Grand Bay: Catamaran Cruise to Flat Island with BBQ Lunch

Flat Island is the star here: a quiet northern island with a broad beach, clear lagoon, walking paths, and views toward Coin de Mire and Round Island. The trip begins with a small dinghy ride from Grand Baie beach to the catamaran, then heads up the coast past Cap Malheureux and Pereybere.

I love the combination of a full day at sea and unhurried island time, plus the included BBQ, drinks, swimming, and snorkeling. The main caution is comfort: boats can carry more than 50 people, music may play loudly for much of the day, and rough seas have caused serious seasickness for some passengers.

Key points to know before booking

• Flat Island is about 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux, near Round Island and Coin de Mire.
• The day lasts about seven hours, but the exact time on land can change with sea and weather conditions.
• Lunch includes fish, chicken, bread, salad, dessert, and drinks, including beer, wine, local rum, water, and soft drinks.
• You do not land on Coin de Mire, though snorkeling may take place near it when conditions are suitable.
• The sea can get rough, so bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and consider motion sickness tablets.
• This suits swimmers, beach lovers, and lively groups better than anyone seeking a quiet sailing day.

Sailing north from Grand Baie

Your day begins on the beach at Grand Baie, roughly midway along the beach. A member of the team is assigned to welcome you, but do not expect a conventional harbor check-in. You first board a small dinghy from the sand, then transfer to the catamaran offshore.

That transfer is worth noting if you have limited mobility or simply dislike getting wet before the trip begins. It is part of the island-cruise routine, but the sea can move the small boat around. Pregnant women should not book this activity.

Once aboard, the catamaran follows Mauritius’s northwest coast. Keep your camera ready for views of Grand Baie, Pereybere, and Cap Malheureux. The coast looks especially good from the water, and this part of the trip gives you a useful sense of how the northern islands sit beyond the mainland.

The catamaran is not a quiet private yacht. It is a shared boat, and the reported capacity can pass 50 people. Seating is limited, especially around the cockpit and dining area. If you want a front-row spot, arrive ready to board rather than assuming every passenger will have a chair with a clear view.

The music is another part of the experience. It may be loud from morning until the return sail. If you like a party atmosphere, that can make the crossing more fun. If you want to hear the sails, wind, and water, this may feel more like a floating day party than a peaceful cruise.

Flat Island, or Île Plate

Flat Island is called Île Plate in French. It lies at the far north of Mauritius, close to Round Island and Coin de Mire. The island is known for its beach, lagoon, open trails, and natural setting rather than for a long list of built attractions.

The catamaran does not usually land directly on the beach. Dinghies shuttle you from the catamaran to shore. Once there, you have time to spread out. You can sit on the sand, swim inside the lagoon, walk along the island paths, or simply dry off and enjoy the view.

This is the part of the day that gives the cruise its value. You are not locked into a guided march from one stop to another. You choose your pace, which works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another stays on the beach, and someone else can take a quiet walk.

Do not expect hours of formal island touring. The amount of time on land depends on the day’s sea conditions and the operating plan. One account described only about an hour on the island, with much of the day spent aboard the catamaran. I would book this as a catamaran outing with an island stop, not as a full-day Flat Island walking tour.

The island is also a good place to look for the paille en queue, the white-tailed tropical bird associated with Mauritius. It is one of the small natural details that can make the stop feel more personal than a simple beach break. Bring binoculars only if you have room, since most of your useful equipment is likely to be swimwear, a towel, and sun protection.

Snorkeling near Coin de Mire

The northern islands are a major reason to choose this trip. Coin de Mire is passed at the closest practical point, but you do not set foot on it. The surrounding water may be used for snorkeling, depending on weather, sea conditions, and the crew’s plan.

You can snorkel at your own pace and according to your ability. That is useful for a group with different swimming skills, but it also means you should be honest with yourself about the conditions. Open water is not the same as a calm hotel pool, and strong wind or swell can make a swim tiring.

The fish are one of the strongest parts of the outing. The northern waters are known for a wide range of tropical fish, and the stop can be rewarding even if you are a casual snorkeler rather than an expert. Still, visibility and comfort are never guaranteed. On rough days, the crew may shorten, move, or cancel the water stop.

There may also be snorkeling at sea on the return if the weather and sea remain suitable. Treat this as an extra possibility rather than a promise. The important point is that the schedule responds to conditions, which is sensible on a long open-water trip.

Bring your own confidence and stay within the area and instructions provided by the crew. The activity includes snorkeling and swimming, but it is not described as a private lesson or a guided marine-life tour.

BBQ lunch and drinks on the island

Lunch includes grilled fish and chicken with bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks include beer, wine, local rum, water, Coke, juice, and other soft drinks. For a $70 price, that food and beverage package adds real value, especially since a full day on the water can make you hungry and thirsty.

The meal is casual rather than polished. Seating may be tight, and there are only around ten places at a table according to one detailed account. You may end up eating from your lap or finding a less formal place to sit. That is not a deal breaker for a beach barbecue, but you should know it before booking.

