Mauritius: Catamaran cruise to 3 Northern Isles with lunch

The best part of this day is the setting: three small Northern Isles, white beaches, clear water, and a catamaran deck where you can stretch out between swims. I especially like the combination of island time and snorkeling, plus the fact that lunch and drinks are included rather than added to the bill later.

The BBQ is another strong point. You get fish, chicken, sausage, salads, rice, potatoes, pasta, bread, and fruit, with water, wine, beer, local punch, and rum. The main catch is that snorkeling gear is not included, and rough seas can change the order of the stops or even force a new date.

Key points to know

• Three Northern Isles in one day: Visit Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and potentially Gunners Coin.
• About two hours on Gabriel Island: Bring water, sun protection, and reef-friendly footwear.
• BBQ lunch on board: Fish, chicken, sausage, salads, sides, bread, fruit, and drinks are included.
• Snorkeling gear is extra: Bring your own mask, snorkel, and water shoes.
• Sea conditions shape the day: The captain may change the route or omit a stop for safety.
• Seven hours from Grand Baie: Hotel transport is not included, though it may be arranged for an extra cost.

Setting Out From Grand Baie Toward the Northern Isles

This is a full day on the water, with departure from Grand Baie and a return to the jetty at about 4:00 p.m. The trip lasts roughly seven hours, so it is not a quick boat ride squeezed between other plans. You need to be happy spending most of a day outdoors, in sun, wind, and salt spray.

The catamaran gives you more room than a small speedboat. You can move around, sit on the deck, watch the coastline recede, or find a quieter spot while the crew handles the route. One recent sailing carried about 35 people, yet there was enough room to move freely around the boat.

The crew speaks English and French. The tone is meant to be friendly and relaxed, with safety instructions before water activities. One especially nice touch is that children may sometimes be allowed a short turn at the wheel if the captain agrees, though this is not a guaranteed part of the program.

You should expect a wet boat. Decks can become slippery, especially after swimming or during rougher conditions, so walk carefully and keep your belongings secured. The advice is simple: wear swimwear, pack a change of clothes, and bring a towel.

Gabriel Island: Beach Time and the Main Swim

Gabriel Island is the main beach stop and usually the place where the day becomes less about sailing and more about being in the water. The sand is bright, the sea is clear, and you get time to swim rather than just pause for a quick photograph.

The stop can last around two hours. That is enough time for a proper swim, a walk along the beach, and some quiet time under the sun, but there are no drinks supplied on the island itself. Bring a refillable bottle or carry water from the boat before going ashore.

This is also where good footwear matters. Parts of the shoreline have reef and rougher surfaces, so water shoes can make walking more comfortable and safer. Flip-flops may be fine on sand, but they are less useful around coral or uneven shallows.

Snorkeling is included as an activity, but equipment is not. If you own a mask and snorkel that fit well, pack them. Bringing your own gear also means you do not have to depend on limited shared equipment or spend part of your swim adjusting a poor fit.

Sun protection deserves serious attention. A sailing day exposes you to direct sun and reflected light from the sea, and the breeze can make the heat feel less intense than it is. Apply sunscreen before leaving, reapply often, and protect your shoulders, back, ears, and feet. A hat and a light cover-up are useful during the ride.

Flat Island and the Northern Reef Waters

Flat Island forms part of the northern island circuit, and the appeal is the contrast between open sea, pale sand, and shallow coastal water. The exact amount of time spent at each island can change with tides, water depth, currents, and the captain’s safety decision.

That flexibility is important. You may not follow the same sequence every day, and the boat may approach one island before another. This is not a rigid sightseeing route with every minute fixed. The captain has to work with the sea, and that is sensible in an open-water setting.

The waters around Gabriel and the nearby reefs provide the main chance to see small reef fish and coral formations. Visibility will depend on the day, and the experience is best approached as a relaxed swim in a beautiful setting rather than a guaranteed wildlife show.

You may spend part of the time swimming, part of it sitting on the beach, and part of it simply looking back at the catamaran and the coastline. The Northern Isles are protected areas, so the value is not only the view. You are visiting places kept relatively free from heavy development.

Gunners Coin: A Possible Final Snorkel

Gunners Coin, also called Coin de Mire, is approached on the return journey when conditions allow. The site is known for reef fish and can offer another short snorkeling stop.

The words when conditions allow matter here. Currents, wind, rough water, tide, and water depth can all affect the decision. The captain may pass by without stopping, and the itinerary can change for safety. You should treat this as a welcome extra, not the one feature on which you base the entire booking.

If the stop goes ahead, it can be a useful second chance to snorkel after the longer beach stop at Gabriel Island. You may see fish in their natural setting around the reef, but bring your own equipment if you want to make the most of a short window in the water.

This part of the trip also shows why a catamaran cruise is different from a land-based island visit. You are not simply being dropped at a beach and collected later. The sea itself is part of the day, and conditions help shape what you can do.

BBQ Lunch With Drinks on the Catamaran

Lunch is served on board after the beach visit. The meal includes BBQ fish, chicken, and sausage, along with green salad, rice, potatoes, pasta, fresh vegetables, warm bread, and fruit for dessert.

