North East of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

Mauritius looks best from the water. I like the friendly crew and easygoing mood, and I like the fresh BBQ lunch served with plenty of drinks. The mangroves at L’ile d’Ambre add a quiet, unusual stop that feels far removed from the resort coast.

The main caution is that this is not a long-distance sailing trip. You stay close to Grand Gaube, and the snorkeling can feel underwhelming if you expect a dramatic reef. The price is fair for the food, open bar, and full day at sea, but your enjoyment will depend heavily on the weather and your expectations.

Key points at a glance

• A 10:00 am departure from Grand Gaube: Meet at the Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort jetty by 9:30 am, with the boat returning around 4:00 pm.
• The mangroves are the most distinctive stop: L’ile d’Ambre offers a calm break among mangroves, with time for a drink and a change of pace from open water.
• Lunch is served on deck: Expect grilled fish, BBQ chicken, sausage, seafood, salads, bread, vegetables, fruit, and vegetarian choices.
• Drinks are part of the package: Wine, Phoenix beer, local rum, cocktails, fruit juice, soft drinks, and water are included.
• Bernaches Island is for simple beach time: You get about 90 minutes to swim, walk, snorkel, or sit on the sand.
• Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you care about fit: The tour allows you to use personal gear, which can make the lagoon stop more comfortable.

Starting the day at Grand Gaube

You meet the Blue Safari Mauritius team at the jetty of the Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort in Grand Gaube at 9:30 am. The catamaran leaves at 10:00 am, so arrive ready to board rather than treating the meeting time as a loose suggestion.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. That matters if you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius. You will need to arrange your own way to Grand Gaube, and the meeting point is specifically the resort jetty.

The boat trip lasts about six and a half hours. That gives you a full morning and afternoon on the water, but the schedule is not packed with many separate attractions. The value comes from the relaxed pace, the meal, the drinks, and the chance to swim in several settings.

The crew speaks English and French. Previous feedback points to a captain with a good sense of humor and a warm, friendly approach. That atmosphere matters on a catamaran, where the crew’s mood can shape the whole day more than a list of scheduled stops.

Cruising the Northeast Coast

After leaving Grand Gaube, the catamaran heads toward L’ile d’Ambre and its mangrove area. Do not expect a long open-ocean crossing or a route that covers a large section of Mauritius. One useful piece of practical advice is to set your expectations early: this is a coastal outing, not a serious sailing voyage.

That can be a plus. You spend more time close to sheltered lagoons and less time committed to a long passage. If you enjoy sitting in the sun, watching the shoreline, and taking the day slowly, the shorter route works well.

If you book this expecting hours under sail, you may be disappointed. One piece of feedback described only a very short period of sailing, while another noted that the boat does not travel far. The catamaran is best understood as a floating base for swimming, lunch, drinks, and beach time.

Find a place where you can get shade when needed. You will want sun protection throughout the day, and a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light jacket are all specifically worth packing. A waterproof bag is also useful for keeping clothes, phones, and other items dry.

Snorkeling in the Grand Gaube lagoon

The first main water stop runs from about 10:00 am until noon. You can swim and snorkel in the turquoise lagoon near Grand Gaube, with assistance from the crew.

The water is the attraction here. You get a chance to cool off early in the day, and the lagoon provides a more active start before lunch. If you enjoy a relaxed swim rather than a long guided snorkeling session, this timing gives you enough freedom to choose how much time you spend in the water.

I would keep expectations measured. One person found the snorkeling in this area not especially worthwhile, and the tour does not promise a major reef site or a long marine-life encounter. The rules also ask you not to touch marine life or plants, which is good practice and should be followed carefully.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have equipment that fits you well. Personal gear can make a real difference, especially if you dislike sharing or adjusting unfamiliar equipment. The supplied information confirms that bringing your own snorkeling equipment is allowed.

You should also know that the trip is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. Even on a calm day, a catamaran can move with the water. If you already use motion sickness pills, bring them with you, as they are specifically recommended among the essentials.

The calm side of L’ile d’Ambre

After swimming, the catamaran heads toward the mangroves of L’ile d’Ambre. This is the most unusual part of the outing. Instead of another open beach or another stretch of water, you get a quieter setting among mangrove plants and sheltered channels.

The schedule describes time to relax in the mangroves with a cocktail. That simple pause may be the day’s best moment. You have already been in the water, but lunch has not yet arrived, so the mangrove stop breaks up the morning without adding pressure.

The setting is also a useful reminder that Mauritius offers more than white sand and resort beaches. Mangroves create a different kind of coastal scenery, with narrow water passages and plant life at the edge of the lagoon. You should not expect a formal wildlife tour, but the area is described as having abundant wildlife and a peaceful feel.

This is where the included drinks become valuable. Local rum, wine, Phoenix beer, cocktails, juices, soft drinks, and mineral water are available. One person specifically praised the unlimited drinks, so this package suits you if you like a leisurely social day rather than a bare-bones boat ride.

Drink sensibly in the sun. Alcohol, heat, and swimming are not a great mix if you overdo any one of them. Water and soft drinks are included, so you can keep the day comfortable without paying extra for basic refreshments.

BBQ lunch on the catamaran

Lunch is served on the deck around noon. You eat while the catamaran is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, which gives the meal a pleasant sense of occasion without turning it into a formal dining experience.

The standard menu includes rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, a seafood dish, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit. The food is practical and generous in variety, with enough different items to suit most appetites.

Vegetarians have a separate menu with rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit. The children’s menu is listed as the same as the adult menu, so families should not expect a separate child-sized selection.

The food is one of the strongest parts of the outing. The BBQ is served fresh on board, and direct feedback praised both the meal and its quality. I would view lunch as a major part of the $80 price, especially because the drinks are included too.

Do not expect restaurant-style service or a highly elaborate meal. This is a casual catamaran BBQ, and the charm comes from eating on deck with sea views. For a day on the water, that is exactly the right level of formality.

Bernaches Island from 1:00 pm

After lunch, the catamaran sails toward Bernaches Island. You have time there from about 1:00 pm until 2:30 pm, giving you roughly 90 minutes to choose your own pace.

You can walk along the sandy shoreline, swim in the clear lagoon, snorkel, or simply sit in the sun. This is a useful change from the boat because you can stretch your legs and enjoy a little independent time.

Bernaches Island is not presented as a major sightseeing stop with a long list of landmarks. Its appeal is simple: sand, clear water, and a break from sitting on the catamaran. If you like unstructured beach time, you will appreciate it. If you need constant activity, the stop may feel short or too quiet.

Bring a cover-up and a change of clothes. You may be wet from the morning swim, and sitting on a beach in a damp swimsuit for the rest of the afternoon is not comfortable. A towel, waterproof bag, and lightweight jacket also belong in your day pack.

The boat returns to the Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort jetty around 4:00 pm. That gives you a clear finish time, useful if you have dinner plans or need to arrange transport afterward.

Food, drinks, and the $80 price

At $80 per person, this cruise offers solid value if you use the inclusions. You receive about six and a half hours on the catamaran, a BBQ lunch, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, a snorkeling stop, mangrove time, and a beach visit.

The price looks less attractive if you mainly want a long sailing experience or exceptional snorkeling. The route stays near the Northeast Coast, and the snorkeling has received mixed feedback. You are paying for a relaxed package rather than for distance or a specialist reef excursion.

I would compare this with the cost of buying lunch, drinks, and a boat trip separately. The included beverages make the package easier to budget, particularly if you enjoy wine, beer, rum, or cocktails. Water, juices, soft drinks, and fruit are also covered, so you are not forced to pay extra for refreshments.

The meal has good range. Fish, chicken, sausage, seafood, salads, vegetables, bread, and fruit create a fuller lunch than a simple sandwich or snack box. The vegetarian option is clearly specified, which helps you decide ahead of time.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a social, easygoing day on the water with food and drinks already arranged. It suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy swimming but do not need a tightly guided activity from morning to afternoon.

It is also a good fit if the mangrove stop appeals to you. That detail gives the trip more character than a basic boat ride that goes only from one beach to another.

You may want to choose another excursion if snorkeling is your main reason for booking. The lagoon stop is convenient, but the available feedback does not suggest a standout underwater site. A person looking for serious marine life or a long sailing passage could find this day too modest.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is not recommended for people prone to seasickness. You should also be comfortable boarding and spending much of the day on a boat, with time on sand and in the water.

Weather, sea conditions, and smart packing

The captain can change the route if the sea is rough or impassable. In that case, the boat may head to Gunners Coin or Casita Beach instead of following the planned route.

That flexibility is a safety feature, not a reason to worry. It does mean you should treat the mangroves and Bernaches Island as intended stops, not guaranteed scenery in every condition.

Pack the following:

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Towel and waterproof bag
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• Comfortable beachwear and a cover-up
• Light jacket or waterproof jacket
• Personal snorkeling equipment, if preferred
• Motion sickness pills, if necessary

Pets are not allowed, except assistance dogs. Littering and touching marine life or plants are also prohibited. Those rules help protect the coastal areas and keep the outing pleasant for everyone on board.

Should you book the Grand Gaube cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed full day with a friendly crew, a fresh BBQ, unlimited drink options, and a mix of lagoon, mangrove, and beach time. The best reasons to choose it are the easy social atmosphere, the meal, and the unusual mangrove pause.

Think twice if your priority is serious snorkeling, long-distance sailing, or a packed sightseeing schedule. The boat stays close to Grand Gaube, and the snorkeling may feel ordinary.

For most people, the $80 price is reasonable when you value the open bar and lunch as much as the boat ride. Bring sun protection, arrive at the jetty by 9:30 am, and board with a relaxed attitude. This is a pleasant Mauritius day on the water, not a high-adrenaline marine expedition.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The tour starts at the jetty of the Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort in Grand Gaube, Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should meet the team at the jetty at 9:30 am. The catamaran departs at 10:00 am.

What time does the cruise finish?

The catamaran returns to the Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort jetty at about 4:00 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

What food is served for lunch?

The BBQ includes salads, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, a seafood dish, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit.

Is there a vegetarian lunch option?

Yes. The vegetarian menu includes salads, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks include local rum, red, rosé and white wine, Phoenix beer, cocktails, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water.

Can I bring my own snorkeling equipment?

Yes. You can bring your own snorkeling gear if you prefer.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The captain may change the route for safety. The alternative destinations listed are Gunners Coin or Casita Beach.

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

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or people prone to seasickness.