Food quality can be uneven. Some reports describe the lunch as very good, while another found the included meal and drink poor. I would set your expectations at a straightforward group barbecue, not a restaurant lunch. The menu is practical, filling, and suited to a day outdoors, but this is not the reason to choose the cruise if you are particular about food.

The drink service is a plus. Having water and soft drinks included matters in the Mauritian sun, and the option of beer, wine, or local rum suits the social mood of the catamaran. Drink responsibly, especially before swimming or during a rough crossing.

Lunch timing can also vary. One account placed the buffet on the boat rather than the island, while the general plan describes lunch on Île Plate. Conditions and the day’s operation may affect the exact arrangement. If eating on shore is important to you, confirm the plan with the operator before departure.

Comfort, crowds, and the sound level

The biggest practical question is not the beach. It is the boat.

A shared catamaran can feel sociable and lively, but space is limited when the group is large. There may not be a seat for everyone in the cockpit, and dining space is especially restricted. You should be comfortable standing, sitting on deck, or eating informally.

Music can be the deciding factor. Some departures have loud music playing for most of the day. That creates a festive mood for younger groups and anyone who wants a party at sea. It can frustrate you if you are hoping for quiet conversation or the natural sound of the water.

The boat’s safety handling has received positive attention during bad weather. On one departure with wind, rain, and heavy waves, the captain continued carefully and the crew paid close attention to passenger safety. The boat was also changed because the original group included families with children and the conditions were judged unsuitable for them. That kind of decision is reassuring, even though it also confirms that the sea can become demanding.

You should bring motion sickness tablets if you are prone to nausea. Strong swell has left many people feeling ill, and a seven-hour boat day gives seasickness plenty of time to ruin an otherwise beautiful outing. Take the issue seriously, especially if you have little open-water experience.

Weather can rewrite the itinerary

This is a weather-dependent activity. The date and start time can change if conditions are not suitable, and the route, snorkeling, lunch location, and time on land may also shift during the day.

That flexibility is necessary. Flat Island sits in open water north of Mauritius, so wind and swell matter more than they do on a sheltered coastal cruise. A sunny morning does not guarantee a smooth crossing, and rain can arrive while the boat is underway.

Pack sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel, but also consider a light cover-up and a dry bag for valuables. Only the first three items are specifically required, yet practical protection from sun and spray will make the day easier. Keep your phone and camera protected during the dinghy transfer and while moving between boat and beach.

The crew speaks French and English. You can expect a live guide or crew communication in those languages, though the main experience is scenic sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and free time rather than a lecture-heavy tour.

Is the $70 price fair?

At $70 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the full package. You are paying for about seven hours, a catamaran trip, dinghy transfers, an island stop, snorkeling and swimming opportunities, lunch, and several types of drinks. Booking separate transport, food, and a boat trip could easily become less convenient.

The value drops if you dislike crowded boats or cannot handle rough water. You might spend much of the day seated in a busy cockpit, listening to loud music, with less island time than expected. In that case, a smaller or more private sailing option would probably serve you better, even at a higher price.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Grand Baie beach yourself and find the welcome point midway along the beach. Build in enough time to locate the meeting spot, since the first step involves a small boat transfer rather than a simple walk onto a dock.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make the booking less risky. Still, check the latest start time and weather guidance before you set out, since the schedule can change.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a full day built around the northern islands of Mauritius, enjoy swimming and snorkeling, and do not mind sharing the boat. It is particularly suitable for friends, couples, and families with confident swimmers who like a lively atmosphere.

It is also a good choice if your ideal beach day includes a change of scenery. You get more than a resort shoreline: a coastal sail, a remote-feeling island, a lagoon, tropical fish, and a barbecue.

I would hesitate if you are pregnant, highly prone to seasickness, seeking a quiet sailing experience, or expecting several hours to explore Flat Island on foot. The tour includes island time, but the boat ride is the main event.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The meeting point is on Grand Baie beach, midway along the beach. A team member is assigned to welcome you, and you take a small boat from the beach to reach the catamaran.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours. The exact start time is subject to availability, and the schedule may change because of weather and sea conditions.

Where is Flat Island?

Flat Island, called Île Plate in French, is about 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux at the northern end of Mauritius. It is near Round Island and Coin de Mire.

Do you land on Coin de Mire?

No. The catamaran passes as close as possible to Coin de Mire, but the activity does not include setting foot on the island. Snorkeling may take place in the surrounding area when conditions allow.

What food is included?

The barbecue includes fish and chicken, bread, salad, and dessert. The exact lunch location can depend on the day’s operation and sea conditions.

What drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling and swimming stops are included, and you can snorkel at your own pace. Additional snorkeling at sea on the return depends on weather and sea conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Motion sickness tablets are also a sensible choice if you are affected by rough water. Pregnant women should not take this activity.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a sociable northern-island cruise, a useful lunch package, and the chance to swim and snorkel around some of Mauritius’s most scenic offshore waters. The island beach, tropical fish, and careful response to changing sea conditions are the strongest reasons to go.

Skip it if quiet is essential, if you need generous seating, or if a short island visit would disappoint you. At $70, this is good value for an active day on the water, but only if you see Flat Island as one part of the outing rather than the entire purpose.