Catamaran Mauritius Cruise in the North Coasts

The best part of this Mauritius cruise is the chance to see three northern islands in one day without arranging separate boats or transfers. From Grand Baie, you sail to Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire, with time for beaches, swimming, wildlife viewing, and snorkeling.

I like the practical all-in-one setup: BBQ lunch, drinks, snacks, and transport are included. I also like the final stop at Coin de Mire, a natural aquarium where you can swim among reef fish. The main caution is the open-sea ride. High waves can make the crossing uncomfortable if you are sensitive to motion.

Key points to know before booking

• Three northern islands in one cruise: Visit Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire during a single outing from Grand Baie.
• Wind Dancer catamaran: Begin with a captain’s briefing, then sail aboard a comfortable catamaran with tea, coffee, and cake.
• Two proper swimming stops: Gabriel Island offers a calm lagoon and sandbar, while Coin de Mire is the main snorkeling stop.
• BBQ served onboard: Lunch comes with drinks and snacks, so you do not need to arrange food during the cruise.
• Pickup from your accommodation: Transport is included, with pickup at resort reception and further details provided the day before.
• Allow for rough water: One confirmed booking noted high waves, so bring care if you are prone to seasickness.

Setting out from Grand Baie on the Wind Dancer

The day begins with pickup, normally at your resort reception. The supplied schedule also shows transport from Port Louis, with about 30 minutes by bus or coach before reaching Grand Baie. After arriving, you walk about 15 minutes to the departure point at Grand Baie Public Beach.

The cruise takes place aboard the Wind Dancer catamaran. Before sailing, you receive a captain’s briefing, then settle in with tea, coffee, and cake. That small start matters. You have time to get your bearings, hear the basic safety information, and find a comfortable spot before the boat reaches open water.

The catamaran offers a more relaxed ride than a small speedboat, and its wide design gives you room to sit, watch the coast, and move around. Still, this is a sea outing, not a glassy harbor trip. One confirmed booking specifically noted high waves and advised caution for people who are sensitive to motion.

I would take seasickness seriously here. The crossing to Flat Island takes about an hour, and conditions can change. If you know that open water affects you, choose a seat with a clear view of the horizon and follow your usual preparation. The operator does not promise a calm sea.

Flat Island after the one-hour crossing

Flat Island, also called Ile Plate, is the first major stop. The cruise schedule allows about three hours here, including the visit, guided sightseeing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. That generous block gives the stop more substance than a quick photo break.

The island is part of Mauritius’ protected northern group. Its appeal is simple: pale sand, clear water, and a spare shoreline that feels far removed from the built-up resort areas. You get time to look around, enjoy the coastal views, and swim rather than being rushed from one stop to the next.

The name can set the wrong expectation. Flat Island is not a large island packed with sights or shops. The attraction is its open setting and natural surroundings. I would treat the visit as a beach and sea stop, not as a formal museum-style tour.

Wildlife viewing is included in the schedule, but no particular species is guaranteed. You might see sea life around the shore or in the water, depending on conditions. The guide provides the structure, but the experience depends partly on weather, visibility, and how much time you choose to spend swimming.

After the Flat Island visit, you return to the catamaran for lunch. This is a sensible order. You can enjoy the shore first, then eat onboard without carrying a picnic or searching for food on the island.

A BBQ lunch with the sea around you

Lunch is one of the strongest practical features of the cruise. A BBQ is served onboard, with all drinks and snacks included. The meal is not just a line item in the price. It saves you from buying food at a remote stop, and it keeps the day moving.

The exact menu is not specified, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish. If you have special dietary needs, ask the provider before departure. The available information confirms a BBQ lunch, drinks, and snacks, but it does not promise vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or religious-diet options.

Eating on a catamaran also gives the meal a pleasant sense of place. You are surrounded by open water, with the northern coast and islands nearby. At the same time, the boat may move with the sea, so anyone prone to motion sickness may prefer a light first portion and plenty of water.

The included drinks are useful in Mauritius’ warm weather. You do not have to keep track of small purchases during the day, and the package is easier to budget than a cruise where lunch and refreshments cost extra.

Gabriel Island and its famous sandbar

After lunch, the catamaran heads to Gabriel Island, another protected northern island. The schedule allows about three hours here, matching the time at Flat Island. That makes Gabriel Island the main relaxation stop rather than a brief pass-by.

The island is known for its sandbar and calm lagoon. You can stretch out on the sand, take in the views, swim, or snorkel in the sheltered water. The contrast with the open crossing is part of the appeal. After sailing through deeper water, you reach a place designed for a slower afternoon.

I would plan your priorities before getting ashore. If you want photographs of the sandbar, go early in the stop. If swimming matters more, head for the lagoon. The experience is flexible, but the three-hour window can pass quickly once you combine walking, sitting, swimming, and snorkeling.

The water is described as clear, with coral gardens and marine life in the area. That makes Gabriel Island a good place to bring a mask if you have one, though the tour specifically highlights snorkeling as part of the day. The supplied details do not say whether equipment is provided, so confirm that before you go.

The island is also a good match for people who want variety. You are not locked into one activity. You can swim while someone else relaxes on the sandbar, then meet back onboard for the return route.

Snorkeling at Coin de Mire

The final sea stop is Coin de Mire, described as a natural aquarium. This is where the cruise offers its clearest payoff for anyone interested in reef fish. You can swim and snorkel among colorful fish in the water around the island.

Coin de Mire is not presented as a beach stop like Gabriel Island. Think of it as a water-based viewing point. The main reason to get in is the marine life, not to wander around on land.

Conditions matter more here than at a sandy lagoon. Clear water, waves, and visibility can affect how much you see. The schedule promises an opportunity to snorkel, but it cannot guarantee a particular number of fish or perfect underwater conditions.

That said, the stop adds a welcome change of pace. Flat Island offers shore time, Gabriel Island offers sand and lagoon swimming, and Coin de Mire focuses on the sea itself. I like that progression because the cruise does not repeat the same beach stop three times.

One confirmed booking described the snorkeling pause as excellent and called the overall cruise highly recommendable. The same account also warned about high waves, which is useful context: the snorkeling can be rewarding, but the route may still feel lively on the water.

Returning to Grand Baie and Port Louis

After Coin de Mire, the catamaran returns to Grand Baie in the afternoon. The overall activity is listed as about six hours, with the included tour duration described as six to eight hours. Add the road transfer from Port Louis, shown as roughly 30 minutes each way, and you should protect most of a day for the outing.

The timing makes this best as a dedicated day activity, not something to squeeze between two fixed appointments. The exact start time depends on availability, so check before booking if you have a dinner reservation, flight, or other timed plan.

Return transport is included. Pickup is arranged at resort reception, and the provider says it will contact you the day before with more precise pickup details. One confirmed booking also described pickup and return at the Cruise Terminal, which may be useful if you are visiting Mauritius by ship. Confirm your exact pickup point rather than assuming every location follows the same arrangement.

The 15-minute walk at Grand Baie is worth noting. The supplied schedule places a walk between the arrival point and the catamaran departure. If you have limited walking ability or bulky beach gear, ask for clearer meeting instructions in advance.

Is $170 a fair price?

At $170 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time on the water in Mauritius. The value depends on how much of the package you would otherwise have to arrange yourself.

You are paying for transport, entrance fees, a six-hour activity, the catamaran, guided service in English or French, BBQ lunch, drinks, and snacks. You also reach three northern islands in one day. If you tried to organize separate transport, boat time, meals, and island access, the price could become less attractive only if you found a much cheaper shared boat.

The real value is convenience and coverage. You see Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire without making several booking decisions. You also get both beach time and snorkeling, which suits a first visit when you want a broad taste of the northern coast.

A private option is available as well as a shared cruise. The supplied details do not give the private supplement or group size, so compare the final price carefully. A shared trip should suit most people focused on value. A private option may make more sense if you want a more personal schedule, but do not assume it includes extra activities unless the provider confirms that.

The price is less appealing if you dislike boat days, do not plan to swim, or prefer a quiet land-based visit. Much of the cost is tied to sailing and access to the islands, so non-swimmers should be sure they will enjoy the views and beach time.

Who should book this northern-island cruise?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a full sea day with a clear plan and several different stops. It works especially well for first-time visitors who want to sample Mauritius’ northern islands without arranging the pieces independently.

It suits couples, families, and friends who are happy to split their time between the boat, sand, and water. The guided format also helps if you prefer transport and meals handled for you.

You should think twice if you are highly sensitive to waves. The confirmed account of rough water is not a reason to reject the cruise, but it is an honest warning. You should also ask about snorkeling equipment and food requirements before paying if either is important to you.

The languages offered are English and French. That is useful for understanding the briefing and guidance, though no individual guide name is provided. The captain leads the initial briefing, and the provider supplies live guiding in the two listed languages.

Booking is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those terms help if your weather plans are still changing, but they do not remove the need to check sea conditions close to departure.

My verdict on the Catamaran Mauritius Cruise

Book this cruise if you want three northern islands, two beach and swimming stops, and a proper snorkeling pause in one organized day. The BBQ, drinks, transport, and island access make $170 easier to justify than a bare boat trip.

I would not choose it for a short, calm harbor sail or a guaranteed gentle sea. The open-water route can be rough, and the day takes most of your schedule. For an active Mauritius day with strong scenery, swimming, and good logistical support, it is a solid choice. Bring sun protection, prepare for waves, and confirm the pickup and snorkeling details before you go.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Grand Baie Public Beach aboard the Wind Dancer catamaran.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire.

How long does the activity last?

The activity is listed as six hours, with the included tour duration described as six to eight hours. Road transfers from Port Louis add about 30 minutes each way.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is included, with pickup at your resort reception. The provider sends more pickup details the day before.

Can I be picked up in Port Louis?

The schedule includes bus or coach transport from Port Louis, taking about 30 minutes. Confirm your exact pickup point when booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served onboard the catamaran.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. All drinks and snacks are included in the activity.

Can I swim and snorkel?

Yes. Swimming is included at Flat Island and Gabriel Island, and you can swim and snorkel at Coin de Mire. Snorkeling equipment is not specified, so confirm whether it is supplied.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English and French.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.