Catamaran, BBQ, Ile Gabriel , Ile Plate ,Coin de Mire

Three islands, two very different days. This Mauritius experience pairs a full-day catamaran trip from Grand Baie with a private south-coast tour by car. I like the mix of sea time and inland sights, especially the included BBQ with beer and wine, and I also like that day two covers a rum distillery, tea plantation, temples, and La Vanille Nature Park in one well-packed outing. The main point to weigh is that day one uses a shared, potentially crowded catamaran, while accommodation is not included in the $82.22 price.

You can visit Flat Island, Ile Gabriel, and the waters around Coin de Mire, then spend the next day seeing a very different side of Mauritius. The islands are outside the reef, so weather can force a change or cancellation. I would book this for variety and value, but not if you want a quiet private boat both days.

Key points to know before booking

• Two days, two travel styles: Day one is a shared catamaran cruise, while day two uses a private car with a driver for your group.
• The BBQ includes drinks: Beer and wine are included with the onboard lunch, adding real value to the $82.22 price.
• The northern islands depend on weather: Flat Island and nearby islands lie outside the reef, where rough conditions can affect the sailing.
• Day two covers a lot of southern Mauritius: La Vanille Nature Park, Bois Cheri Tea Plantation, a rum distillery, Grand Bassin, Gris Gris, and La Roche qui pleure are all included.
• Accommodation costs extra: You can add a private villa with two bedrooms sleeping four, but it is not part of the advertised tour price.
• The tour is wheelchair accessible: Most people can participate, and pickup is offered, though the listed meeting point is Grand Baie Public Beach.

Why this two-day Mauritius pairing works

Many Mauritius excursions focus only on beaches. This one gives you a broader picture of the island, moving from open water and offshore islands to tea, religion, wildlife, and the rugged southern coast.

I like that the days feel different. The first is built around sun, swimming, snorkeling, food, and rest. The second is more active and cultural, with several stops linked by a private car. That makes the tour useful if you have limited time and want more than a resort view.

The $82.22 per person price is attractive because several major elements are included: the catamaran cruise, BBQ lunch, beer and wine, the southern sightseeing day, a private car and driver on day two, and admission to La Vanille Nature Park. You still need to account for accommodation if you choose the villa, and the description does not say that every meal or drink beyond the stated inclusions is covered.

There is one important mismatch to understand. Day two is described as private for your group, but day one is a common cruise with other people on the catamaran. If you want privacy, treat this as a private land day plus a shared boat day, not as a fully private two-day charter.

Day one: Grand Baie to Flat Island and Ile Gabriel

The first day begins at Grand Baie Public Beach. The listed cruise lasts about seven hours, giving you a full block of time on the water rather than a quick island stop squeezed between other activities.

The northern islands include Flat Island, Ile Gabriel, and Round Island, with Coin de Mire also part of the northern-island setting described for this experience. The central appeal is simple: you get away from the busy resort strip and spend the day among open sea, beaches, and bright shallow water.

The catamaran is shared. That matters because the boat may feel lively and social rather than calm and private. If you enjoy meeting other people, having music or conversation around you, and letting someone else handle the sailing, this setup can work well. If you picture a silent boat with only your own party aboard, adjust that expectation now.

The itinerary allows time to snorkel, relax, and enjoy the water. Exact snorkeling locations and equipment details are not specified, so I would confirm what is supplied before departure if snorkeling gear matters to you. The same applies to the timing of each island stop. The stated seven hours refers to the overall cruise, not a guaranteed amount of time at every island.

The BBQ lunch and drinks

Lunch is one of the stronger value points. A BBQ is included, along with beer and wine. That makes the day feel like a proper outing rather than simply a boat transfer with a short swim stop.

You should still check whether you need to buy anything beyond the included drinks, since the information only confirms beer and wine rather than a full open bar. The lunch is described as delicious, but the exact BBQ menu is not provided, so anyone with dietary needs should ask in advance.

The appeal here is not fine dining. It is eating outdoors, with the sea around you, during a relaxed island day. I would think of the meal as part of the atmosphere and the value of the cruise.

Flat Island, Ile Gabriel, and Coin de Mire

Flat Island sits north of Mauritius and is part of the island group that includes Ile Gabriel and Round Island. The tour description places the cruise outside the reef, which helps explain why weather is a real factor.

Ile Gabriel is known in the tour plan as one of the northern-island stops, while Coin de Mire forms part of the offshore scenery. The information does not promise a landing on every named island, so you should not assume that you will step ashore on all three. Some may be viewed from the boat or used for swimming and snorkeling, depending on the day’s route and sea conditions.

This is also why flexibility matters. A calm forecast can produce a pleasant day of swimming and sun. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, according to the stated policy. I would avoid placing this cruise on the final day of your holiday, since bad conditions could remove your only chance to sail.

Day two: a private car through southern Mauritius

The second day changes pace. You travel by private car with a driver for about six hours, and only your group participates in this part of the experience.

That private vehicle is valuable because the southern route includes several stops spread across the region. You are not tied to a large coach group, and you can move between the sites without arranging separate transport. The day is still busy, though. With La Vanille Nature Park, the tea plantation, rum distillery, Grand Bassin, Gris Gris, and La Roche qui pleure all listed, you should expect a full schedule rather than a slow day at one attraction.

The route also gives you a better sense of Mauritius beyond the northern beach towns. You see wildlife, religious sites, food and drink production, and rough coastal scenery in one trip.

La Vanille Nature Park and the Hungry Crocodile lunch

La Vanille Nature Park is the wildlife stop. The tour specifically includes the chance to observe giant tortoises and crocodiles, with admission included.

