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

The day’s best feature is the northern-island route. You sail from Grand Baie across changing shades of blue, land on Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, and pass close to Coin de Mire, a volcanic island known for clear water and good snorkeling. I like the mix of beach time and open-water scenery, plus the chance to see the white-tailed tropic bird, called Paille-en-Queue, near its island nests. The main drawback is the party atmosphere: loud music and plentiful drinks can make this feel more like a floating celebration than a quiet nature trip.

I also like that lunch, salad, and drinks are included, and that the catamaran can carry a larger group while offering plenty of room for a full-day outing. At $58.08 per person, it is a fair package if the meal and snorkeling time run as planned. Still, communication around weather cancellations has been a weak point, so keep your phone available and check for messages before leaving for Grand Baie.

Key points to know before you book

• Ilot Gabriel is the first proper island landing, with a beach, swimming, snorkeling, and a chance to spot Paille-en-Queue birds.
• Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel sit beside a bright lagoon, creating the most scenic beach setting of the day.
• Coin de Mire is viewed from the boat, not visited on foot, and snorkeling there depends on safe sea conditions.
• Lunch includes BBQ food, salad, and drinks, but the exact meal location can vary in practice.
• The boat may carry up to 48 people, with music and a lively party mood rather than a small, quiet sailing trip.
• Grand Baie Public Beach is both the departure and return point, with no private transport included.

The northern islands make a strong day trip from Mauritius

Mauritius has plenty of fine beaches, but a boat gives you a different view of the island. From the water, the coast recedes and the northern islands come into focus as low, pale strips surrounded by lagoon water. That change of scale is the real reason to book this trip.

The route covers roughly seven hours, leaving at 8:30 am from Grand Baie Public Beach. The first crossing takes about an hour and a half. You then spend time around the islands before returning through the same broad northern waters.

The catamaran is a substantial boat designed for the full route and a group of up to 48 people. That gives you stability and room to move, but it also means this is not a private sailing experience. Music, dancing, and a steady flow of beer and rum are part of the atmosphere. If you want a social day with a soundtrack, that may suit you. If you want quiet birdwatching, bring patience and choose your place on board carefully.

There have also been reports of a small powered rowing boat being used to move people between shore and the catamaran, with delays when many people are boarding. This is worth keeping in mind if you dislike waiting in a crowded transfer boat. The main catamaran itself is described as stable and fully licensed.

Ilot Gabriel: the first beach and the first real swim

Ilot Gabriel is the first major stop, reached after about 90 minutes from Grand Baie. The island is known for its clean beach and simple, exposed beauty. You can land here, swim, and snorkel at your own pace, subject to the conditions of the water and your own ability.

This is also the stop with the most distinctive wildlife detail. Paille-en-Queue, the white-tailed tropic bird, is associated with the island, and you may see the birds close to their nests. That gives the stop more character than a standard beach break. Keep your distance from nesting birds and watch rather than chase them.

The beach is a good place to slow down after the crossing. You can get in the water, sit on the sand, or simply look back toward the turquoise lagoon. Snorkeling is offered according to your comfort and ability, so you do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the stop. Still, you should be honest about your limits. Conditions change, and no part of the outing should be treated as a supervised lesson.

The timing listed for Ilot Gabriel is about two hours. That sounds generous enough for a swim and some time ashore, though the actual pace can depend on loading, weather, and how the boat handles the group. If you want photos without a crowd around you, take them early, before everyone spreads across the beach.

Ile Plate and the turquoise lagoon

Ile Plate, or Flat Island, is located near Ilot Gabriel, about 10 kilometers north of Mauritius. The two islands are edged with pale sand and linked by a shallow-looking lagoon, giving this section of the route the strongest postcard appeal.

The listed stop lasts about two and a half hours, making it the longest scheduled break. That matters because a full day on the water needs more than quick photo stops. You have time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a period of rest without immediately having to return to the boat.

The description of the experience says you will eat on the island, with BBQ food, salad, and drinks included. In practice, the meal arrangement should be confirmed with the operator before departure, because the food has not always been served on the beach itself. Some departures have involved the crew preparing the BBQ while the boat remains part of the stop. That is not necessarily a problem, but it changes the feel of the day.

If eating on the sand is important to you, ask at the meeting point where lunch will be served. If the meal is prepared near the catamaran, you can still expect the social side of a shared BBQ, but not quite the picnic setting suggested by the island description.

The drinks add to the easygoing mood. Beer and rum are part of the party atmosphere, and reviews describe music playing for much of the trip. I would treat the drinks as an extra, not the main reason to book. A day spent drinking heavily in the sun can leave you dehydrated, especially after swimming. Take water when available, eat lunch, and pace yourself.

Coin de Mire: a close look from the sea

The final island is Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin or Gunners Point. It is a small volcanic island of about 65 hectares, located roughly eight kilometers north of Mauritius. Its dark basalt rock gives it a different appearance from the low, sandy beaches of Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate.

You do not land on Coin de Mire. The catamaran passes nearby, and, when the weather and sea are favorable, you can snorkel in the surrounding water. This is described as one of the better snorkeling areas in northern Mauritius, with clear water and an average depth of about six meters. The stated depth range is approximately three to nine meters.

This is where the captain’s judgment matters most. The stop is conditional on safe conditions, and the captain has the final say. That can mean the itinerary changes even after you have set out. A cancelled snorkeling stop is disappointing, but it is the correct decision when wind, waves, or visibility are poor.

The underwater setting is the main attraction here. The water is described as clear, with good visibility and snorkeling conditions that can work throughout the year. You should not assume that the water will be calm on your particular morning, though. Sea conditions can vary quickly, and the tour does not promise a guaranteed swim at Coin de Mire.

Because the boat passes close to the island rather than landing, this stop feels more like a scenic and snorkeling pause than an island visit. That distinction matters if you are choosing between this trip and an excursion built around walking ashore.

Lunch, drinks, music, and the mood on board

The included meal is BBQ food with salad and drinks. For a seven-hour outing, having food built into the price is useful. You do not need to arrange a separate packed lunch, and the shared meal helps break up the long hours at sea.

The social mood is one of the most praised parts of the outing. The crew has been described as friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere can be warm and cheerful. Music, dancing, beer, and rum create what some people would call a party boat. Others may find the volume too high, especially during the long crossings.

I would book this experience if you like a lively boat with a built-in social scene. I would hesitate if you want a calm sail with long quiet stretches. The catamaran’s size and capacity make it practical for a popular route, but they also reduce the sense of privacy.

The phrase three-island cruise can sound like three equal visits, but they are not. Ilot Gabriel is a beach landing, Ile Plate is a longer beach and meal stop, and Coin de Mire is viewed from the water with optional snorkeling. Knowing that pattern helps you set realistic expectations.

What the $58.08 price really covers

At $58.08 per person, the price is reasonable for a full-day catamaran outing with lunch, salad, drinks, three northern-island areas, and snorkeling opportunities. You are paying for the boat, crew, food, and access to a route that would be difficult to arrange independently in one day.

The value is strongest when all three parts come together: a smooth crossing, meaningful time on Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, and a safe stop near Coin de Mire. If poor weather shortens the route or removes snorkeling, the experience becomes more dependent on the beach time and onboard atmosphere.

Private transportation is not included. You must make your own way to Grand Baie Public Beach, which may add taxi costs. This is especially important because the meeting time is early, and a last-minute cancellation can still leave you with transport expenses if communication does not reach you in time.

The overall rating of 3.6 out of 5 reflects a mixed experience rather than a clear winner for every type of visitor. The strongest feedback centers on the friendly crew, pleasant mood, attractive water, and fun boat setting. The weaker points are loud music, crowded transfers, uncertainty about the lunch location, and complaints about cancellation notices.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

This outing requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you should be offered another date or a full refund. The trip also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason should bring the same choice of another date, another experience, or a refund.

The stated cancellation rule allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:30 am start. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Because cut-off times use local Mauritius time, check the deadline carefully.

Communication has been a concern in some cases. The operator says cancellation notices may be sent by email, WhatsApp, and phone, while some people have reported learning about a cancellation only after arriving at the meeting point. My practical advice is simple: check email and WhatsApp before leaving, keep your phone available, and contact Vacances Oh Soleil if the weather looks doubtful.

This is not just about avoiding wasted taxi fare. It also gives you a chance to reschedule another activity if the sea is too rough. Conditions near Coin de Mire are specifically left to the captain, so even a departure that goes ahead may have a changed route.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

This trip is a good match for you if you want a social day on the water, several swimming opportunities, and a straightforward way to see the northern islands. It also works well if you value included food and drinks more than a private or quiet setting.

Families and mixed-age groups can participate, since most people can take part, but everyone should be comfortable with a full day around the sea and with boarding arrangements. Children and weaker swimmers should follow the crew’s instructions and use sound judgment around snorkeling areas.

Photography fans will enjoy the contrast between Grand Baie, the white beaches, the turquoise lagoon, and the dark rock of Coin de Mire. Birdwatchers may especially appreciate the chance to see Paille-en-Queue on Ilot Gabriel, though sightings are not guaranteed.

You may want another type of excursion if your priorities are silence, a small group, serious wildlife interpretation, or guaranteed snorkeling. The catamaran can deliver a fun and scenic day, but it is not presented as a specialist nature tour.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want an affordable, social introduction to Mauritius’s northern islands, with a beach landing, BBQ lunch, drinks, and optional snorkeling included. The white sand of Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, plus the close view of Coin de Mire, give the route real variety.

Before paying, accept three conditions: the music may be loud, the boat may be busy, and the exact snorkeling and lunch arrangements depend on the day. Confirm the meeting details, check your messages on the morning of departure, and ask where lunch will be served.

If those limits fit your idea of a good day, the $58.08 price is sensible. You get a long stretch on the water, three very different island settings, and the easy pleasure of letting someone else handle the boat and BBQ.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

The tour starts at Grand Baie Public Beach in Grand Baie, Mauritius.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Grand Baie Public Beach.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire, also known as Gunner’s Quoin or Gunners Point.

Can you land on all three islands?

No. You land on Ilot Gabriel and visit Ile Plate. The catamaran passes near Coin de Mire, but setting foot on that island is not included.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling opportunities are included near the islands, subject to your abilities and safe sea conditions. The captain decides whether the Coin de Mire snorkeling stop can take place.

Is lunch included?

Yes. BBQ food, salad, and drinks are included in the tour price.

Is private transportation included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to and from Grand Baie Public Beach.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You should be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the operator to cancel.