Luxury Catamaran Cruise: The Northern Islands

The best part of this six-hour catamaran cruise is the route. You leave Cap Malheureux for the open water, pass views of Gunners Coin, and reach two bright, low-lying islands where swimming, snorkeling, and beach time replace the usual sightseeing routine.

I like the small maximum group of 17 and the fact that lunch, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and alcoholic drinks are included. I also like the easygoing onboard mood: the three-person crew may keep the music going, encourage singing and dancing, and make the boat feel more like a friendly day out than a formal excursion.

The main thing to consider is the sea. Once the boat leaves the sheltered lagoon, wind and waves can make the crossing rough, and poor conditions may limit or cancel the planned island stops. This is a sea outing, not a guaranteed beach day.

Key points to know before you book

• Two island stops: Spend about 30 minutes at Ilot Gabriel and another 30 minutes at Ile Plate, also called Flat Island.
• Open-water sailing: The views are excellent, but the ride can become choppy outside the lagoon.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect a barbecue meal, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages, with vegetarian and vegan options available if requested ahead of time.
• Snorkeling equipment supplied: You can swim and snorkel in the Indian Ocean without bringing your own gear.
• Small group by catamaran standards: The boat carries no more than 17 people, though the feeling of space depends on the day.
• Simple meeting point: You make your own way to Bain Boeuf Public Beach for the 9:30 am start. Hotel transport is not included.

Setting out from Bain Boeuf at 9:30 am

The day begins at Bain Boeuf Public Beach near Cap Malheureux. You need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point, so allow time to get there before the 9:30 am departure. The tour returns to this same beach after roughly six hours.

That arrangement works well if you are staying in northern Mauritius, especially around Grand Baie, Cap Malheureux, or nearby coastal villages. It is less convenient if you are based in the south or southwest, since the price does not include hotel pickup or drop-off.

A mobile ticket keeps the arrival process simple. Bring your phone, bathing clothes, sun protection, and a hat or cap. You will want a towel and a secure way to protect valuables, though those items are not listed as included.

The catamaran has a maximum capacity of 17 people. That is a useful number to see for anyone who dislikes large boat excursions. Still, small does not always mean quiet or spacious. On a lively departure, music, dancing, and social energy may fill the boat, while people looking for a private, peaceful cruise may find the atmosphere more active than expected.

Sailing past Gunners Coin and the north shore

The crossing is part of the attraction, not just a way to reach the islands. From the catamaran, you get broad views of Mauritius’s northern coast and the offshore rock formations around Gunners Coin.

This stretch of water gives you a different view of Mauritius than a road trip or beach resort. The island recedes behind you, and the day becomes about wind, sun, water, and the changing color of the sea. Keep your camera ready, but remember that spray and bright glare can make handling a phone awkward on deck.

The crew is an important part of the experience. The boat is run by a captain and two crew members, and the strongest praise centers on their friendliness, attentiveness, humor, and ability to create a relaxed mood. Music and dancing may become part of the trip, which suits people who enjoy a social outing rather than a quiet sailing lesson.

The tradeoff is comfort. Several accounts describe rough water beyond the lagoon, particularly when the wind picks up. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you can see the horizon, avoid a heavy meal before departure, and bring any medication you normally use. The operator can make safety decisions, but no crew can make open water calm.

Ilot Gabriel: a short island break

The first listed stop is Ilot Gabriel Beach, where you have about 30 minutes to get off the boat and spend time ashore. Ilot Gabriel is described as a natural reserve, and its appeal is straightforward: pale sand, open views, and the chance to walk around or relax away from the catamaran.

Thirty minutes passes quickly. You will not have time for a long walk or an unhurried exploration of every corner. Think of this stop as a scenic reset, a chance to feel sand under your feet, take photographs, and enjoy the setting before returning to the water.

The island stop also gives you a break from the motion of the boat. That matters on a breezy day, when the crossing may be more energetic than expected. If you want the best use of your time, have your hat, sunscreen, and camera ready before you step ashore rather than spending half the stop organizing your things.

The exact order of swimming, snorkeling, and island time can depend on the conditions. The tour is built around Ilot Gabriel and Flat Island, but the crew may need to adjust the plan when wind or waves make a particular anchorage unsuitable.

Ile Plate and the Indian Ocean swim

The second listed stop is Ile Plate Beach, known in English as Flat Island. You get about 30 minutes to walk, relax, or swim. This is the part of the outing that most clearly delivers the classic northern Mauritius postcard: beach, bright water, and a low island horizon.

The water activity is a major reason to choose this cruise. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and swimming takes place in the Indian Ocean around the islands. In good conditions, you may see clear water and fish, which can turn a simple swim into the day’s main event.

Do not treat the snorkeling as guaranteed in every kind of weather. Wind can stir up the water and make the boat ride uncomfortable. One particularly poor-weather outing could not reach the planned destinations and had to substitute a less satisfying stop in cloudy lagoon water. That is an important warning: the quality of the day depends heavily on sea conditions.

