Grand Bay: Catamaran Cruise to Flat Island with BBQ Lunch

Flat Island is the star here: a quiet strip of sand and scrub about 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux. You sail there from Grand Baie, swim and snorkel in the lagoon, then eat a BBQ lunch with drinks before heading back. I like the open-sea scenery and the chance to see the Paille en Queue, Mauritius’s striking white-tailed tropicbird.

I also like that you can set your own pace once ashore. You can swim, walk, sunbathe, or simply sit with a cold drink. The main caution is comfort: the group can be large, the sea can be rough, and loud music may play much of the day.

Key points at a glance

• Flat Island destination: Reach Île Plate by catamaran from Grand Baie, with views toward Cap Malheureux, Pereybere, and the northern coast.
• Boat-to-beach transfer: A small dinghy takes you from the beach to the catamaran, and similar shuttles serve the island.
• BBQ lunch included: Expect fish and chicken with bread, salad, dessert, and drinks such as beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke.
• Free time on the island: Swim, snorkel, walk the trails, watch for the Paille en Queue, or relax on the beach.
• Flexible water time: Snorkeling is offered at your own pace, with an extra sea stop possible if weather and sea conditions allow.
• Lively rather than quiet: This is a social catamaran outing, not a small luxury sailing trip. One recent departure carried more than 50 people.

Sailing north from Grand Baie

The day begins on Grand Baie beach, around the middle of the bay. A member of the team meets you there and helps you board a small boat for the short transfer to the catamaran. This first step matters if you are carrying a beach bag, camera, or phone, so keep everything secure and easy to handle.

Once aboard, the catamaran points north along the coast. The trip gives you a different view of northwest Mauritius, with photo opportunities around Grand Baie, Pereybere, and Cap Malheureux. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray. The boat ride is a major part of the day, not just transport to the island.

The seven-hour schedule leaves enough time for sailing, lunch, and a stop in the water. Still, the exact balance can change. Rough seas, wind, rain, or other weather conditions can alter the route and timing. A recent outing had strong wind, rain, and heavy waves on the way to Flat Island, so bring a practical attitude along with your swimsuit.

For anyone prone to seasickness, this is the time to plan ahead. Strong swells have made many people feel unwell on this route. Seasickness tablets are not supplied, so speak with a medical professional before your trip if you already know that open water is difficult for you.

Flat Island, with time to choose your own pace

Île Plate, known in English as Flat Island, sits near Round Island at the far north of Mauritius. It is close to Coin de Mire, but the route does not include landing there. You may pass as close as conditions allow, and the surrounding water can provide a snorkeling stop, but Coin de Mire is not a walking stop on this tour.

Flat Island gives you a welcome break from the boat. You can swim inside the lagoon, sit on the beach, walk along the island trails, or find a quiet place to enjoy the scenery. This freedom is one of the better features of the day because you are not locked into a long guided walk or a fixed sequence of activities.

The island is also a good place to watch for the Paille en Queue, the white-tailed tropicbird that is closely associated with Mauritius. It is an elegant bird with a long tail and a graceful flight. Seeing one is not guaranteed, but keeping your eyes open adds a small natural-history reward to the beach time.

The amount of island time deserves careful attention. The advertised day lasts seven hours, but the actual time on shore may be much shorter if the crossing is slow or sea conditions are difficult. One recent outing allowed roughly an hour on the island, making it more of a catamaran cruise with a beach stop than a full island exploration.

That is not necessarily a problem. If you mainly want a day on the water with a swim and lunch, the timing works well. If your priority is walking trails and exploring every corner of Flat Island, you may find the shore visit too brief.

Snorkeling and swimming near the northern islands

The water stop is designed to be flexible. You can snorkel according to your own ability, then return to the boat when you have had enough. That is useful for mixed groups, since confident swimmers and cautious swimmers do not need to stay in the water for the same length of time.

Conditions make a big difference. When the sea is calm and visibility is good, the northern islands can offer colorful tropical fish and enjoyable swimming. When the wind rises, the experience changes quickly. The current, waves, and boarding process may feel harder, especially for anyone who is not comfortable in open water.

An additional snorkeling stop at sea may happen on the return journey if the weather and sea conditions are suitable. Treat this as a possibility, not a promise. The included snorkeling equipment and exact gear details are not specified, so ask the crew what is provided if you have particular equipment needs.

Take sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear. You should also bring a dry bag or another way to protect valuables. The boat, dinghy transfers, beach, and water stop all create chances for bags and electronics to get wet.

What lunch and drinks are really like

The BBQ lunch includes fish and chicken, along with bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks include beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke, with juice and soft drinks also available. For a $70 price, having food and drinks built into a full-day boat trip makes the outing easier to budget.

The setting helps. Eating after a swim, with the sea nearby and the island around you, is part of the appeal. Expect a relaxed beach-day meal rather than a restaurant service with individual seating and a carefully paced menu.

