Grand Bay: Catamaran Cruise to Flat Island with BBQ Lunch

The main event here is the north-coast sail to Île Plate, a low, open island about 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux. You start with a short dinghy ride from Grand Baie beach, climb aboard the catamaran, and spend much of the day moving between sea views, lagoon swims, and time on the island.

I like the chance to snorkel at your own pace, rather than being pushed through a fixed session. I also like the generous food and drink package: fish and chicken from the barbecue, salad, bread, dessert, beer, wine, local rum, water, and soft drinks. The main catch is comfort. Boats can be crowded, music may be very loud, and rough seas can make the ride unpleasant.

Key points to know before booking

• Île Plate is the main stop: You get beach time, a swim, a short island walk, and a chance to spot the Paille en Queue bird.
• The ride begins with a dinghy transfer: You meet on Grand Baie beach and use a small boat to reach the catamaran.
• The food is filling but informal: Barbecue fish and chicken are served with salad, bread, and dessert, and seating may be limited.
• Sea conditions matter: Strong waves have caused motion sickness, and the schedule can change if the weather is poor.
• The atmosphere can be lively: Music may play loudly from morning to late afternoon, which suits a party mood better than a quiet sailing day.
• The price includes the essentials: At $70 per person, lunch, drinks, snorkeling, swimming, and the boat trip are all covered, but hotel transfers are not.

Setting off from Grand Baie beach

The meeting point is on the beach at Grand Baie, roughly midway along the beach rather than at a large, clearly marked pier. Someone from the operator, Vacances Oh Soleil, is assigned to welcome you and direct you to the boat.

The first step is a short ride in a dinghy. You do not walk straight from the sand onto the catamaran. The small boat takes you out to the larger vessel, where you climb aboard. Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel, sunscreen, and phone in a bag that can handle splashes.

Grand Baie gives you a fine start to the day. As the catamaran heads north, keep your camera ready for views of Grand Baie, Pereybere, and Cap Malheureux. The coast is the scenic part of the outward journey, and the changing view from the water helps put the northern islands in context.

The catamaran trip is not simply transport to a beach. You spend a large share of the seven-hour outing on the boat, so your enjoyment depends on how much you like open-water sailing. The crew speaks French and English, and the mood can range from relaxed to full party mode depending on the day.

The seven-hour route to Île Plate

Île Plate, or Flat Island, sits near Round Island at the northern edge of Mauritius. It is close to Coin de Mire, the dramatic island you pass near during the trip, but the boat does not land there. That distinction matters if you are hoping to visit several islands. You may see Coin de Mire from the water, but Île Plate is the island where you spend time ashore.

The catamaran usually sails as close as conditions allow to Coin de Mire. Around that area, you may have time to snorkel in the sea. The activity description allows for snorkeling and swimming stops, but the exact timing depends on weather and sea conditions.

The route can be rough. One recent outing had strong wind, rain, and large waves. The skipper handled the conditions safely, but adults still needed to hold on firmly, and children would have had a harder time. Another outing produced seasickness for almost everyone aboard. I would bring motion-sickness tablets if you are at all prone to nausea, even if the morning looks calm.

The weather can also alter the date or time of the cruise. That is a normal concern for a boat trip in Mauritius, not a minor footnote. Keep some flexibility in your holiday schedule if this cruise is important to you.

Beach time and island walking on Flat Island

Once you reach Île Plate, a dinghy takes you to the beach. The island is the quiet counterpoint to the boat ride. You can stretch out on the sand, swim in the lagoon, or walk along the island trails.

The free time is one of the strongest parts of the outing, but do not assume you will spend half the day exploring. One reported schedule allowed only about an hour on the island, with the buffet served on the boat. Other arrangements provide lunch on the island and enough free time afterward to walk or relax. In practical terms, the cruise is more boat-focused than island-focused.

That distinction should guide your booking decision. If you want a full day of walking on Flat Island, this may feel rushed. If you want a catamaran day with a pleasant island stop, the balance makes more sense.

The island’s natural appeal comes from its simplicity. You are not visiting a developed resort area with a long list of facilities. You get sand, lagoon water, open views, and trails. Bring sunscreen and water, although drinking water is included, and keep your expectations focused on nature rather than organized attractions.

Look for the Paille en Queue, the striking white-tailed tropical bird associated with Mauritius. Seeing one is not guaranteed, but the island offers a better setting for watching birdlife than a crowded resort beach.

Snorkeling in the lagoon and at sea

Snorkeling is available at your own pace and according to your ability. That makes the outing friendlier to mixed groups, since you can choose to swim, float, or stay on the beach instead of joining a demanding guided session.

The northern islands are known for tropical fish, and the snorkeling is one of the most praised parts of the day. Clear conditions will make a major difference. Wind, rain, and rough water can reduce visibility and make swimming less comfortable, so do not judge the experience only by the weather at Grand Baie when you set out.

