3 North Islands Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Drinks on island.

The best part of this trip is the change of view. From a catamaran north of Mauritius, the water shifts through several shades of blue, while Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate appear as low strips of white sand and green scrub far from the mainland. The open-sea ride is the main event, not just transport between stops.

I like the chance to land on a quiet island beach and the easygoing mix of swimming, snorkeling, food, and drinks. The stop near Coin de Mire can also be excellent, with clear water averaging about six meters deep. The trade-off is that this can feel like a loud party cruise, and the Coin de Mire stop depends entirely on safe weather and sea conditions.

Key points to know before you book

• Three northern islands: You visit Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, then pass close to Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin.
• About seven hours on the water: The first crossing from Grand Baie takes roughly 90 minutes, so this is a full-day outing rather than a quick boat ride.
• Lunch and drinks included: The package includes a BBQ, salad, and drinks, though the exact place where lunch is served can vary.
• Snorkeling is flexible: You can snorkel near the islands according to your comfort and ability, with the final stop subject to the captain’s decision.
• A social atmosphere: Music, dancing, beer, and rum have featured on some departures, so expect a lively boat rather than a quiet nature cruise.
• Simple meeting point: You meet at Grand Baie Public Beach at 8:30 am and return there. Private transportation is not included.

Setting out from Grand Baie at 8:30 am

The day begins at Grand Baie Public Beach, a practical departure point in northern Mauritius. You need to arrange your own way there because private transportation is not included. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

The boat ride to the northern islands takes about an hour and a half. That timing matters. You are not stepping aboard for a short harbor trip. You are spending much of the morning looking out over open water, watching the coast recede and the islands come into view.

The catamaran is described as a large, stable, fully licensed boat with room for up to 48 people. That capacity gives you more space and steadiness than a small speedboat, but it also means this is a shared group outing. If you want a quiet, private sailing experience, this is not the right format.

Getting from the beach to the catamaran may involve a small powered tender, depending on the departure arrangements. With a full group, that transfer can take time. Arrive ready for a bit of waiting and wear footwear that you can remove easily if boarding involves shallow water.

Once aboard, the mood can go in two directions. Some departures have a relaxed, friendly feel, while others lean heavily into music, dancing, beer, and rum from early in the morning. You should choose this trip for the sea day and social atmosphere, not for silence.

Ilot Gabriel, the first white-sand stop

The first island stop is Ilot Gabriel. The crossing from Grand Baie takes around 90 minutes, followed by roughly two hours at the island.

This is the kind of place that makes the boat trip worthwhile. Ilot Gabriel has a beautiful beach, clear shallows, and the sense of a small island separated from ordinary life. You can swim, sit on the sand, or snorkel near shore according to your comfort and ability.

The island is also noted for the paille-en-queue, the white-tailed tropicbird associated with Mauritius. You may see these endemic birds near their nests, a detail that gives the stop more character than a simple beach break. Bring patience and keep your distance from nesting areas.

The beach is the strongest part of this stop, but do not expect a developed island resort. The appeal is the absence of buildings and the simple rhythm of water, sand, and open sky. That also means you should keep track of your own belongings and protect yourself from the sun.

Snorkeling here is presented as optional rather than a demanding organized lesson. You can enter the water if conditions suit you, but the activity is designed to accommodate different comfort levels. If you are not a strong swimmer, stay close to shore and follow the crew’s instructions.

Ile Plate and the turquoise lagoon

The next island area is Ile Plate, also called Flat Island. Together with Ilot Gabriel, it sits about 10 kilometers north of Mauritius. The two islands are linked by a shallow turquoise lagoon and surrounded by white sand.

You are allotted around two and a half hours in this part of the trip, giving you time to slow down. The day is not built around rushing from one photo stop to another. You can swim, snorkel, eat, or simply find a patch of sand and rest.

This is also the section where the lunch arrangement matters. BBQ food, salad, and drinks are included, and the experience description presents lunch as an island meal. However, the exact serving location may vary. Some departures have served food on or near the island, while others have prepared it aboard the catamaran or at the swimming stop.

If eating on the sand is important to you, confirm that detail before booking. It is a small practical question, but it can shape your expectations. A BBQ with drinks on an island feels very different from a buffet on a crowded boat.

The food is best viewed as a convenient part of a beach day rather than a reason to choose the cruise. You are paying for the combination of transport, island access, swimming time, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. At $58.08 per person, that package can offer solid value if you plan to use all of those elements.

