Catamaran, BBQ, Ile Gabriel , Ile Plate ,Coin de Mire

Mauritius packs a lot into this two-day island and south-coast tour. Your first day is all sea, sun, beaches, snorkeling, beer, wine, and a BBQ aboard a catamaran from Grand Baie. Day two changes pace with a private car and driver, taking you to La Vanille Nature Park, a tea plantation, a rum distillery, Grand Bassin, and the rugged southern coast.

I like the clear contrast between the two days, and I like that lunch and drinks are included on the boat. You also get a useful mix of Mauritius: offshore islands and village life, Hindu culture, wildlife, tea, rum, and dramatic shore views. The main point to weigh is that the catamaran day is shared with other passengers, while the private element applies to the southern driving day.

Key points at a glance

• Three northern islands in one sailing day: Visit Flat Island, Ile Gabriel, Ile Plate, and see Coin de Mire as part of the northern-island outing.
• BBQ lunch with beer and wine: Food and selected drinks are included while you are on the water.
• Optional villa stay: A private villa with two bedrooms can sleep four, but accommodation costs extra.
• Private south-Mauritius day: Explore La Vanille, Bois Cheri, Grand Bassin, and the southern coast by private car with a driver.
• A real change of scenery: The tour moves from beaches and snorkeling to tea production, Hindu culture, wildlife, and rough coastal rock.
• Weather matters offshore: The island day can be canceled or changed if conditions are poor, since the northern islands sit outside the reef.

Day one: sailing beyond Grand Baie

Your first morning begins at Grand Baie Public Beach, the meeting point for the catamaran trip. Grand Baie is one of Mauritius’s main northern resort areas, so this is a convenient place to start if you are staying nearby. Pickup is offered, but confirm the exact arrangement when you book because the listed meeting point is the public beach.

The sailing day lasts about seven hours. The focus is not on a tightly packed sightseeing schedule. It is a day for being outside, moving between islands, swimming or snorkeling, eating lunch, and taking it easy on the boat.

That relaxed rhythm is part of the appeal. You do not need to organize separate boat transport, beach stops, lunch, and drinks. The catamaran brings those pieces together in one outing.

Keep your expectations realistic about privacy. The catamaran is a shared cruise, not a private charter. You will be on board with other people, which can make the outing sociable and lively, but it also means you will not control the route or the pace.

Flat Island, Ile Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire

The northern islands sit away from Mauritius’s main coast. Flat Island is one of the main destinations for this type of cruise, and the day also takes in the northern-island group that includes Ile Gabriel and Ile Plate. Coin de Mire is another important feature of the area.

These islands offer a different setting from Grand Baie. The main island of Mauritius has roads, towns, hotels, and farms. Offshore, the day becomes much simpler: sea, sand, rock, and open views.

You should expect the islands to be the reason for the boat trip, not a series of long guided walks. The information provided emphasizes beaches, relaxation, snorkeling, food, and drinks rather than a detailed historical tour of each island.

That makes this a good choice if you want time outdoors without filling every hour with commentary. It is less suited to you if you want a deep cultural explanation of each stop or a private skipper who can adjust everything to your wishes.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and time in the water

A BBQ lunch is included, along with beer and wine. That matters because meals on full-day boat trips can quickly add to the cost. Here, you can settle into the day knowing that the main midday meal and listed drinks are part of the experience.

The exact BBQ menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular dish. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator before departure rather than assuming the standard meal will suit you.

Snorkeling is included as part of the water-based day. You can also relax on the boat or spend time near the beaches. The tour description presents the water time as a central part of the outing, so bring practical beach items such as swimwear, sun protection, and a towel if the operator does not provide one.

The islands are outside the reef, and weather can affect the crossing. This is an important detail, not a footnote. Open-water conditions can make a boat day uncomfortable or unsafe, and the tour may be canceled or moved if the weather is poor.

The shared boat is the main compromise

The strongest practical distinction in this package is the difference between the two days. The catamaran day is common with other people. The south-island day is described as a private tour with a private car and driver for your group.

If you enjoy meeting people and like the easy atmosphere of a shared boat, that arrangement should work well. If you are looking for a quiet private cruise, this is not the right product.

The group setup also affects flexibility. On the catamaran, you follow the boat’s schedule and shared route. That is the tradeoff for getting an all-day island outing, meals, drinks, and transport arranged at one price.

The private second day gives you more breathing room. It is a better fit for asking questions, spending more time at a stop, or keeping the day comfortable for your own group, although the provided details do not promise a fully customized route.

Day two: a private drive through southern Mauritius

The second day lasts about six hours and takes place on land. A private car and driver collect you for a full-day-style tour of southern Mauritius, with stops that cover wildlife, tea, rum, Hindu culture, and the coast.

This day is more varied than the first. Instead of staying in one setting, you move through several parts of the island. The range is valuable because Mauritius is not only a beach destination. Its plantations, religious sites, wildlife parks, and rough southern shoreline help explain the island beyond the resort strip.

The private vehicle also makes this day easier than arranging separate taxis or public transport between widely spaced sights. You can focus on the views and stops rather than navigation.

Lunch is included at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant. As with the boat BBQ, the provided details do not give a full menu, so ask ahead if you need specific food arrangements.

La Vanille Nature Park and the Hungry Crocodile lunch

La Vanille Nature Park is one of the day’s main attractions. You can see giant tortoises and crocodiles at the nature reserve, giving the land day a clear wildlife focus.

The park is a useful contrast to the northern islands. On day one, the animals you notice are likely to be part of the sea and shoreline environment. At La Vanille, the attraction is a managed nature park with large tortoises and crocodiles as its headline sights.

