North: Cruise to the flat island & Gabriel island.bbq lunch

Northern Mauritius is at its best from the water, and this full-day cruise gives you three very different island views in one outing. You sail from Grand Baie to Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, then pass close to the steep, curious shape of Coin de Mire. The clear water, soft sand, and broad sea views are the main event.

I like the easy rhythm: swim, stroll, eat, rest, then cruise again. I also like that the BBQ lunch and drinks are included, with music creating a friendly party mood on the way home.

The main consideration is simple: this is a relaxed cruising day, not a guided island tour. You get free time rather than a naturalist explaining the reefs, and Coin de Mire is for viewing from the boat only.

Key points to know before booking

• Three northern islands in one day: Visit Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, then cruise close to Coin de Mire.
• About seven hours on the water: The trip to the islands takes roughly 90 minutes, leaving time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and beach time.
• Lunch on Ile Plate: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad.
• Free time instead of a guided walk: You choose how to use your island hour, from swimming and snorkeling to a quiet stroll.
• Drinks are included: Water, juice, cocktails, and lunch drinks are served, but bring bottled water for time on the islands.
• No hotel pickup: Meet the staff on the beach at Grand Baie, where a person holding a list will help you find the group.

Setting out from Grand Baie for the northern islands

Your day begins on the beach at Grand Baie, not at a hotel lobby. Look for the person with a list, as well as other staff waiting nearby. From the beach, a small boat takes you out to the catamaran anchored offshore.

That short transfer is worth knowing about if you prefer a simple, step-aboard departure. You are not walking straight from the sand onto the main vessel. Keep your towel, sunscreen, and beachwear handy, and be prepared for a boat transfer before you settle in.

Once aboard, the pace becomes pleasantly unhurried. The outward run takes about 90 minutes, and that is a meaningful part of the experience rather than dead time. You get open views of the sea and neighboring mountains, with the catamaran providing a comfortable base between island stops.

The boat is described as fast and secure, and the ride can include good-sized waves. If you enjoy the feeling of moving quickly across the water, the crossing adds a little excitement. If you prefer a very calm sea day, conditions will matter, and the trip may be rescheduled if the weather is poor.

Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel: two beaches, two kinds of quiet

The first island time centers on Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, reached by taxi boat from the catamaran. You have about an hour of free time to use as you wish. That freedom is useful because this is not a tightly managed sightseeing stop.

You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or take a walk along the beach. The sand is described as soft and powdery, while the surrounding greenery gives the shore a more natural feel than a developed resort beach. You may find the water shifting through different shades as the seabed and depth change.

Ile Plate is the flatter, beach-focused stop, and it is also where lunch is served. Ilot Gabriel adds another stretch of quiet sand and clear water. The schedule gives you time on both islands, but it does not provide a long, detailed visit to either one. If you want historical facts, local ecology, or a guided walk, this outing will feel light on explanation.

That is also its appeal. You can simply sit beneath the sun, swim when you feel like it, and avoid being rushed from one sight to the next. Bring your own bottled water for island time, since drinks are served on the boat and with lunch but are not necessarily convenient while you are waiting for the taxi boat or walking around.

Snorkeling in clear water, with no promise of wildlife

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise. The water around the northern islands can be remarkably clear, and the experience may include coral fish, larger fish, and an octopus. Turtles have also been spotted, but you should treat that as luck rather than a guarantee.

The practical point is to bring your own expectations along with your mask and fins. The provided information does not specify snorkeling equipment, so check what is supplied when booking or plan accordingly. The activity includes time for snorkeling, but it is not presented as a guided reef session with an instructor.

That makes the outing better for confident swimmers and casual snorkelers than for someone seeking a structured marine-life lesson. You can get in the water, look around, and enjoy the clarity without needing to follow a group. If you are not swimming, the beach and boat views still give you plenty to do.

The sea may look calm from shore but can feel different around the catamaran. Use sensible care when moving between the boat, taxi boat, and island. Sunscreen is essential, and a towel is not optional if you plan to swim more than once.

A Mauritian BBQ lunch on Ile Plate

Lunch is served on Ile Plate and is one of the better practical features of the package. The meal includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and a green salad. That range gives you several choices, which is useful after swimming and snorkeling.

The food is straightforward rather than a formal restaurant meal. Think of it as a beach BBQ that fits the day: filling, communal, and easy to eat between stretches of sun and sea. Drinks are included with lunch, and the boat also serves drinks while cruising, including juice, water, and cocktails.

The package value improves because you do not need to arrange lunch separately on an uninhabited island. At $76 per person, the cost covers the catamaran, the beach-to-boat transfer, taxi boats to both islands, lunch, and drinks. Hotel transfers are not included, so add the cost and effort of reaching Grand Baie yourself.

One small but important detail: bring bottled water for walking on the islands and for any wait before the taxi boat collects you. Unlimited or included drinks on the boat do not remove the need for personal water during shore time.

Coin de Mire from the closest practical viewpoint

After the island stops and lunch, the catamaran heads toward Coin de Mire. This island looks like a mountain rising from the sea, and the boat passes as close as possible for views and photographs.

