Your Island Voyage Mauritius Speed Boat Excursion With BBQ Lunch

The best day on Mauritius may be offshore. This private speedboat outing links Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire in one well-paced day, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beach rest, and a generous BBQ lunch. I like the small-group setup, which gives your party the whole boat, and I like the mix of active stops and slow beach time.

I also like the care shown by Stéphane and Coco, who are repeatedly praised for friendly service, strong boat handling, and attention to safety. The main consideration is the early start and the six-and-a-half-hour length. If you are staying in southern Mauritius, reaching Cap Malheureux can take planning, and sea conditions may change the route.

Key Points Before You Book

• Three northern islands in one morning and afternoon: Visit Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire without joining a large shared boat.
• Private boat for up to eight people: The $615.47 group price works out to about $76.93 per person when eight people share it.
• BBQ lunch on Ile Plate: Expect seafood, meat, local side dishes, fresh fruit juice, and Mauritian rum.
• Several chances to snorkel: Equipment is supplied, with sessions at Ilot Gabriel and Coin de Mire.
• A practical meeting point: Meet at 2J8C+365 in Cap Malheureux, close to the Red-Roofed Church, and arrive early.
• Good service with a safety-first approach: English or French guiding is provided by a certified guide and crew.

Why This Private Northern Mauritius Trip Works

Northern Mauritius has a different feel from the island’s beach resorts. The water opens into a chain of small islands, rocky outcrops, sandbars, and quiet coves. A boat lets you see several of these places in one day, rather than spending hours getting from one beach to the next by road.

This outing is private, so only your own group takes part. That matters more than it might seem. You can settle into the boat without meeting a rotating crowd, and your day has a more personal rhythm. Families can keep together, couples can avoid a party-boat atmosphere, and a group of friends can share the cost.

The price is $615.47 for up to eight people. At full capacity, that is about $76.93 each for a private speedboat, guide, crew, snorkeling equipment, lunch, and drinks. For four people, the cost rises to about $153.87 each. It is not the cheapest way to reach the northern islands, but it becomes much better value when your group fills most of the boat.

The package also includes more than a short ride and a sandwich. You get a full half-day on the water, guided island visits, two planned snorkeling opportunities, and a beach BBQ with drinks. If you want privacy and a complete day rather than a basic transfer, the price is easier to justify.

Starting at Cap Malheureux at 8:30

Your morning begins at Cap Malheureux, one of the most recognizable points in northern Mauritius. The meeting point is 2J8C+365, near the famous Red-Roofed Church. If you drive, parking is available nearby, but I would not arrive at the last minute. The recommended arrival time is at least 30 minutes before departure, giving you time to park, find the crew, and settle in.

The formal start is 8:30 a.m. You meet the guide and crew, receive a safety briefing, and hear the plan for the day. This is useful preparation for a speedboat trip because the ride can be lively, and the crew needs to explain basic safety before leaving shore.

You need to bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, and a towel. The tour includes safety equipment and snorkeling gear, but it does not include private transportation to Cap Malheureux. Public transportation is available nearby, though the exact route depends on where you stay.

Speeding Toward Ilot Gabriel

The boat leaves Cap Malheureux at about 9 a.m. and reaches Ilot Gabriel around 9:45. The first stretch gives you an immediate sense of why a boat is useful here. You move quickly across open water, with the northern coast and offshore islands becoming the focus rather than the road behind you.

At Ilot Gabriel, you have about an hour. The stop includes a guided walk, free time on the beach, swimming, and snorkeling. That is a sensible first stop because you can choose your energy level. If you want to get in the water right away, you can snorkel. If you would rather wake up slowly, you can walk, sit on the beach, or swim in the lagoon.

The snorkeling is one of the strongest parts of the day. The tour provides the equipment, so you do not need to pack a mask and fins unless you prefer your own. Marine life can never be guaranteed, but the day’s planned stops are chosen for clear water and underwater viewing. Some outings have included dolphins, turtles, and rays, though you should treat those as possible sightings, not promises.

One hour passes quickly. You will not have time for a long island walk, extended beach lounging, and a leisurely snorkel all at once. I would choose one main activity and use the remaining minutes for a swim or a quick look around.

A Three-Hour Beach Stop at Ile Plate

The boat leaves Ilot Gabriel at about 11:30 a.m. and reaches Ile Plate around noon. This is the centerpiece of the day, with roughly three hours set aside for the island, lunch, and rest.

Ile Plate gives the trip a slower middle section. After the speed and saltwater activity of the morning, you can walk with the guide, visit the historic lighthouse, and then settle down for lunch on the beach. That change of pace is important. A day made entirely of boat rides and short swims can feel rushed, while this long stop lets you enjoy the place.

The BBQ includes seafood, meat, and local side dishes. Drinks include fresh fruit juices and Mauritian rum, prepared locally. Special diets and food allergies can be handled with advance notice, so mention them when booking rather than waiting until the morning of departure.

The meal is frequently singled out for its quality, and the service from Stéphane and Coco receives similar praise. I would keep your expectations grounded: this is a beach BBQ, not a formal restaurant meal. Its appeal is the setting, the fresh preparation, and the generous island-style spread.

After eating, you have time to relax on the beach. This is a good point in the day for a towel, shade if available, and a slower look at the water. The information provided does not promise beach umbrellas, changing rooms, or a specific shaded area, so pack lightly and be ready for a natural beach setting.