You should allow yourself time to look around rather than treating the park as a quick photo stop. The schedule includes several major stops, though, so your driver will determine how the six-hour day is paced.

Lunch at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant is included. The name ties into the park’s theme, but the important practical point is that lunch is arranged during the southern tour, so you do not need to find a restaurant while moving between attractions.

Rum, tea, and the story of plantation Mauritius

The rum distillery and Bois Cheri Tea Plantation add a strong agricultural side to the tour. These stops show how crops became part of Mauritius’s economy and daily identity.

At Bois Cheri, you learn about tea cultivation and the tea-making process. That is more useful than simply stopping for a scenic view, since it gives context to a product Mauritius is known for.

The rum distillery provides a second plantation-related stop, this time focused on sugar cane and rum production. The supplied details do not specify tastings, so treat the distillery as a visit rather than assuming a tasting is included.

Together, the tea and rum stops make the second day feel more connected to local production. You are not just moving from one attraction to another. You are seeing two products linked to the island’s farming traditions.

Grand Bassin and Mauritius’s Hindu culture

Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao, is a crater lake associated with Hindu worship. The tour includes visits to Hindu temples around the lake, offering a chance to see an important part of Mauritius’s religious life.

This stop broadens the day beyond scenery. Mauritius has a mixed population and a varied cultural life, and the temples around Grand Bassin give you a direct look at Hindu practice on the island.

Dress and behavior should be respectful at religious sites. The supplied information does not give a formal dress code, but modest clothing and a quiet manner are sensible choices.

The tour presents Grand Bassin as a cultural stop rather than only a photo opportunity. Pay attention to the setting, temple details, and religious purpose of the lake. This is one of the places where a private driver can make the day feel more personal, since you can ask questions during the drive.

Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure

The southern coastline offers a sharp change from the calm beach atmosphere of the north. Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure are known for rough coastal scenery, with waves striking the rocks and creating the impression of a crying cliff.

The appeal here is the raw edge of Mauritius. You are not visiting another sheltered swimming beach. You are seeing a coast shaped by open water, rock, and surf.

Take care around coastal viewpoints. The provided information does not state the exact walking conditions or safety barriers, so follow the driver’s guidance and stay away from unstable edges.

This stop also helps explain why the weather policy matters. The boat day depends on open-water conditions, but the southern coast is another reminder that Mauritius can be more dramatic than its postcard beaches suggest.

What the price includes, and where costs can grow

The listed price is $82.22 per person. For two days of touring, that can be good value if you plan to use both days and your group does not need additional accommodation.

The boat day includes the catamaran outing, snorkeling time, BBQ lunch, beer, and wine. The second day includes the private car and driver, admission to La Vanille Nature Park, and lunch at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant.

Accommodation is separate. You can add a private villa with two bedrooms that sleeps four, but you pay extra for it. That option may make sense for a small group that wants to stay together, but you should compare the added cost with your existing hotel plans before booking.

The package also includes a lot of transport and planning. You avoid arranging an offshore boat separately, then finding a driver for the south, then organizing meals and attraction access. The value is strongest for you if you want an efficient overview of Mauritius rather than a completely independent trip.

The price is less compelling if you only want a beach day or already have a rental car and a carefully planned southern itinerary. In that case, you may prefer to book only the boat trip or arrange individual stops.

Who should book this two-day combination

I would point this tour toward you if you want a broad first look at Mauritius in a short stay. It covers the northern islands and southern interior without requiring you to build the schedule yourself.

It also suits couples, families, and small groups who like different kinds of days. One day is mostly outdoors on the water. The next includes wildlife, food production, religious sites, and coastal views.

The villa option may suit a group of up to four people, since it has two bedrooms and sleeps four. Remember that the accommodation is not part of the listed base price.

You may want another arrangement if your priority is solitude. The shared catamaran is the clearest limitation. You should also think twice if rough offshore weather would spoil your plans, since the northern-island day requires suitable conditions.

The tour is noted as wheelchair accessible, and most people can participate. Still, boat access, beach surfaces, and individual mobility needs can vary, so confirm the practical details with Oceanafrican Tours before booking.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. That makes it sensible to reserve before your holiday rather than waiting until the last minute, especially if you need the optional villa.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.

Bad weather can cancel the experience, particularly because of the offshore island trip. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date or a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want two very different views of Mauritius in one planned package: a shared catamaran day with island beaches, snorkeling, BBQ, beer, and wine, followed by a private southern drive through wildlife, tea, rum, temples, and rough coast.

The package offers good value for a short visit, especially when you count the included meals, drinks, private land transport, and La Vanille admission. Skip it if you want a private boat, a slow beach holiday, or complete control over every stop.

Before paying, confirm the optional villa cost, pickup details, dietary arrangements, and the exact catamaran route. If those points suit you, this is a practical way to see far more of Mauritius than the resort beach alone.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Grand Baie Public Beach in Grand Baie, Mauritius.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two days. The catamaran day is about seven hours, and the southern Mauritius tour is about six hours.

Is the catamaran private?

No. The catamaran cruise is shared with other people on the same tour.

Is the second day private?

The second day includes pickup and drop-off in a private car with a driver, and the activity information describes it as a private tour for your group.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The catamaran day includes a BBQ lunch with beer and wine. The southern day includes a lunch menu at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant.

Is accommodation included?

No. You can arrange an optional private villa with two bedrooms that sleeps four, but accommodation costs extra.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

The tour is noted as wheelchair accessible. You should still confirm access details for the catamaran, beaches, and individual stops before booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered another date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. A cancellation caused by the minimum number of participants also brings the choice of another date or a full refund.