Catamaran, BBQ, Ile Gabriel , Ile Plate ,Coin de Mire

The best part of this Mauritius experience is the contrast: one day on a shared catamaran among Ile Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire, then a private-car tour through the island’s southern sights. You get sea, food, temples, tea, rum, and giant tortoises in one package.

I like the BBQ lunch with beer and wine included, and I like that day two is private, with a car and driver for your group. The main catch is that the catamaran day is shared and can feel crowded. The northern islands sit outside the reef, so rough weather can also cancel or change that part of the trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different days: Enjoy a full day at sea, followed by a six-hour private tour of southern Mauritius.
• Three northern islands: The cruise visits the area around Ile Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and rest.
• Food and drinks included: A BBQ lunch, beer, and wine are part of the catamaran day.
• Private south-island sightseeing: Day two uses a private car with a driver for your group.
• Accommodation costs extra: You can add a private villa with two bedrooms that sleeps four, but it is not included in the listed price.
• Weather matters: The island cruise requires good conditions and may be rescheduled or refunded if weather makes it unsafe.

One booking, two sides of Mauritius

At about $82.22 per person, this is a useful way to combine a sea day with a full day of inland sightseeing. The price is strongest if you want both experiences and plan to spend two days seeing more than the usual resort strip.

You are not simply buying a boat ride. You are also getting a private southern tour, admission to La Vanille Nature Park, lunch at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant, and visits connected with rum, tea, Hindu culture, and the rugged south coast. That makes the package more practical than booking two unrelated outings.

Still, read the structure carefully. The catamaran day is a shared outing with other people, while the second day is private for your group. If you expect a private boat, this is not the right match. If you want a social day at sea followed by a quieter car tour, the mix works well.

The optional villa is another important detail. It has two bedrooms and sleeps four, but accommodation is extra. Ask about the added cost before booking, especially if you are comparing this experience with a hotel-based package.

Day one from Grand Baie to the northern islands

The first day begins at Grand Baie Public Beach. From there, you board a catamaran for roughly seven hours on the water. The northern islands of Mauritius include Ile Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire, with the wider island group also associated with Flat Island and Round Island.

The exact rhythm of the day depends on the sea and the boat’s operating plan, but the purpose is clear: spend a full day outside the reef with time for beaches, swimming, snorkeling, food, drinks, and rest. You should think of this as a relaxed day on the ocean rather than a tightly timed sightseeing route.

That distinction matters. You will not be moving from one museum to another with a guide explaining every minute. The pleasure comes from open water, island views, a swim, and a long lunch break. Bring a willingness to slow down.

The islands are known for their exposed position north of Mauritius. Since the boat goes outside the reef, the sea can be less calm than the sheltered water near shore. The supplied tour information specifically warns that weather can cancel the island day. If you are visiting during a short stay, keep this risk in mind and avoid placing the cruise on your only free day.

The catamaran is shared, so space and atmosphere depend on the number of people booked that day. You may find it lively and sociable, but you should not expect the quiet of a private charter. Families, couples, and small groups who enjoy a communal boat outing will likely be comfortable with this format.

Snorkeling, swimming, and a BBQ lunch

The water day is built around simple pleasures. You can snorkel, relax on the boat, spend time near the beaches, and enjoy a BBQ lunch. Beer and wine are included, which improves the value because drinks on a full-day boat trip can otherwise add up quickly.

I would treat the meal as part of the experience rather than the main reason to book. The appeal is eating outdoors after time in the water, with the islands nearby and the catamaran serving as your base. Exact food choices are not specified, so contact Oceanafrican Tours if you need to check menus or dietary arrangements.

The boat day suits people who want a little activity without a packed schedule. Snorkeling gives you something to do, but you can also simply sit in the sun and enjoy the ride. If you dislike open-water conditions, crowded boats, or long periods in the sun, this may be the less comfortable half of the package.

You should bring normal beach-day essentials, though the supplied details do not list specific equipment or a packing list. Plan for sun exposure and changing conditions. Since the islands are outside the reef, a weather change can affect both the route and the comfort of the crossing.

Day two through southern Mauritius

The second day changes character completely. Instead of sharing a catamaran, your group travels by private car with a driver for about six hours. The route covers several southern highlights, including La Vanille Nature Park, Grand Bassin, a rum distillery, Bois Cheri Tea Plantation, Gris Gris, and La Roche qui pleure.

This private format gives the day a more personal feel. You are not tied to a large coach group, and your own group participates in the activity. The available information does not name the driver or specify the exact order of stops, so confirm the pickup time and sequence when your booking is confirmed.

The route is broad rather than narrowly focused. You get natural sights, food, religious places, agriculture, and coastal scenery in one outing. That range is valuable if this is your first visit to Mauritius and you want a quick introduction to the island beyond Grand Baie.

The tradeoff is that six hours covers a lot of ground. Some stops may be shorter than you would choose on a dedicated nature, tea, or temple tour. I see this day as a well-rounded sampler, not a slow study of one region.

La Vanille Nature Park and the Hungry Crocodile lunch

La Vanille Nature Park is one of the more distinctive stops. The park is known here for its giant tortoises and crocodiles, giving you a chance to see animals that are far removed from the beach-centered side of Mauritius.

The park admission is included. That helps the package price, particularly if you would have paid separately for the park. The experience is also a good change of pace after the boat day, since it puts you on solid ground and adds wildlife to the itinerary.

Lunch is served at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant. The menu is described as delicious, though the supplied details do not list individual dishes. If you have food restrictions, ask the operator ahead of time rather than assuming the standard menu will suit you.

