North East of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

The best part of this Northeast Coast catamaran cruise is its easy mix of time at sea and time ashore. You’ll leave Grand Gaube for the mangroves of L’Ile d’Ambre, stop for swimming and snorkeling, eat grilled food on deck, then spend the afternoon on Bernaches Island. It feels more like a relaxed day out than a packed sightseeing trip.

I like the friendly crew and captain, whose good mood helps set the tone, and I like that drinks, including rum, wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water, are included. The main drawback is that this is not a long-distance sailing adventure. One account described only about five minutes of sailing, and the snorkeling area may feel ordinary if you are hoping for major underwater scenery.

Key points

• L’Ile d’Ambre mangroves: A quiet stop for swimming, snorkeling, and a cocktail among the mangrove channels.
• Bernaches Island: Free time for a beach walk, a swim, or a slow afternoon beside the lagoon.
• BBQ lunch on deck: Grilled fish, chicken, sausage, seafood, salads, rice, vegetables, bread, and fruit.
• Drinks included: Local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, juice, soft drinks, and mineral water.
• Simple meeting point: Meet at 9:30 am at the jetty of Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort in Grand Gaube.
• Weather flexibility: Rough seas may send the boat toward Gunners Coin or Casita Beach instead.

Starting at Grand Gaube at 9:30 am

Your day begins at the jetty of Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort in Grand Gaube. You should arrive by 9:30 am, giving the crew time to check people aboard before the scheduled 10:00 am departure.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to the jetty. That matters if you are staying elsewhere on Mauritius. The meeting point is clear, but it is still worth allowing extra time to find the resort and jetty without rushing.

The trip lasts about 6.5 hours, from the morning meeting until your return at about 4:00 pm. That is a useful length for a boat outing. You get several hours on the water without committing to a late evening return.

The catamaran gives you room to sit in the sun, find shade, and move around during the cruise. Exact boat capacity is not provided, so you should not assume an intimate private sailing trip. Think of it as a shared social outing with a crew, a captain, and a set route that can change with the sea.

Cruising toward L’Ile d’Ambre

The first part of the route takes you from Grand Gaube toward L’Ile d’Ambre, an island known here for its mangroves and calm lagoon setting. The point is not to cover a huge amount of coastline. It is to settle into the day, enjoy the water, and reach the first swimming area.

The crew assists with the swimming and snorkeling stop. Bring your own equipment if you have a preferred mask and snorkel, though the experience information does not promise that equipment is supplied. A waterproof bag is useful for keeping your phone, wallet, and dry clothes safe.

The lagoon is described as turquoise, but you should keep your expectations in check. One account found the snorkeling in this area not especially worthwhile, while still praising the unlimited drinks. That makes this excursion a better choice for people who enjoy floating, swimming, and a boat day than for serious snorkelers seeking exceptional coral or abundant marine life.

You are asked not to touch marine life or plants. That is good practice in any lagoon, and it also helps keep the mangrove and underwater environment in good shape.

Swimming and snorkeling from 10:00 am to noon

The first main stop runs through the morning, with time to swim and snorkel before lunch. You can get in the water, stay aboard, or simply enjoy the changing view from the catamaran.

If you are comfortable in the water, this is likely the most active part of the day. If you are not, you can treat it as a scenic pause rather than a required activity. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is also a poor match if you are prone to seasickness.

Sea conditions matter. The captain can change direction if the route becomes rough or impassable, putting safety before the planned stops. The alternative may be Gunners Coin or Casita Beach. This flexibility is sensible, though it means your exact experience depends on the weather and water conditions that day.

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or cap, swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes. A light jacket or waterproof jacket is also recommended. Even in warm weather, a boat ride can feel cool once the wind picks up or the sky changes.

A quiet cocktail stop in the mangroves

After the water time, the catamaran moves into the mangroves at L’Ile d’Ambre. This is one of the more unusual parts of the route. Instead of spending the whole day in open water, you get a calmer setting with narrow waterways, plant life, and a slower mood.

You can relax with a drink while the boat sits in this sheltered area. The trip includes local rum, wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. The drinks are a genuine part of the value here, especially if you plan to spend the day aboard rather than buying refreshments at each stop.

The mangroves may be your favorite stop if you prefer quiet scenery to busy beach time. The setting has an almost secluded feel, but you should not expect a long guided nature walk. The activity description offers time in the mangroves, not a formal wildlife tour or a detailed ecology talk.

The crew speaks French and English. That helps keep basic instructions and meal details clear for an international group, though no individual crew names are provided.

BBQ lunch on the catamaran at noon

Lunch is served on the deck at about noon, which breaks up the morning nicely. You eat while still surrounded by the lagoon and open water, rather than leaving the boat for a restaurant.

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. This is a broad, filling spread rather than a small snack.

The food earned strong praise, and that matches the practical appeal of the menu. You get several side dishes and multiple grilled choices, so the meal is not built around one single item. A vegetarian option includes 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. That is worth noting for families, since there is no separate simplified children’s selection described.

