Grand Bay: Catamaran Cruise to Flat Island with BBQ Lunch

The best part is the open sea. This seven-hour cruise from Grand Baie takes you north toward Flat Island, also called Île Plate, with views of Cap Malheureux, Pereybere, Grand Baie, and the smaller northern islands along the way. I like the mix of swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and an included barbecue lunch. I also like that the day feels easygoing rather than tightly scheduled.

The main caution is comfort. The catamaran can carry a large group, and some departures have had more than 50 people, with limited seating around the cockpit and dining area. Loud music has also been a repeated complaint, so this suits you best if you enjoy a lively boat day rather than a quiet sail with only the sound of wind and water.

Key points before you book

• Flat Island sits about 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux, at the northern edge of Mauritius, close to Round Island.
• The trip begins with a dinghy transfer from Grand Baie beach, followed by boarding the catamaran offshore.
• Fish and chicken barbecue, salad, bread, dessert, and drinks are included, though the meal setting can vary.
• You can swim and snorkel at your own pace, with a possible sea snorkeling stop on the return if conditions allow.
• You do not land on Coin de Mire, even though the catamaran passes close to it.
• Rough seas are possible, so bring motion-sickness tablets if you are prone to seasickness.

From Grand Baie beach to the open water

The day starts on the beach at Grand Baie. The meeting point is described as midway along the beach, where a representative will meet you and guide you to the boat. You do not simply walk from the sand onto the catamaran. A small dinghy takes you out to the main vessel, where you climb aboard.

That transfer is worth knowing about if you have limited balance or are carrying several bags. Keep your towel, sunscreen, phone, and other essentials in a small waterproof day bag. You will want both hands free during the move from beach to dinghy and then from dinghy to catamaran.

Once aboard, the cruise heads north along the coast. The views are one of the strongest reasons to book this trip. Keep your camera ready for Cap Malheureux, Pereybere, and Grand Baie from the water. The changing angle gives you a different look at the northwest coast than you get from a road or beach.

The boat ride is also where the main comfort question begins. A catamaran offers more room than a small speedboat, but space is not unlimited. On a busy departure, you may find about 40 seats around the cockpit and only around 10 places at a table for eating. Some people end up sitting with lunch on their knees.

I would arrive prepared for a shared, social outing. The boat is not presented as a small private cruise, and the atmosphere can become festive. Music has reportedly played loudly from morning to afternoon. That can be fun if you want a party mood, but it can drown out conversation and the natural sound of the sea.

Sailing toward Île Plate and the northern islands

Flat Island is near the extreme north of Mauritius, close to Round Island. Its French name, Île Plate, is commonly used by local operators, so do not worry if the signs or crew use both names.

The route is scenic, but the sea can change quickly. One departure experienced strong wind, rain, and heavy waves on the way to Flat Island. The captain continued carefully, and the crew paid close attention to safety, but the ride was still rough enough that adults had to hold on firmly.

That is a useful warning for families. The trip is not considered suitable for pregnant women, and young children may find a rough crossing difficult. If you are sensitive to motion, take appropriate seasickness medication before boarding rather than waiting until you feel unwell.

Another departure encountered such strong swell that nearly everyone felt sick. The northern islands are beautiful, but beauty does not calm a rolling stomach. Check the weather before you go, and bring a light jacket or rain layer as well as swimwear. Conditions can affect the route, the sailing time, and the swimming stops.

The crew speaks French and English. Communication is also helped by advance information sent by WhatsApp on at least some departures, including meeting details. Boat assignments can change for safety reasons. For example, one sailing was moved to another catamaran because the original group included families with children and the sea conditions were judged unsuitable for them.

What you get at Flat Island

The island stop is meant to give you free time rather than a guided walking tour. You can relax on the beach, swim in the lagoon, snorkel, or follow the island trails. This flexible format works well if you prefer choosing your own pace.

I like that you are not forced into one group activity. You can spend the afternoon in the water, walk for a while, or simply find a quiet place to sit. The island is described as peaceful, and its appeal comes from open space, natural scenery, and the chance to step away from the busy mainland.

Still, keep your expectations realistic. This is primarily a catamaran cruise with an island stop, not a full-day island exploration. Depending on sea conditions and the day’s schedule, you may have only about an hour on the island. That is enough for a swim and a short walk, but not enough for a long island hike or a slow afternoon at every beach.

The beach and lagoon are the main attractions. Bring a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. You should also bring a cover-up if you want protection from the sun while walking or eating. The information provided does not promise beach chairs, umbrellas, changing rooms, or fresh-water showers, so pack as if you will be using a simple island setting.

Snorkeling near Flat Island and Coin de Mire

The snorkeling is casual and self-directed. You can swim and snorkel according to your own ability instead of following a demanding organized session. That is a plus if you are comfortable in the water and want to stay in one area for a while.

The northern islands are known for tropical fish, and seeing fish around the reefs is one of the most praised parts of the day. You may also get a snorkeling stop in the open sea on the return journey if the weather and sea conditions are good.

The phrase if conditions allow matters here. Snorkeling is not guaranteed at every planned point. Wind, waves, rain, and water safety can change the plan. Follow the crew’s instructions and stay within your own limits. The activity is better for confident swimmers than for anyone hoping for a fully supervised beginner lesson.

The boat passes as close as possible to Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin, but it does not land there. You can snorkel around the island if the conditions and schedule permit, but you should not expect to walk ashore. This distinction is important because the northern-island route can sound like several island visits when the actual experience centers on Flat Island.