This is a substantial spread for a day at sea. You can build a full plate, choose lighter sides, and return for more if you are hungry after swimming. Pineapple or another seasonal fruit gives the meal a fresh finish.

Drinks are included too: water, wine, beer, local punch, and rum. That makes the $76 price easier to assess, since you are not paying separately for the main meal or basic drinks during the cruise. Alcohol is available, but you should pace yourself in the sun and on moving water.

The crew cleans and dries the deck after lunch, which helps keep the boat more comfortable for the afternoon. Still, do not expect a restaurant setting. This is an outdoor meal on a moving catamaran, with wind, salt, and occasional rocking as part of the deal.

If you have specific dietary needs, the provided information does not confirm special meal options. Ask before booking rather than assuming the buffet can be changed.

What the $76 Price Really Covers

At $76 per person, this sits in the reasonable range for a seven-hour sea day because the basic package includes the catamaran, visits to the Northern Isles, swimming, snorkeling access, lunch, and several drinks.

The value is strongest if you plan to eat and drink on board and would otherwise pay for those items separately. You are also getting a full day rather than a short transfer to one beach. The boat ride, beach time, reef stops, and lunch all form one package.

There are two extra costs to keep in mind. Snorkeling equipment is not included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are also excluded. Transport may be arranged separately for an additional charge, so check the meeting point before you book.

I would not choose this solely for the possibility of Gunners Coin. That stop depends on weather and the captain. I would choose it for the broader combination of island scenery, a long catamaran ride, a good-sized BBQ meal, and included drinks.

Weather, Waves, and the Flexible Route

The sea can be lively. One sailing was described as a wild ride on the waves, while another continued despite poor afternoon weather and still had a good day because the crew paid close attention to safety. These details point to the main tradeoff: the same conditions that make the crossing exciting can make it uncomfortable.

If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully about spending seven hours on a boat. The information provided does not promise calm water or medication, so bring anything you normally use and ask the operator about practical precautions before departure.

Poor conditions can change the order of the islands, shorten a water stop, or remove a stop altogether. If the weather is too rough, the trip may be rescheduled. If no suitable alternative date can be arranged, a full refund is offered.

That policy is helpful, but it does not remove the uncertainty of a marine activity. A beach day on land gives you more control. This cruise gives you access to places and views that depend on the sea behaving well.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most

I would recommend this day to couples, friends, and families with older children who enjoy swimming, sun, and time outdoors. Children under three cannot join, and the trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

You should be comfortable boarding and moving around a wet deck. The boat can become slippery, and getting to the beach or into the water requires care. If you need a fully accessible activity, this is not the right choice.

It also suits people who want several elements in one outing. You get a boat ride, two main island visits, possible snorkeling near Gunners Coin, a beach break, and lunch without having to organize each part yourself.

It may not suit you if you want a quiet, highly controlled schedule, a guaranteed stop at every named island, or a dry and calm ride. Nor is it the best fit if you dislike group activities. The boat can carry around 35 people, so the atmosphere is social rather than private.

Practical Packing Advice for a Better Day

Pack lightly, but do not leave out the basics. I would bring:

• A towel and a complete change of clothes
• Swimwear and a light cover-up
• Your own mask and snorkel
• Water shoes for reef and rocky areas
• A hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen
• A refillable water bottle for the island stop
• A waterproof bag for phones and dry clothing

Apply sunscreen before you leave the jetty. The breeze can fool you into thinking you are not getting much sun, and the reflected light off the water adds to the exposure.

Keep your phone and wallet protected from spray. Even in calm conditions, boats are wet places. Avoid carrying more than you need, since you will be moving between the catamaran, beach, and water.

The boat returns to the jetty around 4:00 p.m., so leave room in your schedule afterward. Hotel transfers are not part of the standard price, and pickup may cost extra.

Should You Book the Northern Isles Cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a full day at sea with strong scenery, a proper included lunch, and time to swim at a protected island beach. At $76, it offers solid value when you count the meal, drinks, boat ride, and several Northern Isles stops together.

Go in with the right expectations. Snorkeling gear is your responsibility, Gunners Coin is weather dependent, and rough seas can make the ride lively. Pack water for the island, use serious sun protection, wear water shoes, and accept that the captain may change the route.

For an easygoing island day with enough variety to keep seven hours interesting, I would book it. If you need calm water, guaranteed timings, or easy access for limited mobility, choose a land-based outing instead.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Grand Baie in Mauritius and returns to the jetty at about 4:00 p.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours.

Which islands are included?

The planned Northern Isles are Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Gunners Coin. Gunners Coin may be visited on the return journey if weather and sea conditions are suitable.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own mask, snorkel, and suitable water footwear.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes BBQ chicken, fish, sausage, salads, rice, potatoes, pasta, bread, and fruit. Included drinks are water, wine, beer, local punch, and rum.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price, but they may be arranged separately for an additional cost.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The route or order of stops may change because of currents, tides, poor sea conditions, or rough weather. If conditions are unsafe, the trip may be rescheduled. If no suitable new date is available, a full refund is offered.