North: Cruise to the flat island & Gabriel island.bbq lunch

Three islands, one long day at sea. This catamaran cruise from Grand Baie gives you a fine mix of open-water sailing, soft beaches, snorkeling, island time, and a barbecue lunch. I especially like the chance to visit both Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, then pass close to the dramatic Coin de Mire, all in one outing.

I also like the easygoing setup: drinks are served during the cruise and lunch, music keeps the boat lively, and the islands are yours to enjoy at your own pace. The main consideration is that this is a cruising day, not a guided island tour. You should also expect about 90 minutes at sea before reaching the islands, no hotel pickup, and possible changes if the weather turns bad.

Key Points Before You Book

• Three northern islands in one day: Spend time on Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, then sail close to Coin de Mire.
• About 90 minutes to the islands: The open-water ride is part of the experience, with sea views and a fast, secure-feeling catamaran.
• A proper island BBQ: Lunch includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad.
• Snorkeling can be rewarding: Clear water, coral fish, an octopus, larger fish, and possibly turtles have all been spotted.
• Music and a friendly boat atmosphere: The return ride can feel more like a floating party than a quiet cruise.
• Good value at $76 per person: The price covers the boat, island transfers, lunch, and drinks, but not hotel transportation.

Leaving Grand Baie by Boat

Your day begins on the beach at Grand Baie. Look for the person holding a list, along with other staff waiting near the meeting point. From the beach, a small boat carries you out to the catamaran anchored offshore.

That short transfer is worth noting because you do not simply walk from a dock onto the main boat. Wear beachwear and be ready to get your feet wet. Keep your towel and sunscreen handy rather than buried in a bag.

Once aboard, the cruise opens into a broad view of northern Mauritius. The catamaran ride is not just transport between stops. It gives you time to watch the changing color of the water, see the mountains of Mauritius from offshore, and enjoy the wind across the deck.

One detailed account puts the ride to the islands at about 90 minutes. That may sound long if you are hoping to reach the beach quickly, but the boat ride is a major part of the day. The catamaran has been described as fast and secure-feeling, and the wide sea views make the crossing enjoyable for anyone who likes being on the water.

If you get seasick, choose your seat with care and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. There is food later, but the first stretch is still a substantial time at sea. The supplied information does not give a group size, so you should expect a shared cruise rather than a private sailing trip.

Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel: Two Different Island Stops

The main island portion includes Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, reached by small taxi boats from the catamaran. You get about an hour of free time on each island, giving you room to swim, snorkel, stroll, or simply sit on the sand.

This flexible format works well if you dislike being rushed from one landmark to another. You can choose how active you want the day to be. Bring your towel, use plenty of sunscreen, and carry bottled water while walking on the islands or waiting for the pickup boat. Drinks are available on the catamaran and with lunch, but you are specifically expected to bring your own bottled water for time away from the main boat.

Ile Plate offers the classic tropical beach setting: soft, powdery sand, clear water, and greenery around the shore. The appeal is simple. You can swim, take a slow walk, or stretch out in the sun without a packed schedule of instructions.

Ilot Gabriel brings another chance to enjoy the same remote-island atmosphere. The two stops are close enough in character that you should not expect two entirely different cultures or major sights. Their value is the contrast with the developed coast of Mauritius. You get open beach, sea, and quiet space, with no need to fill every minute.

The short stop length is both a strength and a limitation. An hour gives you enough time to swim or snorkel, but not enough for a long, leisurely beach day. If you want hours in one place, a beach resort or a dedicated island stay may suit you better. If you want to sample two islands in one trip, the arrangement makes good sense.

The islands are not presented as guided sightseeing stops. There is no stated commentary, organized walking tour, or formal explanation of the natural setting. You are free to enjoy the shore in your own way. That independence is pleasant, but you should not book this expecting a naturalist-led excursion.

Snorkeling in Clear Northern Water

The northern islands are a strong choice for anyone who wants to spend time in the water. The water has been described as exceptionally clear, with coral fish, larger fish, and an octopus seen during snorkeling. Turtles may also appear, though no wildlife sighting is guaranteed.

That uncertainty is part of the nature of snorkeling. The trip gives you access to good-looking water and the chance to see marine life, but it cannot promise turtles, octopuses, or any particular fish. Conditions can change with weather, waves, and visibility.

Bring your own snorkeling gear only if you prefer using personal equipment. The supplied details confirm that snorkeling is possible, but they do not specify whether gear is included. I would check that point before departure rather than assume equipment will be waiting for you.

The sea is described in different colors, from lighter water near the sand to deeper shades farther from shore. This is one of the best reasons to keep your camera ready during the ride, though protect it carefully around the transfer boats and beach.

Lunch on Ile Plate

The barbecue lunch is served on Ile Plate, making the meal feel like part of the island visit rather than a break inside a marina restaurant. The food includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad.

That is a useful spread for a mixed group. You can choose something light, fill up after swimming, or combine grilled food with salad and rice. Drinks are served with lunch, and refreshments are also available during the cruise. The package includes juice, water, and cocktails, although you still need separate bottled water for walks and waiting time on the islands.

Food quality can vary on any group boat outing, so it is best to think of this as a generous outdoor BBQ rather than a restaurant meal. The strongest praise has focused on the BBQ being delicious and satisfying, which is encouraging. The practical advantage is clear: you do not need to arrange your own island lunch, carry a full cooler, or return to Grand Baie hungry.

After eating, you can take a short rest on the island before returning to the catamaran. That slower pause matters. A full day of sun, swimming, and wind can be tiring, and the chance to sit quietly keeps the outing from feeling like a race.

Sailing Close to Coin de Mire

The third island is Coin de Mire, a striking rocky mountain rising from the sea. The catamaran sails as close as possible, but it does not stop there and you cannot get off the boat.

This is an important distinction. Coin de Mire is a scenic pass-by, not another beach stop. Its steep shape looks especially unusual from the water, and the view gives the final part of the cruise a strong visual moment. You can admire the island, take photographs, and see how different it feels from the low sandy shores of Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel.

Some people may find the stop disappointing if they expect to walk ashore. The no-landing rule is clear, though, and the point is to view the island from the sea. The catamaran’s position gives you a better sense of its isolated form than you would get from a distant shoreline.

This section also helps explain why the day is sold as a three-island experience. You visit two islands on foot, then appreciate the third from the water. It is a varied plan, even though Coin de Mire is not a full stop.

Music, Drinks, and the Ride Home

The return trip can have a noticeably social mood. Music plays on board, and entertainers help keep the atmosphere upbeat. If you want a quiet sail with only the sound of wind and water, this may be more energetic than expected.

For many people, that is part of the fun. The boat can turn into a small party after a day on the beaches, with drinks available and everyone heading back toward Grand Baie. A strong account of the day describes the return as having a party atmosphere, with friendly staff and a pleasant mix of people aboard.

The word catamaran can suggest a calm sailing boat, but this experience is better understood as a social day cruise. There are scenic moments and peaceful beach time, but also music, conversation, and a lively return. I would recommend it to couples, families, and groups of friends who like a little energy in their excursions.

The full outing lasts about seven hours, including the ride to the islands, island stops, lunch, the Coin de Mire pass, and the journey back. That length makes the $76 price easier to assess. You are not paying for a short boat trip. You are getting most of a day on the water with several included elements.

What the $76 Price Really Covers

At $76 per person, the package offers solid value if you plan to use the included features. The price covers:

• The transfer from Grand Baie beach to the catamaran
• The full catamaran cruise
• Taxi boat transfers to Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel
• Lunch on Ile Plate
• Drinks with lunch and while cruising
• The close sailing pass by Coin de Mire

You do not need to pay extra for a separate boat to each island or arrange a meal on your own. Those inclusions make the cost easier to justify, especially for a full seven-hour outing.

The main extra cost to consider is getting to Grand Baie. Hotel transfers are not included, so you must arrange your own way to the beach meeting point. The meeting area is straightforward, but leave enough time to find the person with the list and board the initial transfer boat.

You should also budget for your own bottled water, sunscreen, and any personal snorkeling equipment you want to use. These are small additions, but they matter on a sunny island day.

The booking terms are fairly flexible. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If poor weather affects the trip, it may be rescheduled after discussion. Safety takes priority, and if the trip cannot be rescheduled, a full refund is available after approval through the booking site.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would choose this trip if you want a broad taste of northern Mauritius in one day. It suits you especially well if you enjoy:

• Swimming and snorkeling in clear water
• Soft beaches and free time instead of guided sightseeing
• A social catamaran with music
• A simple outdoor lunch
• Scenic boat views and island photography
• An all-in-one package at a set price

Families can appreciate the mix of beach time, food, and boat travel, though parents should keep close track of children during the beach and taxi boat portions. Couples get plenty of scenic time, but this is not a private or especially quiet cruise.

I would think twice if you dislike long boat rides, strong sun, shared excursions, or music. I would also look elsewhere if your main goal is a guided explanation of the islands, a long snorkeling session, or a full day on one beach.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

Arrive in beachwear and bring a towel, sunscreen, and bottled water. Keep your phone or camera in a waterproof pouch if possible, since both the beach transfer and the taxi boats involve water.

Do not count on the cruise drinks to cover every moment away from the catamaran. Carry your own bottle for island walks and pickup waits. A hat and extra sun protection are also sensible, though only the towel, sunscreen, and beachwear are specifically listed as items to bring.

Use your island hour wisely. If snorkeling is your priority, head toward the water early rather than spending the first half of the stop taking photographs. If you prefer a quiet beach break, find a comfortable patch of sand and resist the urge to pack in too much.

For photography, the best subjects are likely to be the shifting sea colors, the low sandy islands, the mountain shape of Coin de Mire, and the catamaran ride itself. Keep some time free for simply looking up. The northern coast is at its best when you are not busy recording every minute.

Should You Book the Northern Islands Cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want a lively, good-value day that combines three northern islands, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, drinks, and music. The strongest features are the clear water, the soft beaches of Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, the satisfying BBQ, and the unusual view of Coin de Mire from close offshore.

Just set your expectations correctly. This is not a private sailing, a guided island walk, or a quiet nature tour. It is a shared, full-day boat outing with about 90 minutes of travel each way, free time on two islands, and a social return ride.

At $76 per person, the included transport, meal, drinks, and island visits make it a sensible choice for a first taste of Mauritius’s northern waters. Bring sun protection, carry your own bottled water, and choose it for the overall day rather than for any single guaranteed wildlife sighting.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The activity starts on the beach in Grand Baie. Look for the person holding a list, with other staff nearby.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, so you need to arrange your own transportation to the Grand Baie meeting point.

Which islands can I visit?

You spend time on Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel. The catamaran also sails close to Coin de Mire, but you do not leave the boat there.

Can I get off at Coin de Mire?

No. The catamaran passes as close as possible to Coin de Mire for views. It does not stop for anyone to set foot on the island.

What food is served for lunch?

The BBQ includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and a green salad.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are served during lunch and while cruising, including juice, water, and cocktails. You should bring your own bottled water for time spent walking on the islands or waiting for pickup.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip may be rescheduled after consultation. If bad weather prevents the trip from running and rescheduling is not possible, you are entitled to a full refund after approval.