Mauritius: Catamaran cruise to 3 Northern Isles with lunch

The best part of this Northern Isles catamaran cruise is the change of scene. You leave Grand Bay behind and spend the day among pale beaches, clear water, coral gardens, and open sea. Gabriel Island gives you time to swim and snorkel, while Flat Island and Gunners Coin add variety to the route.

I like the generous onboard lunch, with BBQ fish, chicken, sausage, salads, rice, pasta, bread, fruit, and drinks. I also like the friendly, attentive crew. A recent boat carried about 35 people yet still had enough room to move around, and the crew kept the catamaran clean and dry after lunch.

The main catch is that the sea can be rough, and the plan may change with weather, currents, tides, or water depth. Snorkeling gear is not included, and there are no drinks on Gabriel Island, so you need to prepare for heat and saltwater.

Key points at a glance

• Gabriel Island swim stop: Expect beach time, swimming, and snorkeling beside coral gardens, with roughly two hours on the island.
• Three Northern Isles in one day: The route covers Gabriel, Flat, and Gunners Coin, although the order and exact stops can change.
• BBQ served on board: Lunch includes fish, chicken, sausage, salads, rice, pasta, bread, fruit, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
• Snorkel gear is your responsibility: Bring your own mask, snorkel, and water shoes if you have them.
• Weather controls the schedule: Rough seas can alter the itinerary or lead to a rescheduled departure.
• Best for active beach lovers: You should be comfortable on a wet, moving boat and walking over uneven coral areas.

Sailing out from Grand Bay

Your day begins at the jetty in Grand Bay, one of the main starting points for boat trips in northern Mauritius. From there, the catamaran heads toward the Northern Isles for a full day on the water, with the return expected around 4 p.m.

The seven-hour length matters. This is not a quick scenic boat ride with a short photo stop. You have time for the crossing, island time, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a relaxed ride back. The tradeoff is simple: you give up most of a day, but you get a fuller taste of the northern coast than a short cruise provides.

The catamaran is a social setting, not a private yacht. You can sit on deck, move around, and watch the coast recede as the boat travels north. A group of around 35 people has been accommodated comfortably, but you should still expect shared seating and a communal lunch rather than quiet seclusion.

The crew speaks English and French. Their role is practical: helping people move around the boat, explaining safety points, serving lunch, and keeping an eye on conditions. The crew has also been praised for maintaining a good mood without losing sight of safety.

Gabriel Island for beach time and snorkeling

Gabriel Island is the main pause in the day. You disembark on a white sandy beach and have time to swim, walk, or sit in the sun. The water is the star here, with clear shallows and coral areas that make snorkeling the natural activity.

You should bring your own mask and snorkel because equipment is not supplied. If your gear is bulky, pack it in a small dry bag or compact beach bag. You will also want water shoes. Parts of the island have reef and rougher footing, and protective footwear makes walking in the shallows more comfortable.

Plan carefully for the heat. There are no drinks available on the island, even though the catamaran carries plenty of beverages. Take a bottle of water with you when you go ashore. The boat provides drinks, but you cannot count on that supply once you are on the beach.

The island stop can last about two hours, depending on the conditions and the day’s schedule. That is long enough to swim and snorkel without rushing, but it also means you are exposed to strong sun for a substantial stretch of time. Apply sunscreen before leaving the boat, then reapply often. A hat, sunglasses, and a light cover-up are sensible additions.

Do not expect a developed beach resort. The appeal is the open setting, clean sand, and simple time in the water. If you want shops, cafés, changing rooms, or organized beach facilities, this stop may feel basic. If you prefer a quiet island setting with few distractions, that simplicity works in its favor.

Flat Island and the northern sea route

Flat Island is part of the Northern Isles visit and helps give the cruise its broader sense of place. The day is not built around a long guided walk on each island. Instead, the boat carries you through a group of protected coastal settings, with time for views, swimming, and the changing character of the sea.

The itinerary may place Flat Island before or after Gabriel Island. Currents, tides, water depth, and wind all matter, so the captain can change the sequence. You should think of the islands as a flexible route rather than a fixed checklist.

This flexibility is useful for safety, but it can frustrate anyone expecting a precise schedule. If the sea turns rough, a planned stop may be shortened, moved, or replaced. The cruise can also be rescheduled in poor weather. If no suitable alternative date can be arranged, a full refund is offered.

The crossing itself is part of the experience. You get long stretches to sit on deck, watch the water, and feel the sea breeze. It is also the part most likely to feel rough. One recent departure was described as a wild ride on the waves, while another continued in worsening afternoon weather and still required careful attention from the crew.

If you are prone to seasickness, this is worth taking seriously. The information provided does not specify whether motion-sickness medication is available, so you should plan ahead. Keep your belongings secured, and use handrails when moving around.

A BBQ lunch with an open bar selection

Lunch is served on the catamaran, usually after the beach visit. The meal includes BBQ fish, chicken, and sausage, along with green salad, rice, potato, pasta, fresh vegetables, warm bread, and fruit for dessert.

This is a substantial spread for a day on the water. You are not relying on snacks from a kiosk or trying to find food on the islands. The range also gives you several choices if you do not want one particular meat or fish dish.

Drinks include water, wine, beer, local punch, rum, and soft drinks. That adds real value to the $76 price, especially since the cruise lasts seven hours and the lunch is more than a basic packed meal. Remember that these drinks are available on the boat, not on Gabriel Island.

The atmosphere at lunch is informal. You eat with the group, and the crew handles the serving and cleanup. After one lunch, the floor was cleaned and dried so people could continue using the deck without sitting on a wet surface. That kind of small attention matters on a catamaran, where spilled drinks, spray, and wet feet are part of the day.

This is not a restaurant meal, and the exact menu can vary. Still, the combination of grilled food, salads, fruit, bread, and drinks makes the package stronger than a cruise that charges separately for lunch and refreshments.

Gunners Coin and the extra snorkeling chance

Gunners Coin, also called Coin de Mire, is a possible stop on the return journey. It is known for marine life and reef fish, making it a good setting for another short snorkeling session.

The word possible matters. The captain decides based on weather, sea conditions, and safety. If the water is too rough or the timing does not work, you may pass by without getting into the water. You should treat this as an extra opportunity, not a guaranteed part of the day.

When conditions cooperate, Gunners Coin adds a useful contrast to Gabriel Island. Instead of spending all your water time in one place, you may get another look at the reef and fish life around the northern coast. Bring your snorkeling gear ready rather than packed away, since the stop may be brief.

The itinerary also protects the day from becoming too rigid. A captain can choose the safest route and still give you the best possible experience under the conditions. That may mean changing the order of the islands or adjusting the length of a stop.

What the $76 price really covers

At $76 per person, this cruise offers good value if you want a complete day rather than a basic boat transfer. The price includes the catamaran trip, visits to the three Northern Isles, swimming and snorkeling opportunities, BBQ lunch, and a broad selection of drinks.

The strongest value comes from the food and drink package. Fish, chicken, sausage, salads, starches, fruit, bread, water, soft drinks, wine, beer, punch, and rum would add up quickly if bought separately. You also avoid arranging lunch on remote islands, where choices are limited or unavailable.

The price does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. Those services may be arranged separately for an added cost, so factor in your transport to Grand Bay. It also does not include snorkeling equipment. If you already own a mask and snorkel, this is a minor issue. If not, you need to rent or buy gear before the day.

I would compare this cruise with other full-day northern boat trips by checking three points: the length of the island stop, what lunch includes, and whether drinks are covered. Here, all three work in the cruise’s favor, provided the weather allows the planned route.

Safety, comfort, and what to pack

The boat is wet much of the time. Spray, damp feet, and slippery surfaces are normal, so walk carefully and use extra caution when moving between the deck, seating areas, and water access points.

You should bring:

• Swimsuit or other beachwear
• A towel
• Dry clothes for the return trip
• Your own snorkeling equipment
• Water shoes for reef areas
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• A water bottle for the island stop

The activity is not suitable for children under three or people with mobility impairments. The boat and island conditions require you to manage wet surfaces, uneven areas, and water activities without assistance designed for limited mobility.

The crew gives safety instructions and monitors conditions, but you still need to make sensible choices. Do not walk quickly on a wet deck, and do not enter the water if you feel uncomfortable with the current or sea state. You can enjoy the cruise without snorkeling, but the day is built around swimming and time at the beach.

Weather is the biggest variable. Poor conditions can alter the order of visits, shorten stops, prevent the Gunners Coin snorkeling pause, or cause rescheduling. That is not a flaw in the operation. It is the reality of visiting small islands by boat.

Who should book this northern Mauritius cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a full day outdoors, enjoy being on the sea, and like the idea of combining several island settings with swimming and a cooked lunch. It suits couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who can handle a wet boat and a long day in the sun.

It is also a good match if you prefer a social excursion with an active but relaxed rhythm. You can snorkel, swim, sit on the deck, eat, and enjoy the views without needing to follow a demanding walking program.

I would think twice if you need a tightly timed itinerary, dislike rough water, or want a quiet private cruise. You should also reconsider if you expect drinks and facilities on the island itself. Gabriel Island is simple and exposed, with the catamaran serving as your main source of food and refreshments.

The crew’s friendliness and safety focus are important strengths. The atmosphere can be light and playful, and one child even got a chance to sit at the helm for several minutes under supervision. That kind of interaction will not be promised on every departure, but it reflects the easygoing tone of the trip.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if the appeal of Mauritius is its water, small islands, coral shallows, and long sunny days outside. The $76 package is fair because it combines transport, three island areas, lunch, and drinks in one outing.

Before booking, make three checks: confirm how you will reach Grand Bay, bring your own snorkel gear, and accept that weather can change the route. Pack more sun protection and water than you think you need, especially for the two-hour beach stop.

I would not book it for a guaranteed Gunners Coin snorkeling session or a perfectly fixed schedule. I would book it for a well-rounded northern sea day where the crew, food, and island scenery carry the experience even if conditions require adjustments.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The activity lasts about seven hours, with the return to the jetty expected around 4 p.m.

Which islands are included?

The planned Northern Isles are Gabriel Island, Flat Island, and Gunners Coin, also called Coin de Mire. The order and exact stops can change with sea conditions, tides, and water depth.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring your own snorkeling equipment. Water shoes are also useful because some areas have coral and uneven footing.

What food is included?

Lunch includes BBQ chicken, fish, and sausage, plus green salad, rice, potato, pasta, fresh vegetables, bread, and pineapple or other seasonal fruit.

What drinks are included?

The catamaran provides water, soft drinks, wine, beer, local punch, and rum. There are no drinks available on Gabriel Island, so take a bottle with you when you go ashore.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but they may be arranged separately for an additional cost.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The itinerary can change because of currents, rough seas, poor weather, tides, or water depth. The trip may be rescheduled in adverse conditions. If another suitable date cannot be arranged, a full refund is offered.