Catamaran Mauritius Cruise in the North Coasts

The best part of this trip is the chance to see three Northern Isles in one outing without arranging separate boat rides. From Grand Baie, you sail to Flat Island and Gabriel Island, then pause at Coin de Mire for snorkeling among reef fish. It is a full day of sea, sand, and open-air views, with lunch served on board.

I like the practical mix of transport, food, drinks, and entrance fees in one price. I also like the route itself: Flat Island gives you time to explore, Gabriel Island offers a famous sandbar and calm lagoon, and Coin de Mire adds a final swim stop. The main caution is the sea. One confirmed guest noted high waves, so this may not suit anyone sensitive to boat motion.

At a glance

• Three Northern Isles in one cruise: Visit Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire from Grand Baie.
• A full catamaran day: The outing lasts about six hours, with transport from Port Louis included.
• Two major swim stops: Expect time in the lagoon at Gabriel Island and snorkeling near Coin de Mire.
• Lunch at sea: A BBQ meal, drinks, snacks, tea, coffee, and cake are included.
• Shared or private sailing: You can choose the social shared trip or a more personal private option.
• Useful language choice: Live guiding is available in English and French.

Why this Northern Isles route works

Mauritius has plenty of boat trips, but this route earns its keep by linking several different island settings in one day. You begin with the wide sweep of Grand Baie, spend time around Flat Island, relax at Gabriel Island, and finish near Coin de Mire, where the water acts like a natural aquarium.

I like that the cruise is not only a sightseeing sail. You get actual time on and in the water. The plan includes island visits, swimming, wildlife viewing, scenic coastal views, and snorkeling, so you are not stuck admiring the islands from a distance.

The price is $170 per person. That is not a bargain boat ride, but it covers transportation, entrance fees, lunch, drinks, snacks, and a six to eight-hour experience. For a visitor who wants a neatly arranged day, the package has fair value. You are paying for the boat, the route, the food, and the convenience of not having to organize transfers or meals separately.

The schedule is best for someone who wants a busy sea day rather than a quiet two-hour cruise. You will move between several places, and the water can be rough. If your idea of a perfect outing is lying still on a beach, this may feel too active. If you want a broad taste of the northern coast, it makes more sense.

Getting from Port Louis to Grand Baie

Pickup is included from your resort reception, with more precise details supplied before the day. The listed route begins with about 30 minutes by bus or coach from Port Louis, followed by a 15-minute walk at Grand Baie before boarding.

That transfer matters. You do not need to find your own way to the departure point, and you can start the day without sorting out a taxi or rental car. It also means the cruise is not simply a Grand Baie activity for people staying nearby. Pickup makes it workable for visitors based in or around Port Louis.

The boat is the Wind Dancer catamaran. Before leaving, you receive a captain’s briefing, then tea, coffee, and cake. I like this small opening ritual because it gives you time to settle in before the longer sail. It also helps you understand the day’s rhythm before you reach the first island.

Grand Baie is a fitting departure point. The trip begins with the breeze, open water, and views back toward the coast. Bring a light layer if you feel cool on boats, and keep anything you do not want splashed in a secure bag. The confirmed experience included a return drop-off at the cruise terminal, which suggests the transport team can handle practical pickup and return details clearly when arranged in advance.

The hour-long sail to Flat Island

The first major leg takes about an hour. This is your chance to enjoy the catamaran itself rather than treating it only as transport. You can feel the wind, watch the northern coast recede, and get your first look at the offshore islands.

Flat Island, also called Ile Plate, is a government-declared nature reserve. Its appeal is simple: white sand, clear water, open views, and a less built-up setting than the main island. The stop includes a guided visit, sightseeing, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

The listed timing gives Flat Island about three hours. That is generous enough to do more than step ashore for a quick photograph. You can explore, swim, and take in the coast at a slower pace before returning to the catamaran for lunch.

Still, the island stop is shaped by weather and sea conditions. If waves are high, boarding, swimming, and walking near the water may feel less relaxed. The boat trip is part of the attraction, but it is also the part most likely to trouble anyone who gets seasick. The confirmed 5-star account specifically praised the cruise and snorkeling while warning that high waves may be uncomfortable for sensitive passengers.

BBQ lunch served on the catamaran

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran, rather than requiring you to find food on an island. The meal is a BBQ, and drinks and snacks are included, along with the morning tea, coffee, and cake.

That arrangement is useful for two reasons. First, you do not lose sightseeing time searching for a meal. Second, you can eat with the sea around you, which gives the middle of the day a pleasant change of pace. The lunch break also divides the cruise into clear sections: Flat Island before food, Gabriel Island after it.

The exact BBQ menu is not provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular dish or special dietary arrangement. If you have food restrictions, ask the provider before departure. The stated package confirms the meal and refreshments, but not specific ingredients.

Drinks are included, which adds real value to the $170 price. Boat days can become expensive when every bottle of water or soft drink costs extra. Here, the basic food and drink costs are already covered, leaving you free to focus on the islands.

Gabriel Island and its famous sandbar

After lunch, the cruise continues to Gabriel Island, another government-declared nature reserve. This is the most classic beach stop of the day, with an iconic sandbar, pale sand, and a calm lagoon suited to swimming and snorkeling.

The listed schedule allows about three hours here. That gives you time to choose your own pace. You can relax on the sand, swim in the lagoon, snorkel above the reef, or simply enjoy the view. The stop is not built around a tightly packed list of activities, which makes it easier to have a proper island break.

