North of Mauritius: Sunset Catamaran Cruise, Drinks & Snacks

The best part of this cruise is the timing. You leave Grand Baie while there is still enough light to enjoy the lagoon, then watch the northern coast change as the sun drops behind the horizon. The boat stays out for two hours, giving you time for sunset photos, a drink, and a little sea air without taking up your whole evening.

I like the easygoing setup: drinks are included, and the snack spread adds more than a bare-bones boat ride. I also like the chance to see the green flash, a rare burst of green light that can appear just after sunset. The main drawback is that this is not the best choice if you get seasick or have limited mobility, and the snacks may feel modest if you are expecting a full meal.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours on the water: The cruise leaves Grand Baie and returns to the same jetty, making it a simple evening outing.
• A generous drinks menu: Local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water are included.
• Sunset is the main event: The route is planned around the changing light along the northern coast, not swimming or a long sightseeing stop.
• Snacks are included, not dinner: Expect chutney with croutons, nachos and dips, moolkoo, and banana chips.
• Large catamaran and friendly service: The boat offers room to enjoy the views, while the crew helps keep the mood relaxed.
• Weather can change the route: The captain may alter direction if the sea is rough or unsafe.

Why this Grand Baie cruise works so well at sunset

A sunset cruise can be either a memorable end to a beach day or a slow, crowded ride with little to see. This one has a clear advantage: the entire outing is built around the two-hour window when the light is at its best.

You leave from Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie and head out across the lagoon toward the northern coastline. At first, the trip gives you open daylight and sea views. As the afternoon fades, the water and sky take on warmer colors, and the catamaran becomes a comfortable place to watch the change.

I like this kind of short cruise for the final evening of a holiday. You do not need to give up an entire day, and you return to Grand Baie at a useful dinner hour. One visitor described it as a fantastic end to a vacation, and that fits the format well. It is festive without demanding much energy.

The mood is another strong point. The cruise is designed for conversation, drinks, photos, and quiet appreciation of the view. A friendly crew and a large catamaran help, especially if you want more room than a small speedboat provides. The atmosphere has been praised as relaxed and well managed, with the crew making an effort to look after everyone.

This is not a wildlife cruise, a swimming trip, or a formal dinner. You are paying for the setting, the sunset, the included refreshments, and a pleasant couple of hours at sea. That distinction matters when you compare it with longer catamaran outings around Mauritius.

Meeting at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie

The meeting point is the Blue Safari, Sportfisher, Croisieres Australes office at Sunset Boulevard, facing the sea near the jetty. You finish at the same place, so there is no need to arrange a second pickup point after the cruise.

There are two departure schedules:

• From October through March, meet at 4:45 p.m. for a 5 p.m. departure. You return at about 7 p.m.
• From April through September, meet at 4:15 p.m. for a 4:30 p.m. departure. You return at about 6:30 p.m.

Arrive ready to board rather than cutting it close. The meeting time allows for the boarding process, and the boat needs to leave on schedule to reach the best sunset position.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. That is a minor inconvenience if you are staying outside Grand Baie, but the direct meeting point is useful if you are already in town. Personal expenses are also separate, though the main drinks and snacks for the cruise are covered.

The outing runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That limited schedule is worth checking before you build your evening plans around it.

The route from lagoon light to northern coastline views

The cruise begins in the calmer waters near Grand Baie before heading out toward the horizon. The supplied route description does not promise a particular island stop, swimming break, or snorkeling site, so you should think of this as a sailing experience rather than a sightseeing circuit with fixed stops.

That is a good thing if you want an uncomplicated evening. You can settle into the catamaran, enjoy the scenery, and watch the sky change without keeping track of several activities. The northern coast is especially suited to this sort of outing because the view opens toward the setting sun.

The captain has the final say on direction. If sea conditions become rough or unsafe, the route may change. This is sensible, but it also means the exact view and sailing line can vary from one evening to another. A calm sea should make for a smoother ride, while choppier conditions may be more noticeable on the way out.

Bring motion sickness pills if you need them. The experience is specifically not recommended for people prone to seasickness, so be honest with yourself before booking. A sunset is not much fun if you spend the whole cruise feeling ill.

Drinks and snacks on board

The included drinks are one of the strongest practical reasons to consider this cruise. The menu includes local rum, red wine, rosé, white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. The selection covers alcoholic and nonalcoholic preferences, so you can enjoy the boat even if you do not drink alcohol.

Cocktails are also mentioned as part of the offering, although the precise cocktail selection is not specified. You can expect a social, holiday-style drinks service, not a detailed cocktail workshop or premium bar program.

The food is a snack service rather than a full meal. The listed choices are:

• Tomato chatini style with croutons
• Nachos with dips
• Moolkoo
• Banana chips

These are useful with drinks and should take the edge off your appetite. They also give the cruise a little local character, especially the tomato chutney and moolkoo. Still, I would eat a proper late lunch or early meal before boarding if you tend to get hungry. One piece of feedback specifically suggested that the snack offering could be improved, so it is best to treat the canapés as a pleasant extra, not the main reason to book.

