Grand Bay: Catamaran Cruise to Flat Island with BBQ Lunch

The northern islands make a memorable day at sea. This seven-hour cruise from Grand Baie to Île Plate, also called Flat Island, combines open-water sailing, lagoon swimming, snorkeling, a BBQ lunch, and time to walk along a quiet island. I especially like the scenery around Cap Malheureux and Coin de Mire, plus the chance to see the white-tailed tropicbird, known locally as the paille en queue. The main thing to consider is comfort: boats can carry more than 50 people, and seating for eating may be limited.

I also like that the day is not locked into one rigid activity. You can swim, snorkel at your own pace, stretch out on the beach, or walk the island trails. Still, this is not a quiet sailing retreat. Music may play loudly for much of the day, and rough seas can make the ride uncomfortable. At $70 per person, the price is fair if you want a full day on the water with lunch and drinks, but less appealing if you want a small, peaceful boat trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Flat Island sits about 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux, at the northern edge of Mauritius near Round Island.
• The trip begins with a dinghy transfer from Grand Baie beach, followed by boarding the larger catamaran offshore.
• Lunch includes fish, chicken, bread, salad, dessert, and drinks, including beer, wine, local rum, water, and soft drinks.
• Sea conditions shape the day, with rough water sometimes causing nausea and changing the schedule.
• Music can be very loud, making this a better match for a lively group than for anyone seeking peace and quiet.
• Coin de Mire is seen from the water, but the cruise does not land there.

Leaving Grand Baie by dinghy and catamaran

Your day starts on the beach at Grand Baie, roughly midway along the beach area. A member of the crew is supposed to meet you there and guide you to the small boat used for the transfer. You then take the dinghy out to the catamaran and climb aboard.

That first step matters. You are not simply walking from a pier onto a boat, so wear swimwear or clothing you can move in, and keep your bag manageable. The transfer also means you should expect to get your feet wet. A towel, sunscreen, and swimwear are essential, not optional extras.

The catamaran then heads north along the coast. Keep your camera ready as the boat passes views toward Grand Baie, Pereybere, and Cap Malheureux. This part of the cruise gives you a fine sense of Mauritius from the water, with the coast behind you and the northern islands ahead.

The boat itself is part of the experience, but it is not necessarily spacious. One account described more than 50 people aboard, with around 40 cockpit seats and only about 10 places at a table. That means some people may sit on deck or eat with a plate on their knees. If comfort and personal space are high on your list, this is the biggest practical warning.

The northern route toward Île Plate

Île Plate is a low, open island near Round Island, about 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux. Its appeal is simple: beach, clear lagoon water, open sky, and a slower pace than the resort coast.

The approach is usually one of the best parts of the day. You watch the island grow from a distant shape into a place where you can swim and walk without a packed sightseeing schedule. The water around the northern islands is also known for tropical fish, so bring a mask if you have one, even though snorkeling is included.

The crossing can be smooth, but you should not count on it. Strong wind and rain have affected some departures, and rough water has caused many people to feel seasick. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring travel tablets and take the conditions seriously. The crew may change boats or adjust the plan when the sea is unsafe. That flexibility is a good safety measure, though it can mean the boat you board is not the one originally expected.

The trip is not suitable for pregnant women. Everyone else should still think about their comfort on open water, particularly if you do not enjoy rolling seas or a long ride in wind and spray.

Beach time, swimming, and island walks

Once you reach Flat Island, you are given free time to choose your own pace. You can relax on the beach, swim in the lagoon, snorkel, or walk along the island trails.

I like this loose structure because it lets you make the island portion your own. You do not have to join a demanding activity, and you can spend the afternoon simply sitting near the water. If you enjoy taking photographs or looking for birds, keep an eye out for the paille en queue, Mauritius’s striking white-tailed tropicbird.

The snorkeling is described as self-paced, according to your own ability. That is useful for mixed groups, since confident swimmers can spend longer in the water while others stay close to shore. At times, if the weather and sea are suitable, the crew may also stop for snorkeling in open water on the return journey.

Do not expect to land on Coin de Mire. The route passes as close as possible to this island, but the boat does not set foot there. You may get a good view of it and, depending on conditions, snorkel around the island area, but Coin de Mire is not an additional island visit.

There is one timing issue to watch. The plan allows free time on Flat Island, but the amount can vary. A report from one departure described only about an hour on the islands, with the buffet served on the boat rather than on shore. So if your main goal is a long island walk or a full afternoon on the beach, ask for the expected landing and lunch arrangements before departure.

What to expect from the BBQ lunch

The included meal is a practical part of the value. BBQ fish and chicken are served with bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks include beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke, with juice and other soft drinks also available.

The food has received mixed reactions. Some departures have served a tasty lunch with enough time to eat and relax. Other feedback has found the lunch and included drink disappointing. Seating is also a concern. With limited tables, you may be eating from your knees rather than sitting at a formal table.

I would treat this as a casual boat barbecue, not a restaurant meal. The appeal is having lunch during a full-day island outing without paying separately for every drink. The meal works best when you value convenience and a social atmosphere more than presentation or quiet dining.