You do not get off here. No catamaran stops to put people ashore on Coin de Mire, so the attraction is the shape of the island and the changing view from the water. That distinction matters if you are comparing this cruise with an outing advertised as a visit to three islands. In practical terms, you set foot on two islands and view the third from the boat.

Still, Coin de Mire gives the afternoon a useful change of scenery. Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel are about beaches and shallow water. Coin de Mire is about height, rock, and the feeling of a solitary peak in the ocean. I like that contrast, even though the stop is brief.

The cruise then turns back toward Grand Baie. Music can make the return feel more like a small party than a quiet ferry ride. The atmosphere depends on the day’s group and crew, but the available details point to friendly staff, upbeat entertainment, and a social ride home.

How the drinks, music, and crew shape the day

This is not a silent luxury cruise. The catamaran includes music and an outgoing atmosphere, especially on the return journey. That can be a great fit if you want a holiday day with conversation, cocktails, and a little dancing or singing on board.

The crew speaks English, French, Hindi, and Urdu. No individual guide names are provided, and the tour is not designed around a named guide leading commentary. Staff help with the meeting point, boat movements, and general flow of the day, while you decide how to spend your island time.

That arrangement keeps things simple but also means you should not expect a detailed story about every island. The experience is built around scenery, swimming, food, and time outside. You are buying a day on the sea, not a formal educational tour.

The atmosphere may suit families, couples, and groups of friends, although the music and boat motion will not appeal to everyone. If you want a quiet private charter, this is not that. If you enjoy a shared outing with a cheerful crew, it is a better match.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

The full outing lasts about seven hours, based on the reported schedule. With roughly 90 minutes to reach the islands, this is a substantial day rather than a quick morning boat ride. Plan to spend most of your time exposed to sun, wind, and salt water.

Bring:

• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Beachwear
• Your own bottled water for the islands
• Any snorkeling equipment you want to use if equipment is not confirmed in advance

Wear something easy to move in during the taxi-boat transfers. Keep your belongings secure and dry, since you will move between the beach, catamaran, smaller boats, and island shorelines.

Weather is a real part of the decision. In poor conditions, the trip may be rescheduled after consultation with you. If it cannot be rescheduled, a full refund is available through the booking site after approval. The safety rule is sensible, but a fixed holiday schedule should leave room for a change of date.

There is no hotel transfer. You need to reach the Grand Baie beach meeting point and return there at the end. That makes the activity easiest for anyone already staying near Grand Baie or arranging a taxi independently.

Is $76 a fair price?

At $76, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the whole package. The fare includes the catamaran cruise, transfers from the beach to the boat, taxi boats to Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, lunch, and drinks. It also includes the chance to see Coin de Mire from close offshore.

The strongest value comes from combining several costs into one day. You do not need to find a separate boat, arrange lunch on the islands, or negotiate individual transfers between the catamaran and shore. The tradeoff is that hotel transport is extra and the island visits are self-directed.

I would compare the price against what you want from the day. If your priority is clear water, beaches, an included BBQ, and a lively boat ride, the package makes sense. If your priority is a private boat, long snorkeling sessions, or expert commentary, you may prefer a different type of excursion.

The score of 4.5 from 36 ratings supports a strong overall experience, but it should not erase the limits. Weather can affect the crossing, the sea may be choppy, and the two island stops are short. You are paying for a broad, enjoyable day rather than a deep visit to one place.

Who should book this northern Mauritius cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see the northern islands without arranging several separate activities. It is especially suitable for first-time visitors who want a clear snapshot of Ile Plate, Ilot Gabriel, and Coin de Mire in one outing.

It also suits people who like a social boat atmosphere. The combination of music, cocktails, BBQ food, swimming, and open sea views gives the day a holiday feel from start to finish.

You may want another option if you dislike boat transfers, prefer a quiet outing, or need a fully guided schedule. This cruise also asks you to be comfortable using free time on your own, since there is no guided island walk.

Book it if you can accept the simple structure: meet at Grand Baie, sail for about 90 minutes, enjoy two island stops, eat lunch, view Coin de Mire from the catamaran, and return after roughly seven hours. Bring water and sun protection, check snorkeling arrangements, and keep your plans flexible for weather.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The activity starts on the beach at Grand Baie and finishes back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, so you need to make your own way to the Grand Baie beach meeting point.

How do I find the meeting point?

Look for the person on the beach holding a list. Other staff members will also be nearby.

Which islands can I visit?

You visit Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, with time to enjoy the beaches and water. You also cruise close to Coin de Mire, but you do not land there.

Can I get off at Coin de Mire?

No. Catamarans do not stop to let people set foot on Coin de Mire. You view the island from the boat at close range.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and a green salad.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are served during lunch and while cruising, including water, juice, and cocktails. You are advised to bring your own bottled water for time spent walking on the islands or waiting for a taxi boat.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. If you plan to snorkel, confirm whether equipment is supplied or bring your own.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip may be rescheduled after consultation with you. If it cannot be rescheduled, you may receive a full refund through the booking site after approval. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Should you book this experience?

Book this cruise if you want a generous sample of northern Mauritius in one day, with beaches, snorkeling, island BBQ food, drinks, and music included. Skip it if you want a private, quiet, highly guided outing. For most people seeking a fun and practical sea day from Grand Baie, the combination of two island landings and a close view of Coin de Mire offers solid value at $76.