Full-Day Northern Catamaran Cruise: Coin de Mire and Ile Plate Island

Mauritius looks best from the water. This full-day catamaran cruise links Grand Bay with Île Plate and Coin de Mire, mixing island views, swimming, snorkeling, a barbecue lunch, and an open drinks service into one easy day. I like the way the outing combines active stops with plenty of time to stretch out on deck, and I like that hotel pickup and drop-off remove the need to arrange transport to Grand Bay.

The main caution is crowd size. The stated maximum is 20 people, but some departures have reportedly carried far more, including one boat described as holding 46. Snorkeling equipment is also not included, so you need to bring your own or confirm rental arrangements before setting off.

Key things to know before booking

• The day begins early at your hotel: Pickup is usually one to two hours before the 9:00 a.m. activity start, depending on where you stay.
• Île Plate is the main lunch stop: Expect fish and chicken with bread, salad, dessert, and beer, wine, rum, water, or Coke.
• Coin de Mire is part of the northern island scenery: The cruise includes swimming and snorkeling around the north side, with clear, calm water when conditions cooperate.
• The advertised group limit is 20: Past departures have sometimes been much fuller, so confirm the boat and passenger count if personal space matters to you.
• Bring snorkeling gear: Equipment is not included, despite the planned snorkeling stops.
• This is an adults-only booking: Everyone must be at least 18, and a minimum of two people is required per booking.

Setting out from Grand Bay around 9 a.m.

Your day starts at your hotel lobby, usually well before the catamaran leaves. Pickup comes one to two hours before the activity begins, with the exact time tied to your accommodation’s location. That buffer matters: you are not simply walking from a nearby resort to the dock, and a late hotel pickup could cut into your time on the water.

The departure point is Grand Bay, on Mauritius’s northwest coast. The meeting area is listed near the Grand Bay public beach and Grand Bay Store. Once you reach the catamaran, choose a spot on deck and settle in for the ride. The boat provides the setting, but not much reason to hurry. The best part of the morning is the slow change from town and beach to open water.

The cruise route gives you views of Cap Malheureux, Pereybere, and Grand Bay. Keep your camera ready as the boat moves along the coast. These views are not a formal sightseeing tour with a long commentary program, so you are mainly enjoying the coastline from the deck rather than stopping at every landmark.

That is one reason I see this outing as a good fit for people who want a relaxed sea day. You get a broad look at the north coast without changing hotels, renting a car, or arranging separate boat transfers. If you prefer a tightly timed tour with constant activity, the leisurely sailing pace may feel slow.

The northern lagoon brings the first swim

At a clear, calm lagoon on the north side of Mauritius, the catamaran anchors for swimming and snorkeling. This is the first major chance to get into the water, so wear swimwear under your clothes and keep a towel close by. You will not want to dig through a day bag while everyone else is already heading toward the sea.

The water conditions matter here. On a good-weather day, the lagoon gives you an inviting place to cool off and look around below the surface. Stronger weather can change the feel of the stop, and one account describes rough conditions that the captain and crew handled well. The cruise requires good weather, so a poor forecast may lead to a new date or a full refund rather than a rough departure.

The biggest practical issue is equipment. Snorkeling gear is not included, even though swimming and snorkeling are central parts of the day. Bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins if you have them. If you do not, ask the provider before departure if equipment can be rented or supplied, since the published details do not promise it.

Do not count on every water stop feeling the same. The plan includes swimming and snorkeling around the northern coast and near the islands, but the exact conditions can change with wind, sea state, and the captain’s judgment. That flexibility is sensible at sea, though it means you should see the water activities as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed at one precise spot.

Sailing toward Île Plate and Coin de Mire

The northern islands give the cruise its real character. Île Plate, also known as Flat Island, is the main stop described for lunch and post-meal time. Coin de Mire is part of the island-hopping route and the northern sea views, with swimming and snorkeling included along the way.

The experience is less about checking off a long list of attractions and more about enjoying the relationship between boat, sea, and shore. From the catamaran, you can see the islands as low, open pieces of land set apart from the main coast. Once anchored, the day becomes much less structured. You can swim, snorkel, sit on the beach, or remain on board.

That freedom will suit you if you like days with room to choose your own pace. It is also useful for mixed groups. One person can swim while another lounges in the sun, and someone else can take photographs or enjoy a drink. Families with children are not eligible for this particular booking because the minimum age is 18, but adult groups with different energy levels should find the loose schedule helpful.

The tradeoff is that island time may feel short if you want a serious walk or a long snorkel session. The outing lasts about seven hours in all, and that time includes the transfer, sailing, meal, water stops, and return to Grand Bay. Think of Île Plate as a scenic lunch and beach stop, not a full island expedition.

Île Plate lunch: simple food, generous drinks

Midway through the cruise, the crew serves a barbecue lunch. The meal includes fish and chicken, bread, salad, and dessert. Beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke are provided, so you do not need to purchase drinks separately while on board.

The value here is convenience. A day on the water can become expensive when you add a restaurant meal, bottled drinks, and transport to the marina. This package rolls those basics into the price, letting you focus on the sea rather than your wallet. The meal is best understood as a casual barbecue, not a refined restaurant lunch. That matches the setting and the easygoing nature of the trip.

A vegetarian option is available, but you must request it at booking. Do not assume the crew can prepare a substitute at the last minute. If you have dietary needs, state them clearly before the day begins.

The drinks service has received strong praise, along with the food, sunshine, music, and dancing. That gives you a useful picture of the mood on a successful departure: social, informal, and festive. Some people will love that atmosphere. If you want quiet sailing, you may find the music and dancing less appealing, especially on a crowded boat.

After lunch, you can spend time exploring Île Plate or relaxing on the beach. The wording here is important: the stop offers a chance to look around, but it is not presented as a guided island walk. You are free to make the most of the shore in your own way.

The crew can make or break the day

The strongest praise has focused on the crew. Kevin, Rudi, Bruno, and Olivier have been singled out for friendly, energetic service. A good crew matters on a catamaran because they handle more than lunch. They help manage boarding, anchoring, drinks, swimming stops, and the general rhythm of the day.

The crew also has to make judgment calls when the sea turns rough. One account describes difficult weather but credits the captain and crew with handling it well. That is a meaningful strength. A beautiful route is only half the experience; competent handling and calm decisions matter more when conditions shift.

Still, service can vary between departures. One particularly poor account describes a boat that spent about 90 minutes going around in circles on the return journey and raised concerns about the captain’s condition. Another describes an aggressive welcome from a staff member and a boat carrying far more people than expected. These are serious complaints, not minor quibbles, and they are the reason I would confirm the operating details before paying.

If you value a relaxed, friendly boat day, ask which catamaran is scheduled and how many people are booked. The advertised maximum is 20, but the reported experiences show that capacity control has not always been consistent. A large catamaran can still feel comfortable, but an overloaded boat changes the experience at lunch, on the deck, and in the water.

Group size is the biggest question mark

The published maximum of 20 people is appealing. With that limit, you could expect enough room to sit comfortably, move around the deck, and reach the water without feeling like you are queuing for every activity.

The problem is the gap between that promise and some past departures. One account describes 30 people on a boat, while another describes 46 despite an assurance of no more than 30. A separate departure in the low season reportedly carried more than the expected eight to ten people, though the larger catamaran still had enough room for a reasonably pleasant day.

These details do not prove that every trip is overcrowded. They do show that capacity needs checking. Contact Eco Holidays before departure and ask for the confirmed passenger count and boat size. Save the answer in writing. If the group is above 20 and personal space is important to you, ask what remedy is available before boarding.

This matters most in three places: the deck, the barbecue line, and the swimming stops. A bigger group can make the social mood livelier, but it can also mean fewer comfortable seats and more people in the water at once. Your decision should depend on which version of the day you want.

What the $111.54 price covers

At $111.54 per person, the cruise is not simply a boat ride. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the catamaran outing, a barbecue lunch, alcoholic drinks, and nonalcoholic drinks. For a full day of about seven hours, that can be fair value, especially if your accommodation is not close to Grand Bay.

The included transport has real worth. You avoid negotiating a taxi early in the morning and arranging a second ride after a day of drinking or swimming. It also makes the experience easier for you if you are unfamiliar with Mauritius or do not want to drive.

The price does not include snorkeling equipment. That extra cost, if needed, should be part of your calculation. You should also consider the quality of the boat day you are buying. If the passenger count is close to 20, the package offers a convenient mix of transport, food, drinks, and island time. If the boat is heavily overbooked, the same price becomes harder to justify.

The rating of 3.9 from 21 ratings suggests a mixed but generally workable experience. The high scores praise the islands, food, drinks, weather, music, and crew. The low scores focus on overbooking, poor communication, an unpleasant welcome, and a delayed or confusing return transfer. I would not treat the price as an automatic bargain. I would treat it as reasonable when the boat is operated as described.

Returning to Grand Bay and your hotel

After the island stop, the catamaran sails back to Grand Bay. You can use the return trip to relax, take photographs, or enjoy the remaining drinks. The day ends where it began, with a transfer back to your accommodation.

Pay attention to the return pickup arrangement before leaving the boat. One account describes a taxi that did not arrive, followed by a wait of about 30 minutes and further difficulty. That appears to be an exception, but it is exactly the kind of small logistical problem that feels large after seven hours in the sun.

Keep the provider’s contact details handy and confirm where your driver will meet you. Do not wander away from the agreed pickup point. If you are staying at a large resort, make sure the driver knows the correct entrance or lobby.

The included drop-off is still a useful feature. Just do not assume the final transfer will require no attention from you. A quick confirmation with the crew or driver can save an irritating end to an otherwise pleasant day.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend this cruise to adults who want a social, all-day sea outing rather than a private boat charter. It suits couples, friends, and groups who enjoy swimming, casual food, music, and drinks, with a little beach time built in.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in Mauritius and want one organized day that covers transport, the north coast, island scenery, lunch, and water stops. You do not need to plan each piece yourself.

I would be more cautious if you are sensitive to crowds, need a quiet boat, or consider snorkeling the main reason to book. Bring your own equipment, ask about the confirmed group size, and clarify the boat assignment. If the answer sounds vague, consider another operator or a smaller cruise.

Book at least several days ahead if the date matters to you. This experience is booked around 16 days in advance on average, so last-minute seats may not be available, especially during busy periods. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.

FAQ

What time does the cruise start?

The activity start time is 9:00 a.m. Hotel pickup usually takes place one to two hours earlier, depending on your accommodation’s location.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Mauritius are included in the price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The barbecue lunch includes fish and chicken, bread, salad, and dessert. A vegetarian option is available if requested at booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are included, including beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so you should bring your own or confirm equipment arrangements before departure.

What are the age and booking requirements?

The minimum age is 18, and at least two people are required per booking. Passport name, number, expiry date, and country are required for all participants at booking.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a convenient northern Mauritius day with island scenery, a barbecue, drinks, swimming, and hotel transport. The crew can create a genuinely cheerful outing, and the combination of Île Plate, Coin de Mire, and the north coast gives you plenty to enjoy for the price.

Before you commit, confirm two points: the actual passenger count and the snorkeling equipment policy. If the operator can confirm a group near the stated maximum of 20, this is a solid choice for an easy, sociable day at sea. If the boat is likely to be packed, you may prefer a smaller cruise, even if it costs more.