North East of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

The best part may be lunch at sea. This six-and-a-half-hour cruise combines a pleasant catamaran ride with a fresh BBQ, unlimited drinks, and time to swim around L’ile d’Ambre and Bernaches Island. I especially like the easy pace and the chance to enjoy the mangroves with a cocktail in hand.

I also like that the crew helps with swimming and snorkeling, rather than simply dropping you at the water and walking away. The main drawback is that the boat does not travel far offshore, and the snorkeling area may feel underwhelming if you are hoping for a major reef experience.

Key points to know before booking

• Meet at 9:30 am at Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort: You must make your own way to the jetty in Grand-Gaube.
• The cruise runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm: Most of the day is spent aboard the catamaran or near the islands.
• The BBQ is a real part of the experience: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausage, salads, garlic bread, seasonal vegetables, and fruit.
• Drinks are included: Local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water are provided.
• Snorkeling is in Grand Gaube lagoon: Bring your own equipment if you prefer using familiar gear.
• The route can change: Rough seas may send the captain toward Gunners Coin or Casita beach instead.

Meeting the catamaran at Grand-Gaube

Your morning begins at the jetty of Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort in Grand-Gaube. The meeting time is 9:30 am, with departure planned for 10:00 am, so give yourself enough time to find the resort and reach the waterfront without rushing.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. That matters because this is not a door-to-door excursion. You need to arrange your own transport to Grand-Gaube, and you should also check your return plans before booking. The activity finishes back at the same jetty at about 4:00 pm.

The experience is offered every day from Monday to Sunday. French and English are spoken, making the basic safety and activity instructions easy to follow for most visitors.

This is a beachwear kind of morning. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes, bring sunscreen and a hat, and pack a dry change of clothes. A waterproof bag is useful for phones, wallets, and room keys. The catamaran is exposed to sun and wind, so sunglasses and a light waterproof jacket are sensible, even on a warm day.

Sailing toward L’ile d’Ambre

Once the catamaran leaves Grand-Gaube, the first planned stop is La Mangrove at L’ile d’Ambre. The ride itself is part of the appeal. You get open views of the northeast coast, a steady breeze, and the simple pleasure of sitting on deck while the boat moves across the lagoon.

Do not expect a long ocean crossing. One piece of feedback describes the sailing portion as only about five minutes, while another notes that the boat does not travel far. These comments point to an important expectation: this is primarily a lagoon and island day, not a long-distance sailing voyage.

That can be a plus if you prefer a calm outing with plenty of time in the water. It may disappoint you if the main reason for booking is several hours of sailing under full canvas. The value comes from the combination of food, drinks, swimming, and stops, rather than from distance covered.

Swimming and snorkeling in Grand Gaube lagoon

The morning water stop runs from roughly 10:00 am until noon. The lagoon is described as turquoise, and the crew assists with swimming and snorkeling. You can bring your own mask and snorkel if you prefer, though the tour information specifically advises you to bring your own snorkeling equipment if desired.

The water gives you a chance to cool off before lunch, and the crew’s presence is useful for anyone who is not a confident swimmer. Still, keep your expectations measured. The snorkeling here received mixed feedback, with one assessment calling it not especially worthwhile. This is not presented as a specialist reef trip or an expedition to a remote marine site.

I would book this for a pleasant swim in clear-looking lagoon water, not for rare marine life or an advanced snorkeling session. Do not touch marine life, and avoid touching plants. Those simple rules help protect the places you have come to enjoy.

If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully before booking. The catamaran may feel steadier than a small boat, but the sea can still move, and the full day on the water gives nausea plenty of time to become a problem. Motion sickness pills are listed among the recommended items to bring.

Mangroves, cocktails, and a slower hour

After the morning swim, the catamaran heads into the mangroves of L’ile d’Ambre. This is one of the more unusual parts of the day. Rather than spending every minute in open water, you get a quieter setting among mangrove growth and a chance to pause with a drink.

The mangroves offer a different mood from the sandy beach stop later in the afternoon. You can take in the still water, watch for wildlife, and enjoy the shade and shelter of the area. The information provided does not promise a formal nature walk or a wildlife presentation, so think of this as a peaceful boat stop rather than a guided ecology tour.

The drinks selection is generous for an $80 excursion. You can choose from local rum, red, rosé, or white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. Cocktails are also included in the description. Nonalcoholic choices mean you do not need to drink alcohol to enjoy the social side of the outing.

Use some judgment in the sun. Alcohol, heat, and swimming are not an ideal combination, so keep water in hand and pace yourself. The crew’s friendly attitude is repeatedly praised, and the captain is described as being in a very good mood. That matters on a relaxed boat day, where the atmosphere can shape the experience as much as the scenery.

BBQ lunch on the catamaran

Lunch is served on deck around noon, with the ocean spread around you. The menu is more substantial than a basic sandwich stop:

• Rice salad
• Potato and egg salad
• Mixed salad
• Seasonal vegetables
• Grilled fish
• BBQ chicken
• Grilled chicken sausage
• Seafood delicacy
• Garlic bread
• Bread
• Seasonal fruit

The meal is also available in a vegetarian version, with rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit. The children’s menu is listed as the same as the adult menu, so families should not expect a separate child-specific selection.

