Grand Baie: Catamaran 3 Islands Cruise & Lunch on the Island

Turquoise water, barbecue, and three northern islands. This full-day catamaran trip from Grand Baie combines a scenic boat ride with time on Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, plus a close pass by Coin de Mire. The package includes a BBQ lunch, drinks, transfers between the catamaran and islands, and plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling.

I especially like the chance to eat lunch right on Ile Plate rather than simply viewing it from the water. I also like the easygoing crew, music, and party atmosphere on the return trip. The main point to consider is the sea: the ride can be choppy, and the crossing may feel long if you are prone to motion sickness.

The trip costs about $70 per person and lasts roughly seven hours. That is a fair price for a full day at sea with food, drinks, island access, and a catamaran ride. Just remember that snorkeling equipment, hotel transfers, and bottled water are not included, so you need to plan ahead.

Key points to know before booking

• Two islands allow shore time: You set foot on both Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, while Coin de Mire is viewed from the catamaran.
• Lunch is served on Ile Plate: The BBQ is part of the experience, with food and drinks included and extra portions available.
• The sea can be rough: The crossing takes around 1.5 hours in some conditions, especially during the cooler months from June through September.
• Snorkeling is self-guided: You can swim and snorkel at your own pace, but this is not a closely supervised snorkeling lesson.
• The return ride gets lively: Music, rum, dancing, and a friendly crew often turn the trip home into a floating party.
• Bring your own gear and protection: Pack sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, water shoes, and snorkeling equipment if you have it.

Leaving Grand Baie by catamaran

The day begins from the beach in Grand Baie. The meeting point is roughly halfway along the beach, opposite the red Express bus for Port Louis and near the shop called Highlights. Because the boarding point can be busy, it is worth arriving with your meeting instructions already clear.

You first take a dinghy from the beach out to the catamaran. This transfer is included, but the start can feel a little loose. Some people have had trouble knowing exactly where to wait or when the boarding process would begin. Keep your phone available and use the WhatsApp contact provided at booking, since the operator sends a written description, video, and Google location once you are in Mauritius.

Once aboard, the boat ride becomes the main event. The catamaran gives you a broad view of the sea, with changing shades of blue and green that are impossible to appreciate from land. Sit on the front deck if you want the most exciting ride, but expect spray and plenty of wind. People who sat up front got wet, while others preferred the deck for a steadier ride and a better chance of easing nausea.

You cannot keep shoes on the catamaran, since footwear is not allowed on the deck. Leave them in a bag and bring water shoes for the beach, rocky shallows, and snorkeling areas. A towel, swimwear, comfortable clothes, and plenty of sunscreen are essential.

The crossing to the northern islands

The catamaran heads north toward the islands, with views appearing long before you arrive. You get a sense of how far the islands sit from the mainland, and the ride itself gives the day much of its character.

Conditions vary. On a calm day, the crossing feels smooth and pleasant. In rougher water, the boat can roll and the ride becomes more demanding. One account describes a difficult outward journey followed by a much more enjoyable return, which is a useful reminder that the sea can change during the day.

If you get seasick, take the issue seriously. Eat lightly before departure, sit where you can see the horizon, and consider bringing any medication you normally use. The catamaran is a better choice for a relaxed sailing day than for anyone seeking the quickest route to the islands. A speedboat would be more suitable if the crossing worries you, though that is not this tour.

The crew generally keeps people informed about timings and safety rules. The captain may be firm, but that is welcome on an open-water trip. English and French are used, although some English speakers may find strong French accents difficult to follow at times. Pay close attention to meeting times and instructions for returning to the boat.

Ilot Gabriel, a short visit on a beautiful beach

The catamaran anchors near the islands where the water is deep enough, then a dinghy takes you ashore to Ilot Gabriel. The trip description allows roughly 45 to 60 minutes there, so this is a short stop rather than an afternoon on the beach.

Ilot Gabriel is the kind of place that makes the long crossing worthwhile. You get white sand, clear water, and a strong sense of being away from Mauritius proper. The island is best enjoyed at an unhurried pace, even though your time is limited. Walk along the beach, take photographs, or get into the shallows before the group moves on.

The shallow water can be good for spotting fish, and several people found the snorkeling enjoyable close to shore. Conditions matter, though. Currents can be noticeable, and the bottom may be stony in places. Water shoes and fins make a real difference.

Do not expect a private island. Several boats may arrive in the same area, particularly during busy periods. Even so, the operation is generally organized, and the open beach gives people room to spread out. If solitude is your main goal, this is not the right excursion. If you want an efficient way to see famous northern islands, it works well.

Ile Plate, where lunch becomes part of the day

The next major stop is Ile Plate, also called Flat Island. This is where the trip earns much of its value. Instead of eating on the catamaran, you sit down for a BBQ lunch on the island itself.

The meal is served in a simple outdoor setting, with the sea and beach close by. Food is generally plentiful, and extra portions may be available. The menu includes BBQ food and drinks such as juice and beer. Vegan choices have also been available, which is useful if you need a plant-based meal, though it is still sensible to state your dietary needs when booking.

The food is not fine dining, and it is not meant to be. The appeal is the setting, the generous portions, and the ease of having lunch already arranged after a morning at sea. A few people found the food ordinary, while others considered it one of the best parts of the excursion. I would rate it as practical island cooking rather than a culinary highlight.

Drinks are included, but do not assume that bottled water will be supplied in the way you expect. Some people found themselves thirsty on the island, so bring a reusable bottle if possible and ask the crew about water early in the day. Drinks may also be served in reusable cups.

