Ilot Gabriel: Catamaran Cruise & BBQ Lunch

Blue water, barbecue, and a very good boat day. This seven-hour catamaran cruise links Grand Bay with Ilot Gabriel, combining open-sea sailing, beach time, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch on the water. I like the friendly crew and the simple all-in-one plan: your boat ride, dinghy transfers, food, and drinks are covered. The main drawback is that the catamaran can feel crowded, and the sea may be choppy.

The trip also brings you close to Coin de Mire, a steep rocky island that rises from the sea like a mountain. I like that the day gives you both a natural reserve and an easy social atmosphere, with music and a lively return sail. You should know, however, that time on Ilot Gabriel can feel short, and snorkeling near Coin de Mire is not guaranteed.

Key points to know before booking

• Two-hour sail from Grand Bay: The outward trip is part of the main event, with changing sea colours, wide views, and open-water conditions.
• Ilot Gabriel’s beaches: You get time to swim, snorkel, and relax on a sandy island known for seabirds, including the white-tailed tropicbird, called paille-en-queue in Mauritius.
• BBQ lunch and drinks included: Lunch is served after your island visit, with barbecue food, salad, drinks, and dessert.
• Coin de Mire on the return: The boat passes close to this dramatic offshore peak, but weather decides if snorkeling nearby is possible.
• Bring your own mask and fins: Snorkeling equipment is not included, and the operator advises using gear that fits you well.
• Expect a social boat day: The crew may add music, dancing, and a party mood, especially during the final part of the return journey.

The Grand Bay start: a simple but wet transfer

The meeting point is around the middle of Grand Bay beach. A representative should meet you there and direct you to the dinghy, but you need to be alert and ready to identify yourself and the company, Vacances Oh! Soleil.

The catamaran waits about 150 metres offshore. You will ride out by dinghy rather than walking directly from the beach onto the larger boat. That short transfer is worth knowing about because you may get wet, especially if the water is moving. Keep phones, cameras, and other valuables protected.

Contact the operator within 24 hours of departure. The exact meeting point can change because of rain or other conditions, and this is one of those outings where a quick confirmation can prevent a slow, hot search along the beach.

A light breakfast is a smart idea. The first part of the day includes a long sail, and lunch comes later after your island stop.

The two-hour sail to Ilot Gabriel

Once aboard, you have time to settle in and find your place on the catamaran. The trip to Ilot Gabriel takes about two hours, so this is not a quick shuttle. The ride itself is a major part of the experience.

The sea changes colour as you move away from Grand Bay. On calm days, the sailing feels easy and spacious, with warm sun, a steady breeze, and views across the northern waters of Mauritius. On windy days, the open sea can be bouncy. One useful point from the practical side: the chop is usually described as manageable, but it can still bother anyone prone to seasickness.

You can move around the catamaran, although space depends on how full the boat is. One booking party reported about 40 people, despite expecting closer to 20. That does not mean every departure reaches that size, but it is fair to expect a shared boat rather than a quiet private charter.

The crew is a large part of the mood. The team has been praised for keeping drinks filled, cooking, helping with transfers, and creating a relaxed atmosphere. Crew members named in the feedback include Jerry, the captain on one departure, and the crew of the Dawn, who were described as witty, friendly, and attentive. Exact staff can change, but the general style is social rather than formal.

Ilot Gabriel: sand, sea, and a short island break

Ilot Gabriel is a natural reserve with broad sandy beaches and clear water around the island. The setting is the reason to book this trip. You get a proper island stop rather than only looking at the coast from the boat.

The island is also known for birdlife, including paille-en-queue. Do not expect a guided nature walk, though. A guide is provided on the catamaran, but there is no guide on the island, so your time there is self-directed.

You can walk along the beach, swim, snorkel, or simply sit in the sand. The beach area is described as very beautiful, and the water can look especially clear in good conditions. The strongest snorkeling may be away from the shallow edge, and one useful warning is that currents can be strong. Stay aware of the water and do not swim farther out just because the fish look better there.

The island may be busy. Several catamarans can arrive at the same time, with one account noting around 10 boats nearby. There is still room for people to spread out, but this is not a private beach escape. If your ideal island day means total quiet, the shared schedule may disappoint.

Time on the island can also feel limited. The full outing lasts seven hours, but that includes the outward and return sails, transfers, lunch, and preparation. You may get around an hour or somewhat more for swimming and snorkeling, depending on the day’s timing.

Snorkeling: bring your own gear and watch the current

Snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins, as the operator specifically advises using equipment that fits your size. This matters more than it sounds. A leaking mask or loose fins can turn a good swim into a long session of adjusting straps.

The water around Ilot Gabriel can be excellent for seeing fish, especially if you swim beyond the immediate beach area. The clarity depends on wind and sea conditions, so the experience will not be identical every day.

Snorkeling may also happen around the catamaran. One account found the best fish viewing near the boat, while another described more than an hour in the water and a wide range of fish. Treat that as a possibility, not a promise.

The possible stop near Coin de Mire needs careful explanation. On the way back, the boat passes close to this large rocky island. If weather allows, the crew may stop for snorkeling nearby, and on some occasions there may even be a chance to enter the water close to the rock. This is not always part of the program. If snorkeling at Coin de Mire is your main goal, choose a tour that specifically guarantees it instead.

Dolphins, sea turtles, and even whales have been spotted on some departures, but these sightings are rare and never promised. Keep your eyes open, but do not judge the trip by wildlife luck.

BBQ lunch on the catamaran

After your island time, a dinghy takes you back to the catamaran. Lunch is then ready onboard, which gives the day a pleasant rhythm: sail, swim, rest, eat, and sail home.

The meal includes barbecue food, salad, drinks, and dessert. The food has received especially warm praise, with the barbecue and the variety of the meal often singled out as highlights. The crew handles cooking and serving, and the informal setup fits the boat better than a fixed restaurant meal would.

Lunch is included in the $69 price, along with drinks during the cruise. Food and drinks are not provided on Ilot Gabriel itself, so bring any personal snack needs with you, though a light breakfast is recommended rather than a large meal before boarding.

The timing after lunch can be sleepy. Sun, salt, food, and a long morning on the water have that effect. The crew may bring the energy back with music and dancing during the final 30 minutes of the return trip. You will appreciate that if you want a sociable finish. If you prefer a quiet sail, the party mood may be less welcome.

Coin de Mire on the way home

Coin de Mire gives the return journey a clear visual target. It rises from the water like a giant rocky ridge, and sailing close to it makes the scale of northern Mauritius easier to appreciate.

Even without a swim stop, the view adds variety to the return trip. You are no longer simply retracing the morning route. The boat gets close enough for a strong view, weather permitting.

The crew may offer snorkeling near Coin de Mire, but sea conditions control the decision. This part of the program can be amended, and the island destination itself may sometimes change from Ilot Gabriel to Ile Plate. The beaches of both islands are described as similar. The key difference is lunch: on Ile Plate, lunch is served on the island instead of the catamaran.

The operator should tell you about such a change in advance. Still, keep your plans flexible. Bad weather can alter the departure time, duration, route, or destination.

Is $69 good value?

At $69 per person, this is a strong value if you want a full day on the water without arranging each part yourself. The price includes the catamaran cruise, dinghy pickup and return, a guide onboard, lunch, drinks, and access to a well-known island setting.

You would pay more if you arranged separate transport, a boat charter, meals, and snorkeling access on your own. The value is strongest for couples, friends, and families who want a planned day with plenty of scenery and a social crew.

The price is less attractive if your priorities are a private boat, guaranteed small numbers, or a long quiet stay on the beach. You should also budget for your own snorkeling equipment if you do not already have it.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 139 ratings, which fits the pattern of the experience: strong food, friendly staff, beautiful water, and good fun, balanced by occasional crowding, rough water, and a schedule that can feel compressed.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day most?

I would choose this trip if you want several Mauritius highlights in one outing. You get a beach island, a long sail, snorkeling, a barbecue, offshore scenery, and a lively crew without needing to coordinate separate bookings.

It suits confident swimmers and people comfortable on open water. Families can enjoy it, but younger children may find the boat, transfers, sun, and rougher conditions tiring. One family with children aged 6, 9, and 11 had fun, while the same practical feedback suggested it may not suit much younger children.

Pregnant women should not book this activity. The operator also warns that conditions and timing can change, so leave room in your wider holiday schedule.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Strong sunscreen
• Your own snorkeling gear
• A secure way to protect valuables from spray
• A light breakfast before departure

English and French are available, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still taking shape.

Should you book Ilot Gabriel?

Book it if you want a cheerful, good-value boat day with beautiful beaches, a satisfying BBQ, and a crew that takes its hosting seriously. The most praised parts are the staff, the food, the scenery, and the chance to snorkel in clear water around Ilot Gabriel.

Skip it if you need guaranteed solitude, a fixed small group, or a guaranteed Coin de Mire snorkeling stop. Also think twice if choppy seas are a problem for you.

For most visitors with one free day in northern Mauritius, this is an easy choice. Just bring your own snorkeling gear, confirm the meeting point, expect a shared catamaran, and treat the route as weather-dependent. That is the honest formula for getting the most from it.

FAQ

How long does the Ilot Gabriel catamaran cruise last?

The activity lasts about seven hours, including the catamaran journey, dinghy transfers, island time, lunch, and the return sail.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet around the middle of Grand Bay beach. A representative should meet you there and direct you to the dinghy.

How far offshore is the catamaran?

The catamaran is anchored about 150 metres from the beach, and you reach it by dinghy.

Is lunch included?

Yes. BBQ food, salad, drinks, and dessert are included. Lunch is normally served on the catamaran after the Ilot Gabriel visit.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling gear. The operator recommends bringing equipment that fits your size.

Is there a guide on Ilot Gabriel?

No. A guide is provided onboard the catamaran, but there is no guide on the island.

Is snorkeling near Coin de Mire guaranteed?

No. The boat may snorkel near Coin de Mire if weather conditions allow, but this is not always included in the program.

Can Ilot Gabriel be replaced by another island?

Yes. Ilot Gabriel may be replaced by Ile Plate. The beaches are described as similar, but lunch is served on Ile Plate rather than on the catamaran.

Can the trip be changed because of weather?

Yes. Departure times, duration, and the program may change in bad weather or other unforeseen conditions. Trips can also be rescheduled.