Luxury Catamaran Cruise: The Northern Islands

The best part of this six-hour cruise is the route. You leave Cap Malheureux for the open water, pass views of Gunners Coin, and reach the northern islands for beach time and snorkeling. Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate give you two different chances to get off the boat, stretch your legs, and enjoy Mauritius beyond the resort coast.

I like the small maximum group of 17 and the easy all-in format. Lunch, bottled water, alcoholic drinks, and snorkeling equipment are included, so you are not reaching for your wallet all day. The crew also brings plenty of spirit to the boat, with music, dancing, jokes, and attentive service.

The main consideration is the sea. Once the catamaran leaves the sheltered lagoon, wind can make the ride rough, and poor conditions may shorten or change the route. The islands can also feel popular rather than secluded, and the word luxury may promise more space and polish than the boat delivers on a busy day.

Northern Mauritius by catamaran: the key points

• Two island stops: Spend about 30 minutes at Ilot Gabriel and another 30 minutes at Ile Plate, also called Flat Island.
• Snorkeling is included: Equipment is supplied, and the best conditions can bring clear water and plenty of fish.
• A sociable boat day: The crew may get people singing and dancing, with drinks flowing and a relaxed party mood.
• Barbecue lunch on board: Expect a filling meal with choices such as chicken wings, hotdogs, and fish, with vegetarian and vegan options available by request.
• Open-water conditions matter: The ride can be choppy outside the lagoon, and rough weather has occasionally prevented the planned island stops.
• Small by excursion standards: The stated maximum is 17 people, though the sense of space depends on the day and how full the boat is.

Leaving Bain Boeuf for the northern islands

The meeting point is Bain Boeuf Public Beach in Cap Malheureux, with departure at 9:30 in the morning. You make your own way there because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The activity returns to the same meeting point after roughly six hours.

That location works well if you are staying around Grand Baie or the north coast. It is near public transportation, but you should still allow enough time to arrive at the beach without rushing. Your confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, and the experience is often reserved about 15 days ahead. If your holiday dates are fixed, I would not leave this until the last minute.

The early part of the cruise is about getting out across the water and settling into the boat. You can expect views toward Gunners Coin, the rocky islet often photographed from the north coast, along with wide Indian Ocean scenery. The route itself is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. It gives you a full day on the water rather than a short transfer to a single beach.

The crew is a major part of the experience. The listed information does not name all three crew members, but William is singled out in one account, and the captain and two crew members are repeatedly praised for being funny, friendly, attentive, and safety conscious. This is not a silent sailing trip. The tone can become lively, with singing and dancing once lunch and drinks are underway.

Ilot Gabriel: your first island pause

The first stop is Ilot Gabriel Beach, where you have about 30 minutes to get off the catamaran and spend time on the island. There is no admission charge. This is a short visit, so think of it as a chance to feel the sand, take photographs, walk a little, and enjoy the contrast between the boat and the open beach.

Ilot Gabriel is also connected with the snorkeling portion of the outing. Several positive accounts single out the waters around Gabriel Island as a highlight, describing clear water and plenty of fish. The actual visibility depends on wind and sea conditions, so I would treat the snorkeling as a welcome opportunity rather than a guarantee of perfect underwater views.

Thirty minutes passes quickly. If you want a long beach walk or a quiet stretch away from other people, this stop may feel brief. The northern islands are popular, and one of the practical drawbacks is that the experience may not have the lonely, remote feel suggested by photographs. You are visiting attractive places that are also on the standard excursion circuit.

Still, the stop works well within a six-hour schedule. You get enough time to step ashore and see the island without spending the entire day anchored in one place. Wear sandals or other footwear suitable for beach access, and keep your camera protected from spray.

Ile Plate and the second chance to swim

The second stop is Ile Plate Beach, also known as Flat Island. You have another 30 minutes to walk, relax, or swim. The two beach stops give the day a useful rhythm: cruise, get ashore, return to the catamaran, and then enjoy another stretch of sand and water.

Ile Plate is especially appealing if you prefer to divide your time between swimming and simply sitting on the beach. You do not need to make every stop an active one. Bring a cap or hat, use suntan lotion, and remember that the strong tropical sun can make a short beach visit feel intense.

The limited time is again worth noting. This is an island cruise with short shore visits, not a slow island stay. If you want hours at one beach, a land-based beach day may suit you better. If you want a mix of scenery, boat time, swimming, and food, the schedule makes more sense.

The northern islands are not inhabited resort islands where you will find a full range of facilities. Much of their appeal lies in natural scenery, pale beaches, and clear sea. Keep your expectations practical: the catamaran is the base for the day, and the islands are brief outdoor stops.

Snorkeling in the Indian Ocean

Snorkeling equipment is included, which makes this easier than arranging a separate rental. You can swim in the Indian Ocean without packing your own mask and fins, though personal equipment may still be preferable if you care about fit.

