Full-Day Northern Catamaran Cruise: Coin de Mire and Ile Plate Island

The best part may be lunch at sea. This full-day catamaran cruise gives you two things I value on a Mauritius outing: easy hotel transport and a full day of swimming, island scenery, food, and drinks without piecing together separate plans. I also like the relaxed route past Cap Malheureux, Pereybere, and Grand Bay, followed by time at Île Plate. The main caution is capacity. The advertised maximum is 20 people, but past departures have sometimes felt overcrowded, so the boat you receive matters.

You should also know that snorkeling equipment is not included, despite the swimming and snorkeling stops. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or confirm availability before you go. Weather can also change the day, since the cruise requires good conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Two water stops: Swim and snorkel in a calm northern lagoon, then spend time around Île Plate and Coin de Mire.
• Seven hours on the water: The cruise begins from Grand Bay at 9 a.m., with hotel pickup usually one to two hours earlier.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect fish, chicken, bread, salad, dessert, beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke.
• Small advertised group size: The current maximum is 20 people, but capacity has not always been consistent.
• Bring snorkeling gear: Equipment is not part of the price, so pack your own if possible.
• Good value at $111.54: Transport, lunch, alcohol, soft drinks, and a full day of boating are included.

From your hotel lobby to Grand Bay

Your day begins early, though not painfully so. The catamaran leaves Grand Bay at 9 a.m., and pickup is scheduled one to two hours before departure depending on where you are staying. The precise pickup time depends on your accommodation, so keep your phone nearby and be ready in the lobby.

That transfer is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. You do not need to arrange a taxi to Grand Bay, find the public beach, or worry about getting back after a day with rum and sun. The return transfer is included as well, although one past departure ended with a passenger waiting about half an hour because the driver was not there. I would keep your confirmation and the provider’s contact details handy until you are back at your hotel.

The meeting point is connected with Grand Bay Store and Grand Bay Public Beach. Once you arrive, you will board the catamaran and choose a place on deck. With a maximum of 20 people stated for this experience, the boat should offer a more comfortable day than a large party vessel. Still, the number of people has apparently varied on some departures, including reports of 30 and even 46 passengers. If personal space matters to you, ask for a current passenger count before committing.

Sailing north past Cap Malheureux and Pereybere

The outward cruise is part of the attraction, not just transportation between stops. From Grand Bay, the boat follows the northwest coast, giving you views of Cap Malheureux, Pereybere, and the bay around Grand Bay.

Keep your camera ready during this first stretch. You are likely to spend much of the time sitting, lying back, talking, and watching the coast pass by. This is a good moment to settle into the rhythm of the boat rather than trying to fill every minute with activity.

The deck is described as a comfortable place to stretch out. That sounds simple, but it matters on a seven-hour trip. A crowded catamaran can make a full day tiring, while a boat with room to move lets you switch between shade, sun, and the edge of the deck. Bring sun protection, since the supplied information does not promise shaded seating for everyone.

Music and dancing have been part of some especially successful outings. The atmosphere can therefore lean social rather than quiet. If you want a peaceful cruise, choose a spot away from the main gathering area when you board. If you enjoy music and a livelier boat, this setup may suit you well.

Swimming and snorkeling in the northern lagoon

At a calm, clear lagoon on the north side of Mauritius, the catamaran anchors for swimming and snorkeling. This is the point where the cruise shifts from sightseeing to participation.

The water stop is useful for both active and easygoing visitors. You can get in for a swim, look below the surface with your own mask, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. The itinerary does not promise guided snorkeling, special equipment, or a long wildlife-focused session, so I would treat this as a pleasant water break rather than a specialist snorkeling excursion.

The missing equipment is an important detail. Snorkeling gear is not included, even though snorkeling is one of the main advertised activities. Bring your own set if you have one. If not, ask before departure if anything can be rented or supplied, but do not assume it will be waiting on the boat.

Weather can affect this section. One account describes rough conditions that were handled well by the captain and crew, but difficult seas can reduce the appeal of swimming and make the boat ride less comfortable. The cruise can be moved or canceled in poor weather, with a different date or a full refund offered.

Île Plate and the barbecue lunch

Île Plate is the main stop for the meal and time ashore. Midway through the day, the crew serves a barbecue lunch with fish and chicken, bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks include beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke.

I like this arrangement because you do not lose time looking for a restaurant on an island. The meal is part of the outing, and the drink selection makes the price easier to justify. You can eat, talk, and watch the water without making another purchase every few minutes.

A vegetarian option is available, but you must request it when booking. Do not wait until lunch to explain your dietary needs. The supplied details only confirm a vegetarian option, so you should ask what it contains if you have allergies or stricter dietary requirements.

After eating, you can spend time exploring Île Plate or relaxing on the beach. The wording here is broad, so I would not expect a structured island tour or a long list of historic sights. The appeal is simple: sand, open water, a break from the boat, and time to stretch your legs.

The stop also gives the day some welcome variety. Seven hours aboard a catamaran can feel long if the entire experience is boat-based. Île Plate breaks up the ride and lets you choose your own pace. You can swim again, sit in the sand, or stay near the lunch area rather than rushing through a formal program.

Coin de Mire and the northern island setting

Coin de Mire is included in the cruise name and route, along with Île Plate. The trip’s focus is the northern island setting, clear water, and stops for swimming and snorkeling rather than a detailed guided tour of each island.

That distinction helps set the right expectations. You are paying for a full day of sea time, views, food, and water access. You are not being promised a lecture, a long walk across both islands, or specialist marine instruction.

The northern coast is a strong setting for this kind of trip because the route combines open views with sheltered water. You get the pleasure of moving through the sea, then a calmer place to swim. The exact balance depends on weather and the captain’s decisions that day.

Crew quality can shape the experience. Kevin, Rudi, Bruno, and Olivier have been praised for creating a friendly day with good food, music, dancing, and attention on board. Other accounts describe an aggressive welcome and an overloaded boat, so service has not been perfectly consistent. I would not book this trip solely for a particular crew member, but I would ask the operator who is scheduled if personal service matters to you.

What the $111.54 price really covers

At $111.54 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the north of Mauritius. It can still be good value because the cost includes several items that quickly add up on your own:

• Hotel pickup and return transport
• About seven hours on the water
• Barbecue lunch
• Alcoholic drinks
• Soft drinks and water
• Stops for swimming and snorkeling
• Time at Île Plate

The value is strongest if you are staying outside Grand Bay and would otherwise pay for taxis. It is also attractive if you plan to drink with lunch, since beer, wine, and local rum are included rather than sold separately.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quiet, uncrowded boat or a serious snorkeling session. The price does not include snorkeling equipment, and capacity has reportedly been higher than expected on some days. A smaller private charter might suit you better, but it would normally cost more.

The 3.9 rating from 21 published ratings suggests a mixed but generally workable experience. The high marks focus on the crew, scenery, food, drinks, sunshine, and music. The poor marks focus on overcrowding, weak organization, long delays, and concerns about the boat’s handling. That pattern tells me the product can be excellent on the right departure and frustrating on the wrong one.

Group size, comfort, and the overcrowding concern

The stated maximum is 20 people, which is a useful size for a shared catamaran. It should give you enough room to sit, move around, and enjoy the water without feeling packed shoulder to shoulder.

But you should take the capacity promise seriously and confirm it. Some past departures carried far more people than expected. One account describes 30 passengers, while another describes 46. That is not a small difference. It changes the feel of lunch, the ease of getting into the water, and your chance of finding a good place on deck.

The vessel itself also matters. One account describes a larger catamaran that remained reasonably comfortable despite more than the expected number of people. Another describes a boat that already felt too full at boarding. You cannot control the boat assigned to you, but you can contact Eco Holidays Mauritius before the day and ask whether the 20-person maximum applies to your specific departure.

The tour requires at least two people per booking, and the minimum age is 18. This makes it better suited to couples, adult friends, and small groups than to families with young children. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat, moving around a deck, and entering the water if you plan to swim.

How to prepare for a better day

A few small choices can make this outing much more comfortable.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment. This is the most important tip because the cruise includes snorkeling stops but does not include masks or snorkels. If you do not own gear, confirm options before arrival.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a dry change of clothing. You will have swimming opportunities early in the day and again around Île Plate. A towel, reef-safe sun protection, sunglasses, and a hat are sensible additions.

Use a waterproof phone pouch or small dry bag. You will want photographs of the coast and islands, but boat decks and wet hands are not kind to phones. Keep passports and other valuables at your accommodation unless the operator specifically asks for identification during booking.

Tell the operator about vegetarian meals when you reserve. The booking requires each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country, so have those details ready for everyone in your group.

Finally, do not schedule an important evening activity too tightly after the cruise. The published duration is about seven hours, but transfers, weather, and boat operations can affect your return time. Give yourself breathing room.

Who should book this Mauritius cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy, social day on the water and prefer one package over several separate arrangements. It suits adults who enjoy swimming, music, a barbecue lunch, island scenery, and included drinks.

It is especially practical for visitors staying around Mauritius who do not want to arrange transport to Grand Bay. It also works well for couples and friend groups looking for a relaxed day rather than a formal sightseeing tour.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed quiet, exact group numbers, or high-quality snorkeling equipment. I would also think twice if rough sea conditions make you uncomfortable. The outing depends on weather, and some past departures appear to have suffered from poor capacity control and weak organization.

Final booking advice

Book this cruise if you value convenience, food, drinks, and a full day outdoors more than a perfectly controlled small-group experience. At $111.54, the included transport, lunch, alcohol, and seven hours on the water make the price reasonable when the boat runs as promised.

Before paying, ask two direct questions: How many people are booked on my departure, and will snorkeling equipment be available? If the answer confirms a group of 20 or fewer and you bring your own gear, this can be a cheerful and good-value day around Mauritius’s northern islands. If the answer is vague, choose a more tightly managed cruise.

FAQ

What time does the catamaran cruise begin?

The activity starts at 9 a.m. from Grand Bay. Hotel pickup usually takes place one to two hours before the start time, depending on your pickup location.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours, including the boat journey, swimming and snorkeling stops, lunch, and time at Île Plate.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Pickup from Mauritius accommodations and return drop-off are included.

What food is served for lunch?

The barbecue lunch includes fish and chicken, bread, salad, and dessert. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so you should bring your own or confirm alternatives before departure.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you will be offered another date or a full refund.