That makes the park a strong choice for families and for anyone who wants more than coastal scenery. Giant tortoises are an especially distinctive feature of the visit, while the crocodiles add a more unusual edge. The supplied details do not specify how long you spend inside the park or which other exhibits are included, so I would ask the driver about the day’s timing.

Lunch is listed at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant. Unlike the boat lunch, the exact menu is not stated, but the tour describes it as a delicious lunch menu. If food is a major reason you are booking, request the current menu and mention any restrictions before the tour.

The park name and restaurant name make this a memorable part of the route, but do not confuse the stop with a wilderness safari. It is a nature park, and the confirmed highlights are giant tortoises and crocodiles.

Bois Cheri Tea Plantation and the rum distillery

Mauritius has a long association with sugar and tea production, and the second day gives you a look at that working side of the island.

At Bois Cheri Tea Plantation, you learn about the history of tea cultivation and the tea-making process. This is useful context after a beach-heavy stay. You are not simply looking at a scenic plantation. You are seeing how a familiar drink becomes a local product and part of Mauritius’s economy and identity.

The itinerary also includes a rum distillery. No distillery name, tasting details, or minimum age rules are given, so you should confirm what the visit involves. It may be primarily a production stop, or it may include sampling, but the provided information does not promise a tasting.

I like having both tea and rum on the same route because they show different parts of Mauritius’s food and drink culture. Still, those who do not drink alcohol can enjoy the distillery as a production visit, but should not book it solely for a promised tasting.

Grand Bassin and the southern coast

The tour introduces Hindu culture through temples around Grand Bassin, a crater lake in the interior. This adds a cultural layer that the catamaran day cannot provide.

You should approach this stop with respect. The itinerary describes temple visits, but it does not give a detailed guide to dress, photography, or religious etiquette. Ask your driver what is appropriate before entering the temple areas.

The route then heads toward the rugged southern coastline, including Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure, also called the rock that cries. These stops offer a sharp contrast with the calm beach scenes in the north. Here, the coast is presented as rougher and more dramatic, with the sea shaping the rock and shoreline.

Do not expect the same swimming conditions as at a sheltered island beach. The value of these stops is the change in scenery and the chance to see a less polished side of Mauritius. The six-hour day gives you a broad sample, but not unlimited time at each viewpoint.

Shared boat, private car: what the group setup means

The different group arrangements are central to the experience.

On day one, you share the catamaran with other people. The description specifically notes that the cruise is common and may be crowded. That can be a drawback for couples seeking peace, but it also helps keep the price down and gives the sailing day a social feel.

On day two, the car and driver are private for your group. This is the better day for people who value flexibility and personal space. The driver handles the route, and you avoid the delays that can come with collecting a large group at many hotels.

Pickup is offered, but the stated start and end point is Grand Baie Public Beach. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when you book, especially if you are staying outside Grand Baie. Confirmation is expected within 48 hours, subject to availability, so do not leave this until the last minute if your schedule is tight.

The experience is described as wheelchair accessible, which is an important advantage. Accessibility can vary between a vehicle, boat, beach access point, and individual attraction, so it is sensible to confirm your specific needs in advance.

The optional villa and the real cost

The advertised price is $82.22 per person, but accommodation is extra. You can choose a private villa with two bedrooms that sleeps four, though the additional rate is not provided.

This means the headline price is best understood as the cost of the two touring days, not a full package with overnight lodging. If four people share the villa, the added accommodation cost may be easier to manage per person. If you are booking alone or as a couple, compare the villa price with your existing hotel before choosing it.

The tour itself offers good value for someone who wants several major sights without arranging separate transport. The included BBQ, beer and wine, private car and driver, nature park admission, and southern route all help justify the price.

The value is weaker if you only want a quiet private sailing trip, a single beach day, or a slow cultural tour. You are paying for range and convenience, and the schedule reflects that.

Who should book this Mauritius experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several sides of Mauritius in a short stay. It suits families who like wildlife, couples who want both sea and inland scenery, and first-time visitors who prefer one organized plan instead of separate bookings.

It also suits anyone who values a private car on sightseeing day. The driver-led southern route removes the need to navigate between distant stops, while the catamaran provides a simple way to reach the northern islands.

I would be more cautious if you dislike shared excursions. Day one is not private, and the catamaran may be crowded. I would also reconsider if you need a highly relaxed pace, since day two includes many stops in only six hours.

For the best chance of enjoying the cruise, keep your schedule flexible and do not place it immediately before your departure. The islands are outside the reef, and poor weather can cancel or alter the sailing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your ideal Mauritius holiday includes one social boat day and one private sightseeing day. The combination is broad, practical, and fairly priced for the number of included activities.

Skip it if your priority is privacy on the water, a guaranteed landing at every named island, or a slow day with long stays at each stop. Before paying, confirm the villa cost, pickup details, the exact BBQ menu, snorkeling equipment, and what happens if weather changes the northern route.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Weather or minimum-participation cancellations can lead to another date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts approximately two days. Day one is about seven hours, and day two is about six hours.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Grand Baie Public Beach in Grand Baie, Mauritius.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the catamaran cruise private?

No. The catamaran cruise is a shared trip with other people. The second day by private car is for your group only.

Are Flat Island, Ile Gabriel, and Coin de Mire included?

The northern-island cruise includes the area around Flat Island and Ile Gabriel, with Coin de Mire included in the described northern-island experience. The information does not confirm that you land on every named island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Day one includes a BBQ lunch with beer and wine. Day two includes a lunch menu at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant.

Is accommodation included?

No. A private villa with two bedrooms sleeping four is available for an additional cost.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The tour is described as wheelchair accessible.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time.