Grand Bay: Catamaran Cruise to Flat Island with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this outing is the setting: you leave Grand Baie by catamaran and head north toward Île Plate, or Flat Island, where a quiet beach, open sea, and clear lagoons replace the busy resort coast. Along the way, you pass Cap Malheureux, Pereybere, Grand Baie, and the striking northern islands.

I like the chance to combine a full day on the water with two genuinely useful stops: time on Flat Island for swimming and a walk, plus snorkeling around Coin de Mire when sea and weather conditions allow. I also like that lunch, drinks, and the dinghy transfer to shore are included.

The catch is the atmosphere. This can be a large, lively boat trip rather than a quiet sailing day. Reports describe more than 50 people on some departures, loud music from morning to afternoon, limited seating, and rough seas that can make many people seasick.

Key points to know before booking

• Flat Island is about 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux, at the northern edge of Mauritius.
• The beach transfer uses a small boat, since you board the catamaran from Grand Baie beach rather than from a conventional pier.
• Lunch includes fish, chicken, bread, salad, dessert, and drinks, though the dining setup may be informal.
• Snorkeling is offered at your own pace around the island area, with another sea stop possible if conditions are good.
• Coin de Mire is viewed from the water only. The catamaran does not land there.
• The outing suits swimmers, beach lovers, and social groups more than anyone seeking a quiet or polished yacht experience.

Sailing north from Grand Baie

Your day begins on the beach at Grand Baie, where a representative meets you partway along the beach and directs you to the boarding point. A small dinghy carries you out to the catamaran, so expect to get your feet wet and handle the transfer carefully.

That short boat ride is worth keeping in mind if you have mobility concerns or dislike boarding from the water. It is not a step straight from a dock onto a boat. Bring only what you can manage easily, and keep your towel and phone protected during the transfer.

Once aboard, the catamaran follows the northwest coast of Mauritius. Keep your camera ready as the boat passes the familiar resort areas of Grand Baie and Pereybere, then heads toward Cap Malheureux and the northern islands. The view changes nicely during the morning, from developed coastline to open water and smaller offshore islands.

The boat ride is a major part of the experience, not just transportation between stops. You are booked for about seven hours, and the trip is best understood as a catamaran day with island time, rather than a long island visit with a short cruise attached.

The sea can be rough. One account describes strong waves that caused nausea for nearly everyone aboard, so I would bring seasickness tablets if you are at all prone to motion sickness. This is especially sensible on a route exposed to open northern waters.

The crew may change boats or adjust the plan when conditions call for it. On one rough-weather departure, the skipper moved adult passengers to a different boat because a family group with children had been advised not to continue. That suggests the operator can make sensible safety decisions, but it also confirms that wind and swell can affect the day in a serious way.

Arriving at Île Plate, or Flat Island

Flat Island sits near Round Island, roughly 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux. Its French name, Île Plate, fits the low, open feel of the island. You come here for the beach, lagoon, walking, and a break from the motion of the catamaran.

The dinghy takes you from the catamaran to shore. Once on the island, you have free time rather than a tightly scripted guided walk. You can settle on the sand, swim in the lagoon, stretch your legs on the trails, or look for the white-tailed tropicbird, known locally as paille-en-queue.

I like this flexible arrangement because it lets you set your own pace. If you want to swim, you can swim. If you would rather sit in the shade or take a slow walk, you are not forced into a long group activity.

Still, do not assume that all seven hours are available for exploring Flat Island. The time ashore can vary with weather, sea conditions, and the day’s operating plan. One account describes only about an hour on the island, making the trip feel mainly like a catamaran cruise. If island exploration is your top priority, ask for the expected shore time before booking.

The island is not presented as a site packed with formal attractions. Its appeal is simple: open views, a less developed beach, lagoon swimming, and a peaceful pause in the middle of a boat day. That simplicity is part of the charm, but it also means you should not expect a long list of organized activities.

Snorkeling near Coin de Mire

The northern islands are known for clear water and tropical fish, and snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. The outing includes a swimming and snorkeling stop, and you can snorkel at your own pace and according to your comfort level.

The catamaran passes as close as possible to Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin, but it does not land there. You explore the water around the island instead. Depending on the weather and sea state, another snorkeling stop may happen on the return journey.

This flexibility is useful, but it also means snorkeling is not guaranteed at every planned point. Wind, rain, swell, and visibility can change the schedule. The same weather that creates an exciting sail can make it harder to enter the water or stay comfortable while snorkeling.

If you are not a confident swimmer, stay within your ability. The activity description specifically presents snorkeling as something you do at your own pace, not as a formal lesson or guided underwater tour. Bring a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen, and listen closely to the crew before entering the water.

You should also set realistic expectations about equipment. Snorkeling is included, but no detailed equipment list is provided. Ask the operator if you need confirmation about masks, fins, or other gear before departure.

BBQ lunch and drinks on the island

Lunch is built into the day and typically includes grilled fish and chicken, bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks include beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke, with juice and soft drinks also available.

The menu gives this outing more value than a simple boat transfer. You do not need to arrange a separate meal on Flat Island, and the food matches the relaxed beach setting. It is a straightforward BBQ rather than a fine-dining meal.

The dining arrangement deserves attention. Seating can be limited, particularly on a busy departure. One account describes more than 50 people aboard, with roughly 40 seats in the cockpit and only around 10 places at a table. Some people may need to eat with the plate on their lap.