The timing at Ile Plate can vary. Some schedules place lunch soon after arrival, followed by swimming and snorkeling. Other parts of the day may allow a longer rest on the beach. You should expect a few hours of combined lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and relaxation across the two island stops, not an entire day on one beach.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the limits of the water time

The snorkeling is self-guided. You choose when to enter the water and how long to stay, according to your own ability. That freedom is pleasant for confident swimmers, but it means you do not get the structure of a dedicated snorkeling tour with a guide leading the group.

Bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins, since equipment is not included. The water can be shallow near shore, with fish visible in some places. You might also find coral, stingrays, or turtles in the wider area, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

One optional turtle experience has been available at extra cost. If you take part in any turtle viewing, follow the guide’s instructions and keep your distance. The best wildlife encounters are the ones that leave the animals undisturbed.

The sea floor is not always soft sand. Stones and currents can make swimming less comfortable, particularly for weak swimmers. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or pregnant women, and anyone with limited swimming ability should be honest about their comfort in open water.

The island time also includes simple pleasures: shade when available, a rest after lunch, and a chance to sit quietly with the sea in front of you. Take advantage of that pause. The boat ride is active and exposed, so a short siesta can make the afternoon more enjoyable.

Coin de Mire, seen from the water

Coin de Mire is the third island, but you do not go ashore. The catamaran passes as close as water depth allows, giving you views from the deck.

That distinction matters. The tour is advertised as a three-island cruise, but only Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate include shore access. Coin de Mire is a scenic pass-by, not a landing. The island’s rugged shape looks especially striking from the water, and this part of the route adds variety after the beach stops.

The captain’s route depends on sea conditions. The boat may not reach all three islands if the water becomes unsafe, particularly during winter from June through September. The captain has final authority to cancel, reschedule, or alter the route. This is an important limitation, but it is the right call for an open-water activity.

The return ride, music, and a social mood

The trip home is often less about sightseeing and more about the atmosphere. After a full day outside, the crew may turn up the music, serve drinks, and encourage dancing. The mood can be relaxed and social, with solo passengers and couples joining in.

This is one of the tour’s strongest features if you like a little fun with your scenery. The crew has been praised for being cheerful, helpful, and attentive, including assisting people in and out of the dinghy. Birthday celebrations and other small occasions have sometimes become part of the group atmosphere.

The party mood is not for everyone. If you want quiet conversation or a calm sail back, the music may feel too much. You can usually find a less central place on the catamaran, but this is not a silent nature cruise.

Whale sightings have occurred on the return route, and dolphins have also been seen. These are lucky extras, not promises. The crew may adjust the route when conditions and wildlife make it possible, but no tour can guarantee an animal encounter.

What the $70 price really covers

At $70 per person, the tour offers a solid full-day package. You receive the catamaran ride, the dinghy transfers, access to both islands, a BBQ lunch, and drinks. You also get the cost and effort of visiting three northern islands handled in one day.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise book separate boat transport, buy lunch, and arrange island visits yourself. The price also includes the atmosphere of a shared sailing day, which can be a highlight if you enjoy meeting people and listening to music.

The value is weaker if you mainly want long, quiet snorkeling sessions. Island stops are limited, the snorkeling is not guided, and the boat may feel crowded on busy dates. Group size has sometimes passed 40 people, and boarding the dinghy can take time.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must reach Grand Baie beach yourself. Snorkeling equipment is also extra, and sunscreen, towels, water shoes, and suitable clothing are your responsibility.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later terms make the booking less risky, especially when weather forecasts are uncertain. Still, these policies do not change the fact that the sea may force a route change.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip for you if you want a full day that mixes sightseeing, swimming, food, and a friendly social scene. It suits couples, groups of friends, solo visitors, and anyone who prefers an all-in-one outing rather than arranging each part separately.

It is also a good pick if your priority is seeing Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate in one day. The lunch on Ile Plate gives the trip a pleasant sense of place, and the return music adds energy without requiring you to find a separate evening activity.

I would think twice if you are very sensitive to rough seas, need long stretches of quiet, or want expert-led snorkeling. The tour is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.

Should you book the Grand Baie 3 Islands Cruise?

Yes, if you understand that this is a lively shared catamaran day, not a private yacht charter or specialist snorkeling trip. The strongest reasons to book are the beautiful sea views, two island landings, island BBQ, included drinks, and a crew that usually brings plenty of good humor.

Book it with realistic expectations. Bring water shoes, snorkeling gear, a towel, strong sunscreen, and a light stomach for the crossing. Sit near the front for spray and excitement, or choose a steadier spot if you are concerned about nausea.

For about $70, this is a good-value way to see Mauritius’s northern islands. The sea may be rough, the timetable can feel tight, and Coin de Mire is viewed only from the boat. But if the weather cooperates, you get a memorable day of beaches, blue water, food, and music without having to organize the pieces yourself.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours, although weather or a delayed start may affect the exact return time.

Which islands can I visit on foot?

You can set foot on Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate. The catamaran passes near Coin de Mire, but you do not land there.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included and served on Ile Plate. Drinks, including juice and beer, are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment. Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing are also recommended.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the meeting point on Grand Baie beach.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The captain may cancel, reschedule, or change the route when sea conditions are unsafe. During rough winter conditions from June through September, visiting all three islands may not be possible.

Is the cruise suitable for everyone?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Choppy water can also make the crossing uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness.