3 North Islands Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Drinks on island.

Three islands, one generous day at sea. This Mauritius catamaran trip combines Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate with swimming, snorkeling, a barbecue lunch, drinks, and a close pass by Coin de Mire. I like the variety: you get open-water views, two island stops, and a final reef stop rather than spending the whole day in one bay. I also like that lunch is intended to be served on an island, giving the day a relaxed picnic feel.

The main caution is the party atmosphere. Music and alcohol can become a major part of the outing, and one account describes very loud music from morning onward. Weather cancellations and communication also deserve attention, since some customers paid for taxis before learning the trip was off. If you want a quiet sail or a small, intimate boat, this may not be your best match.

Key points to know before booking

• Ilot Gabriel is the first proper island stop, with a white beach, swimming, snorkeling, and a chance to see the endemic white-tailed tropicbird near its nests.
• The crossing from Grand Baie takes about 90 minutes, so expect a full morning and open-water sailing before reaching the islands.
• Lunch and drinks are included, with a barbecue and salad planned for the island portion of the day.
• Coin de Mire is usually a swim-and-snorkel stop, not a landing. The captain decides if sea conditions are safe enough.
• The advertised maximum is 48 people, but one account describes a larger group and slow transfers in a small powered boat.
• The $58.08 price is strong value if you enjoy a social boat day and make good use of the food, drinks, and two island visits.

Grand Baie at 8:30 am: start with practical expectations

The meeting point is Grand Baie Public Beach, and the activity begins at 8:30 am. It returns to the same place after roughly seven hours, so you should plan on most of your daylight being devoted to the water.

Private transportation is not included. You need to make your own way to Grand Baie, and that matters because the beach departure can involve a transfer from shore to the catamaran. One account describes passengers using a small powered rowing boat to reach the larger vessel. With a sizable group, that step took time.

I would arrive early enough to find the public beach and ask where the operator is gathering people. Keep your phone available on the morning of departure. The operator says weather notices may be sent by email and WhatsApp, while some customers reported discovering a cancellation only after arriving at the meeting point. The policy provides a full refund for poor weather, but a refund does not automatically cover a wasted taxi ride.

The advertised group limit is 48 people. That is not a tiny sailing, but it should feel manageable on a large catamaran. One account describes more than 60 people aboard, so I would confirm the expected group size before paying if personal space is important to you.

The 90-minute crossing from Grand Baie

The first leg lasts about an hour and a half. That is a large part of the excursion, but it is also where the sea views become the main event. From the boat, you see the north coast of Mauritius from a different angle, with changing water colors and wide views that are impossible from the beach.

The catamaran is described as powerful, stable, and licensed. That should appeal to anyone who finds smaller boats uncomfortable in open water. At the same time, a large boat brings a social mood. Music, dancing, and drinks are part of the experience for some people, while others may find the volume tiring during a long crossing.

I would think of this as a shared day at sea rather than a quiet sailing trip. The boat is designed to carry people to several islands, serve lunch, and create a cheerful holiday atmosphere. If you like meeting people and do not mind music, the long crossing becomes part of the fun. If you want to hear the sea, bring realistic expectations.

Ilot Gabriel: the first white-sand stop

Ilot Gabriel is the first island stop and the part of the trip most likely to deliver the classic Mauritius postcard scene. It has a pleasant beach, clear water, and room for swimming and snorkeling. The island is described as relatively untouched, which gives the stop a more natural feel than a developed beach resort.

You can walk onto the sand, swim, and snorkel according to your comfort and ability. That flexibility is useful because not everyone in a mixed group will have the same confidence in the water. You can enjoy the beach without needing to treat snorkeling as a competition.

A particularly interesting detail is the white-tailed tropicbird, known locally as Paille En Queue. The itinerary says you may see these endemic birds close to their nests. That is a small but memorable natural detail, and it gives the island stop more character than simply taking beach photographs.

The planned time here is about two hours. That is enough for a swim, some snorkeling, a walk, and a slower spell under the sun. It can also feel long if you are not comfortable in the heat or if sea conditions make the water less inviting. Bring sun protection and make sure you have drinking water available before going ashore, even though drinks are included during the overall trip.

Ile Plate and the island lunch

Ile Plate, also called Flat Island, lies close to Ilot Gabriel. Together, the two islands sit about 10 kilometers north of Mauritius and are connected by a shallow turquoise lagoon and pale sand. The appeal is the setting: low islands, bright water, and a simple break from the main island.

The schedule gives this stop about two and a half hours, making it the longest island portion of the day. That extra time is valuable. You are not rushed through a quick photo stop, and you can fit in swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a rest.

The meal includes a barbecue, salad, and drinks. The plan is to eat on the island, which is one of the more appealing features of the package. A barbecue beside the beach can make the day feel less like a standard boat transfer and more like a proper island outing.

There is one important point to confirm before you go. One account says lunch was served aboard rather than on the island, despite the advertised island meal. That may reflect weather, logistics, or a change in the day’s operation. If eating on the sand is central to your plans, ask the operator to confirm the arrangement shortly before departure.

Drinks are part of the package, and the atmosphere can become lively early in the morning. Beer and rum are specifically described in the feedback, along with music and dancing. You can enjoy the social mood, but pace yourself. A day in strong sun, surrounded by water, can make alcohol feel more potent than expected.

