Catamaran, BBQ, Ile Gabriel , Ile Plate ,Coin de Mire

Mauritius packs sea, sand, tea, rum, temples, and giant tortoises into this two-day outing. Day one takes you by catamaran from Grand Baie toward the northern islands, while day two crosses the south in a private car with a driver.

I like the BBQ lunch with beer and wine included, and I like the contrast between open water on day one and inland sights such as Bois Cheri Tea Plantation and Grand Bassin on day two. The main drawback is that the catamaran portion is shared and can be crowded, while rough weather may cancel the island cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• The catamaran day is shared: The northern-island cruise is not private, even though the second day uses a private car for your group.
• Weather matters at sea: Ile Plate, Ile Gabriel, and Coin de Mire are outside the reef area, so rough conditions can change or cancel the boat trip.
• The BBQ includes drinks: Beer and wine are included with lunch, along with time for snorkeling and beach relaxation.
• Day two covers much more than one attraction: You visit La Vanille Nature Park, Bois Cheri, Grand Bassin, Gris Gris, La Roche qui pleure, and a rum distillery.
• Accommodation costs extra: You can add a private villa with two bedrooms and space for four, but it is not included in the advertised price.
• The tour is wheelchair accessible: Most people can take part, and pickup is offered.

Two days, two very different sides of Mauritius

This experience works because it joins two outings that feel quite different. The first day is a sunny sea trip from Grand Baie. The second is a full southern-island circuit by private car.

At about $82.22 per person, the listed price is appealing for the sightseeing included, especially because day one comes with a BBQ lunch, beer, and wine, while day two includes a private vehicle, driver, lunch at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant, and admission to La Vanille Nature Park.

You should read the price carefully, though. The optional villa is extra, and the first day is a shared catamaran cruise. The price is best understood as covering a two-day program, not two days of private touring with accommodation included.

The tour begins and ends at Grand Baie Public Beach. Pickup is offered, but the published meeting point is the public beach, so check your confirmation for the exact pickup arrangement. Confirmation is subject to availability and is sent within 48 hours of booking.

Day one: setting out from Grand Baie

The first morning centers on a catamaran cruise from Grand Baie toward Mauritius’ northern islands. The listed route includes Ile Plate, also known as Flat Island, Ile Gabriel, and Coin de Mire. The wider northern-island group also includes Round Island.

The boat day is built for easy enjoyment rather than a tightly scheduled sightseeing march. You can sit in the sun, swim, snorkel, eat, and spend time near the beaches. If you prefer a slow day after busy sightseeing, this is the part of the tour that gives you room to breathe.

The cruise is listed at about seven hours. That is long enough for a proper day on the water, but it also means you should be comfortable with sun, wind, and a shared boat setting. Bring whatever personal sun protection you normally need, as the supplied information does not specify what equipment is provided.

The biggest practical point is the group setup. The catamaran is shared with other people, so do not book this expecting a private yacht charter. The second day is private for your group, but the boat portion is a common cruise.

Ile Plate, Ile Gabriel, and Coin de Mire

The northern islands give this outing its strongest visual appeal. Ile Plate and Ile Gabriel are associated with beaches, open water, and time in the sun. Coin de Mire adds another northern-island landmark to the route.

The published plan describes the islands as outside the reef. That matters because conditions can change quickly. One day may offer calm water and an easy cruise, while another may bring enough wind or swell to make the island outing unsafe.

The experience therefore has a built-in weather limit. If poor conditions cancel the cruise, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. This is a fair policy, but it also means you should avoid placing the boat day immediately before an important flight or other fixed appointment.

Do not assume that every island will provide a long walking visit. The supplied details promise a cruise to the northern islands, beaches, snorkeling, relaxation, food, and drinks, but they do not set out exact landing times at each island. If reaching all three named islands is essential to you, confirm the route before departure.

BBQ lunch, snorkeling, and time on the water

Lunch is one of the practical strengths of the boat day. A BBQ is included, along with beer and wine. That saves you from arranging food during a long outing and makes the day feel more like a full excursion than a simple transfer between beaches.

You also have time for snorkeling. The details do not specify equipment rental, so ask ahead if you need gear. The same applies to the exact menu and availability of other drinks.

I like this part of the plan because it leaves the day open. You are not rushing from one inland attraction to another. You can choose a more active rhythm with snorkeling or simply sit back with lunch and a drink.

The tradeoff is the shared catamaran. Seating, shade, and space may feel less personal than on a private boat. If you want peace and quiet above all else, this may not be your ideal sea trip. If you enjoy a social day with food and water time, the arrangement makes sense for the price.

Day two: a private car through southern Mauritius

The second day changes pace completely. Instead of a shared boat, you travel by private car with a driver. Only your group takes part in this portion, which gives you a more personal setting for the long southern circuit.

The route combines nature, religion, food, coastal views, tea production, and rum. It is a lot for one day, but that variety is exactly why the second day adds value. You get a broad look at Mauritius rather than spending the entire trip beside the sea.

The day lasts about six hours. That is a substantial half-day with several stops, so expect a full schedule rather than a leisurely village stroll. Lunch is provided at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant, and admission to La Vanille Nature Park is included.

Because the tour covers several separate sites, the time at each stop may be limited. You should choose this day for variety and context, not for an in-depth visit to one attraction.

La Vanille Nature Park and its giant tortoises

La Vanille Nature Park is the main wildlife stop. You can see giant tortoises and crocodiles in the nature reserve, with admission included in the tour.

The park gives the day a clear family-friendly element, but it also adds something different from the catamaran. Instead of looking out across the sea, you are seeing large land animals and learning about a managed nature reserve.

The supplied information does not give a detailed schedule inside the park, so you should expect a guided stop within the wider southern route rather than an entire day devoted to La Vanille. If giant tortoises are your top priority, ask how much time is planned there.

Lunch at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant is also part of this day. Since the menu is described as delicious but not listed in detail, check for dietary needs when you book.

Bois Cheri Tea Plantation and the rum stop

Bois Cheri Tea Plantation offers a look at how tea is grown and made. This is one of the more useful stops for understanding an everyday product that has shaped Mauritius’ economy and culture.

You learn about tea cultivation and the tea-making process. That turns a scenic plantation visit into something more informative. I like this stop because it gives the south day a sense of place rather than filling it only with viewpoints and photo stops.

The route also includes a rum distillery. No production details or tasting information are specified, so do not assume that a tasting is guaranteed or that it is included. The value here is the chance to add another local product to the tea story.

Together, the tea plantation and rum stop help explain how Mauritius presents its agricultural traditions. They also break up the driving between the coast and inland sites.

Grand Bassin and Mauritius’ Hindu culture

Grand Bassin is the cultural stop on the route. The tour includes visits to Hindu temples around the crater lake, giving you a chance to see an important part of Mauritius’ religious life.

This is more than a quick scenic stop. It adds context to an island often sold mainly through beaches and water sports. You get to see how Hindu traditions form part of modern Mauritius.

You should dress and behave respectfully at religious sites. The supplied details do not provide a specific dress code, so ask your driver if you need guidance before visiting the temples.

The route does not promise a long religious tour or a specialist lecture. Its strength is its range: you see the lake and temples as one part of a wider southern day that also includes nature, tea, rum, and the coast.

Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure

The southern coast brings a rougher, more dramatic mood. Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure, or the rock that cries, are included as part of the coastal route.

These sites contrast nicely with the calmer northern-island beaches. The north day is about swimming, snorkeling, and relaxation. The south coast is about exposed rock, ocean force, and open views.

The exact walking conditions are not provided, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask how close the car can get to each viewpoint. The tour is wheelchair accessible, but individual access at coastal sites can vary.