Even on a good day, snorkeling time can feel limited because the two formal beach stops are each around 30 minutes. If you want hours in the water, a dedicated snorkeling trip may suit you better. If you want a mix of sailing, island scenery, lunch, and a swim, the balance works well.

Bring your own mask only if you prefer a particular fit. Otherwise, the supplied equipment removes one packing chore. Bathing attire is recommended, and sunscreen is essential. Use a reef-conscious product if available, and apply it before boarding so you are not trying to manage bottles and slippery hands near the water.

Barbecue lunch on board

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package because it is included rather than treated as an extra purchase. The meal is prepared on board and has included barbecue favorites such as chicken wings, hotdogs, and fish, along with drinks.

The food is casual, filling boat fare, not a polished restaurant meal. That is exactly right for this kind of day. After time in the sun and water, a hot barbecue served on deck feels more useful than a complicated menu.

Bottled water and alcoholic beverages are included as well. The drinks help keep the day easy, since you do not need to plan a separate food stop or carry a full picnic. Still, pace yourself with alcohol, especially in strong sun and on a moving boat. Water, a hat, and regular sunscreen matter more than any single onboard extra.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available, but you need to request them when booking. Specific dietary requirements should also be provided in advance. Do not wait until lunch service to explain a serious allergy or food restriction.

The meal is also part of the social rhythm. Once the food comes out, conversation tends to open up, and the crew may turn the lunch period into the liveliest part of the cruise. If you enjoy meeting people and joining in, this is a plus. If you want to eat quietly with a book, the music and group atmosphere may test your patience.

How luxurious is the catamaran?

The name suggests a high-end sailing experience, but it is best to set your expectations at comfortable and enjoyable rather than private or lavish. The boat is described as neat, clean, and in good condition, and some departures have felt comfortably uncrowded.

At other times, the boat may not feel especially luxurious. A maximum of 17 people is modest, but the available deck space, seating arrangement, and popularity of the departure will shape how roomy it feels. You are booking a shared outing with a friendly crew, not a private charter.

That distinction matters when judging the price of $113.99 per person. The fare covers approximately six hours, the boat, crew, two island visits, snorkeling equipment, barbecue lunch, bottled water, and alcoholic drinks. For someone who would otherwise need to arrange a boat trip, lunch, and water activities separately, that is a fair all-in package.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a private luxury cruise or if bad weather prevents the main activities. One price comparison found a lower direct rate through the Coin de Mire Attitude hotel, quoted at 3,200 Mauritian rupees per person. If you are staying there, check the hotel’s own excursion desk before booking. Rates can change, but it is worth comparing.

The trip is booked on average about 15 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last morning of a short Mauritius stay. Book early enough to secure a place, but also check the forecast as your departure approaches.

Weather can make or break the day

This is the most important practical point. The cruise requires good weather, and the operator may cancel if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The harder situation is a day that goes ahead but has rough conditions. The crew may alter the route, shorten activities, or choose a safer alternative. That is sensible from a safety point of view, but it can still leave you feeling that you paid for island beaches and clear snorkeling and received much less.

The operator’s policy says the experience is non-refundable if you cancel or request a change for any reason. A cancellation caused by poor weather is treated differently, with a new date or full refund offered. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you also receive the choice of another date, another experience, or a full refund.

I would avoid placing this cruise on the final day of your Mauritius holiday. A weather problem or a rough-sea disappointment is much easier to handle when you still have time for another beach or boat outing.

Who will enjoy this northern islands cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want a full outing with several parts to it: open-water sailing, beach time, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and a sociable crew. It suits couples, families with older children, and friends who like a relaxed party atmosphere.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat, spending time in the sun, and handling some movement on the water.

This is also a good fit if you are staying in northern Mauritius and want to see more than the mainland beaches. The route gives you a taste of the offshore islands without requiring a separate plan for transport, food, or snorkeling gear.

I would hesitate if you want solitude, a quiet luxury setting, or guaranteed time at each island. I would also think twice if you dislike choppy seas or if snorkeling is the only reason you are booking. The boat and crew can be excellent, but the weather remains in charge.

Is the Luxury Catamaran Cruise worth booking?

For most people staying near Grand Baie or Cap Malheureux, I think this is a worthwhile way to spend a day, provided you understand what you are buying. The best value comes from the combination of two island stops, a barbecue lunch, drinks, and included snorkeling gear, not from luxury in the private-yacht sense.

Book it for the scenery, the chance to swim around Ilot Gabriel and Flat Island, and the upbeat crew. Ask about vegetarian or vegan food when you reserve, compare the price with your hotel if relevant, and check the weather before you commit.

My final advice is simple: choose this cruise for a lively, all-in northern islands outing. Skip it if you need calm seas, guaranteed snorkeling, or a secluded beach experience.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Bain Boeuf Public Beach in Cap Malheureux, Mauritius.

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at Bain Boeuf Public Beach, the same meeting point where it begins.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, also known as Flat Island. The cruise also offers views of Gunners Coin.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch is included, along with bottled water and alcoholic beverages.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Vegetarian and vegan meal options are available if you request them at the time of booking.