Catamaran Mauritius Cruise in the North Coasts

Three islands, one sunny day at sea. This cruise gives you a handy way to see Mauritius’ northern isles without arranging separate boat trips, and I especially like the three-island route and the BBQ lunch with drinks included. The main caution is the open water: strong swell can make the crossing uncomfortable if you are prone to seasickness.

The trip begins at Grand Baie and reaches Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire in roughly six hours. You get swimming, snorkeling, beaches, reef fish, coastal views, and transport from Port Louis or your resort, but the schedule is active rather than slow and lazy.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Northern Isles in one outing: Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire each offer a different reason to leave the catamaran.
• Departure from Grand Baie: The boat leaves from Grand Baie Public Beach after a captain’s briefing.
• Food and drinks are covered: Tea, coffee, cake, a BBQ lunch, snacks, and drinks are included.
• Snorkeling is a major highlight: The final stop at Coin de Mire is used as a natural aquarium for swimming among reef fish.
• Rough water is possible: One verified booking account praised the cruise and snorkeling but warned that high waves may trouble sensitive passengers.
• Shared or private choices: You can select the kind of cruise that fits your budget and preferred level of privacy.

Why this northern-isles cruise works well

Mauritius has plenty of fine beaches, but a boat trip shows you a different side of the island. From the water, you see the coast recede, the sea open up, and small islands appear as separate worlds rather than distant names on a map.

This excursion is useful because it groups three northern islands into one organized day. You do not need to sort out boat transfers, food, drinks, or entrance arrangements on your own. At $170 per person, it is not a bargain-basement outing, but the price covers transport, food, refreshments, entrance fees, and a six-hour catamaran experience.

I particularly like the balance between time on the islands and time in the water. Flat Island and Gabriel Island offer beaches and shore time, while Coin de Mire gives the day its strongest snorkeling stop. You get variety instead of spending the entire outing in one lagoon.

The tradeoff is pace. The schedule allows about three hours around Flat Island and three hours around Gabriel Island in the stated program, with the snorkeling stop at Coin de Mire on the return route. That sounds generous, but boat travel, boarding, lunch, and group movement all take time. You will see a lot, though you should not expect long, unhurried exploration of each island.

Getting from Port Louis to Grand Baie

Pickup is available from a resort reception, and the planned transfer from Port Louis takes about 30 minutes by bus or coach. From the Grand Baie arrival point, the program includes a walk of around 15 minutes to the departure area at Grand Baie Public Beach.

That transfer matters if you are staying outside Grand Baie. You are not simply paying for a boat ride and then solving the morning transport yourself. The return transfer is also included, with the planned program bringing you back toward Port Louis after the cruise.

Pickup details are supplied through the resort reception, with more information sent the day before pickup. I would keep your phone available and confirm the meeting point before departure, especially if your accommodation has more than one entrance or reception desk.

Grand Baie is a practical starting point. It is one of Mauritius’ main boating areas, so the departure has a proper holiday-port feel without requiring a long journey from the capital. Once aboard the Wind Dancer catamaran, the captain gives a briefing before the boat heads north.

The Wind Dancer departure from Grand Baie

The morning begins with tea, coffee, and cake aboard the catamaran. This is a small but useful touch. You can get settled, listen to the captain, and start the crossing with something in your stomach before the sea becomes more active.

The Wind Dancer is described as a luxurious catamaran, but the practical appeal is the open deck and the ability to move between sitting, eating, and viewing areas. The breeze is part of the experience. So is the sun, so bring protection for your skin and eyes.

The captain’s briefing is important, not ceremonial. You need to know how the swimming stops work, where to move aboard, and how to handle the open-water ride. A catamaran usually feels steadier than a smaller boat, but it is not immune to rough water. A booking made during February described the cruise as excellent and the snorkeling stop as especially good, while also noting high waves and discomfort for sensitive passengers.

If you often suffer from seasickness, think carefully before booking. The supplied information does not state that medication is provided, so you should plan your own usual precautions. Sitting in a stable area, looking toward the horizon, and avoiding a heavy meal before departure may help, but no boat trip can promise calm water.

Flat Island: the first major stop

The crossing to Flat Island takes about an hour. This gives you time to watch Grand Baie fade behind you and settle into the rhythm of the sea. The island is one of the government-declared nature reserves included on the route, and its appeal is simple: white sand, clear water, and a more open setting than the mainland beaches.

The program allows roughly three hours for the Flat Island portion, including a guided visit, sightseeing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. That makes it more than a quick photo stop. You have time to walk, look around, and enter the water if conditions are suitable.

The information does not promise a particular wildlife sighting, trail, or historical structure, so keep expectations sensible. This is primarily a nature stop built around shore scenery and sea access. The value lies in getting onto the island rather than only viewing it from the catamaran.

Flat Island also provides a good first chance to judge the day’s conditions. If the sea feels lively during the crossing, you can decide how much swimming you want to do. The boat continues regardless, but your own level of participation can be flexible.

BBQ lunch and the practical middle of the day

After time around Flat Island, you return to the catamaran for a BBQ lunch. Food is included, along with drinks and snacks, so you do not need to pack a full meal or search for a restaurant on an uninhabited island.