This is also another reason to keep expectations practical. The trip gives you a taste of the southern coast within a six-hour circuit. It is not a dedicated coastal hike.

Accommodation and the question of comfort

A private villa is available for an additional cost. It has two bedrooms and sleeps four people. This can make sense for a small family or group that wants to stay together, but the accommodation is not included in the $82.22 price.

The supplied information does not specify the villa’s exact location, facilities, meal arrangements, or check-in details. Confirm those points before paying the supplement. Do not assume the villa is part of the standard tour package.

The wording also requires careful planning. The experience is described as lasting two days, and the villa option suggests an overnight arrangement, but the published meeting point and day-by-day details do not explain the overnight schedule in full. Ask the operator how the accommodation fits between the catamaran and southern tour.

That question matters because day one begins at Grand Baie, while day two covers southern Mauritius. You want to know where you sleep, how transport works between activities, and whether the villa supplement covers anything beyond the room.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this experience if you want a broad introduction to Mauritius in a short stay. It suits you if you like combining beaches with culture, wildlife, food, and scenery rather than spending every day at a resort.

Families may appreciate the giant tortoises, private car, and included lunch. Couples or small groups may prefer the combination of a relaxed catamaran day and a private southern drive.

The tour also suits anyone who wants a private vehicle on the sightseeing day but does not mind sharing the boat. That distinction is important. You get privacy and flexibility in the car, not throughout the entire experience.

It may be less suitable if you want a quiet, exclusive catamaran, a specialist tea tour, or a detailed visit to every northern island. The boat day is weather dependent, and the southern day covers many stops in a limited period.

The wheelchair-accessible designation is useful, but it does not mean every beach, boat access point, temple area, or coastal viewpoint will have identical access. Ask for current details if you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.

Price, cancellation, and practical planning

At $82.22 per person, the package offers good value on paper because it combines a seven-hour boat day with food and drinks, plus a private-car sightseeing day with park admission and lunch. The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat cruise, a driver, a wildlife park, and several southern attractions.

The price is not the whole cost if you want the villa. Accommodation is extra, and the tour description does not state the supplement. Ask for the full total before booking.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund.

The weather clause is especially important. The northern islands are outside the reef, and poor conditions can cancel that part of the plan. If the operator cancels because of weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

This experience currently carries a five-star rating from three published evaluations. The most useful practical takeaway is not the number itself, but the distinction between the crowded shared catamaran and the private second day. Book with that division clearly in mind.

Should you book the two-day Mauritius tour?

Book it if you want a compact sampler of Mauritius with sea time on day one and a private southern circuit on day two. The included BBQ, beer, wine, park admission, and lunch make the price reasonable, while the mix of islands, tea, rum, temples, tortoises, and rugged coast gives you plenty of variety.

Think twice if you need a private boat, guaranteed calm seas, or a slow visit at each stop. Before paying, confirm the villa cost, exact overnight arrangements, snorkeling equipment, and whether the boat route will visit all three named islands.

For a first look at Mauritius, this is a practical choice. Just treat the catamaran as a shared, weather-sensitive outing and the southern tour as a busy but useful overview.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Grand Baie Public Beach in Grand Baie, Mauritius, and ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, though the listed meeting point is Grand Baie Public Beach. Check the booking confirmation for the exact pickup details.

Is the catamaran private?

No. The catamaran cruise is shared with other people. The second day, using a private car and driver, is private for your group.

Which northern islands are included?

The experience is advertised around Ile Plate, Ile Gabriel, and Coin de Mire. The day one details also refer to Flat Island and the wider northern-island group.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Day one includes a BBQ lunch with beer and wine. Day two includes lunch at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant.

Is accommodation included in the price?

No. A private villa with two bedrooms and space for four is available for an additional cost.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is listed as wheelchair accessible. Ask the operator about access at specific boat, temple, beach, and coastal stops.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

How late can I cancel for a full refund?

You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.