Ilot Gabriel: Catamaran Cruise & BBQ Lunch

Ilot Gabriel is the star of this seven-hour catamaran day from Grand Baie. You sail across open water, stop for swimming and snorkeling near a beautiful island, then return aboard a boat with a BBQ lunch, drinks, and wide views of Coin de Mire. It is a full day at sea, not a quick island shuttle.

I like the combination of unhurried island time and a social boat ride with music and friendly crew. I also like that lunch is cooked and served aboard, so you can swim first and return to a ready meal. The main drawback is that the water can be choppy, the boat may feel full, and the time on Ilot Gabriel can seem short if you want a long beach stay.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat leaves from Grand Baie by dinghy: You wait near the middle of the beach, then take a small tender about 150 metres out to the catamaran.
• Ilot Gabriel offers swimming and snorkeling: Bring your own mask and fins, since equipment is not included.
• Lunch is served aboard the catamaran: Expect BBQ food, salad, drinks, and dessert.
• Coin de Mire is a highlight on the return: The catamaran sails close to this dramatic rock island, with possible snorkeling nearby if conditions allow.
• The day has a lively social feel: The crew may play music and create a party atmosphere, especially near the end of the return sail.
• Weather can change the plan: Ilot Gabriel may be replaced by Ile Plate, and the route or start time may shift in poor conditions.

Sailing out from Grand Baie

The morning begins on Grand Baie beach. Do not expect to walk straight onto the catamaran. A dinghy collects you from the beach and carries you roughly 150 metres to the larger boat anchored offshore.

Wait around the centre of the beach and keep your phone available. A representative will meet you and direct you to the correct dinghy. Say the name Vacances Oh! Soleil when you arrive, and contact the company within 24 hours of the trip. The meeting point can change because of rain or other unexpected conditions.

Once aboard, the first part of the day is the crossing toward Ilot Gabriel. The trip takes about two hours, giving you plenty of time to settle into the boat, watch the changing sea colours, and find a comfortable place to sit. The open-water crossing is part of the experience, but it is also where you are most likely to notice the swell.

The ride is usually safe, but several details matter. The sea can feel bouncy in windy weather, and the catamaran can become crowded. One account described about 40 people aboard rather than the expected 20, so you should not book this expecting a quiet private sail. If you are prone to seasickness, eat a light breakfast as advised and choose your place on the boat with care.

The crew speaks French and English. The team on the catamaran includes friendly, energetic staff, with Jerry and the crew of the Dawn receiving particular praise for their humor and care. The mood can be relaxed during the outward sail, then more upbeat later, with music and dancing reported during the final part of the return.

Ilot Gabriel, beach time, and clear water

Ilot Gabriel is a protected natural reserve with nesting birds, including the white-tailed tropicbird, known locally as the Paille en Queue. The island is valued less for monuments or sights to tick off and more for its sand, sea, and open space.

After the catamaran reaches the area, a dinghy takes you to the island. You can walk along the surrounding beaches, swim, and snorkel. The shore is the easy part. For better snorkeling, you may need to swim farther from the beach, and one account specifically noted a strong current. Stay alert, especially if you are not a confident swimmer.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment. The tour does not include masks, fins, or other gear, and the organizers advise bringing equipment that fits you properly. This is worth taking seriously. Poorly fitting gear can turn a good swim into a frustrating one, while the right mask makes it much easier to enjoy the fish and underwater colours.

The snorkeling can be excellent, with reports of many fish and clear water. Still, conditions vary. Wind, current, visibility, and the number of boats in the area all affect the experience. Several catamarans may arrive at the same time, so Ilot Gabriel is not guaranteed to feel deserted. There is generally enough beach for people to spread out, but you are sharing a popular day-trip stop.

You may have more than an hour for swimming and snorkeling, though the exact time can change. Some people will find that plenty. If your ideal island day means hours lying quietly on a nearly empty beach, this schedule may feel rushed. If you prefer a mix of sailing, swimming, lunch, and scenery, the stop fits the day well.

BBQ lunch back on the catamaran

When the island visit ends, the dinghy takes you back to the catamaran. The timing has a practical benefit: lunch is ready when you return, so you do not need to carry food ashore or search for a beach restaurant.

The meal includes BBQ food, salad, drinks, and dessert. The food has been one of the strongest parts of the day, with good comments about both the taste and variety. The crew cooks, serves drinks, and keeps things moving, which helps the lunch feel like part of the boat trip rather than a separate chore.

Drinks are provided aboard, but food and drinks on the island are not included. In practice, this means you should not count on buying something during the beach stop. Bring water only if you want a personal supply, and remember that the boat is where the included meal and drinks are served.

Lunch is also when the social character of the trip becomes most obvious. You are eating on a shared catamaran, not at a private table with a view reserved for your group. That suits people who enjoy conversation, music, and a friendly group setting. It may not suit you if you want a quiet, formal meal.

The catamaran itself has been described as clean and pleasant. Space can be limited when the boat is full, but you can move around more freely than on a standard motorboat. The crew’s attitude makes a difference here. Staff members are expected to handle cooking, drinks, and safety while keeping the atmosphere warm, and Jerry and the Dawn team have been singled out for doing that well.

Coin de Mire and the return sail

The return route passes close to Coin de Mire, a large rocky island that rises from the sea like a mountain. This is one of the most memorable views of the day because it gives the open-water crossing a strong focal point.

