Catamaran, BBQ, Ile Gabriel , Ile Plate ,Coin de Mire

The sea sets the pace here. This two-day Mauritius outing combines a shared catamaran cruise to the northern islands with a private-car tour of the south, giving you beaches, barbecue, villages, wildlife, tea, and rum in one package. I like the included BBQ lunch with beer and wine, and I like the second day’s private vehicle, which makes a long southern circuit much easier. The main catch is that the catamaran day is shared and can feel crowded.

The listed price is $82.22 per person, but accommodation costs extra if you choose the private two-bedroom villa for up to four people. Weather also matters: the islands sit beyond the reef, so rough conditions can cancel or alter the first day.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different days: Day one is a social catamaran outing, while day two uses a private car and driver.
• Northern islands by boat: The route covers the waters around Ile Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire, with the itinerary also referring to Flat Island and the northern island group.
• Food and drinks are part of the sea day: BBQ lunch, beer, and wine are included.
• The private villa costs extra: The optional accommodation sleeps four in two bedrooms.
• The south is packed with variety: La Vanille Nature Park, Grand Bassin, Gris Gris, a rum distillery, and Bois Cheri Tea Plantation all fit into one day.
• Weather can change the plan: The northern cruise requires good weather and may be moved or refunded if conditions are poor.

One booking, two sides of Mauritius

I like the way this experience avoids making you choose between a beach day and a cultural day. You get the bright water and easy pace of the north first, then a road trip through the island’s southern sights.

That contrast is useful. A catamaran cruise shows you Mauritius from offshore, where the coastline becomes a string of beaches and small islands. The second day takes you inland and along the southern coast, where the focus shifts to Hindu culture, tea production, rum, wildlife, and dramatic rock formations.

The price of $82.22 per person is attractive for such a broad program, especially with lunch, drinks, transportation on the second day, and admissions to La Vanille Nature Park included. Still, you should read the price carefully. The private villa is an additional charge, and the first day is not a private boat charter.

The description calls the activity private, with only your group participating. At the same time, the catamaran day is clearly described as a common cruise shared with other people. The safest way to understand the arrangement is this: expect a shared boat on day one and a more private mainland touring experience on day two.

Day one: leaving Grand Baie for the northern islands

The first day begins at Grand Baie Public Beach. Grand Baie is one of Mauritius’s best-known northern seaside areas, so the meeting point puts you close to the water and the main holiday center of the region.

The catamaran outing lasts about seven hours. You spend the day on the water, heading toward the northern islands, including Ile Gabriel, Ile Plate, and the waters around Coin de Mire. The itinerary also refers to Flat Island and the wider northern island group, so you should expect an island-hopping route rather than a single beach stop.

This is the relaxed half of the experience. You can sit in the sun, watch the coastline recede, snorkel, swim if conditions allow, and enjoy the easy rhythm of a boat day. The appeal is not a tightly scheduled sightseeing program. It is having time to enjoy the sea without arranging separate transport, lunch, and island stops yourself.

The shared catamaran format matters. You will not have the quiet or personal control of a private charter, and the boat may feel crowded during a popular departure. That can be a drawback if you want a secluded experience or need plenty of space around you.

For many people, though, the social setup is part of the fun. You get a lively day on the water without paying the price of hiring an entire catamaran. I would choose this format if you want a simple, good-value boat outing rather than a highly tailored sailing trip.

Ile Gabriel, Ile Plate, and the outer reef

The northern islands are the visual prize of the first day. Ile Gabriel and Ile Plate are known in the tour plan for their beaches and offshore setting, while Coin de Mire forms part of the northern island scenery.

The important practical point is that these islands are outside the reef. Water conditions can change quickly, and the cruise is subject to weather cancellation. If the sea turns rough, the operator may offer another date or a full refund instead of forcing the trip ahead.

That weather rule is not a minor footnote. A sunny morning in Grand Baie does not guarantee calm conditions farther offshore. If your schedule is tight, I would avoid placing this outing on the final day of your Mauritius stay.