The dining setup may be the weak point. One recent departure had more than 50 people, but only about 40 seats in the cockpit and around 10 places at a table. You may need to eat with your plate on your knees or find a seat as space becomes available.

Food quality has also been uneven. Some outings have served a satisfying lunch, while another found the included meal and drink disappointing. I would treat the BBQ as useful fuel and part of the day’s value, not as a reason to book the cruise by itself.

If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied information does not specify special menus. Ask before booking rather than assuming that the fish, chicken, salad, bread, or dessert can be changed.

The mood on board: social, busy, and sometimes loud

This is not presented as a quiet sailing retreat. The catamaran can carry a large group, and music may play loudly from morning until the return. That creates a festive mood for people who want a party atmosphere, but it can frustrate anyone hoping to hear the sails, wind, and sea.

The crew has received mixed assessments, but safety handling in rough conditions has been a strong point. During one wet and windy crossing, the skipper continued carefully and the crew paid close attention to passenger safety. The boat was also changed for one departure because the original arrangement was not considered suitable for families with children in difficult sea conditions.

That kind of decision is encouraging. It also tells you that the sea around the northern islands deserves respect. Hold on during rough passages, follow crew instructions, and do not treat this as a gentle harbor cruise.

Comfort depends partly on where you sit. The cockpit has the main seating, but demand can be high. If you want a specific spot, arrive ready to board at the assigned beach meeting point. The operator provides the welcome there, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own way to Grand Baie beach.

How the $70 price works for you

At $70 per person, this is a reasonable package if you want a full day combining transport, lunch, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, and island time. You do not need to arrange separate boat transfers or find lunch on Flat Island. The catamaran ride itself is also part of the attraction.

The value is less convincing if you mainly want extensive time on land or a peaceful small-group sail. A crowded boat, limited table seating, loud music, and a short island stop can make the price feel less attractive for those priorities.

The most important question is not simply if the trip costs $70. It is what kind of day you want. For a social outing with open water, a BBQ, and a flexible swim stop, the package covers a lot. For comfort, privacy, or serious island walking, consider a more exclusive option if one is available.

The overall rating is 3.9 out of 5 from 30 ratings, which fits the experience described here: memorable scenery, strong swimming and beach appeal, and good crew care in rough seas, balanced by crowding, music, and variable meal satisfaction.

Who should book this Flat Island cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy being on the water, do not mind a lively group setting, and want several activities in one day. Families with older children may enjoy the swimming and beach time, but rough seas can make the crossing demanding. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women.

It also suits people staying in or near Grand Baie who can reach the beach meeting point on their own. The lack of hotel transfers is less of a concern if you are already based nearby, but it adds planning if you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius.

You should think twice if you need a quiet boat, guaranteed calm water, plenty of table seating, or a long visit on Flat Island. This is best understood as a northern-island catamaran day with a beach stop, not as a dedicated island-walking tour.

Practical details before you reserve

The activity lasts seven hours, and starting times depend on availability. The guide language is French and English. You receive a dinghy transfer to the catamaran, a catamaran trip to Île Plate, lunch, drinks, and a swimming and snorkeling stop.

Weather controls the day. The date and time can change if conditions are unsuitable, and wind or rain can affect the route, swimming, and time ashore. Keep your plans flexible and avoid scheduling an important connection immediately afterward.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still shifting.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. I would add a hat, water-resistant storage, and seasickness protection if you need it. Keep valuables to a minimum, since you will move between beach, dinghy, catamaran, and water.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your ideal Mauritius day includes a catamaran, tropical fish, a beach lunch, drinks, and a bit of island wandering. The northern coast views and Flat Island stop give the outing a clear sense of place, while the flexible swimming time lets you enjoy the water at your own level.

Skip it if loud music, crowded seating, rough crossings, or a short island visit would spoil your day. At $70, the trip offers solid value for an active social outing, but it is not the right choice for a quiet, polished, small-group sailing experience.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise to Flat Island last?

The activity lasts seven hours, including the catamaran journey, island time, lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is on Grand Baie beach, around the middle of the bay. A team member 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 the Grand Baie beach meeting point.

How do I get from the beach to the catamaran?

A small boat, or dinghy, transfers you from Grand Baie beach to the catamaran. Dinghy shuttles are also used for the island transfer.

What food is served for lunch?

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

What drinks are included?

Included drinks can include beer, wine, local rum, water, Coke, juice, and other soft drinks.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The trip includes snorkeling and swimming stops. You can snorkel at your own pace and according to your ability, with an additional sea stop possible if conditions are suitable.

Does the tour land on Coin de Mire?

No. The catamaran passes as close as possible to Coin de Mire but does not land there. Snorkeling may be offered around the island.

Can the tour schedule change because of weather?

Yes. The date and time may change if weather conditions are unsuitable. Wind, rain, and rough seas can also affect the route and water activities.