Passing Coin de Mire, or Gunner’s Quoin

The third island is Coin de Mire, also known as Gunner’s Quoin or Gunner’s Point. It is a small volcanic island of about 65 hectares, located roughly eight kilometers north of Mauritius.

You do not land on Coin de Mire. The catamaran passes nearby, and, if the weather and sea are suitable, you can snorkel in the natural aquarium around it. The water here is described as especially clear, with an average depth of about six meters and a usual range from three to nine meters.

This stop is potentially the best snorkeling of the day, but it is also the least guaranteed. The captain makes the final call based on safety. That is worth taking seriously. A rough sea can turn a beautiful snorkeling site into an uncomfortable or unsafe one, and no responsible operator should force the stop.

The boat may spend about two hours in this section, including the time needed to position near the island and allow people into the water. If conditions are unfavorable, you may pass the island without snorkeling. The trip still continues, but the day becomes more of a scenic cruise and beach outing than a three-stop water adventure.

You should bring realistic expectations. This is not a certified scuba excursion or a guided marine biology tour. It is casual snorkeling in a naturally attractive area. You choose your own level, and the crew’s role is to manage the outing rather than provide intensive instruction.

Lunch, drinks, and the party-boat question

Food and drinks are included, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to search for a restaurant on the islands, and the BBQ and salad make the long outing easier to manage.

The drinks are part of the social character. Beer and rum have featured prominently, and music can play for much of the trip. That can be fun if you want dancing and a cheerful boat atmosphere. It can be tiring if you came for birdsong, quiet snorkeling, or a peaceful sail.

I would think carefully about your group before booking. Friends looking for a lively day on the water may enjoy the music and shared celebration. Families, couples seeking a calm anniversary outing, and anyone sensitive to loud sound may want to ask about the expected style of the departure.

The boat’s size helps with stability, but it does not guarantee personal space. The advertised maximum is 48 people, and the experience is clearly designed for a group. Boarding transfers can also feel slow when many people are moving between the beach and the catamaran.

What the $58.08 price really covers

At $58.08 per person, the price is reasonable if you want an all-in-one northern-island day. You receive the catamaran outing, time at two islands, the passing stop near Coin de Mire, BBQ lunch, salad, and drinks.

You also save the hassle of arranging separate boat transport, island access, food, and snorkeling time. That convenience has real value in Mauritius, especially if you have only a few days and want one substantial day at sea.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet boat ride or a guaranteed snorkeling session. The experience may become less satisfying if the sea cancels the Coin de Mire stop, the music is louder than you prefer, or lunch is served somewhere different from what you expected.

Weather is the largest variable. The full trip requires good conditions, and the operator may cancel for safety or offer another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start, but a cancellation made inside that window is not refundable.

Because past communication around weather cancellations has caused frustration, keep your phone and email available before departure. Confirm that your contact details are correct, and do not assume that a taxi expense will be reimbursed if the activity is canceled.

Who will enjoy this northern-island cruise

I would recommend this trip to you if you want one convenient day combining scenery, beach time, casual snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. It works particularly well for friends and couples who enjoy a social boat atmosphere and do not need a tightly guided program.

It can also suit a mixed-ability group. You can swim and snorkel according to your own comfort, or stay on the beach and enjoy the views. The itinerary gives you time to rest rather than requiring constant activity.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet ecological outing, a private catamaran, or a guaranteed visit to every advertised water stop. Coin de Mire depends on the sea, and the mood may be much livelier than the polished island scenery suggests.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. Since you may use a small tender between the beach and catamaran, keep your belongings compact and easy to carry. If you plan to snorkel, bring equipment only if the operator confirms what is supplied, since the available information does not specify the gear.

Should you book it?

Book it if your ideal Mauritius day includes open-sea views, two island beaches, casual snorkeling, a BBQ, and music with drinks. The price covers a lot, and the northern islands give you a far wider view of Mauritius than a beach day on the mainland.

Skip it if you want guaranteed calm, quiet, or a precise lunch setting. Ask in advance about the expected group size, boarding transfer, music level, and where lunch will be served. With those details clear, you can decide whether this is your kind of sea day or simply a noisy boat ride to a beautiful place.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

It starts at Grand Baie Public Beach in Mauritius and returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 am.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes a BBQ, salad, and drinks. The exact location where lunch is served may vary, so confirm this if eating on the island is important to you.

Can you land on all three islands?

No. You land on Ilot Gabriel and visit the beach area of Ile Plate. The catamaran passes near Coin de Mire, but setting foot on that island is not part of the activity.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.