If you have a special diet, the available information does not confirm alternatives. You should ask the operator before booking rather than assume the menu can be changed. The listed meal includes fish and chicken, along with salad, bread, and dessert.

Music, crowd size, and the feel onboard

The atmosphere can make or break this cruise. Loud music has been a serious complaint on some departures, playing from morning until the return. If you enjoy a party boat, that may be a plus. If you want to hear the sea, the wind, and the sails, it may become tiring.

The crew has also received mixed marks. Some departures have had a friendly, safety-conscious team that handled rough weather carefully. One especially positive account described the captain taking strong wind and rain seriously, with the crew watching passenger safety closely. The crew also chose a different boat when the original group included families with children and the conditions looked too rough for them. That is the sort of judgment I want from a boat operator.

At the same time, some people have found the onboard staff less helpful. The difference may come down to the specific crew and conditions on the day. You should go in expecting a shared, active excursion rather than personal service.

The reported overall rating is 3.9 out of 5 from 30 ratings. That feels consistent with the experience: beautiful islands, good swimming, and a full day of included food and drinks, balanced by crowding, loud music, rough seas, and uneven lunch quality.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the cruise includes a lot for a seven-hour outing. You get the catamaran trip, dinghy transfers, lunch, drinks, a swimming and snorkeling stop, and time around Flat Island. If you were arranging those pieces separately, the total would likely be higher, though the exact comparison depends on local prices.

The value is strongest for you if you want a complete day with no need to plan lunch or arrange a private boat. Families with older children, couples who enjoy social boat trips, and groups looking for a lively day may find the price sensible.

The value is weaker if you mainly want peace, space, or a long island stay. A crowded catamaran with limited seating and loud music can feel less worthwhile than a smaller premium cruise, even if that alternative costs more.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must reach Grand Baie beach yourself and locate the person assigned to welcome you. The meeting point is described as midway along the beach, so allow time to find the correct place before the scheduled start.

The operator allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The date and start time can change when weather conditions are unsuitable. Check availability for the precise departure time, since the seven-hour duration does not by itself tell you when the boat leaves.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this day to you if you:

• Want to see Mauritius’s northern islands without arranging a private charter
• Enjoy swimming and snorkeling but prefer to choose your own pace
• Like social, music-filled boat trips
• Want lunch and drinks included in the price
• Are comfortable with a possible dinghy transfer and wet boarding
• Can handle open-water conditions reasonably well

I would think twice if you:

• Need a quiet boat and low music
• Get seasick easily
• Require guaranteed table seating
• Want several hours to explore Flat Island
• Expect a polished meal service
• Are pregnant

The cruise is also a better fit for adults and confident swimmers than for very young children when the sea is rough. The crew may make safety changes when conditions turn difficult, but the ride can still be physically demanding.

Practical tips for a better day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a small water-resistant bag. Since you board from a dinghy, avoid bringing anything you would worry about getting splashed.

Take motion-sickness medicine if you need it. Rough conditions are not guaranteed, but they are possible, and the crossing can be uncomfortable when the water builds.

Wear footwear that works on a beach and island trail. The information provided does not specify the surface of every trail, so practical shoes are more useful than delicate sandals.

Ask about the expected island time and lunch location before boarding. The plan describes lunch on Île Plate, but at least one departure served the buffet on the catamaran and allowed only about an hour around the islands.

If you want a seat at a table, board early and ask the crew where dining will take place. Even then, table seating may be limited. Think of the meal as an informal BBQ, and you will be less likely to feel disappointed.

Finally, confirm the weather before setting out. Conditions can change the start time, boat assignment, snorkeling, and the general comfort of the trip. A flexible attitude will help.

Should you book the Flat Island catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a social, full-day northern-island outing with swimming, snorkeling, BBQ food, drinks, and plenty of scenery for $70. Flat Island and the surrounding water are the real draw, and the safety-minded crew response in rough weather is encouraging.

Skip it if your ideal day means a quiet deck, a well-spaced boat, leisurely island exploration, and a carefully served lunch. This is a busy catamaran excursion, and loud music and rough seas can outweigh the beautiful setting for some people.

My call: it is a solid-value choice for an active day on the water, provided you accept the crowd, the casual seating, and the possibility of weather-related changes.

FAQ

Where does the cruise meet?

The meeting point is on Grand Baie beach, around the midway area. A representative is assigned to welcome you there.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Grand Baie beach.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

How do I board the catamaran?

You first take a small dinghy from Grand Baie beach and then board the catamaran from the water.

What food is included?

The BBQ includes fish, chicken, bread, salad, and dessert.

What drinks are included?

Drinks may include beer, wine, local rum, water, Coke, juice, and other soft drinks.

Do I visit Coin de Mire?

No. The boat passes as close as possible to Coin de Mire but does not land there. Snorkeling may be available around the island area when sea conditions permit.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A small bag that can handle water splashes is also practical for the dinghy transfer.

Can the activity change because of weather?

Yes. The date and time may change if weather conditions are unsuitable. Rough seas can also affect the route, snorkeling, and comfort onboard.