Mauritius: Catamaran cruise to 3 Northern Isles with lunch

The best islands are reached by sea. This seven-hour catamaran trip from Grand Bay takes you to Gabriel Island, Flat Island, and Gunners Coin, pairing white sand and reef swimming with a generous barbecue lunch on board. I especially like the three-island route and the easygoing mix of time on the beach, time in the water, and time under sail.

The crew earns strong marks for being friendly, funny, and safety-minded, and the catamaran can feel pleasantly roomy even with about 35 people aboard. The main drawback is the sea itself: rough conditions can mean a bumpy ride, a changed route, or a rescheduled trip. Bring strong sunscreen, water for the island stop, and water shoes.

Key points to know before you sail

• Three Northern Isles in one day: Visit Gabriel Island, Flat Island, and Gunners Coin, with the order shaped by tide, weather, and sea conditions.
• Gabriel Island swimming stop: Expect beach time, swimming, and snorkeling around coral gardens, but bring your own snorkeling equipment.
• Gunners Coin is weather dependent: A short snorkeling stop may be added on the return if the captain considers the sea safe.
• BBQ lunch with drinks included: The meal features chicken, fish, sausages, salads, rice, potatoes, pasta, bread, fruit, water, wine, beer, punch, and rum.
• Plan for a wet boat: Decks can become slippery, so wear secure footwear and take care when walking.
• Good value at $76: The price covers the catamaran, island visits, lunch, and drinks, but not hotel transfers or snorkeling gear.

Setting off from Grand Bay for a full day at sea

The trip begins at the jetty in Grand Bay, one of Mauritius’ main departure points for sea excursions. You spend about seven hours on the water and return at roughly 16:00, making this a substantial day rather than a quick coastal outing.

The catamaran gives you several ways to spend the time. You can sit on deck, watch the northern coast recede, move around when you need a change of view, or prepare for the island stops. One particularly nice detail is the sense of space. A boat carrying around 35 people can still allow you to move freely, though the exact feel will depend on the day’s group size.

The crew is an important part of the experience. They are described as attentive, cheerful, and careful about safety. Instructions are given before water activities, and the crew keeps an eye on conditions. That matters here because this is not a calm lake cruise. The sea can become lively, and one recent outing was described as a wild ride over the waves.

If you are prone to seasickness, plan ahead. The supplied information does not list a specific seasickness policy or medication service, so bring anything you normally use. Stay hydrated, avoid overdoing alcohol early in the trip, and choose a place on the boat where you feel steady.

Gabriel Island: beach time, reefs, and strong sun

Gabriel Island is usually the main beach stop, and it is the part of the day most likely to match the classic Mauritius postcard. You get white sand, clear water, and an open setting with little built development. The government has declared the northern islands nature reserves, which helps explain the simple, natural feel.

You may have around two hours on the island. That is enough time to swim, walk along the beach, sit in the shallows, and try snorkeling, but it is not an endless beach day. The shore can include reef areas, so water shoes are a very good idea. They protect your feet and make walking in and out of the water more comfortable.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. This is one of the most important details to catch before booking. Bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins if you have them. If you arrive without gear, you may still swim and enjoy the beach, but you should not assume equipment will be supplied.

The water around Gabriel Island offers coral gardens and marine life, though conditions can change with tide, wind, and visibility. I would treat snorkeling as a pleasant part of the outing rather than a guaranteed major wildlife encounter. The real appeal is combining a reef swim with time on a remarkably scenic beach.

The sun is fierce. One family reported returning with several badly burned spots despite using sunscreen throughout their stay. Apply sunscreen before boarding, reapply often, and remember the backs of your legs, shoulders, ears, and feet. A hat and a light cover-up will also help, although you will want to keep them secure on the boat.

There are no drinks available on the island. The catamaran carries plenty of beverages, but you should take a bottle of water with you when you go ashore. This becomes especially important if you spend the full beach stop in direct sun.

Flat Island and the northern island views

Flat Island is included in the three-island route, but the exact way you experience it depends on the sea, tide, and the captain’s judgment. The itinerary may change on the way out or on the return, so you should think of the route as flexible rather than fixed minute by minute.

From the catamaran, the northern islands provide broad coastal views and a sense of distance from the main island. You see pale beaches, open sea, and low island profiles rather than a string of built-up resort facilities. That simplicity is the point.

The boat may approach the islands for views even when conditions do not allow a long landing or water stop. Currents and water depth can affect the sequence of visits. If the captain changes the order, that is a safety decision, not a sign that the trip has gone wrong.

This flexibility can be frustrating if you have planned the day around one particular island. It can also protect the quality of the outing. A stop made in rough water is not worth a forced schedule, especially when the boat is wet and footing can be slippery.

Gunners Coin and the optional return snorkeling stop

Gunners Coin, also known as Coin de Mire, is associated with marine life and reef fish. A short snorkeling stop may be made there on the return journey, but only if weather, currents, and sea conditions are suitable.

That qualification is important. The stop is not guaranteed, and the captain decides whether it is safe. If it happens, you can expect a brief chance to enter the water and see reef fish in their natural setting. If it does not, the day still includes the Gabriel Island swim and snorkeling opportunity.

The possibility of a second snorkeling site adds interest to the return journey. It also means you should keep your gear accessible rather than packing it away after Gabriel Island. Have your towel and change of clothes ready too, since the boat remains wet for much of the day.