Do not expect the nature park to replace a wildlife reserve with animals roaming across a vast open area. The value is in seeing the giant tortoises and crocodiles as part of a broader southern route. It is especially suitable for families and anyone who wants more than scenery and beaches.

Grand Bassin and the Hindu culture of Mauritius

The southern day also introduces Mauritius’ Hindu culture through visits to temples around Grand Bassin, a crater lake. This is one of the most meaningful parts of the route because it shows a side of the country that a resort stay can easily miss.

You should approach these sites with respect. Religious places are not just photo stops. Listen to the driver’s explanations, observe local customs, and dress in a way suitable for temple visits. The exact temples and time spent at each one are not specified, so the scope may vary.

Grand Bassin helps connect the scenery with the people and traditions of Mauritius. It also breaks up the driving between the coast, plantations, and nature park. If you want a tour that includes local culture rather than only beaches, this stop adds real value.

Rum, tea, and the story of plantation Mauritius

The rum distillery and Bois Cheri Tea Plantation offer two different ways to understand local agriculture. The rum stop connects sugarcane with one of Mauritius’ best-known products. The tea plantation explains how tea is grown and made, from cultivation through production.

At Bois Cheri, you learn about the tea-making process and the history of tea cultivation. That makes the visit more than a tasting stop. It gives you a look at the work and industry behind a product that many people associate with the island only after arriving.

The rum distillery may appeal most to adults interested in local drinks and production. Details about tastings are not provided, so do not assume that a tasting or a particular brand is included. Ask the operator if that matters to your decision.

These stops are useful because they add context to the scenery. Mauritius is not only a tropical holiday setting. Sugarcane, tea, food, and drink are part of the island’s working identity, and this route gives you a brief view of that side.

Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure

The southern coast is rougher and more dramatic than the calm beach areas around Grand Baie. Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure, also called the rock that cries, bring you to the rugged edge of the island.

These are scenic stops, but you should not confuse them with a swimming beach. The coast is presented as a place to see waves, cliffs, and striking rock formations. Conditions can be powerful, so follow local directions and stay away from unsafe edges.

I like the way these stops balance the first day’s easy island atmosphere. After a day of sand, water, and a BBQ, the south coast gives you a stronger sense of Mauritius as an ocean island shaped by wind and surf.

The exact walking distance is not stated, so do not book this assuming a long coastal hike. It is better understood as a sightseeing visit within a wider car route.

Is $82.22 per person good value?

The price is attractive if it includes the major parts described: the seven-hour catamaran outing, BBQ lunch, beer and wine, private-car transport on day two, La Vanille admission, and lunch at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant.

The cost becomes harder to judge if you need the optional villa. Since accommodation is extra, add that amount before comparing the package with other two-day options. The villa sleeps four in two bedrooms, which could make the supplement reasonable for a small group, but the value depends on the quoted rate.

The private second day is the strongest feature from a value point of view. A private car and driver let your group see several southern sights without joining a large coach. The first day, by contrast, gives you the cost advantage and social feel of a shared catamaran, but not privacy.

I would book this for variety. I would not book it if your main aim is an exclusive yacht charter or a slow, specialist tour of one attraction.

Who will enjoy this two-day experience?

This package suits you if you want to cover a lot of Mauritius in a short stay. It works particularly well for:

• Couples who want one relaxed sea day and one sightseeing day.
• Families interested in beaches, animals, temples, and food.
• Small groups who value a private car on the southern route.
• First-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the island.
• People who prefer a planned combination rather than arranging several separate tours.

It may be less suitable if you need guaranteed calm seas, dislike shared boats, or want long periods at each stop. The island day depends on weather, and the southern route has enough stops that the schedule may feel full.

The tour is marked wheelchair accessible, and most people can participate. Accessibility can vary between the beach, boat, nature park, temples, and coastal viewpoints, so ask Oceanafrican Tours about your specific needs before paying.

Practical booking advice

The meeting point is Grand Baie Public Beach, and the activity returns there. Pickup is offered, but confirm the pickup details when you receive your booking confirmation. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The operator can also offer another date or a full refund if poor weather cancels the experience, or if the minimum number of people is not reached.

Because the catamaran day is weather-sensitive, I would keep some flexibility in your Mauritius schedule. If the cruise is the main reason you are booking, do not leave it until the final day of your holiday.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want two contrasting days and like the idea of combining a shared island cruise with a private southern tour. The BBQ, included drinks, nature park admission, private car, and broad range of sights give the $82.22 price good potential value.

Think twice if you want quiet boat travel, a fully private experience, or detailed time at every stop. The northern cruise can be crowded and weather-dependent, while the south packs many interests into six hours.

For a first visit to Mauritius, I find the combination sensible. You see the country from the water, meet its food and drink traditions, visit a wildlife park, reach a sacred lake, and finish with the force of the southern coast. Just budget separately for the villa and confirm the sea-day plan before you go.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Grand Baie Public Beach in Grand Baie, Mauritius, and ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience takes approximately two days. Day one lasts about seven hours, and day two lasts about six hours.

Is the catamaran private?

No. The catamaran day is a shared outing with other people. Day two is a private tour for your group in a car with a driver.

Which northern islands are included?

The experience is described as visiting Ile Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire. The northern island area also includes Flat Island and Round Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The catamaran day includes a BBQ lunch with beer and wine. Day two includes lunch at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant.

Is accommodation included?

No. You can choose an additional private villa with two bedrooms that sleeps four, but accommodation costs extra.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

The experience is marked wheelchair accessible. Since the tour includes a boat, beaches, temples, a nature park, and coastal sights, confirm the arrangements for your particular needs before booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The experience also requires a minimum number of people, and a cancellation for that reason brings the option of another date or experience, or a full refund.