I like the chance to take a break here. After the crossing and the first swim, a beach lunch followed by a short rest is exactly the right rhythm. The operator even describes time for a siesta before sailing onward. That slower spell is worth taking, especially if you want to enjoy the scenery instead of filling every minute with activity.

The natural aquarium near Coin de Mire

The last island is Coin de Mire, also known as Gunner’s Quoin or Gunners Point. It is a small volcanic island of about 65 hectares, roughly eight kilometers from Mauritius. You do not normally set foot on it. The catamaran passes nearby, and the main activity is snorkeling in the surrounding water.

This is the most condition-dependent part of the day. The area is known for clear water and an average snorkeling depth of about six meters, with depths ranging from roughly three to nine meters. The excursion describes it as a natural aquarium and one of the best snorkeling spots in northern Mauritius.

Those details explain the appeal, but they do not guarantee a perfect swim. The captain makes the final decision based on weather and sea conditions. That is the right call for safety, even if it means the stop changes or is skipped. A calm day can produce excellent visibility, while rougher water may make the site unsuitable.

You should also note that this is not a guided underwater lesson. The description says you can snorkel according to your ability. If you are a confident swimmer, you may get the most from the stop. If you are less comfortable, stay within your limits and follow the crew’s instructions.

The return crossing to Grand Baie takes about another hour and a half. By then, you will have had a long day in the sun, so the trip home may feel restful or noisy depending on the music and your energy. This is another reason to bring water, cover up, and avoid overdoing the included drinks early in the trip.

Food, music, and the real mood aboard

The package is best understood as a social catamaran day with nature built into it. The food, drinks, dancing, and loud music are not minor extras. They shape the mood from the start.

Some people will love that. A party boat can turn a simple transfer into an entertaining day, especially for couples, friends, and groups looking for a cheerful holiday outing. The crew has been described as attentive and caring, with a warm atmosphere aboard.

Others may find the party focus too strong. One account describes beer flowing from around 9 am and rum continuing later, with loud music for much of the trip. Another complaint focused on the experience feeling more like a booze cruise than a snorkeling excursion. I would not book this expecting a silent sail or a specialist marine tour.

The food receives less consistent treatment in the available feedback than the atmosphere. The package clearly includes barbecue, salad, and drinks, but the meal’s location can vary. If food quality and setting are important to you, ask what is being served and where it will be served on your date.

Is $58.08 good value for a seven-hour outing?

At $58.08 per person, the price is appealing for a seven-hour activity that includes a large catamaran, two island landings, a third island viewing stop, lunch, salad, and drinks. Separate boat transport, food, and island access could add up quickly if arranged independently.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the whole package. You receive several hours on the water, time on two beaches, opportunities to snorkel, and an included meal. The long crossing is not dead time if you enjoy the views and social atmosphere.

The value drops if you mainly want serious snorkeling. The trip does not promise an instructor, specialist equipment details, or long dedicated time in the water. The most important snorkeling stop, near Coin de Mire, depends on sea conditions.

It also becomes less attractive if you dislike crowds. The advertised limit of 48 is reasonable for a large catamaran, but the report of more than 60 people and slow shore transfers is worth taking seriously. Confirm the current capacity and transfer plan before booking.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius catamaran day?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad, easygoing introduction to the northern islands. It suits people who enjoy swimming, beach time, casual snorkeling, music, drinks, and a shared holiday atmosphere.

It can also work well for families and mixed groups, since you do not have to snorkel constantly. One person can swim, another can relax on the beach, and someone else can enjoy the boat and views. The activity states that most people can participate, though everyone should be honest about their swimming ability.

I would be more cautious if you need a quiet boat, precise scheduling, or a guaranteed snorkeling session. The island lunch may not always happen exactly as advertised, and the Coin de Mire stop depends on the captain’s safety decision.

The trip also requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for poor conditions or insufficient bookings, you should receive a choice of another date, another experience, or a full refund. Canceling yourself is free only when done at least 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book the three-island cruise?

Book this tour if you want good value, several stops, included food, and a lively boat day. Ilot Gabriel supplies the beach, Ile Plate provides the long lunch break, and Coin de Mire adds a worthwhile snorkeling possibility when the sea cooperates.

Skip it if you are seeking a calm, small-scale sailing trip or a carefully guided marine experience. Before paying, confirm the group size, ask if lunch will be served on the island, and check how cancellation messages will reach you. Those three questions can prevent the biggest disappointments.

For the right audience, this is an enjoyable way to see Mauritius from the water without arranging several separate excursions. Just book it as a social island cruise with snorkeling, not as a quiet nature expedition.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Grand Baie Public Beach in Grand Baie, Mauritius.

What time does the experience begin?

The stated start time is 8:30 am.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and finishes back at the Grand Baie meeting point.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes a barbecue lunch, salad, and drinks.

Which islands can I visit?

You land at Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate. The catamaran passes near Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin, but setting foot on Coin de Mire is not part of the activity.

Can I snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. You can snorkel near the islands according to your ability. Snorkeling near Coin de Mire is subject to favorable weather and sea conditions, with the captain making the final decision.

Is transportation to Grand Baie included?

No. Private transportation is not included. You must make your own way to Grand Baie Public Beach.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.