The lighthouse adds a little context to the stop. You are not only moving between pretty beaches, you are also visiting a working part of Mauritius’s maritime story. The guide explains the island’s background and the importance of the surrounding waters, giving the stop more substance than a quick photo break.

Coin de Mire and the Last Snorkel

At about 2:30 p.m., you leave Ile Plate for Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin. The boat arrives around 3 p.m. This final island stop lasts about an hour and is built around views, a last snorkeling session, and information from the guide.

Coin de Mire is visually different from the low, beach-centered islands. Its dramatic shape gives you a strong view from the water, and the guide explains its history and significance. The stop is less about settling in for a long beach stay and more about seeing a striking offshore landmark.

The final snorkeling session is useful for anyone who prefers to wait until later in the day before getting back in the water. It also gives you a second chance if the first swim at Ilot Gabriel was brief or if conditions were not ideal. The crew can adjust the plan when the weather changes, so the exact snorkeling location and timing may vary.

By this stage, you may feel tired from the sun, boat motion, and swimming. Bring water, use sunscreen often, and do not feel obliged to join every activity. A private tour makes it easier for your group to choose a comfortable pace, though the overall schedule still has fixed departure times.

The Ride Back Along the Northern Coast

The boat leaves Coin de Mire at about 4 p.m. and reaches Cap Malheureux around 4:30. The return ride is part of the experience rather than dead time. You can look back toward the islands, enjoy the northern coast, and let the day wind down.

The full schedule runs from the 8:30 a.m. meeting time to about 4:30 p.m., or six and a half hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper day out, but not so long that you lose an entire evening. Still, you should plan your day around it. This is not a quick morning outing.

The speedboat itself brings both pleasure and practical limits. You cover water quickly and get a more exciting ride than you would on a slow launch. On the other hand, the motion can be tiring for anyone who is uncomfortable on boats. The tour calls for a moderate level of physical fitness, and you should be prepared to board, move around the boat, swim, and walk on uneven island ground.

Service, Safety, and the Private Format

The strongest personal touch comes from the crew. Stéphane and Coco are praised for being attentive, kind, professional, and careful about safety. That combination matters on a private boat. You want a skipper who keeps the day fun without treating safety as an afterthought.

The crew includes a certified guide and crew members, with guiding in English or French. The guide provides information about the islands, the lighthouse, Coin de Mire, and the surrounding marine life. You should not expect a long academic lecture. The value is in having someone point out what you are seeing and explain the places between swims.

A private group of up to eight is a good size. It is small enough for direct contact with the crew, yet large enough to make the group rate attractive. If you book with only two people, the same private price becomes a more serious expense. If you have a family or a full group of friends, the cost makes more sense.

The tour is not designed around total flexibility. You follow a planned route and set departure times, and weather can force changes. That is normal for an island excursion. The right question is not whether every stop is guaranteed in exactly the advertised order, but whether you are comfortable letting the crew adjust the day for sea conditions.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most

I would recommend this trip to people who want several sides of northern Mauritius in one outing. It suits:

• Families who want a private boat and a mix of swimming, food, and sightseeing
• Couples looking for a quieter alternative to a large shared cruise
• Friends who can split the group price
• Strong swimmers and active visitors who enjoy snorkeling
• People who value a proper lunch and local drinks rather than a short boat ride alone

It may be less suitable if you want a late start, dislike speedboats, or prefer one long stretch of quiet beach time. The schedule includes several movements and activities, so you need to be comfortable changing from boat to beach to water and back again.

The tour also works best for people staying in or near northern Mauritius. If you are based in Flic en Flac or elsewhere in the south, you will need to arrange your own way to Cap Malheureux. The excursion itself does not provide private transportation.

Practical Details That Make the Day Easier

Arrive at least 30 minutes early. This is especially important if you are driving and need to park near the Red-Roofed Church. A calm start is better than rushing down to the meeting point with sunscreen, towels, and swimwear still in your bag.

Use sunscreen before boarding and bring it with you. Add a hat, swimsuit, towel, and any personal medication you need. Snorkeling gear is supplied, but you may bring your own mask if fit is important to you.

Tell the operator about food allergies or special dietary needs in advance. The BBQ includes both seafood and meat, along with local side dishes, so early notice gives the crew a fair chance to prepare something suitable.

The booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, with a full refund. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Should You Book the Island Voyage?

I would book this excursion if you want a private northern-island day with real variety: speedboat travel, two snorkeling sessions, a lighthouse, beaches, a strong lunch, and a crew that puts safety first.

The value depends on group size. Eight people get a very fair per-person price, while a couple pays much more for the privacy. I would also check your location before booking, since getting to Cap Malheureux is your responsibility.

Choose it for personal service, a full schedule, and a well-rounded look at the northern islands. Skip it if you need a guaranteed route, dislike boat motion, or want a completely unstructured beach day. For the right group, this is one of the more satisfying ways to spend a day on the water around Mauritius.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour start?

The tour starts at 2J8C+365 in Cap Malheureux, Mauritius, near the Red-Roofed Church.

What time should I arrive?

The scheduled start is 8:30 a.m. You should arrive at least 30 minutes early for parking, check-in, and the safety briefing.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and 30 minutes, from the 8:30 a.m. start until about 4:30 p.m.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire, also known as Gunner’s Quoin. The day begins and ends at Cap Malheureux.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on Ile Plate, with seafood, meat, local side dishes, fresh fruit juices, and Mauritian rum.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and safety equipment are included, with planned snorkeling opportunities at Ilot Gabriel and Coin de Mire.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The route may be adjusted for weather conditions. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.