North of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

The best part of this day is the change of pace: you leave Grand Baie behind and spend hours moving through clear northern waters, with Gabriel Island providing the main swim and beach stop. The morning also brings a good chance to spot Paille en Queue birds around Coin de Mire, a sharp, rocky islet known for its white-tailed seabirds.

I like the combination of time in the water and a proper lunch served onboard. I also like the easygoing schedule, with room to swim, snorkel, walk along the beach, or simply sit on deck with a drink. The main drawback is the sea itself. If you get seasick, have limited mobility, or need a guaranteed stop at every named island, this may not be your best choice.

Key points at a glance

• Gabriel Island is the main beach stop: You get free time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and a walk along the sand.
• Coin de Mire adds a wildlife moment: Keep watch for Paille en Queue birds during the morning sail.
• Lunch is cooked and served onboard: Expect grilled fish, BBQ chicken, sausages, seafood, salads, bread, fruit, and vegetarian choices.
• Drinks are included: The selection covers water, fruit juice, soft drinks, Phoenix beer, wine, and local rum.
• It is a full morning-to-afternoon outing: Meet in Grand Baie around 8:45 to 9:00 am and return around 3:30 pm.
• Weather can change the plan: Rough seas may send the captain toward Gunners Coin or Casita Beach instead.

Setting out from Grand Baie

Your day begins at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, where a hostess meets you in front of the jetty and handles check-in. The meeting time is given as 8:45 to 9:00 am, so I would arrive early rather than stroll in at the last minute. The sailing schedule lists a morning departure, with one detail giving 9:00 am and another giving 9:30 am, so confirm the exact departure time when you book.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to reach Grand Baie on your own, and the trip ends back at the same meeting point. That makes this a simple choice if you are already staying in or near Grand Baie. It is less convenient if your hotel is elsewhere on Mauritius and you were hoping for a door-to-door excursion.

Once aboard, the first part of the day is about the sea rather than a quick succession of stops. The catamaran heads toward the northern islands, giving you time to settle in, take in the views, and find a comfortable place on deck. Bring a light jacket or waterproof layer, since a sunny morning can still feel cool and windy once the boat is moving.

Coin de Mire and the Paille en Queue birds

The catamaran sails toward Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin. This is a steep, rocky islet rather than a beach stop, and it is especially useful as a bird-watching point. For roughly the first two hours, keep an eye toward the sky and cliffs for Paille en Queue birds gliding near the island.

The Paille en Queue, or white-tailed tropicbird, is one of the memorable birds associated with Mauritius. You should not expect a formal birding session with long explanations or special equipment. Instead, this is a pleasant chance to watch for elegant white birds as the catamaran passes through the northern waters.

This section also gives you a feel for the geography of the area. Coin de Mire, Flat Island, and Gabriel Island are often grouped together in northern Mauritius excursions, but they offer different experiences. Coin de Mire is mainly a scenic and wildlife sighting. Gabriel Island is where you get the sandy beach and lagoon time.

The exact route depends on the sea. If the water is rough or considered unsafe, the captain can change direction and take the group to Gunners Coin or Casita Beach instead. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should view the named islands as the planned area rather than a promise that every stop will happen exactly as described.

Gabriel Island for swimming and snorkeling

The catamaran reaches Gabriel Island at about 11:00 am, with time there until roughly 12:30 pm. This is the core of the outing. The island offers pale sand, clear water, and a turquoise lagoon suited to a swim or a relaxed stretch on shore.

You can use this time in several ways. If you want activity, go swimming or snorkeling with help from the crew. If you prefer a slower morning, walk along the beach, sit in the sun, or stay near the catamaran with a drink. The choice matters because six hours on the water can feel long if every minute is treated as a scheduled activity.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you prefer a particular mask or fins. The practical information specifically recommends bringing your own gear, so do not assume that your favorite equipment will be available in the exact fit you need. The crew can assist in the water, but the supplied details do not promise a full rental setup for every passenger.

The underwater experience can be rewarding, but keep your expectations sensible. One detailed account described seeing fish while snorkeling, though not a huge range of marine life. That is still worthwhile in clear water, but this is not presented as a specialist reef tour. You are booking a mix of sailing, beach time, food, and a casual look below the surface.

Respect the area while you swim. Do not touch marine life or plants, and do not leave rubbish behind. Those rules are simple, but they help protect the very setting that makes the stop appealing.

A BBQ lunch with the sea around you

At about 12:30 pm, lunch is served on the catamaran. This is one of the strongest practical features of the trip because you do not need to leave the water and search for food during the short island stop. You can eat with the sea around you, then settle back on the boat after lunch.

The standard menu includes:

• Rice salad
• Potato and egg salad
• Mixed salad
• Seasonal vegetables
• Grilled fish
• BBQ chicken
• Grilled chicken sausage
• A seafood dish
• Garlic bread and bread
• Seasonal fruit

A vegetarian menu includes rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit. The kids’ menu is listed as the same as the adult menu. If you have a serious allergy or a dietary need beyond the listed vegetarian option, ask before booking, since no other special arrangements are described.

The meal sounds substantial rather than decorative. You get several salads and vegetables alongside grilled items, bread, and fruit. The food is also served at the point in the day when you will likely appreciate something filling after swimming and sitting in the sun.

