Luxury Catamaran Cruise: The Northern Islands

Mauritius looks best from the water. This six-hour catamaran cruise from Bain Boeuf takes you past Gunners Coin to Ilot Gabriel and Flat Island, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and a barbecue lunch. I like the mix of easy sightseeing and water time, and I like that lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear are included.

The crew is a major part of the experience. They cook, keep drinks moving, tell jokes, and sometimes get the boat singing and dancing. The main caution is the sea: once you leave the sheltered lagoon, conditions can turn rough, and a few departures have had to change plans because of wind.

Key points to know before you book

• Small maximum group of 17: This can feel more personal than a large party boat, although the atmosphere depends on the day and some people still found the catamaran crowded.
• Two northern-island stops: You get roughly 30 minutes at Ilot Gabriel and another 30 minutes at Ile Plate, also known as Flat Island.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect a barbecue-style meal, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages, with past menus including chicken wings, hotdogs, and fish.
• Snorkeling depends on the sea: Equipment is provided, but strong wind and choppy water can make snorkeling poor or cancel the planned stops.
• No hotel transport: You must reach Bain Boeuf Public Beach in Cap Malheureux for the 9:30 am departure.
• Best for an active, social day: This suits you if you want scenery, music, swimming, and a relaxed boat party more than a quiet luxury cruise.

Setting out from Bain Boeuf at 9:30 am

Your day begins at Bain Boeuf Public Beach, near Cap Malheureux, on the north coast of Mauritius. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your own way to the meeting point and arrive with enough time to find the beach.

The departure location matters. This is not a bus tour with a long inland transfer before the fun begins. You meet the boat by the coast and spend most of the six-hour outing on the water or at the islands. The return is to the same meeting point, which makes the morning easier to plan if you are staying in northern Mauritius.

The catamaran has a maximum capacity of 17 people. That is a useful limit for anyone who dislikes packed excursion boats, though you should not assume the boat will always feel spacious. Some departures have felt pleasantly uncrowded, while another visitor found the boat too full to deliver the luxury atmosphere suggested by the title.

That is an important distinction. You are paying for a comfortable catamaran outing with food, drinks, and a small stated group size. You are not necessarily booking a private charter or a quiet yacht day.

Gunners Coin and the northern sea views

As the boat moves away from the coast, you get views of Gunners Coin and the northern islands. The appeal here is simple: wide Indian Ocean views, bright water, and a changing perspective on Mauritius that you cannot get from the road.

The cruise also gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the day. You can sit back, watch the coast recede, and enjoy the crew’s easygoing style. The atmosphere is not formal. Music, jokes, singing, and dancing have all been part of the experience, so you should expect a social outing rather than silent scenic cruising.

That mood works especially well for couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends. If you want a calm boat with very little interaction, this may feel too animated. The crew’s friendliness is one of the strongest parts of the day, but it comes with energy.

The open sea also brings the main practical warning. Outside the lagoon, the water can become noticeably rough. One outing was described as a cold ride back in spring, while another could not reach the planned islands because of strong wind. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use and choose a warm, settled-weather day if possible.

Ilot Gabriel, a short stop with big scenery

The first island stop is Ilot Gabriel, where you get off and spend about 30 minutes on the beach. The island is part of a natural reserve, and its appeal is the combination of open sand, clear water, and a sense of being well away from the mainland.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick walk, photographs, and a swim if conditions allow. It is not enough for a long beach afternoon. Keep that in mind if your dream is to settle under a tree with a book. This excursion gives you several highlights in one day, so each island visit is brief by design.

Ilot Gabriel is also closely tied to the snorkeling portion of the trip. In good conditions, the water can be clear, with fish visible around the snorkeling area. Several people regarded the snorkeling near Gabriel as one of the best parts of the outing.

Still, do not treat snorkeling as guaranteed. The crew supplies the equipment, but wind, waves, and visibility control what you actually see. One particularly windy trip lost the planned snorkeling altogether. That is not necessarily a failure of the crew, but it does affect the value of a cruise sold around swimming and snorkeling.

Ile Plate and the Flat Island beach break

The second stop is Ile Plate, usually called Flat Island. You have around 30 minutes here for a walk, a swim, or a little time on the beach.

The two island stops can feel similar if you rush through them. The best approach is to use Ilot Gabriel for the activity you most care about, then treat Ile Plate as a slower beach pause, or reverse that plan depending on the sea and the crew’s instructions. Since the stop is short, you will want your swimwear on before leaving the boat and your camera ready.

The setting is the star. You come for open beach, island scenery, and the chance to get into the Indian Ocean. You do not come for extensive sightseeing facilities or a long guided walk. The itinerary gives you nature and water, not a detailed cultural visit.

Crowds can also shape your impression. These islands are popular, and you may share the beaches with other boats. That means the experience may not have the isolated, untouched feel you imagine from a northern-islands cruise. The scenery remains excellent, but the sense of solitude is not assured.

A barbecue lunch served on board

Lunch is included, which makes the $113.99 price easier to assess. You are not paying only for transport to two islands. The package also covers the catamaran, crew, food, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, and snorkeling equipment.

The barbecue has received especially strong praise. Past meals have included grilled chicken wings, hotdogs, and fish, along with other food. The exact menu may vary, but the consistent point is that this is a proper meal rather than a token snack.

There is also a practical social benefit to eating on board. Lunch becomes part of the entertainment, with the crew keeping the mood light and drinks available through the trip. Some people described the meal as delicious and the atmosphere as one of the best they had during a Mauritius excursion.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available, but you must advise the operator when booking. The same applies to other dietary requirements. Do not wait until you are standing on the beach or already on the boat, since the kitchen needs notice.

Alcoholic beverages are included, as is bottled water. Drink sensibly in the sun, especially if the sea is moving. You will enjoy the boat more if you stay hydrated and do not let the festive mood outrun the heat.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the reality of weather

This cruise is at its best when the weather cooperates. You can swim from the boat or near the islands, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, and look for fish in clear water. The activity is accessible to most people, and children are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

The phrase most people can participate in does not mean the sea will suit everyone every day. You should be comfortable around open water and prepared for the possibility that conditions change. The crew has been praised for being safety-conscious, but safety decisions can mean shortening or changing the planned route.

This is where expectations matter most. On a calm day, the combination of island beaches and snorkeling can make the cruise feel like excellent value. On a windy day, the operator may have to stay closer to shore or replace the planned activity with something less appealing. One poor-weather outing involved an alternative snorkeling location with cloudy lagoon water, which left the participant disappointed.

If conditions look doubtful, ask about the sea before departure. The experience requires good weather, and if the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you should be offered another date or a full refund. If the cruise goes ahead and the weather worsens later, the choices may be more limited. The standard booking is non-refundable if you cancel or request a change for your own reasons.

How luxurious is this catamaran cruise?

The word luxury needs a little translation here. You get a catamaran, a small stated maximum group, attentive service, a cooked lunch, and drinks. The boat has been described as neat, clean, and in good condition, and some people found the small capacity made the ride comfortable.

But this is still an active day at sea. You will deal with sun, spray, wind, wet swimwear, sand, and a busy social atmosphere. It is not a private yacht with a silent deck and a personal waiter.

I would think of it as a comfortable, hosted island cruise rather than a high-end luxury charter. That is not a criticism. For many people, the friendly crew, fresh food, and relaxed music are more valuable than polished formality. Just book it for the experience it actually offers.

Is $113.99 good value?

At $113.99 per person, the price is fair if you use the main inclusions. You receive about six hours on the water, two island visits, lunch, snorkeling equipment, water, alcoholic drinks, and crew service. Add the scenery and the chance to swim in clear Indian Ocean water, and the package can make sense for a one-day highlight in northern Mauritius.

Value depends heavily on weather and your priorities. If you mainly want to reach the islands and snorkel, a rough day can feel expensive. If you want a social outing with food and drinks as much as swimming, the package is stronger.

One important comparison appeared in the feedback: a hotel guest said the same type of catamaran trip could be booked directly through the hotel for 3,200 Mauritian rupees per person. Prices and inclusions can change, so check directly with your hotel or the operator before assuming the online price is the cheapest.

The price also excludes transport to Bain Boeuf. If you are staying some distance away, include taxi or other transport costs in your budget. The meeting point is near public transportation, but the tour does not arrange the final connection for you.

What to pack for six hours at sea

Bring bathing attire, sunscreen, a cap or hat, and a towel if the operator does not specify otherwise. The supplied information specifically recommends swimwear, suntan lotion, caps, and hats, and all are sensible in the strong tropical sun.

Wear something secure for the boat ride. Keep valuables to a minimum, since you will move between the catamaran, beaches, and water. A small waterproof bag can make the day less awkward, though this is general packing advice rather than a promised tour amenity.

Plan to be ready for both heat and spray. The ride back can feel cool in spring, particularly after swimming, so a light cover-up is useful. If you get seasick, prepare before the boat leaves rather than waiting for the first rough patch.

Who should book this northern-islands cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want several Mauritius experiences in one outing: an ocean cruise, island beaches, swimming, snorkeling, barbecue food, and a friendly crew. It is a good fit for people who enjoy music and conversation and do not need every minute to be quiet.

Families can consider it, since children are allowed with an adult and most people can participate. The short island stops may also work well for mixed groups, because you can alternate between walking, swimming, and relaxing.

I would be more cautious if you want guaranteed snorkeling, complete solitude, or a refined yacht atmosphere. I would also check the forecast carefully if you have only one free day. The route depends on the sea, and a poor-weather substitute may not match the experience you paid for.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your ideal day includes friendly service, a filling barbecue, open-water views, and a little onboard fun. The crew has earned strong praise for its warmth and entertainment, while the islands and snorkeling can provide the most memorable scenery in the north.

Skip it if rough water worries you, if you expect a private luxury charter, or if you cannot accept a weather-related change of plan. For the best chance of getting the full experience, choose a calm-weather date, tell the operator about dietary needs, and confirm the meeting arrangements at Bain Boeuf.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Bain Boeuf Public Beach in Cap Malheureux, Mauritius.

What time does the cruise depart?

The stated start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, although actual snorkeling depends on sea and weather conditions.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange transport to Bain Boeuf Public Beach and back.