This is not the right trip for someone who needs every activity to run on a strict schedule. It suits you better if you can accept a route shaped by nature. The reward is a safer and more honest experience of the sea.

Lunch on board: a practical part of the value

The catamaran becomes the lunch venue, which saves you from losing more time to a separate restaurant stop. The meal is described as a three-course barbecue buffet with BBQ chicken, fish, and sausages, followed by sides such as green salad, rice, potatoes, pasta, fresh vegetables, and warm bread.

Drinks are included too. You can expect water, soft drinks, wine, beer, local punch, and rum. Dessert includes pineapple or another seasonal fruit. This is not fine dining, and you should not expect a restaurant-style menu, but it is a substantial spread for a day on the water.

The timing of lunch after the beach stop makes sense. By then, you will likely be ready for something filling, and eating on board keeps the day moving. A recent outing had enough food for everyone, and the crew cleaned and dried the deck after the meal. That small bit of housekeeping matters when people are walking barefoot or in damp swimwear.

If you have strict dietary requirements, the available information does not confirm special menus. Ask before booking rather than assuming the buffet can be adapted. The listed choices include meat, fish, salads, vegetables, rice, potatoes, pasta, bread, and fruit, but that does not guarantee a particular allergy-free or vegetarian arrangement.

Alcohol is available as part of the included drinks. Remember that the boat may be moving over waves, and the deck can be slippery. Pace yourself, especially before snorkeling or walking ashore.

What the $76 price really covers

At $76 per person, this trip offers solid value if you want a full day that combines transport, sightseeing, swimming, lunch, and drinks. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The price covers the catamaran trip, visits to the three Northern Isles, the main swim and snorkeling opportunities, the BBQ meal, and a broad selection of drinks.

The value is strongest for visitors who would otherwise need to arrange separate boat transport, food, and island access. The day also reduces planning work. You do not need to decide where to eat at noon or how to connect the islands yourself.

There are extra costs to remember. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be arranged separately for an additional charge. Snorkeling equipment is also not included, so add the cost of hiring or buying gear if you do not already have it.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet beach day. You will spend a large part of the outing aboard the catamaran, and the sea can be rough. It is better value for an active day with several elements than for a slow, private escape.

Weather, safety, and comfort on a wet catamaran

The weather has a direct effect on this experience. Poor conditions may change the order of the islands, remove a snorkeling stop, or lead to a rescheduled trip. If rough seas make the excursion unsafe, an alternative date is offered. If no suitable date can be arranged, a full refund is offered.

That policy provides useful protection, but it does not prevent a disappointing day if conditions worsen after departure. One outing in poor weather was described as offering little enjoyment, so do not book this as your only possible activity on the final day of your Mauritius stay.

Wear beachwear and bring a towel, a change of clothes, and sun protection. Water shoes are especially useful around reef areas. Keep your belongings secure and take care when crossing the deck. The boat is wet much of the time, and surfaces can become slippery.

The experience is not suitable for children under three or people with mobility impairments. The listing does not provide further details about boarding assistance, so anyone with limited mobility should ask the operator before paying.

English and French are spoken. The crew’s role is more than simple commentary. They give instructions, help with water activities, and monitor safety, which makes a difference when the conditions are changeable.

Who will enjoy this northern island cruise

I would choose this trip if you want to see several of Mauritius’ northern islands without organizing separate boats. It works well for couples, families with older children, and groups who like to mix swimming, scenery, food, and a little adventure.

You will probably enjoy it most if you are comfortable with an open schedule. The sea decides much of the day, and the boat can move sharply over waves. A flexible attitude turns those changes into part of the experience rather than a source of stress.

It is less suitable if you dislike boats, need firm ground for most of the day, or want guaranteed snorkeling at multiple locations. It is also not ideal for anyone who expects a private cruise. The catamaran is shared, even though the available space can feel comfortable.

The strong points are clear: a friendly crew, a clean and well-kept catamaran, a filling lunch, included drinks, and striking island scenery. The weak points are just as clear: no snorkeling gear, no drinks ashore, possible rough seas, and an itinerary that can change.

Should you book the Starline Tours catamaran?

Book it if you want a busy, scenic day on the water and value having lunch and drinks included. At $76, the package makes sense for a first visit to Mauritius, especially if the three northern islands are high on your list.

Before you go, pack your own snorkeling gear, water shoes, a towel, a dry change of clothes, and more sunscreen than you think you need. Take water ashore at Gabriel Island, and keep your expectations flexible about Gunners Coin.

I would skip it only if rough water is a dealbreaker or if you need guaranteed access to every planned stop. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded island day with enough time in the water, enough food on board, and a crew that appears to take both safety and good spirits seriously.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours, with a return to the jetty at approximately 16:00.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The catamaran departs from Grand Bay in Mauritius.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Gabriel Island, Flat Island, and Gunners Coin, also called Coin de Mire.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes BBQ chicken, fish, sausages, salads, rice, potatoes, pasta, fresh vegetables, bread, and pineapple or seasonal fruit. Included drinks are water, soft drinks, wine, beer, local punch, and rum.

Can the itinerary change because of the weather?

Yes. Currents, tides, water depth, rough seas, and poor weather can change the order of visits or remove certain stops. The trip may also be rescheduled in adverse conditions.