When the water is calm, this can be the most memorable part of the cruise. Accounts describe crystal-clear water, colorful fish, and an enjoyable sense of adventure. The crew is also described as safety conscious, which matters when you are entering open water away from the coast.

Conditions can change the experience sharply. Wind has sometimes made the sea too rough for proper snorkeling, and cloudy lagoon water can produce poor visibility. One difficult outing had to abandon the planned activities because of choppy water. That is not a small detail, since swimming and snorkeling are central reasons to pay for this cruise.

I would choose a day with a flexible attitude. You may get excellent visibility and calm water, or you may spend more time enjoying the boat and the scenery. The weather policy allows a different date or a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather. The non-refundable rule applies if you cancel or request a change yourself, so consider travel insurance if your plans are uncertain.

Barbecue lunch, drinks, and the social mood

Lunch is served on board and is one of the reliable strengths of the day. The meal has been described as tasty and generous, with barbecue chicken wings, hotdogs, and fish among the foods served. Bottled water and alcoholic beverages are included as well.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available, but you need to state your dietary requirements when booking. That is important because the standard barbecue menu leans toward meat and fish. Do not wait until you are on the boat to ask for a special meal.

The food also helps shape the mood. This is not a quiet luxury yacht with formal table service. The crew may encourage singing and dancing, and the boat can feel like a friendly social gathering. If you enjoy meeting people and a little holiday noise, that adds real value. If you want a peaceful, private sail, you may find the atmosphere too animated.

The price is $113.99 per person. That is reasonable when you count the six-hour boat trip, both island stops, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. It is less compelling if weather cancels the water activities or if you were mainly seeking a secluded, high-end catamaran setting.

It is also worth comparing booking channels. One account says the same type of excursion was available through a hotel for 3,200 MUR per person. Prices and arrangements can change, but checking your hotel or booking directly with the operator may save money. At this price, you are paying for convenience, the route, food, and the crew as much as for luxury fittings.

How rough can the ride be?

The catamaran travels beyond the protected lagoon, where the sea can become noticeably rough. A spring outing was described as cool on the return journey, while another day was affected by strong wind and choppy water. Pack a light layer even if the morning feels hot, and secure loose belongings.

If you are prone to seasickness, plan ahead. The supplied information does not list a seasickness service or medication, so bring whatever you normally use. Sit where you feel most stable, keep water nearby, and avoid treating the alcohol included with lunch as your first drink of the day if the sea is already moving.

The route may be changed when conditions are unsafe. In one poor-weather case, the planned stops could not be reached and the substitute snorkeling was disappointing. This is the clearest warning attached to the tour: a neat boat and good lunch cannot replace calm water. Check the forecast, and keep another flexible activity in reserve.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy northern-island day with the main costs bundled together. Families can participate, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, though you should be comfortable boarding a boat, swimming if you choose, and spending several hours outdoors.

It suits couples and friends who want scenery with a social edge. The crew’s humor and music can turn a simple boat trip into a cheerful day out. It also works for solo bookers who like the idea of sharing a table, a swim, and a lively boat with a small group.

I would hesitate if your top priorities are privacy, complete quiet, or a polished luxury setting. One account found the catamaran too crowded for the promised luxury, even while praising the route and crew. The maximum of 17 is fairly modest, but the feeling on board depends on how many people book and how much space everyone wants.

Bring bathing attire, sunscreen, a hat, and a towel if you have one. The confirmed inclusions are lunch, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and alcoholic drinks, but the practical beach items are your responsibility. Since the activity ends where it begins, arrange your own transport back to your hotel.

Should you book the northern-island cruise?

Book this cruise if you want the classic northern Mauritius combination of open-water views, two island visits, swimming, snorkeling, and a barbecue lunch without arranging each part separately. The crew is a genuine strength, and the outing can feel warm, funny, and relaxed rather than stiff.

Skip it if you need guaranteed snorkeling, a deserted beach, or a truly luxurious boat. Rough sea can change the plan, and popular island stops may not provide much solitude.

For the best chance of a good day, choose a calm-weather date, mention dietary needs in advance, compare the price with direct booking, and arrive ready for both quiet scenery and lively company. If that balance sounds right, this is a strong way to see Mauritius from the north.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Bain Boeuf Public Beach in Cap Malheureux, Mauritius.

What time does the cruise begin?

The stated start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the cruise finish?

It ends back at the starting meeting point.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. You must make your own way to Bain Boeuf Public Beach, and hotel transportation is not included.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages are included. The barbecue may include chicken wings, hotdogs, and fish. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available if requested when booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

What happens if the weather is too poor?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The experience can also be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with a different date, another experience, or a full refund offered.