3 North Islands Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Drinks on island.

Northern Mauritius is best seen from the water, and this full-day catamaran trip gives you a generous serving of it. You sail from Grand Baie toward Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, with white beaches, clear lagoon water, and broad views that you simply cannot get from shore. I like the chance to eat on the island rather than rush back to the boat, and I like that snorkeling is offered according to your comfort and ability. The main caution is that this can be a loud, social boat day, not a quiet nature cruise.

The third stop, Coin de Mire, is a strong finish when the sea cooperates. You do not land there, but you may snorkel in the natural aquarium nearby. Weather can also change the plan or cancel the departure, so keep some flexibility in your schedule and confirm that cancellation messages reach you before leaving for Grand Baie.

Key points at a glance

• Ilot Gabriel landing: Spend time on a beautiful beach where swimming, snorkeling, and a close look at white-tailed tropicbirds are possible.
• Lunch on the island: The barbecue, salad, and drinks are included, with the meal served in the island setting described for the trip.
• Three northern islands: You see Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire, although you only set foot on the first two.
• About seven hours at sea: The trip from Grand Baie to the islands takes roughly an hour and a half, so expect a full morning and afternoon.
• Big, social catamaran: The boat can carry up to 48 people according to the tour information, though one account describes more than 60 aboard, so ask about the expected load if space matters to you.
• Weather controls the day: The captain decides whether conditions are safe for the Coin de Mire snorkeling stop.

What this northern-island cruise is really like

This is a sea day built around scenery, swimming, food, and music rather than a tightly guided sightseeing program. The catamaran leaves from Grand Baie Public Beach at 8:30 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point after roughly seven hours.

I like this format for visitors who want to see more of Mauritius without arranging several separate outings. One ticket covers the boat ride, island stops, a barbecue lunch, salad, and drinks. At $58.08 per person, that is a reasonable package for a full day on the water, especially if you value the views and the chance to stop at beaches that are not part of a normal road trip.

You should set your expectations correctly. This is not a private sailing trip or a quiet wildlife expedition. Music and drinking are part of the atmosphere, and the boat may feel more like a party cruise than a polished small-group excursion. Some people will enjoy the dancing and easy social mood. Others may find the volume tiring, particularly during the long crossings.

The operator is Vacances Oh Soleil. No guide names are supplied, and the experience is presented as a crew-led outing rather than a tour with a detailed cultural commentary. You are paying mainly for access to the islands, the boat, the meal, and the day’s relaxed rhythm.

Leaving Grand Baie for the open sea

Your day begins at Grand Baie Public Beach. Transportation to the meeting point is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there. The activity ends back at the same beach, which makes the logistics fairly simple once you arrive.

The first crossing lasts about an hour and a half. That is a substantial stretch of time, but it is also when the cruise becomes part of the experience. From the boat, you get changing views of Mauritius and the northern sea. The water shifts in color as the catamaran moves away from the coast, and the islands begin to appear as low, bright shapes on the horizon.

One practical issue deserves attention. A report describes boarding from shore by a small motorized rowing boat, with delays caused by the number of people waiting. That may not occur on every departure, but it is worth allowing extra time and wearing footwear that can handle a wet transfer. If you dislike crowded boarding procedures, ask the operator how access from Grand Baie will work on your date.

The catamaran itself is described as large, powerful, stable, and licensed. That size helps on the open water, though it also means you are sharing the day with a sizable group. The stated maximum is 48 people, while one account describes more than 60 aboard. Because those figures do not match, ask for the expected capacity if crowding is an important concern.

Ilot Gabriel: the best beach stop

The first island stop is Ilot Gabriel, reached after roughly 90 minutes. You land here and have about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, and beach time. This is the point where the trip shifts from scenic cruise to proper island outing.

Ilot Gabriel is presented as a preserved island with a very attractive beach. The appeal is simple: white sand, clear water, and the feeling of being far removed from the main island. You can choose how active to be. Swim if you want a quick cooling break, try snorkeling if conditions suit you, or stay on the beach and let the day slow down.

A particularly nice detail is the chance to see white-tailed tropicbirds, known locally as Paille En Queue. The information provided says you may see these endemic birds close to the island and even spot them near their nests. Keep your distance and avoid disturbing them. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but this gives the stop more character than a beach visit alone.

The snorkeling is not described with a fixed route or formal lesson. Instead, you snorkel according to your own ability and comfort. That makes the stop accessible to people with different levels of experience, but it also means you should not expect a dedicated instructor or a structured marine-life tour.

Two hours sounds generous, yet it passes quickly once you account for getting off the boat, settling on the beach, swimming, and eating later in the day. Bring patience if the group takes time to come ashore. The beach is the attraction here, so the stop works best when you are happy to spend time at your own pace rather than chase a long list of activities.

Ile Plate and lunch in an island setting

Ile Plate, also called Flat Island, is paired geographically with Ilot Gabriel. The two islands sit about 10 kilometers north of Mauritius and are surrounded by white sand and turquoise lagoon water. The descriptions emphasize their preserved appearance, and the appeal is easy to understand: these are places for simple scenery, open water, and a break from built-up coastal areas.

The schedule allows about two and a half hours around Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate. The exact division of time may depend on the day’s conditions and the crew’s plan. You are expected to land on the island and eat there, with a barbecue, salad, and drinks included.