The boat may also stop for snorkeling in the open sea if weather and sea conditions are suitable. This is an opportunity rather than a guarantee. The itinerary does not promise a particular reef, fish species, or exact snorkeling duration.

You should be a confident swimmer before entering the water. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, and anyone who finds boat ladders, dinghy transfers, or choppy sea difficult should think carefully before booking. There is no need to snorkel for the experience to be worthwhile, but the island stop and swimming sections are central to the day.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and limited seating

The included meal is a straightforward beach-cruise barbecue. Expect fish and chicken with bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks include beer, wine, local rum, water, Coke, juice, and other soft drinks.

The meal is useful value because buying lunch and drinks separately during a full-day outing can quickly push up the cost. Still, you should picture an informal setup rather than a restaurant meal. On one crowded departure, more than 50 people were aboard, while only around 40 seats were available in the cockpit and roughly 10 places were arranged at a table. Some people had to eat with plates on their laps.

Food quality has also been inconsistent. Some outings included a very enjoyable lunch, while another was described as poor, especially the included drink with the meal. I would treat the food as a convenient part of the package, not the reason to book the cruise.

The serving location may vary. The planned experience describes lunch on Île Plate, but at least one departure served a buffet on the boat. Weather, boat arrangements, and the day’s schedule appear to affect this. If eating on a proper table is important to you, ask about the current setup before paying.

How crowded and lively is the catamaran?

The group size can make or break this cruise. A catamaran carrying more than 50 people will feel sociable and energetic, but it will not feel private. Seating is limited, and you may need to move around the boat to find a comfortable spot.

Music is the biggest atmosphere issue. On some departures, it played loudly for most of the day. That will suit you if you want a cheerful party boat with rum, dancing, and a steady soundtrack. It will frustrate you if you are hoping to hear the sails, wind, and water.

This is not a luxury or quiet-sailing product. The experience aims for a shared day at sea with food, drinks, swimming, and music. If you want more space and calm, you would need to seek a smaller or more private boat option, although no alternative is included here.

Crew service has also varied. Some outings had a friendly, safety-conscious crew that changed boats when families with children were considered at risk in rough seas. Other passengers found the onboard staff less helpful. The practical lesson is to value the crew’s handling of weather and safety, but do not expect highly personalized service on a busy boat.

What $70 includes and what it does not

At $70 per person, the package covers the seven-hour catamaran trip, dinghy transfers, lunch, drinks, swimming, and snorkeling stops. That is a fair price if you make good use of the whole day and enjoy the social boat setting.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, drinks, and access to a good swimming area. The included alcohol also adds practical value for adults who want a carefree day without carrying supplies.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to walk around Île Plate. You may get only a short period ashore, and some of the day is spent sitting on a crowded catamaran. It is also less attractive if loud music or seasickness would spoil the ride.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to Grand Baie beach. The booking terms allow cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options are useful because weather can change the schedule.

Who should book this northern-island cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want an affordable, full-day boat outing with a beach stop, swimming, snorkeling, barbecue food, and drinks included. It suits couples, groups of friends, and adults who enjoy a lively shared atmosphere.

Families should pay close attention to the sea forecast. Rough water can make the ride hard for children, and the catamaran may be crowded. A calm-weather departure should be more comfortable, but the operator can change the boat or advise against the trip for children when conditions are unsafe.

I would not pick it for a quiet anniversary day, a private-feeling sail, or a serious island walk. Loud music, limited seating, variable lunch arrangements, and short island time are real drawbacks.

Final decision: book for the boat day, not just the island

Book this cruise if your ideal day includes a scenic ride from Grand Baie, tropical fish, a sandy island stop, a casual barbecue, and drinks served on board. At $70, it packs a lot into seven hours.

Skip it if you need peace, generous personal space, a guaranteed island lunch, or a long visit on Flat Island. Ask about the expected group size, music, lunch location, and sea forecast before you commit. With calm weather and the right expectations, this is a good-value northern-island day. With rough seas and a full boat, it can feel more like a noisy ocean transfer with a brief beach break.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin?

You meet on Grand Baie beach, around the middle of the beach. A representative is assigned to welcome you and guide you to the boat.

How do I board the catamaran?

You first take a small dinghy from the beach to the catamaran. You then climb from the dinghy onto the larger boat.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The meal includes barbecue fish and chicken, bread, salad, and dessert. The exact serving location may vary between the island and the boat.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks can include beer, wine, local rum, water, Coke, juice, and other soft drinks.

Can I snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. Snorkeling and swimming stops are included. You can snorkel at your own pace and according to your ability, subject to suitable sea and weather conditions.

Will the boat land on Coin de Mire?

No. The catamaran passes as close as possible to Coin de Mire, but it does not land there. You may have time to snorkel in the surrounding water.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Motion-sickness tablets are also a sensible personal precaution if you are affected by rough seas.

Can the date or time change?

Yes. The date and time may change when weather conditions are not suitable. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option is available.