North of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

Northern Mauritius rewards an early start. This six-hour catamaran cruise links Gunner’s Quoin, Flat Island, and Gabriel Island with a relaxed day on the water, mixing seabird watching, swimming, snorkeling, and a cooked lunch aboard the boat. I like the clear shape of the day: scenic sailing first, island time around midday, then a slow ride back to Grand Baie.

I also like the friendly crew and generous food and drink service, two points praised again and again in the available feedback. The main caution is the sea itself. If you are prone to seasickness, have limited mobility, or need a calm, exact schedule, this may not be your best day out.

Five things to know before you book

• Gunner’s Quoin comes first: Keep watch for Pailles-en-Queue birds around Coin de Mire during the morning sail.
• Gabriel Island is the main stop: You get time for swimming, snorkeling, sun, and a walk along the sandy shore.
• Lunch is cooked on board: The BBQ includes fish, chicken, sausage, salads, vegetables, bread, and fruit, with vegetarian and children’s options.
• Drinks are included: Expect water, fruit juice, soft drinks, beer, wine, local rum, and other listed refreshments.
• The timing needs attention: Meet at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie between 8:45 and 9:00 am, though one schedule also gives a 9:30 am departure.
• Weather can change the route: Rough seas may send the captain toward Gunner’s Quoin or Casita Beach instead of the planned route.

Starting at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie

Your morning begins at Sunset Boulevard, Grand Baie, where a hostess meets you in front of the jetty and checks you in. Plan to arrive by 8:45 am, even though some posted details give the departure as 9:30 am. The detailed timetable says the boat sails at 9:00 am, so arriving early is the safest choice.

This is a meeting-point excursion, not a hotel transfer. You need to arrange your own way to Grand Baie and back. That matters when you compare the $80 price with other boat trips, since transport from your hotel is not part of the package.

The trip is offered every day from Monday through Sunday. English and French are listed as the operating languages. Wear beach clothes from the start, but bring a cover-up and dry change of clothing for the ride home.

The boat trip lasts about six hours, with a planned return to the same jetty at 3:30 pm. That makes this a full half-day outing rather than a quick morning cruise. You will want the rest of your day free, especially if you plan to eat a late dinner or make another scheduled activity.

The morning sail past Coin de Mire

Once the catamaran leaves Grand Baie, the first part of the day is mostly about the sea, the islands, and the view. The boat heads toward the northern islands, including Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin, along with Flat Island and Gabriel Island.

The scheduled sail toward Gunner’s Quoin runs from roughly 9:00 to 11:00 am. Keep your phone or camera ready, but also give your eyes time to adjust to the open water. The main wildlife focus is the Pailles-en-Queue, graceful seabirds often seen gliding around the rocky islet.

This is not presented as a formal wildlife tour, so you should treat bird sightings as a fortunate part of the crossing rather than a guarantee. The appeal is the simple pleasure of watching the birds move across the sky while the catamaran carries you north.

Gunner’s Quoin has a different character from Gabriel Island. It is known here mainly as a dramatic offshore marker and bird-watching point, not as the place where you spend the afternoon. You will likely appreciate this stop most if you enjoy scenery and natural details rather than needing constant activity.

The long first sail also sets the pace for the day. This is not a speedboat trip built around quick stops. You spend meaningful time on the water, which is pleasant for anyone who likes a slow cruise but may feel long if you want nonstop snorkeling.

Gabriel Island and the best water time

The catamaran reaches Gabriel Island at about 11:00 am, and this is the central stop. You have roughly an hour and a half before lunch, enough time for a swim, snorkeling, sunbathing, or a walk along the sandy beach.

The water is described as turquoise and clear, and the island’s lagoon is the main reason to choose this cruise. The crew helps with the water activities, which is useful if you are not confident in the conditions or need help getting started. You may bring your own snorkeling equipment, although the excursion information also says the experienced crew will provide what you need for the activity.

A practical point: the snorkeling results can vary. One account describes seeing fish and finding the experience impressive, but not seeing a huge range of marine life. That is fair advice. You may enjoy colorful water, a refreshing swim, and a pleasant shoreline even if the underwater scene is modest.

Gabriel Island is also a good place to do less. You can sit in the sun, take a quiet walk, or simply let the crew handle the day while you look out across the lagoon. The planned time is not long enough for a serious island exploration, so think of it as a beach and swimming stop, not a full island tour.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a waterproof bag. Non-slip shoes are useful on a boat and near the water. The advice to bring a jacket and waterproof outer layer is worth following, even on a warm day, since the ride back can feel cooler and wetter.

A BBQ lunch with the sea as your dining room

At about 12:30 pm, lunch is served on the catamaran. The menu is more substantial than a basic snack spread, which helps explain part of the $80 price.

The standard meal includes rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, a seafood dish, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit. A vegetarian plate includes rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and fruit.

Children receive the same menu as adults. That is convenient for families, though it also means you should not expect a separate child-sized menu or specially simplified dishes.

The meal has received particularly strong praise. Jessica highlighted the delicious BBQ and the crew’s steady attention. Dirk found the food tasty and sufficient, which is important on a six-hour outing where you cannot simply walk to a café when hunger strikes. Louis also singled out the lunch as a success.

The food is served while you remain on board, so you do not lose island time to a restaurant transfer. You get the practical advantage of eating with the sea around you, though people who dislike eating on a moving boat should take that into account.

Drinks include mineral water, fruit juice, soft drinks, Phoenix beer, red, rosé, and white wine, plus local rum. The package also refers to cocktails and nonalcoholic refreshments. Since the exact cocktail selection is not given, I would treat the listed beer, wine, rum, juice, soft drinks, and water as the clearest guide.

Drink sensibly in the sun. Alcohol, heat, and a moving catamaran can combine badly, especially if you already feel queasy on boats.

The quiet afternoon ride back

After lunch, the schedule allows a relaxed period on the catamaran from about 1:30 to 2:15 pm. This is a chance to sit, talk, take in the views, and let the crew manage the return route.

The boat is scheduled to reach Sunset Boulevard around 3:30 pm. The return sail gives you a second chance to enjoy the northern islands from the water, although the day’s main activities are finished by then.

This slower section is one reason I would recommend the trip to people who enjoy a social boat day rather than a tightly packed activity program. The crew is described as friendly, funny, talkative, and attentive. That sort of service matters on a shared catamaran, where the mood of the crew can shape the whole outing.

The available feedback is uniformly positive, with a top rating across six reviews. The strongest common points are the helpful crew, good lunch, plenty of drinks, and the overall ease of the day. Those are useful strengths because they affect the experience from start to finish, not just one scenic stop.

How much value do you get for $80?

At $80 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the northern islands, but the price covers more than a boat ride. You receive about six hours on the catamaran, the island stop, snorkeling and swimming time, a BBQ lunch, and a broad drinks package.

The value is strongest if you plan to eat and drink on board and want a full day with several elements built in. Paying separately for a boat trip, lunch, and drinks could narrow the price difference. The crew support also adds practical value, especially during the water portion.

The price is less attractive if you only want a short swim or if you plan to spend most of the day on shore. You also need to budget for your own transport to Grand Baie, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The flexible booking terms help if your plans are still changing. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Check the exact departure time when booking because the supplied schedule gives both 9:00 and 9:30 am.

Who should choose this catamaran day?

I would choose this outing if you want a social, easy-to-organize day on the water with food and drinks already arranged. It suits couples, families, and groups who like a mix of scenery and simple outdoor activity.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want swimming and snorkeling without planning every detail.
• You enjoy a long, scenic catamaran ride.
• You like having lunch and drinks included.
• You are happy with a relaxed beach stop rather than a full island expedition.
• You appreciate friendly crew service and a casual group atmosphere.

I would think twice if you suffer from seasickness. The trip spends hours on open water, and the information specifically says it is not suitable for people prone to motion sickness. Bring motion sickness pills if you normally use them, but do not assume medication will make rough conditions comfortable.

It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The boat, jetty, beach, and water activities may require movement that is not easy for everyone. If you need accessibility support, ask the operator before paying.

Weather, sea conditions, and the backup plan

The route depends on the sea. If conditions become rough or unsafe, the captain can change direction and take the boat toward Gunner’s Quoin or Casita Beach instead.

That flexibility is a safety feature, not a failure of the trip. Still, it means you should not treat every listed island as guaranteed. The weather may change the balance between open-water sailing, island time, and snorkeling.

You should also follow the basic rules on board and in the water. Do not litter, touch marine life, or damage plants. Pets are not allowed, apart from assistance dogs.

Pack light, but do not leave out the useful items:

• Swimsuit and beachwear
• Towel and a dry change of clothes
• Sun hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen
• Waterproof bag or backpack
• Non-slip shoes
• Cover-up or light jacket
• Insect repellent
• Motion sickness pills if needed
• Waterproof jacket for changing conditions

Should you book the northern Mauritius catamaran cruise?

I would book this trip if your ideal Mauritius day includes a long sail, a beautiful lagoon, a little bird watching, a proper BBQ lunch, and an unhurried return. The crew service and food appear to be the most dependable strengths, while Gabriel Island gives you enough time for a real swim rather than just a photo stop.

I would skip it if you dislike boats, need guaranteed calm seas, want extensive snorkeling, or have limited mobility. The underwater wildlife may be modest, and the island visit is fairly short.

For most people who are comfortable on the water, $80 is a fair price for the amount included. Arrive early at Sunset Boulevard, confirm the departure time, pack for sun and spray, and treat the route as weather-dependent. That is the best way to enjoy northern Mauritius without expecting the sea to follow a rigid script.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, Mauritius. Meet the hostess in front of the jetty for check-in.

What time should I arrive?

The detailed schedule asks you to meet between 8:45 and 9:00 am. Another detail lists a 9:30 am departure, so arrive by 8:45 am and confirm the exact sailing time when booking.

What islands does the cruise visit?

The route heads toward the northern islands, including Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin, Flat Island, and Gabriel Island. Sea conditions can change the route.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

You can bring your own snorkeling gear if preferred. The crew provides help for swimming and snorkeling, and the activity information says you will have what you need on board.

What food is served?

The BBQ includes rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, a seafood dish, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian and children’s options are available.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are listed as mineral water, fruit juice, soft drinks, Phoenix beer, red, rosé, and white wine, and local rum. The experience also refers to cocktails and nonalcoholic refreshments.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie and return from the same meeting point.