North of Mauritius: Sunset Catamaran Cruise, Drinks & Snacks

The best part of this cruise is the timing. You leave Grand Baie while daylight still fills the lagoon, then watch the northern coast fade into warm evening colors from the deck of a large catamaran. The crew serves drinks and simple snacks throughout, so you can settle in without rushing.

I like the two-hour sailing time, which gives the sunset room to unfold rather than turning the trip into a quick photo stop. I also like the easy drinks setup, with local rum, wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and water included. The main consideration is comfort: rough water can change the route, and the cruise is not a good match for people prone to seasickness or with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• Sunset from the northern lagoon: Sail out of Grand Baie toward the open horizon as daylight softens over Mauritius.
• Drinks are included: Choose from local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, juices, soft drinks, water, and cocktails.
• Simple Mauritian-style snacks: Expect tomato chatini with croutons, nachos with dips, moolkoo, and banana chips.
• Two seasonal departure times: Meet at 4:45 pm for a 5:00 pm sailing from October to March, or at 4:15 pm for a 4:30 pm sailing from April to September.
• A chance to see the green flash: This rare optical effect can appear just after sunset, though it is never guaranteed.
• Return to the same jetty: The cruise finishes at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, with no hotel transfer included.

Sailing out of Grand Baie as daylight fades

You meet the Blue Safari Mauritius team at the Blue Safari, Sportfisher, Croisieres Australes office on Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie. The office faces the sea near the jetty, making it fairly easy to locate, but do not cut the timing close. You still need to complete the embarkation process before the boat leaves.

In summer, from October through March, meet at 4:45 pm for a 5:00 pm departure. In winter, from April through September, meet at 4:15 pm for a 4:30 pm departure. You return at 7:00 pm in summer and 6:30 pm in winter.

The cruise starts in the lagoon and then heads out of the bay toward the sunset. That route gives you changing views rather than one fixed scene. Early in the ride, you can watch Grand Baie and the coastline from the water. As the boat moves farther out, the horizon takes over.

I like this kind of evening outing because it does not try to pack too much into a short window. There is no long transfer, no complicated chain of stops, and no hurried meal. You board, find a place to sit, and let the changing light do most of the work.

What the two-hour catamaran ride feels like

This is a relaxed scenic cruise, not a high-speed sailing trip or a full-day island adventure. The catamaran gives you room to move around and take photos, while the crew handles the sailing and drink service.

The exact direction may change if the sea is rough or difficult to pass. The captain can alter the route for safety, so you should treat the coastal course as flexible. That is sensible on the water, but it also means the views may not follow a fixed pattern on every departure.

The cruise is best suited to people who want a calm evening on the sea. Couples can use it as a low-key date night. Families and small groups may enjoy the open-air setting, provided everyone is comfortable on a boat. It also works well as a final holiday activity because you return to Grand Baie the same evening.

The boat is described as large, which helps with the overall feel. Still, a catamaran is a moving platform, and the open deck can feel exposed once the wind picks up. Wear non-slip shoes and bring a light jacket or waterproof jacket. A swimsuit, towel, cover-up, change of clothes, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and waterproof bag are also sensible choices.

Drinks and snacks served on board

The included drinks are a major part of the value here. You can choose from local rum, red wine, rosé, white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. The experience also describes cocktails and nonalcoholic options, so you are not limited to alcohol.

That range matters because a sunset cruise can feel less generous if drinks are sold separately. Here, you can enjoy a glass of wine, beer, rum, or soft drink without keeping track of each order. If you do drink alcohol, pace yourself. Two hours on a moving boat, with sun and wind around you, can make drinks feel stronger than expected.

The food is snack-sized rather than a full dinner. The selection includes tomato chatini with croutons, nachos and dips, moolkoo, and banana chips. These are useful bites between drinks, but you should not book this as a replacement for an evening meal.

I would eat a proper meal beforehand if you tend to get hungry. One part of the supplied feedback specifically points to the snacks as the weaker element, while the drinks, crew, and atmosphere receive stronger praise. That gives you a fair picture: expect pleasant nibbles, not a polished restaurant service.

Sunset colors and the possible green flash

The main event arrives as the sun drops toward the horizon. From the catamaran, you get an unobstructed view across the water, with the sky changing color around you. This is the time to take photos, but do not spend the entire final light looking at your phone.

The green flash is a rare optical effect that can sometimes appear just after sunset. It is worth watching for, but it is not part of a guarantee. Atmospheric conditions need to be right, and many perfectly good sunsets will not produce one.

That uncertainty is part of the charm. You are not buying a show with a fixed ending. You are getting a place to watch the sun go down, with a small chance of catching something unusual in the last moment.

Bring a waterproof bag for your phone and camera. Spray and splashes are possible on a boat, and a dry change of clothes is useful if you get wet. Sunglasses remain helpful during the brighter part of the ride, while a jacket becomes more useful after sunset.