The food earns some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. Fresh BBQ served on a catamaran is a simple idea, but it works. You are not leaving the water for a restaurant, and lunch becomes part of the day rather than an interruption.

There is no detailed information about the exact seafood item, serving style, or dietary substitutions beyond the stated vegetarian menu. If you have a serious allergy or need a special diet, ask before booking rather than assuming the crew can adapt the meal.

Bernaches Island from 1:00 to 2:30 pm

After lunch, the catamaran continues to Bernaches Island. From about 1:00 pm, you have time to swim, walk along the sandy beaches, explore the lagoon, or simply sit in the sun until around 2:30 pm.

This stop gives the day a change of pace. The boat is ideal for views, drinks, and lunch, but an island lets you stretch your legs. You can choose your own level of activity instead of following a tightly managed group schedule.

The beaches are the main attraction, while the lagoon provides another opportunity for swimming. The word explore should be taken in a modest sense here. The supplied details describe shoreline walks and water time, not a long island hike, cultural visit, or guided tour.

Bring a cover-up and dry clothes for this portion. Sand, salt, and a wet swimsuit become tiresome by midafternoon, especially if you plan to continue sightseeing after returning to Grand-Gaube.

The return ride and sea conditions

The advertised return to the Veranda Paul et Virginie jetty is at 4:00 pm. That gives you a full day, but not an especially late one. You should have time to return to your accommodation for an evening meal, provided your onward transport is arranged.

The captain can change the route if the sea is rough or unsafe. In that case, the boat may head toward Gunners Coin or Casita beach instead of following the planned route. This is a sensible safety measure, but it means the exact day depends on conditions.

That flexibility is worth accepting on a sea excursion. A changed route may mean missing L’ile d’Ambre or Bernaches Island, but a safe beach stop is better than forcing a rough crossing. If your schedule depends on seeing one particular site, this is not the right kind of activity for a rigid plan.

Is $80 a fair price?

At $80 per person, the price is reasonable if you make use of the full package. You are paying for about six and a half hours aboard the catamaran, lunch, a broad drinks selection, crew assistance in the water, and time at two island or mangrove areas.

The value is strongest for people who want a social, all-day outing without arranging separate food and drinks. The BBQ and included beverages can save you from buying lunch and refreshments elsewhere, and the leisurely timetable avoids the rushed feeling of several short boat stops.

The value is weaker if you care mainly about snorkeling or sailing distance. The boat does not go far, and the snorkeling has not impressed everyone. If underwater scenery is your top priority, a dedicated reef or marine-life tour may suit you better, though no alternative experience is specified here.

The cruise is also less convenient than a package with hotel transport. You need to get to Grand-Gaube yourself, and people with mobility impairments may find the jetty and catamaran unsuitable. The experience is best for active adults, couples, families comfortable with beach conditions, and anyone who enjoys a sociable day on the water.

What to bring for a better day

Pack lightly, but bring the items that protect you from sun, salt, and wet surfaces:

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Hat or cap
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof bag or backpack
• Light jacket or waterproof jacket
• Motion sickness pills if needed
• Your own snorkeling gear if preferred

Comfortable beachwear is the right choice. Avoid bringing anything you cannot protect from splashes. Pets are not allowed, although assistance dogs are permitted.

A waterproof phone pouch is not listed as essential, but a waterproof bag is. Since personal expenses are not included, bring whatever money you may need for your own purchases, though the listed drinks and lunch are covered.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this outing if you want an easygoing day where food, swimming, and scenery share equal billing. The friendly crew and captain are a real asset, and the included drinks help create a relaxed mood without requiring you to plan every detail yourself.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples wanting a calm day at sea
• Families who enjoy swimming and beaches
• Visitors staying near Grand-Gaube
• People who like a BBQ lunch with a view
• Swimmers who want crew support
• Anyone seeking a gentle introduction to a catamaran outing

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, suffer from seasickness, need step-free access, or want a serious snorkeling program. I would also hesitate if you are expecting a long sailing route or a remote-island adventure. The day is more about relaxation than discovery at speed.

Should you book the Grand-Gaube catamaran cruise?

Book it if the idea of a BBQ, open-air drinks, mangroves, and beach time sounds better than a packed sightseeing schedule. The strongest parts are the friendly crew, the food, the broad drink selection, and the freedom to swim or walk without being hurried.

Skip it if you want deep-water snorkeling, a long sail, or hotel pickup. At $80, the cruise makes sense when you value the whole day as a package. It is less convincing as a snorkeling-only trip. Check the sea forecast, bring your own gear if you care about fit, and arrive early at the Grand-Gaube jetty.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at the jetty of Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort in Grand-Gaube, Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should meet the team at 9:30 am. The catamaran is scheduled to leave at 10:00 am.

What time does the cruise finish?

The catamaran is scheduled to return to the same jetty at about 4:00 pm.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

What food is served for lunch?

The BBQ includes rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, a seafood dish, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit.

Is a vegetarian meal available?

Yes. The vegetarian menu includes rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, mineral water, and cocktails.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

You may bring your own snorkeling equipment if preferred. The information does not specify the exact equipment supplied by the operator.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. If sea conditions are rough or impassable, the captain may change the route for safety and take you toward Gunners Coin or Casita beach instead.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. It is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness.