Grand Bay: Catamaran Cruise to Flat Island with BBQ Lunch

Flat Island turns a boat day into a real escape. From Grand Baie, I like the north-coast views and the chance to swim and snorkel around Île Plate at your own pace. I also like that lunch, drinks, and a beach stop are included. The main catch is that this can feel like a busy party boat, with loud music, limited seating, and rough seas on some days.

You board from the beach by a small dinghy, then spend about seven hours on a catamaran heading toward Flat Island, also called Île Plate. The island time can be wonderfully peaceful, but it may be shorter than expected, and the experience is better suited to people who enjoy a lively group outing than to anyone seeking a quiet sailing trip.

Key points to know before you go

• Flat Island lies about 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux, near Round Island at the far northern end of Mauritius.
• Boarding starts from the beach at Grand Baie, with a small boat shuttle to the catamaran.
• The package includes a BBQ lunch and drinks, including beer, wine, local rum, water, Coke, juice, and soft drinks.
• You get time to swim, snorkel, stroll, or relax, but the amount of island time can change with sea and weather conditions.
• The boat may carry more than 50 people, so seating and a proper table at lunch are not guaranteed.
• Strong seas are possible, and several accounts describe motion sickness, so bring sea-sickness tablets if you are prone to it.

Leaving Grand Baie by dinghy and catamaran

The meeting point is on Grand Baie beach, roughly midway along the beach area. Someone from the operator is supposed to meet you there and guide you to the small dinghy used for boarding.

This first transfer matters. You do not simply walk from a pier onto the catamaran. You wade or step into a smaller boat from the beach, then transfer onto the larger vessel. Wear swimwear or clothes that can handle splashes, and keep your phone and camera protected until you are settled.

Once aboard, the catamaran heads north along the coast. Keep your camera ready for views of Grand Baie, Pereybere, and Cap Malheureux. These coastal views are one of the strongest parts of the trip because you see the northwest shore from the water, not from a road or hotel beach.

The sailing time is also where the character of the cruise becomes clear. On a calm day, you can sit back, watch the coast recede, and enjoy the wind. On a rough day, the same open water can mean a wet, bouncy ride. One account describes heavy rain and strong wind on the way to Flat Island, with adults needing to hold on firmly. The crew changed boats because the original arrangement was not considered suitable for families with children in those conditions. That suggests the operator may adjust plans for safety, but it also tells you to take the sea conditions seriously.

What Île Plate offers beyond a pretty beach

Flat Island is known as Île Plate in French. It sits near Round Island, about 11 kilometers north of Cap Malheureux. The setting is the attraction: a beach, lagoon water, open views, and a more remote feel than the developed coast of Grand Baie.

Your free time is meant to be flexible. You can lie on the beach, swim in the lagoon, snorkel, walk along island paths, or simply sit in the shade if you find some. I like this loose arrangement because it lets you choose your own pace. You do not have to spend the entire stop in the water, and you do not have to join a tightly timed group activity.

The snorkeling is described as self-paced, according to your own ability. That is useful for mixed groups, since confident swimmers can spend longer in the water while others stay close to shore. The cruise may also pass near Coin de Mire, one of the northern islands. You do not land there, but if the sea and weather cooperate, there may be time to snorkel around it.

Keep your expectations measured. This is not a full-day island expedition. A report from one outing described only about an hour on the island, making the experience feel more like a catamaran cruise with an island stop than an island tour with a short boat ride. The exact timing can shift with weather, sea conditions, and the day’s operation.

The BBQ lunch, drinks, and the seating question

Lunch is listed as a BBQ with fish and chicken, bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks include beer, wine, local rum, water, Coke, juice, and soft drinks. That is a useful package at $70 per person, especially if you plan to spend the whole day out and would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, meal, and drinks.

Food quality appears to be uneven. Some outings received praise for a very good lunch, while another person found the lunch and included drink poor. The description also places lunch on Flat Island, but one account says the buffet took place on the boat. This may reflect a change caused by weather, logistics, or the particular boat in use. You should be prepared for either arrangement rather than counting on a long, seated island meal.

Seating is the bigger practical issue. One outing had more than 50 people, with about 40 seats in the cockpit and only around 10 places at a table. Many people therefore ate with plates on their laps. That does not ruin a beach barbecue, but it is worth knowing before you book, especially if you have mobility concerns or strongly prefer a formal meal setup.

I would treat the lunch as convenient and social rather than refined. You are paying for a full marine outing with food and drinks, not a restaurant meal. Bring patience, claim a comfortable place early, and expect a relaxed boat picnic if the vessel is full.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the northern sea

The included swimming and snorkeling stop is one of the best reasons to choose this trip. You can enter the water at your own pace, and the northern islands are known for clear water and tropical fish. The snorkeling can be especially rewarding around the islands, where the sea life is the main attraction.

Still, conditions control the experience. A rough sea can make entering the water unpleasant or unsafe, and the operator may shorten or skip snorkeling if the weather is unsuitable. The trip description says that additional sea snorkeling is possible only when the weather and sea are good.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. It is also sensible to carry only what you need, since the initial dinghy transfer and wet boat deck can make bags awkward. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring your preferred tablets. One outing had such strong waves that nearly everyone felt ill, even though the islands themselves were beautiful.

Pregnant women are advised not to take this activity. The combination of small-boat boarding, open water, waves, and a long day at sea makes that restriction understandable.

A peaceful island stop, with a party-boat soundtrack

Flat Island can give you the quiet part of the day you may be hoping for. Walking the island trails, looking across the lagoon, or watching the coast from the beach offers a welcome break from the boat. You may also spot the endemic bird called the Paille en Queue, or white-tailed tropicbird, if one passes through the area.

The atmosphere on the catamaran is less predictable. Some people find the music and social energy fun. Others find music played at full volume from morning until evening very tiring. If you want dancing, drinks, and a festive group outing, this may suit you well. If you want to hear the sails, wind, and water, you may prefer a smaller or more private boat.

The crew has received mixed impressions too. Some accounts describe a friendly crew and careful handling in poor weather. Another person found the staff less helpful. Your experience may depend on the boat assigned, the size of the group, and the conditions that day.

The operator may send practical instructions by WhatsApp the day before. That is helpful because the meeting point is on the beach rather than at a clear harbor gate. Check those instructions carefully, especially if the start point or boat changes.

How much value do you get for $70?

At $70, this cruise offers a fair bundle: catamaran transport, dinghy transfers, island access, a BBQ meal, drinks, swimming, and snorkeling. It is strongest value for you if you want one easy day that combines several activities without arranging each part yourself.

The value drops if your main goal is extensive island exploration. You may spend much of the seven-hour schedule sailing, boarding, eating, or waiting for the next water stop. If island time is only about an hour, you are paying primarily for the boat experience.

The price also makes more sense if you plan to use the included drinks and lunch. If you do not drink alcohol or prefer to bring your own food, the package may feel less attractive. On the other hand, the included meal can save you the trouble of carrying supplies to a remote island.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You must reach Grand Baie beach yourself, so add the cost and time of getting there from your accommodation. The central beach meeting point is simple once you receive the instructions, but allow time to find the welcome person and complete the transfer.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. The date or departure time can change if conditions at sea are unsuitable, so keep some room in your holiday schedule.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy a social boat day, do not mind sharing space, and want a mix of swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and scenery. Families with older children may enjoy it in calm conditions, but the open sea and dinghy transfer require care. The operator has previously changed arrangements when rough weather made a boat unsuitable for children.

It is also a good fit for couples and friends who want a simple northern-island outing without paying for a private charter. The free time gives you some control over the day, and the beach stop breaks up the sailing.

I would be cautious if you are sensitive to loud music, need a guaranteed seat at a table, dislike rough water, or want a quiet nature trip. You should also think twice if you expect several hours of walking around Flat Island. The cruise may deliver a beautiful island glimpse, but it is still mainly a catamaran day.

Practical ways to make the day better

Arrive ready for a wet boarding transfer. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes, use sunscreen before leaving, and keep a towel accessible rather than buried in a dry bag.

Take motion sickness seriously. Even a calm-looking morning can turn rough once the catamaran reaches open water. A tablet taken according to its instructions may make the day much more comfortable if you know you are susceptible.

Claim a comfortable seat early if you care about where you sit. With larger groups, cockpit seating can fill quickly, and table space at lunch may be limited.

Bring modest expectations about the meal. The BBQ includes fish, chicken, salad, bread, dessert, and drinks, but the setup may be informal. You may eat on your lap or have lunch on the boat instead of the island.

Listen carefully to the crew when the sea gets rough. The strongest positive account of the trip praised the captain’s safe handling and the crew’s attention to safety during wind, rain, and large waves. That is more important than keeping every part of the advertised schedule.

Should you book the Grand Baie to Flat Island cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable, all-day catamaran outing with northern-island scenery, a BBQ, drinks, and time for a swim. The trip’s best moments are the views from the water, the fish around the islands, and the chance to step onto a quiet beach far from Grand Baie.

Skip it if loud music, crowded seating, or uncertain island time would bother you. For a calmer experience, look for a smaller or VIP-style boat. At $70, this is a reasonable social cruise, but you are buying a lively shared day at sea, not a private sailing trip or a long island walk.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is on Grand Baie beach, roughly midway along the beach. A representative is assigned to welcome you and guide you to the boat transfer.

How do I get onto the catamaran?

You first board a small dinghy from the beach, then use it to reach and board the catamaran.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

What is included in the price?

The package includes the catamaran trip to Île Plate, dinghy shuttles, lunch, drinks, and a swimming and snorkeling stop.

What food and drinks are served?

The BBQ includes fish and chicken, along with bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks can include beer, wine, local rum, water, Coke, juice, and soft drinks.

Can I snorkel at Coin de Mire?

The boat passes as close as possible to Coin de Mire, but you do not land on the island. If weather and sea conditions are suitable, you may have time to snorkel around the island.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Sea-sickness tablets are a sensible addition if you are prone to motion sickness.

Can the date or time change?

Yes. The date and time may change if weather or sea conditions are not suitable. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later.