Snorkeling is included as an activity option, but conditions will decide how enjoyable it is. You might find clear water and good time for floating near the boat, or you might get more of a scenic cruise with swimming and relaxation. The tour gives you access to the setting, but it cannot control the sea.

BBQ lunch, beer, wine, and the rhythm of the boat

The included BBQ lunch gives the day a pleasant center point. You are not left to find food on an island or return early because of hunger. Beer and wine are also included, which adds value to the package and suits the unhurried nature of a full day at sea.

I would still treat the meal as a practical part of the cruise rather than a restaurant experience. The key benefit is convenience: food and drinks are built into the day, so you can focus on the water and the scenery.

If you do not drink alcohol, the meal remains useful, but the included beer and wine will not add much value for you. The supplied details do not specify a separate soft-drink selection or special dietary menu, so anyone with strict food requirements should check before booking.

The optional villa for four people

You can add a private villa with two bedrooms that sleeps four. This is a sensible option for a family or a small group that wants to keep the two-day program together without arranging separate accommodation.

The villa is not included in the $82.22 price. That changes the real cost, so check the extra amount before deciding if this is a bargain for your group. If you already have a hotel in Mauritius, adding the villa may make little sense. If you are traveling as four people and want private lodging, the additional charge could be easier to justify when divided across the group.

The information provided does not give the villa’s exact location or list its facilities. I would not assume that it is on one of the northern islands or that it includes meals. Treat it as optional accommodation connected to the tour, then confirm the practical details before payment.

Day two: a private car through southern Mauritius

The second day changes character completely. Instead of a shared catamaran, you have pickup and drop-off in a private car with a driver. The day lasts about six hours and focuses on the southern part of Mauritius.

This arrangement is valuable because the stops are spread across a large area. A private vehicle lets you move between the nature park, religious sites, tea country, and the southern coast without piecing together buses or hiring separate transfers.

The schedule is full. You will visit La Vanille Nature Park, a rum distillery, a tea factory or plantation, Grand Bassin, Gris Gris, and La Roche qui pleure. This is a good day for you if variety matters more than lingering at one location.

The tradeoff is time. Six hours is enough to sample the region, but not enough to explore every stop at a slow pace. You should expect a broad introduction to southern Mauritius, not a quiet full-day stay at each attraction.

La Vanille Nature Park and the Hungry Crocodile

La Vanille Nature Park is the main wildlife stop. The tour specifically includes admission and highlights giant tortoises and crocodiles, giving you a chance to see two very different kinds of animals in a managed nature park setting.

The park adds something that the catamaran day cannot: a close look at Mauritius’s animal life. If you are traveling with children, this may be one of the most memorable stops, since giant tortoises are an easy and unusual sight compared with the usual beach activities.

Lunch is served at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant, with a delicious lunch menu included in the southern tour. The meal makes the stop more than a quick walk through the park, although the provided details do not list the dishes or drink choices.

You should allow the park to be one of the stronger anchors of the day. The southern route has many stops, but wildlife gives the schedule a clear point of focus.

Grand Bassin and Mauritius’s Hindu culture

Grand Bassin adds a cultural and religious layer to the drive. The tour visits Hindu temples around the crater lake, introducing you to an important part of Mauritius’s Hindu tradition.

This is one reason the second day feels more substantial than a standard coastal sightseeing trip. You are not simply moving from one viewpoint to another. You are seeing how religion, pilgrimage, and local identity fit into the island’s daily life.

Dress and behavior should be respectful at religious sites. The supplied information does not state a specific dress code, so practical modest clothing is a sensible choice. Your driver can help with the timing and order of the stop, but the details of any guided temple explanation are not specified.

Rum, tea, and the making of local products

The rum distillery and Bois Cheri Tea Plantation show two products closely tied to Mauritius. At the tea plantation, you learn about the history of tea cultivation and the tea-making process.