The atmosphere and crew service

The strongest praise goes to the crew and the mood on board. The experience is described as friendly, well managed, and easygoing, with the crew taking care of people throughout the cruise. That matters because drink service and safety shape the evening as much as the view.

The atmosphere seems to be one of the main reasons to choose this trip. You can enjoy music or conversation if provided on the day, but the important point is the unhurried setting: a large catamaran, open water, snacks, and a gradual sunset.

There are no individual guide names provided, so you should not expect a named cultural tour led by one particular host. English and French are available, which suits many visitors to Mauritius. The crew’s role is mainly to support the cruise, serve refreshments, and keep the outing running safely.

The cruise has earned a 4.9 rating from 14 reviews, with especially strong comments about the crew, drinks, boat size, and atmosphere. I would give those points more weight than the food. If warm service and a pleasant setting matter most to you, this looks like a good fit. If you expect a substantial meal or detailed commentary about Mauritius, it may feel limited.

Is $55 good value for this cruise?

At $55 per person, the value depends on what you want from a sunset outing. The price covers two hours on the water, the catamaran ride, drinks, and snacks. It does not include hotel pickup, drop-off, or personal expenses.

For a simple evening cruise, that is a reasonable package. You are paying for the boat time and the setting, not just a drink and a short harbor ride. The included alcohol and soft drinks also make the cost easier to judge, especially if you would otherwise spend money at a bar while waiting for sunset.

The value is weaker if you mainly want dinner, swimming, or a long coastal tour. This is a short scenic experience with refreshments. It does not promise a meal, water activities, or a full explanation of the island.

I would compare it with the cost of arranging your own sunset stop in Grand Baie. You could watch the sun from shore for less, but you would miss the open-water views and the chance to see the coast from a catamaran. The cruise makes sense when the sailing itself is part of the evening you want.

Who should book it, and who should skip it?

I would recommend this cruise to couples, friends, and families who want a gentle evening activity with drinks included. It suits people who enjoy photography, sea views, and a relaxed social setting more than people looking for action.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in or near Grand Baie and want to avoid a long transfer. You meet and finish at Sunset Boulevard, so the basic plan is simple. Just remember that hotel transportation is not included.

You should think twice if you often get seasick. The experience specifically warns that it is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and sea conditions can be rough enough for the captain to change direction. Take motion sickness pills only if they are appropriate for you, and bring a jacket even if the afternoon feels warm.

The cruise is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Pets are not allowed, except assistance dogs. You must not litter or touch marine life, so this is a sightseeing outing with clear limits around the water.

Practical tips for a smoother sunset

Arrive at the stated meeting time rather than the sailing time. In summer, that means 4:45 pm at the Grand Baie office for the 5:00 pm departure. In winter, arrive at 4:15 pm for the 4:30 pm departure.

Wear clothes that can handle spray and wind. A cover-up and change of clothes will be useful if your outfit gets damp, while non-slip shoes are safer on the deck than smooth sandals.

Keep valuables in a waterproof bag or backpack. Pack sunscreen and a hat for the brighter part of the journey, then switch to a light jacket as the sun disappears. Insect repellent is also listed as a useful item.

The cruise runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check the season when planning your evening, since the departure and return times change between October to March and April to September.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. That is useful in Mauritius, where weather and sea conditions can affect your preferred evening.

Should you book the Grand Baie sunset catamaran?

Book it if you want a simple two-hour sunset sail with drinks, light snacks, and a friendly onboard mood. The large catamaran, northern coastline, included beverages, and possible green flash give the evening more character than watching the sunset from land.

Skip it if you need a full dinner, guaranteed calm seas, hotel transfers, or a strong cultural and historical guide. The snack selection is modest, the route can change for safety, and seasickness may spoil the experience.

For most people staying around Grand Baie, this is a good-value evening outing. Bring a jacket, protect your phone, arrive early, and treat the green flash as a bonus rather than the main reason to go.

FAQ

Where does the sunset catamaran cruise start and finish?

You meet at the Blue Safari, Sportfisher, Croisieres Australes office on Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, facing the sea near the jetty. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the cruise?

The sailing lasts two hours. In summer, the boat leaves at 5:00 pm and returns at 7:00 pm. In winter, it leaves at 4:30 pm and returns at 6:30 pm.

When does the cruise operate?

The cruise operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Summer timing applies from October through March, while winter timing applies from April through September.

What drinks are included?

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

What food is served?

The snack selection includes tomato chatini with croutons, nachos with dips, moolkoo, and banana chips. These are snacks and canapés, not a full dinner.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat or cap, a swimsuit, towel, cover-up, change of clothes, non-slip shoes, insect repellent, and a waterproof bag. A jacket or waterproof jacket is recommended, and motion sickness pills may be useful if necessary.