Keep an eye out for the paille-en-queue, the white-tailed tropical bird associated with Mauritius. Spotting one adds a small natural-history moment to the day, especially when you are walking or sitting on the island rather than only watching the water.

The barbecue lunch and included drinks

Lunch is listed as a barbecue with fish and chicken, served with bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks include beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coca-Cola, with juice and soft drinks also available.

For a $70 price, the included food and drinks make the trip easier to budget. You do not need to search for a restaurant on an isolated island, and you can have a full midday meal without carrying provisions for seven hours.

The meal is simple rather than gourmet. One departure received poor marks for the lunch and included drink, while other feedback described the food as very good. I would view it as a practical barbecue that comes with the boat day, not as a reason to choose this trip on its own.

The location of lunch may also vary. It is described as being served on Flat Island, but one account placed the buffet on the boat. That can happen when weather or operations change. If the lunch setting matters to you, ask the crew at the start of the day where and when the meal will be served.

Seating is the bigger issue. With a large group and only a small number of tables, you may eat on your knees or share limited table space. Pack a small amount of hand sanitizer and keep your phone away from the food area. The relaxed setup works for a casual beach day, but it will not suit someone expecting a seated restaurant meal.

The return trip and changing conditions

After lunch and free time, the catamaran heads back toward Grand Baie. If the sea is calm enough, the crew may arrange another snorkeling stop. This can add real value because it gives you a second chance to get into the water rather than making the return ride only a transfer.

Do not treat that extra stop as guaranteed. The sea decides the schedule. A rough return can also feel longer than the morning crossing, especially after swimming, eating, and spending time in the sun.

The seven-hour duration gives you a full outing, but the time is divided among transfers, sailing, lunch, swimming, and island time. If you want several hours on shore, this is probably the wrong format. If you want a boat-centered day with a taste of the northern islands, the balance makes more sense.

A seven-hour catamaran day can be tiring. Drink water even when beer, wine, and rum are available, and use sunscreen often. The open deck offers little escape from sun and wind unless you can find a shaded seat.

Is $70 a fair price?

At $70 per person, the value is reasonable if you use the included parts of the day: catamaran transport, dinghy transfers, lunch, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, and access to Flat Island.

The price becomes less attractive if your main goal is a long island visit or a quiet sailing experience. The catamaran can be crowded, music may be loud, and the island stop may be brief. You are paying for a full shared excursion, not privacy or a premium dining setup.

The value is strongest for a social group that wants one simple booking covering food, drinks, and sea time. It is also useful if you are staying in Grand Baie and do not need hotel pickup. Since transport to and from hotels is not included, you must make your own way to the beach meeting point.

The ability to cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund gives you some protection if your plans change. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several Mauritius activities at once. Weather can force a date or time change, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Want a full day on the water from Grand Baie
• Like a lively, social boat atmosphere
• Enjoy swimming and casual snorkeling
• Are happy with a simple barbecue lunch
• Want to see Flat Island without arranging a private boat
• Can cope with possible wind, rain, and rough sea
• Prefer choosing your own beach and snorkeling time

I would think twice if you:

• Need a quiet boat with very little music
• Want guaranteed calm water
• Expect a long guided walk on Flat Island
• Prefer a formal seated lunch
• Are highly prone to seasickness
• Need hotel pickup and drop-off
• Are pregnant

The experience can be particularly good for adults and friends who want swimming, drinks, music, and scenery in one package. It is less suitable for anyone seeking a luxury cruise or a carefully paced nature tour.

Practical packing advice for the seven-hour day

Bring the required basics: swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. I would add a hat, sunglasses, a light rain layer, motion-sickness tablets if needed, and a waterproof pouch for valuables.

Wear footwear that is easy to remove for the boat transfer. The move from the beach to the dinghy and then onto the catamaran is not the moment for loose bags or delicate shoes.

Keep your valuables to a minimum. You will be moving between boat, beach, water, and island trails, and the day is not built around secure storage or a hotel room nearby.

You should also bring patience. Boat times, lunch location, snorkeling, and the exact route can shift with wind and waves. The crew’s safety decision takes priority, even when it means changing boats or shortening island time.

Should you book the Flat Island catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable, all-in-one day from Grand Baie with a northern-island setting, casual snorkeling, a barbecue, and drinks. The scenery, swimming, friendly crew on well-run departures, and chance to spot a paille-en-queue make it a worthwhile outing.

Skip it if your ideal day means peace and quiet, generous personal space, or several hours exploring the island. In that case, look for a smaller or more private sailing option. For everyone else, the key is to board with the right picture in mind: this is a lively catamaran day with a Flat Island stop, not a silent yacht cruise or a long island hike.

FAQ

Where does the cruise meet?

The meeting point is on Grand Baie beach, around the middle of the beach. A representative is assigned to welcome you and guide you to the boat.

How do I get onto the catamaran?

A small dinghy takes you from the beach to the catamaran. You then climb from the dinghy onto the main boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The meal includes fish and chicken barbecue, bread, salad, and dessert. Beer, wine, local rum, water, Coca-Cola, juice, and soft drinks are also provided.

Can I snorkel at Coin de Mire?

The catamaran passes as close as possible to Coin de Mire, but you do not land on the island. If sea and weather conditions permit, you may snorkel around the island.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must arrange your own transport to the meeting point on Grand Baie beach.

Can the trip change because of weather?

Yes. The date, time, route, boat, and water activities can change when weather or sea conditions are unsuitable. The crew may also change the boat for safety reasons.