It may not suit you if you are prone to seasickness. The activity information specifically advises against it for people who struggle with motion on the water. Take motion-sickness tablets if you normally need them, and bring a jacket because conditions can change after sunset.

People with mobility impairments should also note that this experience is not considered suitable for them. Non-slip shoes are sensible for everyone. Pets are not allowed, apart from assistance dogs, and touching marine life or littering is prohibited.

Practical preparation for a smoother evening

Wear clothes that can handle wind and possible spray. A swimsuit is useful if you plan to get wet, though the supplied information does not describe a swimming stop. Bring a change of clothes, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for the brighter part of the trip.

A waterproof backpack or bag protects phones and cameras. Non-slip footwear gives you better footing on the deck, and insect repellent can be useful as the evening settles over the water. A waterproof jacket is not overkill, even in warm weather.

The crew speaks English and French. Sea conditions may change the route, and the captain has discretion to alter direction for safety. That flexibility is normal for a boat trip and should not be treated as a failure to follow the advertised plan.

Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still taking shape.

Is the two-hour sunset cruise worth booking?

Yes, if you are based near Grand Baie and want a scenic, social evening with drinks included. The strongest points are the short two-hour format, the pleasant northern coastline, the well-rounded beverage list, and the friendly onboard mood repeatedly reflected in the experience itself.

Book it for the sunset and the easy atmosphere, not for a substantial meal or a guaranteed green flash. If you are sensitive to motion, have mobility concerns, or dislike group boat outings, choose another activity. For everyone else, $55 is a fair price for a polished end-of-day cruise that leaves you back in Grand Baie in time for dinner.

FAQ

Where does the sunset catamaran cruise leave from?

It leaves from Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, at the Blue Safari, Sportfisher, and Croisieres Australes office facing the sea near the jetty.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts two hours. It returns to the same meeting point after sailing along the northern coastline and lagoon.

What time does the cruise depart?

From October through March, meet at 4:45 p.m. for a 5:00 p.m. departure. From April through September, meet at 4:15 p.m. for a 4:30 p.m. departure.

What time does the catamaran return?

The return time is about 7:00 p.m. from October through March and 6:30 p.m. from April through September.

What drinks are included?

The included selection features local rum, red wine, rosé, white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. Cocktails and nonalcoholic options are also part of the experience.

What food is served?

You receive a selection of tomato chatini with croutons, nachos with dips, moolkoo, and banana chips. These are snacks and canapés, not a full meal.

Is the green flash guaranteed?

No. The green flash is a rare optical event that you might see just after sunset, but it depends on conditions and is not guaranteed.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie.

Is the cruise suitable for people with seasickness or mobility impairments?

The experience is not considered suitable for people prone to seasickness or people with mobility impairments. The captain may also change the route if sea conditions are rough or unsafe.