Gabriel Island is likely to be the highlight for anyone who wants the postcard side of Mauritius. Flat Island offers a broader nature visit, while Gabriel Island puts more attention on sand, water, and sitting still for a while.

There is a practical point here: a sandbar is shaped by tide and sea conditions. The information provided confirms the sandbar and lagoon, but not how long it remains fully exposed on any particular day. Think of it as a scenic feature within the stop, not a guaranteed private strip of sand.

The tour also includes wildlife viewing. That does not promise a particular animal sighting, but it does tell you the day is intended to include more than beach time. Your guide can point out what is visible around the islands and water.

Snorkeling at Coin de Mire

The return route includes a stop at Coin de Mire, described as a natural aquarium. This is where you can swim and snorkel among colorful reef fish and see the northern coast from below the surface.

I like the order of this stop. After the broad beach time at Flat Island and Gabriel Island, Coin de Mire gives the return journey a clear final activity. You are not simply sailing back after lunch. You get one more chance to enter the water and see the reef environment that makes these islands worth visiting.

The snorkeling pause was singled out as a strong part of the experience in the confirmed account. That is useful if you are choosing between a cruise focused only on beaches and one that includes marine life. Pack a swimsuit and any personal snorkeling gear you prefer, although the available information does not specify whether equipment is supplied.

Water conditions are important. The high-wave warning applies to the boat journey, but conditions can also affect how comfortable snorkeling feels. If you are not a confident swimmer, stay within the guide’s instructions and choose the calmest part of the lagoon or snorkeling area available that day.

Shared cruise or private catamaran

You can book this as a shared or private experience. The shared version is the natural choice if you want to keep the cost to the stated $170 per person and do not mind spending the day with other passengers.

A private option may suit a couple, family, or small group that wants a more personal setting. The supplied details do not state the private price, boat capacity, or how the schedule changes, so confirm those points before paying. Do not assume a private booking adds extra stops or a different menu.

The live guide speaks English or French. That is helpful during the captain’s briefing and island visits, especially when you need clear instructions around swimming and snorkeling. No guide names are provided, so there is no particular guide I can recommend by name.

The trip is suitable for people who enjoy open water, simple island walks, swimming, and a day with several moving parts. It is less suitable for anyone who strongly dislikes waves, long boat rides, or changing between boat, beach, and water activities.

What the $170 price really buys you

At $170 per person, this is a packaged island day rather than a bare transfer. Included are transportation, entrance fees, BBQ lunch, drinks, snacks, and the cruise itself. The tour lasts six hours, with the wider activity information allowing six to eight hours depending on timing.

The value improves if you are staying away from Grand Baie. A separate transfer, boat booking, lunch, drinks, and entry costs could quickly make a self-arranged day more complicated. Pickup from your resort reception also removes much of the planning work.

The value is less obvious if you only want a short sail or one beach stop. You are paying for the complete route, including Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire. Someone who dislikes a full schedule may use only part of what is included.

The rating shown for the experience is 4.5 from six reviews, with one verified 5-star booking praising the overall cruise, pickup and return service, and snorkeling. The same account gives the most useful warning: high waves can make the trip uncomfortable for people sensitive to motion. That combination tells me the experience is well received but not weather-proof.

Practical planning for the day

Wear swim clothing under something light, since swimming and snorkeling are built into the route. Bring sun protection and a secure way to carry small personal items, though the supplied details do not list specific equipment or storage facilities.

Be ready for a transfer, a walk, a boat ride of about an hour to Flat Island, island time, lunch, another island stop, and a final snorkeling pause. This is easier if you treat the day as an active outing instead of a simple cruise with a few photo stops.

The captain’s briefing comes before departure, so pay attention even if you have taken boat trips before. It should help you understand the safety routine and how the day’s stops work. Follow instructions closely around the catamaran, sandbar, and snorkeling areas.

The tour can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Mauritius plans are still shifting. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Who should book this catamaran cruise

I would choose this trip if you want to see several northern islands without building the day yourself. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like a mix of sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and a relaxed lunch on the water.

It is also a good match for first-time visitors to Mauritius who want a broad introduction to the northern coast. The route covers white beaches, lagoons, reef fish, nature reserves, and offshore views in one organized outing.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness or dislike rough water. The confirmed warning about high waves is not a minor footnote. Weather can change the feel of the entire day, and a six-hour sea outing is a long commitment if motion makes you unwell.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a well-organized northern-island day with the main costs included. Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire each offer something different, and the BBQ, drinks, transport, and snorkeling make the $170 price easier to justify.

Skip it if you want a short, quiet boat trip or if waves are a serious concern. For everyone else, this is a strong choice for seeing more of Mauritius from the water, especially when you value convenience and want both beach time and reef snorkeling in one day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Grand Baie Public Beach. Pickup is included from your resort reception, and the listed transfer from Port Louis takes about 30 minutes, followed by a 15-minute walk in Grand Baie.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire. Flat Island and Gabriel Island receive the main island visits, while Coin de Mire is the snorkeling stop on the return journey.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is six hours, while the activity information allows six to eight hours. Check the available start time for your chosen date.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on board the catamaran. Drinks and snacks are also included, along with tea, coffee, and cake at the start.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling is planned at Gabriel Island and at Coin de Mire, where you can swim among reef fish. The available information does not specify whether snorkeling equipment is supplied.

What languages are available?

The live guide provides the tour in English or French.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.