Full-Day Northern Catamaran Cruise: Coin de Mire and Ile Plate Island

The best part of this day is the easy mix of open-water sailing and island time. You leave from Grand Bay, cruise past Cap Malheureux and Pereybere, then stop for swimming and snorkeling in clear northern waters before reaching Île Plate for lunch and beach time.

I like the included hotel transfer and the fact that your lunch and drinks are covered, so the $111.54 price is easier to judge upfront. I also like the relaxed rhythm: swim, eat, stretch out on deck, take photos, and let the crew handle the route. The main caution is group size. The stated maximum is 20 people, but some departures have reportedly carried far more, which can change the feel of the day.

Key points to know before you book

• Grand Bay departure: The catamaran leaves at about 9:00 am, with hotel pickup usually one to two hours earlier.
• Two water stops: You are scheduled to swim and snorkel near Coin de Mire and Île Plate, but snorkeling equipment is not included.
• Île Plate lunch: Expect a barbecue of fish and chicken with bread, salad, dessert, and drinks.
• Drinks included: Beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke are provided with the meal and during the cruise.
• Small-group promise to check: The advertised maximum is 20 people, but some past departures have been much larger.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Setting out from Grand Bay at 9:00 am

Your day begins well before the boat leaves. Hotel pickup is scheduled one to two hours before the 9:00 am start, depending on where you stay in Mauritius. That early collection is useful, but it also means you should be ready in the lobby and allow time for the drive to Grand Bay.

The meeting point is at Grand Bay Public Beach, near the Grand Bay store. Once you reach the marina area, you board the catamaran and choose a place on deck. There is no complicated sightseeing schedule at this stage. The point is to settle in, enjoy the breeze, and watch the northern coast slide past.

Grand Bay is a practical launch point for this trip because the boat can quickly reach the northern lagoon and the islands beyond it. Keep your camera handy as you pass views connected with Cap Malheureux, Pereybere, and Grand Bay. The scenery is one of the strongest reasons to choose a boat day instead of spending all your time on the beach.

The stated trip length is about seven hours. That is long enough to make the ride feel like a full day out, but not so long that you are committed to a late return. Still, you should expect most of the day to be spent outdoors, often in sun and wind. A hat, sun protection, and a secure way to carry your phone are sensible choices.

Cruising the northwest coast toward Coin de Mire

The first part of the trip is about the ride itself. The catamaran moves along the northwest coast, giving you time to stretch out, talk, listen to music, or simply watch the water. On a good-weather day, this is the most restful part of the experience.

The boat eventually anchors in a clear, calm lagoon on the north side of Mauritius. This is where you can swim and snorkel before lunch. The water stop gives the day some useful variety. You are not just sitting on a boat for seven hours, and you are not rushing from one beach to another either.

The important practical detail is that snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own if you have it, or confirm what can be arranged before departure. The activity information specifically lists equipment as an extra, so do not assume a mask and fins will be waiting on board.

Swimming conditions depend on the weather and the captain’s judgment. One departure encountered rough conditions, but the captain and crew handled them well. That is worth keeping in mind when you picture a calm lagoon from the description. Northern Mauritius can be sunny and pleasant, but a boat trip is still tied to wind and sea conditions.

The reviews also reveal a less pleasant possibility: a reported departure spent about 90 minutes going in circles at sea. That appears to have been an isolated operational problem, not the planned route, but it is a reminder that boat days can be affected by weather, navigation, or crew performance.

Île Plate for barbecue lunch and beach time

Île Plate is the main stop and the point where the day shifts from cruising to island relaxation. The planned lunch includes fish and chicken cooked on the barbecue, along with bread, salad, and dessert. Vegetarian food is available if you request it when booking.

Drinks are part of the package. You can have beer, wine, local rum, water, or Coke, which adds real value to the price. A boat lunch can become expensive when every drink is charged separately, so having the food and basic drinks included makes the day easier to budget.

You may eat on or near the catamaran, then spend time on the island or lounge on the beach. This is not presented as a guided cultural visit with a long list of landmarks. It is beach time, plain and simple. If you want a quiet stretch of sand, a swim, or a slower hour after lunch, Île Plate gives you that breathing room.

The island stop also helps break up the boat ride. Seven hours on a catamaran can feel tiring if you remain seated the whole time. Getting off, walking around, and changing your view makes the schedule more comfortable.

Do not expect a private island experience. The same group-size concern applies here, and a crowded boat can mean more people competing for deck space, lunch, and the best places to sit. Some past departures were described as overbooked, with numbers well above the promised limit. I would confirm the expected group size with Eco Holidays before paying if personal space matters to you.

What the catamaran day feels like on board

The strongest departures combine good weather with a friendly crew. Kevin, Rudi, Bruno, and Olivier are named as crew members on one highly praised trip, where the day included music, dancing, clear water, food, and sunshine. That gives you a useful picture of the intended mood: casual, social, and festive rather than quiet and formal.

Music and dancing will suit some people and annoy others. If you want a lively boat day with drinks and conversation, this format should work well. If you want a silent sail with a small number of people, you may prefer a private charter or a quieter excursion.

The crew’s handling of difficult conditions also matters. One trip received positive marks for the way the captain managed rough weather. At the same time, other accounts describe an unwelcoming arrival and a boat that felt too full. The experience can depend heavily on which vessel and crew operate your departure.

The activity says the maximum is 20 people. That is a reasonable number for a catamaran, especially if the boat has enough deck room. But the reports of 30 and even 46 people are serious enough that I would not ignore them. Ask for confirmation of the current capacity, the name of the departure boat if available, and what happens if the group exceeds the advertised limit.

Is $111.54 good value?

At $111.54 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer, but it includes several costs that quickly add up. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat trip, a barbecue lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and access to two planned water stops.

The value is strongest if you want a full-day outing without arranging several separate pieces. A taxi to Grand Bay, a boat ticket, lunch, and drinks could easily make a self-organized day less convenient. The included transport also helps if you are staying away from the northern coast.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not care for barbecue food, or mainly want a short snorkeling session. You are paying for the entire seven-hour experience, including the sailing and beach stop. Someone focused only on swimming might find a shorter water activity more suitable.

The all-inclusive part does not cover everything. Snorkeling equipment is not included, and you need to bring or arrange your own gear. That small extra cost may not matter, but it should be part of your calculation.

The price also assumes the day operates as advertised. An overcrowded boat reduces the space and comfort you are paying for. For that reason, group-size confirmation is more important here than it would be on a simple land excursion.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius cruise most?

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and independent adults who want a social day on the water. The minimum age is 18, so this is not designed as a family outing with children. A group that enjoys swimming, casual food, music, and a drink in the sun should find the format appealing.

It also suits people who want convenience. Hotel pickup removes the need to find Grand Bay on your own, and the lunch and drinks are already handled. You can spend the day enjoying the coast instead of checking menus and arranging transport.

You should think twice if you get seasick, dislike crowded boats, or need a tightly controlled schedule. A seven-hour sea outing gives you limited escape once the catamaran leaves. Weather can alter the feel of the day, and previous departures have not all matched the promised group size.

The trip may also be a poor fit if snorkeling is your main goal and you do not have your own equipment. Swimming is included in the plan, but the supplied information does not promise gear, guided instruction, or an extended snorkeling session.

Booking details that affect your day

Confirmation is provided at booking, and a minimum of two people is required per reservation. You will need to provide each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country when booking.

The tour is commonly booked about 16 days ahead. That is a useful planning signal, especially if your Mauritius dates are fixed. I would reserve early, then contact the operator with any food needs and ask about the expected group size.

A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it in advance. The standard meal is fish and chicken with bread, salad, and dessert, so do not wait until you are boarding to mention dietary requirements.

Hotel pickup time is not one fixed hour for everyone. It falls one to two hours before the activity start, depending on your hotel location. Keep your morning open and wait in the lobby rather than assuming the driver will call at the last minute.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a convenient, social day that combines coastal views, swimming, Île Plate, a barbecue lunch, and drinks in one package. The crew can create a genuinely fun atmosphere, and the included transfer saves time and hassle. For many people, that makes $111.54 fair value.

Before booking, I would ask Eco Holidays one direct question: how many people will be on your boat that day? The advertised maximum is 20, but the past crowding reports are too specific to dismiss. Also arrange snorkeling gear, state any vegetarian need, and be ready for an early pickup.

If the group is kept near the promised size and the weather cooperates, this is a pleasant way to see northern Mauritius from the water. If the boat is full beyond its stated limit, the same itinerary may feel cramped rather than carefree.

FAQ

What is included in the Northern Catamaran Cruise?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the catamaran cruise, barbecue lunch, alcoholic beverages, and nonalcoholic drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so you should arrange your own gear before departure.

What food is served for lunch?

The barbecue lunch includes fish and chicken, bread, salad, and dessert. A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking.

What drinks are included?

Beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke are included.

Where does the cruise leave from?

The catamaran departs from Grand Bay, with the meeting point listed at Grand Bay Public Beach near the Grand Bay store.

What time does the activity start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am. Hotel pickup is usually one to two hours earlier, depending on your accommodation’s location.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If bad weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.