The food and drinks work best as part of the atmosphere. You can hold a drink, share snacks, and watch the colors develop without leaving the boat for a meal stop.

Watching the sun disappear over the water

The sunset itself is the heart of the outing. As the boat sails toward the open horizon, the light becomes softer and the sky takes on changing shades. This is when you will want your camera ready, but do not spend the entire time looking through it.

The boat gives you a moving viewpoint rather than a fixed beach sunset. That makes the experience feel more special, but it also means the best angle can change as the catamaran turns. Take several photos early, then put your phone away for a few minutes.

The green flash is a possible bonus, not a promised sight. It is a brief optical effect that can appear just after the sun slips below the horizon. Clear conditions and an unobstructed view help, but there is no guarantee it will show. The right approach is to watch for it without letting the search distract you from the sunset itself.

After darkness settles in, the boat returns to Sunset Boulevard. Since the cruise lasts only two hours, you still have the evening ahead of you in Grand Baie.

What to bring for a comfortable ride

Pack for wind, spray, sun, and a cooler temperature after sunset. The recommended items are practical:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• A hat or cap
• A swimsuit
• A towel
• A cover-up
• A change of clothes
• A waterproof bag or backpack
• Non-slip shoes
• Insect repellent
• A waterproof jacket
• Motion sickness pills if necessary

Not every item will be essential on every departure. The swimsuit is useful if you plan to get wet, though the supplied information does not promise a swimming stop. A waterproof bag is smart for phones and other valuables, since you will be on the water and may encounter spray.

Non-slip shoes are more useful than sandals with smooth soles. The catamaran is a working boat, and stable footing matters when people are moving around during boarding or while the boat is under way.

A jacket or waterproof layer is particularly useful in the cooler months and after sunset. Even a warm afternoon can feel breezy once the boat is moving.

Is the $55 price good value?

At $55 per person, this is a fair midrange price for a short sunset sailing outing, mainly because drinks and snacks are included. You are not paying only for transport across the bay. The price covers the catamaran ride, the two-hour timing, the setting, the onboard service, and a selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

The value is strongest if you plan to have several drinks and want a relaxed social evening. Buying drinks separately at a waterfront bar could add up quickly, and the cruise gives you a memorable setting for them.

The value is less clear if you want a substantial meal, a long sailing route, or several water activities. This is a compact sunset experience, not a full-day catamaran adventure. A simple beach sunset will cost less, but it will not give you the same moving view or the included boat service.

A large catamaran is another practical advantage. The exact passenger capacity is not provided, so I would not assume a small private outing. Still, the boat has been described as large, and the general experience is built around a shared, social atmosphere.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and solo visitors who want an easy evening on the water. It also suits anyone who has already spent the day swimming or sightseeing and wants something slower.

The cruise is a good fit if you value:

• Sunset views over structured sightseeing
• Included drinks
• A short two-hour commitment
• A friendly group atmosphere
• An easy return to Grand Baie
• A chance to take photos without spending a full day at sea

It may not suit you if you are prone to seasickness, have mobility limitations, or want a quiet private charter. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and pets are not allowed except for assistance dogs.

The boat is also not the place for careless behavior. Littering and touching marine life are prohibited. Those rules are simple, but important when you are spending time in a lagoon and coastal waters.

Booking advice and final verdict

I would book this cruise if you want a pleasant, well-timed sunset outing with drinks included and no need to plan a complicated evening. The strongest features are the two-hour length, the northern coast setting, the broad drinks selection, and the friendly atmosphere created by the crew.

Keep your expectations in the right place. The snacks are light, the route can change with sea conditions, and the green flash is only a possibility. If you want a full dinner, swimming, or a detailed island tour, choose a different boat trip.

For a simple final evening in Mauritius, though, this is a good pick. Meet at Sunset Boulevard, bring a light jacket and a waterproof bag, and leave enough time to get settled before departure. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your plans are still shifting.

FAQ

How long does the sunset catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts two hours. In summer, it departs at 5 p.m. and returns at about 7 p.m. In winter, it departs at 4:30 p.m. and returns at about 6:30 p.m.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at the Blue Safari, Sportfisher, Croisieres Australes office at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, facing the sea near the jetty. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. Cocktails are also included, though no specific cocktail list is provided.

What food is served?

The snack selection includes tomato chatini style with croutons, nachos with dips, moolkoo, and banana chips. This is a snack service rather than a full dinner.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat or cap, a swimsuit, a towel, a cover-up, a change of clothes, non-slip shoes, insect repellent, and a waterproof jacket. A waterproof bag and motion sickness pills may also be useful.

Does the cruise operate in all weather?

The captain may change direction if sea conditions are rough or impassable. The experience is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

Which days does the cruise operate?

The cruise operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and pets are not allowed except for assistance dogs.