Catamaran Full-Day 3 island Northern Isles Cruise in Grand Baie

The Northern Isles are best seen from the water. I like this cruise for its rare one-day route to Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Gunner’s Quoin, plus the easygoing mix of snorkeling, beach time, sailing, and lunch. I also like that the crew serves a fresh barbecue meal with soft drinks, water, tea, coffee, and alcohol included.

The main catch is the sea. Large waves can make the ride uncomfortable, especially on the outward journey or during the first snorkeling stop. The return to Grand Baie is also long, so bring sun protection, and do not expect every snorkeling site to be equally calm or rewarding.

Key points at a glance

• Three Northern Isles in one day: The route includes Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Gunner’s Quoin, an ambitious itinerary for an eight-hour cruise.
• Flat Island is a snorkeling highlight: This is where the clearest underwater action may be, with reef fish and a lovely lagoon.
• Gabriel Island brings the beach time: You get time to swim, sunbathe, and walk along its famous white sandbar.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a barbecue meal with salads, baguette, fish, chicken, sausages, soft drinks, water, tea, coffee, and alcoholic drinks.
• A smaller group feel: The catamaran has a maximum of 35 people, while one sailing reported about 25 aboard and plenty of space.
• Early departure matters: Meet at Grand Baie Public Beach around 7:45 a.m. for an 8:00 a.m. start.

Setting out from Grand Baie at 8:00 a.m.

The meeting point is at the junction of the coastal road and Rue de la Salette, beside Grand Baie Public Beach. The beach makes the location easy to find, though you should still allow a little time to identify the exact Wind Dancer meeting spot.

The boat leaves at about 8:00 a.m. The early start is useful, not just a scheduling detail. It gives you a better chance of reaching the islands before the water becomes crowded with other boats. You also get more daylight for the long route north.

You may be taken from the beach to the catamaran by a small tender. That means you should expect to get your feet wet during boarding rather than stepping straight onto the main boat from a pier. Wear swimwear or quick-drying clothes and keep phones, cameras, and towels in something that can handle a splash.

The advertised maximum is 35 people. That is not a private sailing, but the catamaran can feel less packed than a large excursion boat. One account described roughly 25 people aboard, with enough room to move around and find a comfortable place on deck.

The first hour: open-water views and Gunner’s Quoin

The first part of the cruise is an easy run of roughly an hour toward the Northern Isles. From the water, Mauritius looks very different from the beach. You see open ocean, white sand, and the steep sea cliffs of Gunner’s Quoin, also known as Coin de Mire.

Gunner’s Quoin is protected and is not a normal land stop on this itinerary. Its cliffs rise sharply from the sea and provide nesting areas for tropicbirds. Keep an eye upward as you pass. The island itself is the attraction here, rather than a place to walk ashore.

Flat Island and Gunner’s Quoin also frame views toward Round Island and Snake Island. Their distinct shapes add interest to the cruise, especially for anyone who enjoys watching the changing coastline from the deck.

The scenery is impressive, but this is the point where rough conditions can matter most. Several sailings have encountered large waves. If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a stable spot, watch the horizon, and avoid treating the first hour as a time for heavy food or alcohol.

Flat Island: the strongest water stop

Flat Island is usually the first major stop and one of the best parts of the day. The catamaran anchors near the island, and you can use the supplied snorkeling equipment in the lagoon.

This is the place to focus on the underwater side of the trip. You may see many colorful reef fish, and the snorkeling can feel more rewarding here than at the later stops. The water is not guaranteed to be perfectly calm, though, and one account found the first deep-water snorkeling stop overwhelming while trying to stay comfortable with a mask.

You do not have to snorkel. If you are happier staying dry, use the time to relax on the boat, swim near the beach, or enjoy the scenery. The crew provides equipment, but you should be prepared to ask for help with the mask or fins if they do not fit well.

The stop is roughly 90 minutes according to the detailed timing provided for one sailing. That gives you enough time to snorkel and still have a little space to slow down. Do not spend the whole visit rushing from one patch of water to another. Conditions and visibility can change, and the simple pleasure here is floating above a reef in clear tropical water.

A barbecue lunch on the catamaran

Lunch is served onboard, usually after the first island stop. The meal is one of the stronger value points of the cruise because you are not paying extra for a separate restaurant meal in the middle of a remote-island day.

The food is described as a fresh barbecue with salads, baguette, fish, chicken, and sausages. The portions are intended to be filling, and the meal includes soft drinks, bottled water, tea, coffee, and alcoholic drinks. Snacks are also included.

I like the practical setup. You can eat while the boat is anchored, take in the island views, and avoid losing more time to a separate transfer. Music adds a holiday mood, but it has been described as pleasant rather than excessively loud.

Alcohol is available, but I would save it for after snorkeling. Sun, salt water, movement, and drinks can combine badly, especially on the long ride home. Water and shade are the smarter first choices.

Gabriel Island and its famous sandbar

After lunch, the boat takes you to Gabriel Island, also called Ilot Gabriel. This is the most beach-focused stop of the day.

Gabriel Island is known for its bright sandbar and shallow lagoon. You may be brought ashore by tender, then given around an hour to swim, sunbathe, or walk along the beach. This is a welcome change after time on the boat and in the water.

The island is especially good for people who do not want to snorkel all day. You can simply stretch out on the sand and enjoy the contrast between the pale beach and the surrounding sea. The stop is not designed as a long independent exploration, so keep your expectations realistic. You get a scenic island break, not hours to wander.

Bring a cover-up, hat, and plenty of sunscreen. There is little reason to assume you will find shade or shops on the island, and the included drinks are tied to the cruise rather than an island café. A waterproof bag is useful when moving between the beach and tender.

The timing can feel short. An hour passes quickly once you account for getting ashore and returning to the boat. Listen carefully for the crew’s return instructions. A late departure can reduce time at the final snorkeling site.

Gunner’s Quoin and the natural aquarium

On the way back to Grand Baie, the catamaran makes a final stop near Gunner’s Quoin. This is the natural aquarium mentioned in the itinerary, and it is another chance to swim among reef fish.

The underwater setting is different from Flat Island, but the experience can be just as memorable when the water is calm. The reef garden attracts colorful fish, and one particularly good sighting included a turtle in the lagoon.

The final stop may be the snorkeling highlight for you, but it is not guaranteed to be the best site on every departure. One detailed account rated Flat Island’s snorkeling higher, while another found the Gunner’s Quoin area magical but wished for more time there. Conditions, visibility, and the schedule all affect what you see.

This is also where the itinerary can feel slightly compressed. The cruise has three island experiences to fit into eight hours, including long transfers and lunch. If some people return late to the boat, the final water stop may lose time. That is a good reason to be punctual when the crew calls everyone back.

The sailing home to Grand Baie

The return journey is part of the experience, not just transportation. You may spend a long stretch on deck with the islands behind you, the sea ahead, and music playing while the crew serves drinks.

One sailing returned partly or fully under sail power, which made the trip home quieter and more enjoyable. The ride can still feel long, particularly after a full day in the sun. Cover your shoulders and legs, reapply sunscreen, and keep drinking water.

The boat is not air-conditioned, and private transportation is not included. You make your own way to the public beach meeting point and return there at the end. The activity finishes back where it begins.

Dolphins have been spotted during the return journey, and the cruise also offers a chance of seeing whales. These sightings are not promised, so treat them as a bonus rather than a reason to book. The crew may help you notice wildlife, but the route remains primarily an island and snorkeling cruise.

Crew, atmosphere, and boat comfort

The Wind Dancer crew receives some of the warmest praise. Captain Marcel, along with crew members Paul and Stefan, are specifically recognized for creating a friendly and attentive day. The crew is described as professional, helpful, and active in making sure people are comfortable.

That human touch matters on a boat trip. The crew handles the tender transfers, snorkeling equipment, food, drinks, and timing. A good crew can turn a basic boat ride into a relaxed day, especially when sea conditions are less than perfect.

The mood is social without having to become a floating party. Music is part of the day, yet it has been described as not too loud. You can dance on deck if you feel like it, or find a quieter place to watch the sea.

The catamaran is clean and well cared for. With a maximum group size of 35, you should expect a shared excursion rather than an intimate private charter. Still, the layout gives you more freedom to move about than a tightly packed single-hull boat may offer.

Is $81.42 good value?

At $81.42 per person, this is a strong package if you plan to use the whole day. The price covers an eight-hour cruise, three Northern Isles, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, water, hot drinks, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages.

The value is clearest when you compare what is bundled together. You are not paying separately for a boat ride, island transfers, snorkeling gear, and a barbecue lunch. The route also covers more ground than a short half-day lagoon cruise.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet beach day. Rough seas, a long return, and fixed stop times can make the trip tiring. You are paying for range and variety, not complete control over your pace.

The tour is booked an average of 29 days ahead, so it is sensible to reserve early during popular periods. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can also cancel the sailing, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several northern islands in one day and enjoy a lively shared boat setting. It suits confident swimmers, casual snorkelers, couples, families, and anyone who values an all-in price.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy a full schedule. The day includes boarding, open-water cruising, two beach stops, two snorkeling opportunities, lunch, and the return sail. It is not a slow, private charter.

You may want to think twice if you are very sensitive to motion, dislike being in deep water, or need guaranteed shade and quiet. Most people can participate, but the sea can be rough and the first snorkeling stop may feel demanding if you are not comfortable with a mask.

Pack sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a towel, a cover-up, a waterproof phone pouch, and motion-sickness medicine if you normally use it. Keep some dry clothes handy for the tender transfer back to the beach.

Final verdict: should you book it?

I would book this cruise for a broad taste of Mauritius’s Northern Isles, especially if Flat Island snorkeling and Gabriel Island’s sandbar both appeal to you. The included barbecue, generous drinks service, friendly Wind Dancer crew, and small-to-medium group feel make the $81.42 price fair.

Book it with the right expectations. The sea may be rough, the return is lengthy, and time at each site is limited. If you want the most variety from one day on the water, this is a very good choice. If you want a calm beach escape with no long crossings, choose a shorter lagoon trip instead.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Isles cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Grand Baie Public Beach, at the angle of the coastal road and Rue de la Salette, B11, Grand Baie, Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

The meeting time is around 7:45 a.m., with the cruise scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Gunner’s Quoin. Gunner’s Quoin is viewed from the water and used as a snorkeling area rather than a normal island landing.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

What food and drinks are included?

The package includes lunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee or tea, soda, and alcoholic beverages. The lunch is described as a barbecue with items such as salads, baguette, fish, chicken, and sausages.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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