That is not a problem for everyone. If you see lunch as part of a casual beach picnic, you may find it perfectly acceptable. If you want a proper table, comfortable seating, and a quiet meal, this is a clear weakness.

Food quality also seems uneven. One account describes the lunch as very tasty, while another found the included lunch and drink poor. I would treat the meal as a useful inclusion, not the main reason to book. The beach, sailing, swimming, and northern-island views carry the experience.

Drinks are included, which helps the $70 price feel more reasonable. Still, drink service and meal arrangements may depend on the boat and the day’s group size. Keep some flexibility in your expectations.

The mood aboard the catamaran

This is where you need to choose carefully. The catamaran can be social and festive, with music playing loudly for much of the day. Some people will enjoy that holiday-party mood, especially if they want a lively boat outing rather than a silent sail.

I would not choose this trip for peace and quiet. You may hear music from the morning departure through the return, and the volume has been described as uncomfortable. The boat can also feel crowded, with more than 50 people on some trips and not enough seats for everyone to sit in the cockpit.

The crew receives mixed feedback. One departure had a friendly, safety-minded crew and strong organization, including a WhatsApp message sent the day before with practical information. Other accounts describe staff as less helpful. The fairest expectation is a functional group excursion, not highly personal service.

The operator does appear willing to respond to weather and passenger safety. A boat change was made when conditions were poor for children, and the skipper kept control during heavy rain and wind. That is reassuring, though it does not remove the need to prepare for rough water.

If you like meeting people, music, drinks, and a casual holiday atmosphere, the noise may add to the fun. If you want to hear the wind in the sails and the sound of the sea, look for a smaller or more private boat option instead.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the price includes the catamaran trip, dinghy transfers, lunch, drinks, a swimming stop, and snorkeling. For a seven-hour outing, that is a reasonable package if you plan to use the water activities and enjoy the full cruise.

The value is strongest for someone who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a beach stop, lunch, and drinks. The northern route also gives you a broad view of the coast and offshore islands in one day.

The value drops if you mainly want to spend hours walking around Flat Island. Shore time may be short, and the trip remains centered on the boat. It also drops if you dislike loud music, crowded seating, or informal meals.

I would compare this with the cost of a smaller private or VIP cruise before booking. You may pay more for quieter surroundings and better space, but that could be money well spent if comfort matters more than the all-inclusive price.

Practical preparation for a smoother day

Wear your swimsuit under light clothing, since you may move between the dinghy, catamaran, beach, and water several times. Pack a towel and strong sunscreen, both specifically recommended for the activity.

Use a waterproof pouch for your phone and wallet. The beach boarding process and dinghy transfers make water exposure more likely than on a standard harbor cruise.

Take seasickness medicine if you need it. The route can encounter heavy swell, and the seven-hour duration gives nausea plenty of time to become a problem.

Arrive at the Grand Baie beach meeting point with enough time to find the representative. The meeting point is described as midway along the beach, not as a clearly named pier or terminal, so follow the local instructions you receive.

The tour is offered in French and English. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Grand Baie.

Weather can change the date or time of the activity. That matters here because snorkeling, dinghy transfers, the sailing route, and time on shore all depend on sea conditions. Flexible plans are helpful.

Pregnant women should not book this activity. The combination of boat transfers, open water, and possible rough seas makes the restriction especially important.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day on the water, enjoy casual group outings, and care more about scenery and swimming than polished service. It is also a good fit for people who like having lunch and drinks included rather than arranging every part of the day themselves.

Families should think carefully about sea conditions and ask about the forecast before departure. The operator may make safety changes, but rough water can still be demanding, especially for young children.

Snorkelers should find plenty to like if conditions cooperate. You get time to enter the water at your own pace and a chance to see tropical fish around the northern islands.

I would steer you elsewhere if you want a quiet sailing experience, a guaranteed long visit to Flat Island, or a refined lunch with table seating. The crowded boat, loud music, and possible seasickness are not minor details. They shape the day.

Should you book the Grand Baie to Flat Island catamaran?

Book this tour if you see Flat Island as one part of a lively northern-island cruise, not as the sole destination. The best elements are the coastal views, the chance to snorkel near Coin de Mire, the beach stop, and the included BBQ and drinks.

Skip it if calm surroundings and comfort are essential. For $70, you receive a lot of inclusions, but you also accept a group boat, informal dining, weather-dependent plans, and potentially loud music. Pack for the sea, take motion sickness seriously, and confirm the expected island time before paying.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise to Flat Island?

The activity lasts about seven hours. Starting times depend on availability and the conditions on the day.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is on Grand Baie beach, partway along the beach. A representative is assigned to welcome you and direct you to the boarding point.

Do I board the catamaran directly from the beach?

No. A small dinghy takes you from the beach to the catamaran, and dinghy shuttles are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The included BBQ lunch consists of fish and chicken with bread, salad, and dessert.

Which drinks are included?

Provided drinks include beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke. Juice and soft drinks are also available.

Can I snorkel during the trip?

Yes. Snorkeling and swimming stops are included, and you can snorkel at your own pace. Additional snorkeling at sea may be possible if the weather and sea conditions are suitable.

Does the catamaran stop at Coin de Mire?

No. The boat passes as close as possible to Coin de Mire, but you do not land on the island. Snorkeling takes place in the surrounding water when conditions allow.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Grand Baie beach.

Can the date or time change?

Yes. The date and time may change if weather conditions are not suitable.

Is the activity suitable for pregnant women?

No. Pregnant women should not take part in this activity.