I see this as a real part of the tour’s value. A northern-isles boat trip leaves you away from normal shops and cafés for much of the day. Having lunch served onboard keeps the group moving and avoids the awkward question of where everyone should eat.

The included refreshments cover tea, coffee, cake, the BBQ, drinks, and snacks. The information does not give a detailed menu or state that special diets can be handled, so ask before booking if you have a strict dietary requirement. Also remember that a meal on a moving boat is not the same as a long restaurant lunch. Depending on the sea, you may prefer to eat lightly and return to the deck.

Lunch divides the cruise neatly. The first half focuses on Flat Island, and the afternoon turns toward Gabriel Island and the snorkeling area near Coin de Mire.

Gabriel Island and its famous sandbar

Gabriel Island is the second main island stop. It is known for its bright sandbar, calm lagoon, and clear water. The program gives about three hours for sightseeing, swimming, wildlife viewing, and enjoying the views on the way.

This is likely the most classic beach moment of the day. You can relax on the sandbar, take in the surrounding water, or swim in the lagoon. The setting is made for photographs, but it is also one of the few parts of the cruise where doing very little is a perfectly good plan.

Gabriel Island works best for people who want choice. You can spend your time in the water, stay on shore, or simply enjoy the island setting before returning to the catamaran. You do not need to be an enthusiastic snorkeler to get value from this stop.

Still, the island is only one portion of a tightly arranged day. The catamaran must leave for the return route, so you should pay attention to the captain’s instructions and boarding time. A sandbar can make time disappear quickly, especially when the light and water are at their best.

Coin de Mire: the final snorkeling stop

The return route includes Coin de Mire, described as a natural aquarium. This is where the cruise focuses most directly on marine life. You can swim and snorkel among colorful reef fish in the surrounding water.

For many people, this will be the highlight. Flat Island gives you shore time, Gabriel Island gives you the sandbar, and Coin de Mire gives you the strongest underwater encounter. The wording of the program suggests a proper snorkeling stop, not merely a quick chance to look over the side.

The sea condition matters here. Clear water and fish do not guarantee an easy swim if the waves are high. One booking account specifically praised the snorkeling pause while warning about rough seas, so treat the stop as an opportunity rather than a promise of calm water.

You should be comfortable in open water before choosing this cruise. The supplied details do not state that snorkeling equipment, flotation aids, or instruction are included, so check what is provided when booking. Do not assume the catamaran will have every item you want.

How much value do you get for $170?

At $170 per person, this is a higher-priced day excursion. The value depends on how many parts of the package you would otherwise arrange separately.

The price includes:

• Transportation
• Entrance fees
• BBQ lunch
• Drinks and snacks
• A six-hour experience
• A live guide in English or French
• Visits to three northern islands
• Swimming and snorkeling opportunities

If you only want a short beach transfer, this cruise costs more than necessary. If you want a full day of independent boat arrangements, food planning, and separate island visits, the package becomes easier to justify.

I would compare it with the cost of hiring a private boat, arranging transfers from your accommodation, and buying food and drinks during the day. The shared option should suit people who want the experience without paying for a fully private vessel. The private option may be worthwhile for a small group that values control over space and pace, though the supplied details do not state the private price or exact capacity.

The strongest value comes from convenience and variety. You get the north coast, three islands, lunch, refreshments, and a snorkeling stop in one booking. The weakest value comes if you dislike boat rides or prefer one quiet beach for the whole day.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several northern islands but do not want to plan the day yourself. It also suits couples, families, and groups who enjoy a mixture of sightseeing, swimming, beach time, and food onboard.

It is a particularly good match for confident swimmers and people who like being on the water. You do not need to snorkel at every stop, but the experience is built around sea access. If your priority is land-based culture, museums, or long walks, this is not the right use of your day.

Families should consider the sea conditions carefully. The available information does not specify age limits, child pricing, or special facilities, so those details should be confirmed before payment. The same applies to anyone with limited mobility, since the program includes a beach departure, a walk to the boat, island visits, swimming, and movement aboard a catamaran.

English and French guiding are available. Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility if your weather plans are still changing.

Final verdict: book it if the sea is part of the point

I would book this cruise if I wanted a well-organized look at Mauritius’ northern isles and valued the combination of beaches, snorkeling, lunch, and transport. The strongest moments should be the Gabriel Island sandbar and the Coin de Mire swim, while Flat Island adds the sense of visiting a true island reserve rather than simply circling it by boat.

I would skip it if you are highly sensitive to waves, dislike shared excursions, or want a slow day with no fixed schedule. For everyone else, the $170 price is reasonable when you use the included transport, food, drinks, guiding, and three-island route. Just respect the sea. It is the star of the day, and it does not always read the brochure.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Grand Baie Public Beach after a captain’s briefing.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is included from a resort reception, and the program includes transportation from the Port Louis area.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about six hours. The activity information also describes the overall tour as lasting between six and eight hours.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included, along with drinks and snacks.

Are drinks and morning refreshments included?

Yes. Tea, coffee, cake, drinks, and snacks are included in the experience.

Can I snorkel during the cruise?

Yes. Snorkeling is offered at the natural aquarium near Coin de Mire, and swimming is also available around the island stops.

What languages are available for the guide?

The live guide is available in English and French.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Are shared and private options available?

Yes. The cruise offers both shared and private options.