The lunch is part of the $80 price, along with the drinks and the boat trip. If you value a full meal and an open bar of alcoholic and nonalcoholic options, the price is reasonable. If you mainly want high-quality snorkeling, you may find the value less convincing because the underwater stop is not the strongest feature.

Bernaches Island from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

After lunch, the catamaran continues to Bernaches Island. You get time to leave the boat, walk along the sandy beach, swim in the clear lagoon, or sit in the sun.

This stop gives the day a welcome change of pace. The morning is centered on the boat and water, while Bernaches Island lets you stretch your legs and enjoy a beach setting. A shoreline walk can be enough here. You do not need to fill every minute with activity.

The schedule allows roughly 90 minutes on the island. That is enough for a swim and a short walk, but not enough for a long exploration. You should keep an eye on the return time and follow the crew’s instructions so the boat can leave on schedule.

The island stop is also weather dependent. If the captain needs to alter the route, you may visit Gunners Coin or Casita Beach instead. Those changes are not a failure of the trip. They are part of how an open-water outing works in Mauritius, where conditions can shift during the day.

The return to Grand Gaube at 4:00 pm

The catamaran returns to the Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort jetty at about 4:00 pm. You finish at the same place where you started, which makes the timing easy to plan around.

Do not expect an evening sail or a long sunset cruise. This experience ends in the afternoon. That is helpful if you have dinner plans, another activity, or a long drive afterward.

The schedule is also fairly structured. You have a morning water stop, lunch at noon, Bernaches Island after 1:00 pm, and a return at 4:00 pm. People who like a clear plan will appreciate this. People hoping to linger wherever the mood takes them may find the timetable a little fixed.

How the $80 price holds up

At $80 per person, the price covers a 6.5-hour catamaran outing, BBQ lunch, and a wide selection of drinks. You also get the lagoon stop, time in the mangroves, and a beach break at Bernaches Island.

The strongest value comes from combining meals and drinks with the boat trip. Unlimited or freely available drinks can add up quickly on a day at sea, especially when alcoholic options are included. The lunch also saves you from arranging food during the excursion.

You still need to pay for personal expenses and your own transport to and from Grand Gaube. Snorkeling equipment is not clearly included, so bring your own if that matters to you. Those are small but important costs to consider before booking.

For a social, food-focused day on the water, $80 is fair. For a specialist snorkeling trip, I would be more cautious. The route does not travel far, and the snorkeling may not justify the price by itself.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this catamaran trip if you want a relaxed day with several kinds of scenery and very little planning once you arrive at the jetty. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who enjoy swimming, a beach stop, a prepared meal, and drinks in a cheerful setting.

It is also a good pick if you prefer activities with a flexible pace. You can snorkel, swim, walk, sit, or simply enjoy the boat. The crew’s friendly manner and the captain’s good mood are important here because the social atmosphere is part of the experience.

I would think twice if you suffer from seasickness. The boat remains at sea for much of the day, and rough conditions can lead to a changed route. People with mobility impairments may also find the boat and island stops unsuitable.

Strong swimmers and serious snorkelers should bring their own gear and keep expectations modest. The lagoon may be pleasant, but the underwater scenery is not guaranteed to be a major highlight.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Wear comfortable beach clothing and shoes that can handle wet conditions. Pack a waterproof bag, towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

If you use motion sickness pills, bring them with you and follow the directions you normally use. A waterproof jacket is sensible even on a sunny morning.

Do not bring pets, apart from assistance dogs. Do not litter, touch marine life, or handle plants in the lagoon and mangrove areas.

The activity runs every day from Monday through Sunday. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those policies make it easier to hold a place while your Mauritius plans are still taking shape.

Should you book the Grand Gaube catamaran cruise?

Book this trip if your ideal Mauritius day includes a good BBQ, plentiful drinks, friendly company, and easy time in the water. The mangroves and Bernaches Island add variety, and the 10:00 am to 4:00 pm schedule leaves your evening free.

Skip it if your main goal is serious snorkeling or a long sailing route. The boat may not travel far, and the snorkeling can be underwhelming. For everyone else, the $80 cost is reasonable when you count the meal, drinks, crew assistance, and several different stops.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

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

What time should I arrive?

You should meet the crew 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 same jetty at about 4:00 pm.

How long is the activity?

The trip lasts about 6.5 hours, from the morning departure until the afternoon return.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transportation to Grand Gaube.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served aboard the catamaran. The menu includes grilled fish, BBQ chicken, chicken sausage, seafood, salads, rice, vegetables, bread, and seasonal fruit.

Is there a vegetarian menu?

Yes. The vegetarian menu includes rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, 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. Snorkeling equipment is not listed among the included services.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The captain may change direction for safety. The alternative route may go toward Gunners Coin or Casita Beach instead of the planned stops.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Is the cruise suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for people prone to seasickness.

What languages are spoken?

The experience is available in French and English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.