If weather and sea conditions allow, the crew may stop for snorkeling near Coin de Mire. This is not guaranteed and is not always part of the planned program. If snorkeling at Coin de Mire is the main reason you want the trip, choose an activity that specifically promises it instead.

The return crossing can be both restful and lively. After lunch and time in the sun, you might want to stretch out and watch the sea. The crew may also turn up the music and create a party atmosphere during the last 30 minutes, which helps wake everyone up after the meal.

Dolphins and sea turtles are sometimes seen, but these sightings are rare. Treat them as a lucky extra, not as a promised part of the itinerary. One group saw dolphins briefly beside the boat, while another reported a whale. Those moments can happen, but the islands, snorkeling, and sailing are the reliable reasons to book.

What the $69 price really covers

At $69 per person, this is a good-value full-day outing if you want several experiences in one booking. The price includes the dinghy transfer from Grand Baie, the catamaran cruise, an onboard guide, lunch, drinks, and dessert. You are paying for a seven-hour day rather than only transport to an island.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise need to arrange a boat, island visit, meal, and swimming stop separately. The included BBQ also removes a common nuisance: deciding where to eat after spending the morning in the water.

There are a few costs and limits to remember. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own. Food and drinks on Ilot Gabriel are not included either, although the main meal is provided back on the boat. The tour is not private, and the catamaran may carry a sizeable group.

The price also buys a flexible outdoor experience, not a guaranteed exact route. Poor weather can alter the timing, snorkeling stops, or island destination. When Ilot Gabriel is unavailable, the trip may use Ile Plate instead. The beaches are described as similar, but lunch is served on Ile Plate rather than on the catamaran.

Ilot Gabriel or Ile Plate?

The operator may replace Ilot Gabriel with Ile Plate because of weather or other conditions. You should know this before booking, especially if the name of the island matters more to you than the overall sea day.

The two islands have similar beaches, so the basic experience remains swimming, sun, sand, and sea views. The practical difference is lunch. On the alternative itinerary, lunch is served on Ile Plate rather than back on the catamaran.

You should be notified in advance if the plan changes. Even so, weather at sea can affect the timing and details of the day. Pack for an outdoor trip that may be adjusted, rather than a fixed schedule with every stop guaranteed.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you like being on the water for several hours and want a blend of nature and friendly entertainment. It suits couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who are comfortable around boats and open water.

Children aged 6, 9, and 11 have enjoyed the trip, but the boat can be full and the sea can be rough. The activity is not recommended for pregnant women. For younger children, or anyone who dislikes movement on a boat, the seven-hour length may be too much.

You should also be happy with a shared group setting. The crew may keep drinks flowing, cook lunch, play music, and encourage a festive mood. That is part of the appeal, but it is not the right match for a silent sailing trip.

Strong swimmers and confident snorkelers will get the most from Ilot Gabriel. You do not need to be an expert, but you should be comfortable with current and open water. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and your own snorkeling gear. The sun can be strong, and there is little reason to spend the day unprepared.

Small details that make the day easier

Contact the operator before the trip, even if you already have a booking. The meeting point can change, and the representative needs to know where to find you.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel and sunscreen easy to reach. The dinghy transfer means you should be ready for some splash, and the first two hours pass on the water before the island stop.

Eat a light breakfast. You will have lunch later on the boat, but the crossing takes about two hours, and rougher water is easier to handle when you are neither hungry nor overly full.

Pack snorkeling equipment that fits. The company specifically asks you to bring your own, and the best snorkeling may be away from the immediate beach. Also remember that you will be in a shared space, so keep personal belongings compact.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times and duration can change because of weather or other unforeseen conditions, so check the current details before setting out.

Should you book the Ilot Gabriel catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a value-packed day at sea with island beaches, snorkeling, a BBQ lunch, drinks, and a lively crew. The strongest reasons are the friendly service, good food, beautiful water, and the chance to sail near Coin de Mire.

Think twice if you want a quiet, private boat, guaranteed snorkeling at a particular site, or a long uninterrupted stay on Ilot Gabriel. The sea may be choppy, the catamaran may feel crowded, and the itinerary can change with the weather.

For most visitors who want one easy day combining Mauritius beaches and open-water sailing, the $69 price is fair. Bring your own snorkeling gear, expect a social atmosphere, and treat dolphins, turtles, whales, and Coin de Mire snorkeling as welcome bonuses rather than promises.

FAQ

How long does the Ilot Gabriel catamaran trip last?

The activity lasts about seven hours. The sail from Grand Baie to Ilot Gabriel takes about two hours, with the remaining time divided among the island visit, lunch, snorkeling, and the return trip.

Where do I meet the boat?

Wait around the middle of Grand Baie beach. A representative will meet you and direct you to a dinghy, which carries you about 150 metres to the catamaran.

Is the dinghy transfer included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off by dinghy between the beach and the catamaran are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served during the catamaran trip and includes BBQ food, salad, drinks, and dessert.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You should bring your own snorkeling gear because equipment is not included.

Can I snorkel near Coin de Mire?

Possibly, if the weather and sea conditions allow it. Snorkeling near Coin de Mire is not always part of the program and is not guaranteed.

Can Ilot Gabriel be replaced by another island?

Yes. Ilot Gabriel may be replaced by Ile Plate. The beaches are described as similar, but lunch is served on Ile Plate rather than on the catamaran.

Is the activity suitable for pregnant women?

No. Pregnant women should not take part in this activity.

What languages does the guide speak?

The onboard guide service is available in French and English.