That visit is especially useful because it explains the work behind something you may otherwise only encounter as a drink in a café or hotel. Bois Cheri gives the day a slower, more agricultural counterpoint to the wildlife park and coast.

The rum distillery offers a similar look at local production, though the provided details do not specify tasting arrangements, entrance inclusions, or the length of the stop. Do not assume a tasting is included just because the distillery is on the route.

I like having both stops in the same day because they give you practical context about Mauritius beyond its beaches. If you prefer outdoor scenery only, these visits may feel less exciting. If you want to understand what the island produces, they are worthwhile additions.

Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure

The southern coast is the most rugged part of the route. Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure, known as the rock that cries, offer a sharp contrast to the calm northern beaches.

The attraction here is the force of the open sea and the shape of the coast. You are seeing Mauritius at its more dramatic edge, where waves and rock create a very different mood from the protected waters near Grand Baie.

The word coast matters. This is not presented as a beach swimming stop. You should expect viewpoints and coastal scenery rather than the sheltered conditions of the catamaran day.

Because the tour fits many sites into six hours, your time at Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure may be limited. Still, these stops help prevent the southern excursion from becoming only a series of indoor attractions.

Cost, transport, and who gets the best value

At $82.22 per person, the package works best for someone who wants many major elements handled at once. You receive the catamaran outing, BBQ lunch, beer and wine, private-car transport with a driver on day two, the La Vanille admission, and lunch at the Hungry Crocodile.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat day and a private southern tour. It is also helpful for anyone who wants a fixed plan rather than arranging island transport, a driver, meals, and attraction tickets independently.

The value is weaker if you already have private transportation, do not want a shared boat, or plan to spend most of your time at one beach. The optional villa raises the total cost and should be treated as a separate decision.

Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting point is Grand Baie Public Beach, and the activity ends back there. Since the information does not provide a full pickup zone, confirm whether pickup from your accommodation is available and if any extra charge applies.

The experience is marked wheelchair accessible, which is useful information for anyone who needs that option. Still, accessibility can vary between a beach meeting point, a catamaran, a private vehicle, a nature park, and coastal viewpoints. Ask the operator about the exact boarding and site arrangements before booking.

Weather, group size, and timing advice

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the experience, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

I would schedule the boat day early in your stay, with the southern road day later if possible. That gives you some protection if offshore weather forces a new date. The tour requires confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so avoid assuming the reservation is final until it is confirmed.

Most people can participate, and the second day is private for your group. The shared catamaran is the exception you should keep in mind when picturing the experience.

Should you book this Mauritius two-day tour?

I would book this if you want an efficient sample of Mauritius rather than a slow, single-theme holiday. The combination of northern islands, a BBQ boat day, southern wildlife, Grand Bassin, tea, rum, and rugged coast gives you a broad view of the country in two days.

I would hesitate if your top priority is privacy on the water. The catamaran is shared, and the islands are weather-dependent. I would also think twice if you dislike packed sightseeing days, since the southern route covers many major stops in about six hours.

For families, small groups, and first-time visitors, the package offers strong practical value. The best approach is to confirm the villa price, pickup details, boat schedule, and accessibility arrangements before paying. If those details fit your plans, this is a useful way to see much more of Mauritius than a standard beach stay.

FAQ

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts approximately two days. Day one is about seven hours, and day two is about six hours.

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is Grand Baie Public Beach in Grand Baie, Mauritius.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is accommodation included?

No. You can choose a private villa with two bedrooms that sleeps four, but accommodation costs extra.

Is the catamaran private?

No. The catamaran day is a common tour shared with other people. The southern day uses a private car with a driver for your group.

What food and drinks are included?

The catamaran day includes a BBQ lunch with beer and wine. The southern tour includes lunch at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant.

What attractions are included on the second day?

The southern route includes La Vanille Nature Park, a rum distillery, a tea factory or Bois Cheri Tea Plantation, Grand Bassin, Gris Gris, and La Roche qui pleure. Admission to La Vanille Nature Park is included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants may also result in a new date or a full refund.