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

The best part is lunch on a beach. This full-day catamaran trip from Grand Baie combines three northern islands, snorkeling, turquoise water, and a generous BBQ lunch served on Ile Plate. I especially like that you set foot on both Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, rather than simply sailing past them, and that the return journey often turns into a relaxed music-and-rum-punch party.

The main drawback is the sea crossing. It can be choppy, particularly from June through September, and the trip can feel less comfortable if you suffer from seasickness. Snorkeling is also self-guided, with currents and stony patches in places, so this is best for confident swimmers who enjoy an active day at sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Lunch is served on Ile Plate: You eat a BBQ meal on the island, not just on the boat.
• Ilot Gabriel is reached by dinghy: The catamaran anchors offshore, then a small boat takes you to the beach for roughly 45 to 60 minutes.
• Coin de Mire is viewed from the water: You pass close to this dramatic third island, but nobody lands there.
• The return cruise is usually the liveliest part: Music, drinks, dancing, and a cheerful crew often turn the ride home into a party.
• Snorkeling gear is not included: Bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins, or arrange them separately.
• Weather controls the itinerary: The captain can cancel, reschedule, or skip an island if sea conditions are unsafe.

Why this seven-hour cruise is worth considering

At $70 per person, this is a strong-value way to see several of Mauritius’s northern islands in one day. The cost includes the catamaran cruise, dinghy transfers, access to the islands, BBQ lunch, juice, beer, and other drinks. You are paying for more than a boat ride, since the trip combines transport, food, swimming time, and a social atmosphere.

I like the balance between time on the water and time ashore. You get the changing colors of the sea, broad views of the islands, and the simple pleasure of standing on a quiet beach rather than viewing everything from a crowded waterfront. The day also suits solo visitors, couples, and families with older children who can manage a boat, dinghy, and uneven beach access.

There are limits. You may spend around an hour and a half reaching the islands, and the sea can be rough. Some departures carry more than 40 people, which can make boarding and disembarking slow. Still, the catamaran is generally described as a decent size, and many departures feel organized once the boat gets underway.

Meeting the catamaran at Grand Baie

The meeting point is halfway along the beach in Grand Baie, opposite the red Express bus for Port Louis and near the shop called Highlights. The operator asks you to provide a valid WhatsApp number when booking. Once you are in Mauritius, you can receive a written description, video, and Google location to help you find the right place.

The first boarding step can be confusing. You wait on the public beach and then take a dinghy from shore to the catamaran, rather than walking directly onto the larger boat from a pier. It is worth arriving with enough time to identify the crew and ask where to leave your belongings.

Shoes are not worn on the catamaran, so pack your footwear in a small bag. Water shoes are useful later for the island beaches and shallow water, but you will not need them during the cruise itself. Keep your phone, camera, towel, and sunscreen in a waterproof bag if you plan to sit at the front.

The cruise north through Mauritius’s changing sea colors

The catamaran ride is a major part of the experience, not merely a transfer between stops. From Grand Baie, you see Mauritius from a low, open position on the water. The coast recedes behind you, and the sea shifts through different shades as the boat reaches deeper water and the islands come into view.

The front of the catamaran gives you the most open view and the strongest sense of speed. It also gets wet. One couple found the spray made the ride especially fun, while another visitor found sitting on deck helpful with nausea. If you want dry clothes and calmer conditions, choose a more sheltered position and keep a spare layer nearby.

The crossing can be smooth and fast when the weather cooperates. On rougher days, waves may make the first leg uncomfortable. One practical tip is to avoid arriving on an empty stomach if you are prone to motion sickness, but do not skip food if you need it to feel well. Ask a pharmacist or doctor about seasickness medication before your trip if this is a concern.

The crew generally keeps the mood light and helps with boarding and disembarking. Safety instructions come first, and the captain’s decision about sea conditions is final. That matters here because the open Indian Ocean can change quickly, especially in the cooler winter months.

Ilot Gabriel, a short visit on a beautiful beach

The catamaran cannot always reach the beach directly, so it anchors according to water depth. You then transfer by dinghy to Ilot Gabriel. The ride takes only a short time, but getting in and out of the small boat requires balance and cooperation.

You normally have about 45 to 60 minutes on Ilot Gabriel. That is enough for a quick walk, photographs, and a swim, but it is not a long island exploration. The attraction is the beach and the water, not a long list of sights. Expect a simple, natural setting where the pleasure comes from sand, sea, sky, and the feeling of being away from the main island.

Bring only what you need ashore. You will want swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, and perhaps a waterproof phone pouch. Since the stop is fairly short, do not waste much of it searching through bags or waiting for equipment.

The islands can become busy, with several boats visiting at the same time. Even so, the beach remains the focus, and the water gives you a chance to cool off before lunch. If you prefer long, quiet beach walks, this schedule may feel rushed. If you want to sample several places in one day, the shorter stop works well.

Ile Plate, where the BBQ lunch is served

The most distinctive feature of this tour is lunch on Ile Plate. After Ilot Gabriel, the crew collects you and takes you to the second island, where the BBQ is set up and served in a beach setting. This is more memorable than eating inside the catamaran, particularly with the sea close by and the green island surroundings around you.

The meal is usually described as plentiful, with enough food for seconds. The menu is BBQ-style, and the overall quality receives strong praise. One departure also catered well for vegan diners, though you should still tell the operator about dietary needs before the day if you require something specific.

Drinks include juice, beer, and other refreshments. The supply is generous, but not every drink is necessarily cold, and bottled water may not be provided in the way you expect. Bring extra drinking water if you can, or confirm what is available before leaving Grand Baie. Wind, sun, salt, and swimming can leave you thirstier than expected.

Eating on the island also creates a natural pause in the schedule. You can sit down, dry off, and enjoy a proper meal rather than grabbing food between activities. The setting is the real bonus: lunch feels like part of the outing instead of a break from it.

There is a small environmental concern. Heavy boat traffic can mean rubbish on parts of the islands, and some areas feel busy when many operators arrive together. Take your own waste with you and avoid leaving anything behind. The islands are beautiful partly because they remain relatively undeveloped, so small acts of care matter.

Swimming and snorkeling in shallow island water

After lunch, you have time to swim and snorkel around the islands. The snorkeling is self-guided rather than a formal group session. That gives you freedom to stay in shallow water or swim farther according to your ability, but it also means you must judge currents and conditions for yourself.

The water can be clear, and you may see plenty of small fish in the shallows. Some people have also encountered turtles and stingrays, and one trip had a paid turtle encounter with clear instructions about keeping a respectful distance. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so treat them as a bonus rather than the main reason to book.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment. Masks, snorkels, and fins are not included. Fins are particularly useful because currents can be noticeable, and parts of the seabed are stony. Water shoes help when walking through shallow water or over rough patches, but they do not replace good swimming judgment.

Do not expect a pristine coral garden on every visit. High boat traffic has affected some snorkeling areas, and the underwater conditions can be ordinary in places. The strongest appeal is the combination of swimming, island scenery, and open sea, rather than a specialist reef excursion.

Non-swimmers can relax on the beach, but the tour is built around water access. There may not be a separate structured activity for anyone who does not want to swim. Pregnant women and people with mobility impairments should choose another outing, since the catamaran, dinghy, beach, and uneven footing make access difficult.

Coin de Mire, the island you see from the sea

Coin de Mire is the third island on the route, but you do not land there. The catamaran passes as close as water depth and safety allow, giving you views of its rocky shape from offshore.

This stop is best understood as a scenic sailing pass, not an island visit. You will not have time to walk ashore or snorkel directly from Coin de Mire. The reward is the changing view as the boat approaches, passes nearby, and then turns back toward Mauritius.

This is also a good point to keep your camera ready. The island looks different from the catamaran than the low sandy beaches of Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate. Together, the three stops give the day some variety: one short beach landing, one lunch and swim stop, and one offshore viewpoint.

The return ride, music, drinks, and possible wildlife

The return journey is often the most social part of the day. Once the swimming and island visits are finished, the crew may play music, serve drinks, and encourage dancing. Several departures developed into a proper onboard party, with rum and music helping everyone relax after a long day in the sun.

The atmosphere is friendly rather than formal. You may meet solo visitors, couples, and families sharing the same deck, and the crew has sometimes helped celebrate birthdays. If you prefer a quiet sail, this may feel noisy. If you like music and a communal mood, it is a welcome finish.

Keep watch for wildlife on the return. Dolphins and humpback whales have been spotted on some trips, including a boat that changed course so the group could watch whales. These sightings depend entirely on luck and conditions, but they add real excitement when they happen.

The return can also be wetter than expected. Protect cameras and electronics, and do not leave important items loose on the deck. The trip is scheduled for about seven hours, though delays at the start or longer boarding times can push the finish slightly later.

What the $70 price really covers

The $70 price makes the outing appealing because the main extras are already included. You receive:

• The catamaran ride to and from the northern islands
• Dinghy transport between the beach, catamaran, and island
• Access to Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate
• The offshore pass by Coin de Mire
• BBQ lunch
• Juice, beer, and other drinks

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Grand Baie. Snorkeling equipment is also extra or self-supplied. Once you add transport to the meeting point and any equipment rental, your total cost may be higher than the headline price.

Even with those additions, the package offers solid value for a full day. A private boat would cost much more, while a simple beach day would not give you the same range of views or the boat-party atmosphere. The trade-off is that you share the boat, follow the captain’s timetable, and accept whatever sea conditions the day brings.

Who should book, and who should skip it

I would choose this cruise if you want a lively, social day with several scenic stops, a filling lunch, and plenty of time around the water. It is especially suitable if you are happy with self-guided snorkeling and do not need a quiet, private boat.

You should think twice if you get seasick, dislike wet boat rides, or want long, peaceful hours on an empty beach. The islands are beautiful, but the stops are not designed for slow exploration. People with limited mobility and pregnant women should also avoid this activity because of the dinghy transfers and uneven shore access.

Pack sunscreen generously. You are exposed to sun and wind for much of the day, and the ocean can make the heat less obvious. Add swimwear, a towel, comfortable clothing, water shoes, snorkeling gear, spare clothes, and extra drinking water if possible.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Weather can still change the plan at short notice, and the captain may cancel, reschedule, or omit one or more islands when conditions are unsafe. That is frustrating, but it is the right call on an open-water trip.

Should you book this Grand Baie island cruise?

Book it if your ideal Mauritius day includes a catamaran ride, two beach landings, island BBQ, swimming, and music on the way home. The combination is hard to match at $70, and the crew’s friendly service is one of the strongest parts of the experience.

Skip it if you need calm water, controlled snorkeling, or a small private group. For everyone else, this is a fun and well-priced way to see Mauritius from the sea. Just bring water shoes, protect your belongings from spray, and accept that the ocean, not the timetable, has the final say.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The activity lasts about seven hours, including the cruise, island visits, lunch, snorkeling, and return journey. A delayed start or slow boarding can sometimes make the finish slightly later.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire. You set foot on Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, while Coin de Mire is viewed from the catamaran because landing there is not part of the trip.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on Ile Plate, and the food is generally plentiful. Vegan options have been available on some departures, but you should communicate dietary needs in advance.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks include juice, beer, and other refreshments. Extra drinking water is still a good idea because bottled water may not always be supplied.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins. Water shoes are also useful for the beach and stony areas in the shallows.

Can I land directly from the catamaran?

The catamaran anchors near the islands according to water depth. A dinghy takes you between the catamaran and the beach, including the trip to Ilot Gabriel.

Is Coin de Mire a landing stop?

No. The catamaran passes close to Coin de Mire where conditions allow, but nobody sets foot on the island.

Can weather change the itinerary?

Yes. The captain can cancel or reschedule the trip if weather makes it unsafe. Rough sea conditions, especially between June and September, can also make it impossible to visit all three islands.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet halfway along Grand Baie beach, opposite the red Express bus for Port Louis and near the shop named Highlights. Providing a valid WhatsApp number allows the operator to send a written location guide, video, and Google location once you are in Mauritius.