GBaie: 3 North Islands Cruise, Lunch & CoindeMire Snorkeling

Mauritius’s North Islands cruise is really three sea experiences in one: a lively catamaran ride, beach time on two islands, and a possible snorkel near Coin de Mire, the great rock that rises from the sea like a mountain. The day costs $70 per person and runs about seven hours, making it a fairly full outing for the money.

I like the clear-water swimming around the islands and the chance to see Coin de Mire from unusually close range. I also like the relaxed family-and-friends setup, with a BBQ lunch, salad, and drinks served as part of the day. The main caution is crowding. One sailing had too little seating, and drinks were not always available during the island stops.

• Three North Island sights: Visit Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, then sail close to Coin de Mire.
• Snorkeling depends on conditions: The crew may stop near Coin de Mire if the sea and weather are safe.
• Two island beach stops: Expect roughly an hour or more on an island, with limited shade and no guaranteed food or water ashore.
• BBQ lunch onboard: Lunch usually comes after island time, though it may occasionally be served on an island.
• Bring your own mask and snorkel: Equipment for snorkeling near Coin de Mire is not supplied.
• Multilingual crew: Guide service is offered in English, French, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, and Arabic.

Sailing north from Mauritius for a full day at sea

The appeal starts as soon as the catamaran leaves the beach. You spend much of the day on open water, moving through changing shades of blue toward the North Islands. This is not a quick boat transfer. The sailing itself is a major part of the experience, and the high sea can feel thrilling when the wind picks up.

The catamaran is described as well maintained, but comfort depends greatly on how full the boat is. One group found the boat crowded, especially late in the day when people were hot and tired. If you want a quiet, spacious cruise, this may disappoint you. If you are happy sharing the deck with a lively group, the atmosphere can be enjoyable, particularly for families and friends.

The meeting point is on the beach, and you should contact your guide 24 hours before the activity. Starting times can vary, so confirm the details rather than simply turning up at the coast and hoping to spot the right boat.

Ile Plate, the first island stop

Ile Plate is known for its beach and clear lagoon. The usual plan gives you time to leave the catamaran, walk onto the sand, swim, and enjoy the sea at your own pace. I would treat this as simple island time rather than a guided sightseeing visit. The pleasure is in the water, the beach, and the break from the boat.

The lagoon is the strongest reason to get in the water. Bring swimwear and a towel, and use sunscreen even when the breeze makes the sun feel mild. You may find little shade, so a hat and cover-up are sensible additions, although they are not listed as required equipment.

This stop also shows one limitation of the day. Drinks are included in the overall tour, but they may not be served continuously while you are ashore. A report from the trip describes people spending close to an hour on an island without water, then feeling dehydrated by the second stop. I would bring extra drinking water if you can, especially in hot weather. That is practical insurance, not a replacement for the drinks promised as part of the tour.

Ilot Gabriel and its protected birdlife

Ilot Gabriel is described as a natural reserve and is another chance to enjoy a beautiful beach and swim in the lagoon. The island is also linked with nesting Paille en Queue birds, the white tropicbirds familiar around Mauritius. The information supplied does not promise a bird-watching walk or a formal nature talk, so keep expectations modest. You may see nesting birds, but the main activity remains beach time and swimming.

There is a useful rhythm to the two stops. Ile Plate gives you a first chance to stretch your legs and cool off. Ilot Gabriel offers another long pause before you return to the catamaran for lunch. For some people, this is bliss. For others, spending about an hour or two on a hot island without a full service area can feel too long.

Take care with your belongings. The supplied details do not state that lockers or dry storage are available, so pack only what you need for the beach and keep valuables secure. A small waterproof bag would be useful, but it is not included.

Coin de Mire, the mountain in the ocean

The most distinctive sight comes later, when the boat sails close to Coin de Mire. You do not land there. The catamaran passes as near as conditions allow, giving you a striking view of the steep island rising from the sea.

If the weather permits, the crew may stop for snorkeling near Coin de Mire. This is the part many people will look forward to most, since the area is considered one of the better snorkeling spots around Mauritius. The stop is not guaranteed. The captain can change the plan or cancel snorkeling when sea conditions make it unsafe.

Bring your own snorkeling gear. The activity includes snorkeling near the islands and near Coin de Mire, but the instructions specifically tell you to bring your own equipment. That means mask, snorkel, and fins if you use them. The supplied essentials are towel, sunscreen, and swimwear, but none of those replaces a mask and snorkel.

The water can be wonderfully clear, but this is open sea, not a controlled swimming pool. Listen to the crew, stay within the permitted area, and accept a cancelled snorkel without arguing. Safety matters more than checking off one promised stop.

BBQ lunch and the drinks question

Lunch is usually served on the catamaran after the island visits. The meal includes a BBQ, salad, and drinks. One person described the food as very good, while another found it acceptable but not special. That sounds about right: expect a straightforward boat barbecue rather than a carefully presented restaurant meal.

The timing matters. You may spend a long stretch on the islands before returning to the boat, and lunch may not come until then. In rare cases, lunch can be served on an island, but you should not count on that. If you need regular snacks or have children who eat early, pack something small if permitted.

Drinks are the less reliable part of the package. The activity says drinks are provided, yet one sailing had only soft drinks on the way to the island, no ice, and one later round after lunch. Another person specifically recommended carrying personal drinks. I would follow that advice, with water as the priority. You can still enjoy the included refreshments, but do not treat them as an all-day supply.

Crew style and the mood onboard

The crew is described as friendly, lively, and entertaining by one family who considered the trip worth every rupee. That matters on a seven-hour shared cruise. A warm crew can make boarding, swimming, lunch, and the return ride feel easy.

The experience is not uniformly polished. One account described a late-arriving captain, harsh talk toward the crew in front of passengers, and little explanation of the islands. Music was also an issue: on one day, another boat supplied most of the atmosphere, while loud music was played near the end to attract attention from people on shore.

These details point to an informal operation rather than a quiet, interpretive cruise. You may get a fun day with a sociable crew, but do not book it mainly for detailed island history or a calm naturalist talk. The listed guide languages are English, French, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, and Arabic, which is useful for mixed-language families and groups. No individual guide names are provided.

How the crowd affects your day

The biggest practical variable is the number of people onboard. One sailing reportedly had 12 catamarans in the same area, and the boat itself felt crowded. That can affect three things: finding a comfortable place to sit, getting shade, and enjoying the snorkeling without many people around you.

The crowded feeling may be strongest near the end. After several hours in sun and salt water, everyone wants a seat, a drink, and some shade. If you have back problems, young children, or a strong need for personal space, ask about expected capacity before booking. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the supplied information gives no promise of accessible boarding or seating.

On the other hand, a busy boat can suit a social group. Families with children may appreciate the informal setting, and friends can spend the day together without organizing separate beach visits, lunch, and boat transport. One family specifically found it an excellent holiday activity with kids.

What $70 buys you in Mauritius

At $70 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the whole package. You receive a seven-hour catamaran outing, transport between the beach and islands, time at two beaches, possible snorkeling near Coin de Mire, a BBQ lunch, drinks, and guide service. Booking those pieces separately could take more planning and may cost more.

The value drops if your main goal is a guaranteed snorkel. Coin de Mire snorkeling depends on weather, and the crew does not stop on the island itself. The value also drops if you expect plentiful drinks, a spacious boat, or a serious explanation of the islands.

I see this as a good-value social day rather than a premium marine excursion. The strongest value comes from the combination of scenery, swimming, lunch, and the long cruise. The weakest value appears on days when the boat is packed, the island stops are dry and hot, and the sea prevents the Coin de Mire snorkel.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Trips can be rescheduled for bad weather, and the captain may change the timing or program under force majeure conditions. Those policies are useful because the sea controls much of the day.

Who will enjoy this North Islands cruise

I would recommend the cruise most strongly to:

• Families who want swimming, beaches, food, and a boat ride in one outing
• Friends looking for a sociable day rather than a silent cruise
• First-time visitors who want to see Ile Plate, Ilot Gabriel, and Coin de Mire
• People comfortable in open water and happy with a weather-dependent plan
• Anyone who enjoys simple BBQ food and unstructured beach time

I would be more cautious if you want detailed cultural or natural history. The information does not promise a full commentary, and one sailing had little explanation of the three islands. I would also think twice if you dislike crowds, need guaranteed shade, or expect drinks to be available every minute.

Smart packing for the seven-hour outing

Pack more than the short essentials list suggests. You should bring:

• Towel
• Swimsuit
• High-factor sunscreen
• Your own mask and snorkel
• Extra drinking water
• A hat or light cover-up
• A waterproof way to protect valuables

The official essentials are towel, sunscreen, and swimwear, but the extra water advice comes from the practical realities of the island stops. Shade can be limited, especially on Ile Plate, so plan for direct sun.

Do not assume that snorkeling will happen. Pack the equipment because you want to be ready, but accept that the captain may cancel that part for safety. The same flexibility applies to lunch location and starting time.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a full, easy-to-arrange day of sailing, beach stops, lagoon swimming, and a BBQ with family or friends. The chance to pass close to Coin de Mire gives the outing a memorable focal point, and the optional snorkel can be excellent when the sea cooperates.

I would book with three clear expectations: the catamaran may be crowded, island time may have little shade or refreshment service, and the Coin de Mire snorkel is not guaranteed. Bring your own gear and extra water. At $70, it is a fair choice for a relaxed social day on the water, but not the right pick for a spacious boat, polished guiding, or a carefully paced marine excursion.

FAQ

How long does the North Islands catamaran cruise last?

The activity lasts about seven hours. Starting times can vary, so you should check availability and confirm the meeting details with the guide 24 hours before departure.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The boat visits Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel. It also sails close to Coin de Mire, but you do not get off the catamaran on Coin de Mire.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling near the islands and near Coin de Mire is included, but the Coin de Mire stop depends on safe sea and weather conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You should bring your own snorkeling equipment, along with a towel, sunscreen, and swimwear.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch with salad and drinks is included. Lunch is usually served on the catamaran after the island stops, although it may occasionally be served on an island.

Are drinks available throughout the day?

Drinks are included, but continuous service is not guaranteed during the island stops. Bringing extra water is a sensible precaution.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The captain may reschedule the trip when bad weather is known in advance. The timing and original program can also change because of severe weather or other force majeure conditions.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.