Lunch is one of the stronger reasons to choose this trip over a basic boat transfer. Food served on an island changes the pace of the outing. Instead of treating the beach as a quick photo stop, you have time to sit, eat, rest, and enjoy the setting. One account specifically liked the attentive crew and warm atmosphere but regretted not eating on the island, so it is sensible to confirm the lunch location on your departure. The supplied description says island dining is offered, but conditions or operational changes can affect the plan.

The meal is a barbecue with salad. Do not expect a restaurant menu or a choice-heavy dining service. You are getting a practical beach lunch as part of a boat excursion. Drinks are included, and the atmosphere may be lively, with music and alcohol available. If you want a peaceful picnic, this may not be the right setting. If you like an informal meal with the group, it adds real value.

There is also time for a siesta. That may sound minor, but it is useful after an early start, a long crossing, sun, swimming, and drinks. Find shade if it is available, drink water, and pace yourself. The combination of tropical sun and included alcohol can catch up with you before the return journey.

Passing Coin de Mire, or Gunner’s Quoin

The third island is Coin de Mire, also known as Gunner’s Quoin or Gunner’s Point. It is a small island of about 65 hectares, located roughly eight kilometers north of Mauritius. You do not set foot on it. The catamaran passes nearby, and the crew may stop for snorkeling in the surrounding water if the sea remains favorable.

This is the most weather-dependent part of the outing. The area is described as having clear water and an average snorkeling depth of about six meters, with depths ranging from three to nine meters. Those conditions can make it one of the best snorkeling locations in northern Mauritius, but the captain has the final say. Safety takes priority, and a rough sea can remove this stop from the schedule.

You should treat Coin de Mire as a welcome possibility, not a promise. If it happens, the natural aquarium setting gives the day a stronger finish than beach time alone. If it does not, you will still have had the island landings and the main cruise, but anyone booking chiefly for this snorkeling spot should understand the risk.

The timing is also important. The return trip from the islands takes around an hour and a half, so the day includes long stretches of sailing between activity periods. I like that balance because the cruise itself is part of the attraction. You may not like it if you want constant snorkeling or frequent stops.

Music, drinks, and the group atmosphere

The included drinks and lively mood are central to this experience. Accounts describe beer flowing from early in the day, rum later on, dancing, and very loud music for much of the trip. That makes the catamaran appealing to couples, friends, and anyone who wants a cheerful party atmosphere on the water.

It also creates the clearest drawback. If you want to hear the sea, watch birds quietly, or read during the crossings, loud music may wear you down. The boat is large enough for a group experience, not a personal sailing day. Choose a place away from the main speakers if possible, though the information does not guarantee that quieter seating will be available.

Drinking is optional, but the setting can encourage you to consume more than planned. I would treat the beverages as an extra, not the main event. Drink water, use sun protection, and remember that you still have boat transfers, swimming, and a return crossing ahead.

One positive point is that the boat is described as stable and powerful. That matters when carrying a large group between islands. Stability does not eliminate seasickness, but it is more reassuring than a small open boat for the longer crossings.

Is $58.08 good value?

At $58.08 per person, the price is fair for a seven-hour outing that includes transport by catamaran, two island landings, a barbecue lunch, salad, and drinks. You are also paying for the time and fuel needed to reach three northern islands, not merely for a short ride along the coast.

The value improves if you would otherwise need separate transport, food, and a boat trip to reach the islands. The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet snorkeling session or a small-group sailing experience. In that case, a more specialized excursion may suit you better, though this information does not provide a direct alternative or comparison price.

The tour is booked, on average, 11 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the final morning if your schedule is tight. It is a mobile-ticket activity, and confirmation is provided at booking. Still, because weather can cancel the trip, avoid scheduling it on the only day you have free if the northern islands are a major priority.

Who should book this boat day?

I would choose this cruise if you want a convenient way to combine sea views, beaches, swimming, food, and a social atmosphere. It suits people who enjoy a full day outdoors and do not mind sharing the boat with a sizeable group.

It is also a good fit for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can swim, and someone else can stay on the beach or rest during the island stop. The included lunch and drinks reduce planning, and the return to Grand Baie keeps the day straightforward.

I would think twice if you need quiet, personal space, or guaranteed snorkeling at Coin de Mire. I would also be cautious if a missed departure would cause major problems. Bad weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, but transport costs to the meeting point may still be an annoyance if communication fails or you arrive before learning of a cancellation.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:30 a.m. start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, except when the operator cancels because of weather or because too few people book. In those cases, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the three-island catamaran cruise?

Book it if your ideal Mauritius day includes a large boat, loud music, included drinks, beach time, and a barbecue near the northern islands. Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate provide the strongest guaranteed shape of the day, while Coin de Mire can add excellent snorkeling when the sea is calm.

Skip it if you are seeking a quiet sailing experience or a tightly organized marine excursion. The long crossings, possible boarding delays, group size, and party atmosphere are real considerations. For the right person, though, $58.08 buys a lot of scenery and a full day away from the main island, with enough freedom to swim, snorkel, eat, and simply stretch out by the sea.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

The activity starts at Grand Baie Public Beach in Mauritius at 8:30 a.m. It ends back at the same meeting point after approximately seven hours.

How long is the cruise?

The full experience lasts about seven hours. The trip from Grand Baie to the first islands takes about one and a half hours, and the return journey also takes about one and a half hours.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin. You land on Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, while the catamaran passes near Coin de Mire without landing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue, salad, and drinks are included. The activity description says you have the chance to eat on the island, though the lunch location can depend on the day’s operation and conditions.

Can I snorkel at Coin de Mire?

You may snorkel near Coin de Mire if weather and sea conditions are favorable. The captain makes the final decision for safety reasons.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.