Drinks include mineral water, fruit juice, soft drinks, Phoenix beer, red, rosé, and white wine, plus local rum. The experience information also refers to cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks. That is a good range for a boat day, although you should still pace yourself in the heat and drink water regularly.

The relaxed afternoon sail back

After lunch, the schedule allows time to relax on the catamaran until about 2:15 pm. This pause is useful. You can dry off, take a seat in the shade, talk with the crew, or simply watch the water pass by. A day like this works best when you do not feel pushed from one activity to the next.

The return to Sunset Boulevard is scheduled for around 3:30 pm. That gives you a full six-hour outing, but the actual sailing time and route can change with conditions. The captain has the final say if the sea becomes rough or an island approach is unsafe.

I would bring a waterproof bag for your phone, wallet, and camera. A towel, spare clothes, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, beachwear, and non-slip shoes are all sensible. Insect repellent is also recommended, and motion sickness tablets are worth considering if you know you are prone to nausea. The operator specifically says the trip is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, so this is not the place to test your tolerance for the first time.

Crew, language, and the feel onboard

The crew is described as friendly, attentive, funny, and talkative, with three guides noted on the trip. No individual guide names are provided, but the team speaks English and French. That makes basic communication straightforward for most international visitors.

Good crew service matters here because the experience is not just a boat transfer. You may need help getting settled, entering the water, understanding where to swim, or finding your way back aboard after beach time. The crew’s attentive approach is particularly useful for anyone who wants to snorkel but is not fully confident in open water.

Still, this is not a private cruise. The supplied information does not give a maximum group size, so you should expect a shared catamaran with other passengers. If you want quiet solitude, a private charter would be a better fit. If you enjoy a social day with a meal and drinks included, the shared format helps keep the price more approachable.

Is $80 a fair price?

At $80 per person, the value comes from the package rather than any single attraction. You receive about six hours aboard the catamaran, the northern island route, a beach and lagoon stop, crew assistance, a BBQ lunch, and a broad selection of drinks. You also avoid having to arrange separate transport between the islands, food, and water activities.

The price is strongest for someone who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip and lunch. It is less compelling if you only want a quick swim or a short sightseeing cruise. This is a full-day commitment, with a morning meeting and a mid-afternoon return.

Hotel transfers are not included, so add the cost and time of reaching Grand Baie. That may be minor if you are nearby, but it can affect the total value if you are staying far from the northern coast.

The food and drinks add real value. A grilled lunch with vegetarian choices, fruit, bread, salads, beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, juice, and water is more useful than a basic snack. You are paying for a complete day on the water, not just a seat on a boat.

Who will enjoy this northern Mauritius cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and groups of friends who want a balanced day. You can be active in the lagoon, but you are not required to snorkel. You can enjoy the beach, watch birds, eat well, and spend the return journey resting.

It is also a good fit if you want to see several northern islands without booking separate excursions. Coin de Mire provides the bird-watching angle, Gabriel Island provides the beach, and the catamaran supplies the day’s main setting.

Families should note that the children’s menu is the same as the adult menu. The activity details do not provide a special child price, age range, or child flotation policy, so ask those questions before paying if you are traveling with young children.

I would skip it if you have limited mobility, since the experience involves boarding a catamaran, moving around a boat, and spending time at a beach and lagoon. I would also choose another activity if seasickness is a concern. The catamaran may feel comfortable in calm water, but conditions can change, and the operator specifically warns people prone to seasickness.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a sociable, well-fed day on the northern waters of Mauritius, with a real beach stop and time to swim. The strongest reasons are the generous lunch and drinks and the chance to combine Coin de Mire bird watching with Gabriel Island lagoon time.

Before booking, check the exact departure time, plan your own transport to Grand Baie, and pack for sun, spray, and changing conditions. If you accept that the route may change and that snorkeling is casual rather than highly specialized, this is a good-value way to spend a day offshore.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

It starts at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, Mauritius. You meet the hostess in front of the jetty for check-in, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

The meeting time is listed as 8:45 to 9:00 am. Another detail gives a 9:30 am departure, while the main schedule says sailing begins at 9:00 am, so confirm the exact departure time when booking and arrive early.

How long is the trip?

The cruise lasts about six hours. The planned meeting is in the morning, and the catamaran is scheduled to return to the jetty around 3:30 pm.

Which islands are part of the route?

The planned northern route includes Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin, Flat Island, and Gabriel Island. The main beach and swimming stop is Gabriel Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served onboard, with grilled fish, BBQ chicken, chicken sausage, seafood, salads, seasonal vegetables, garlic bread, bread, and fruit. A vegetarian menu is available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are listed as mineral water, fruit juice, soft drinks, Phoenix beer, red, rosé, and white wine, and local rum. Cocktails and nonalcoholic options are also mentioned.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

You may bring your own snorkeling gear if you prefer. Snorkeling time is available at Gabriel Island, and the crew can assist in the water.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, a change of clothes, beachwear, a waterproof bag, and a jacket or waterproof layer. Non-slip shoes, insect repellent, and motion sickness pills may also be useful.

Can the route change because of bad weather?

Yes. If the sea is rough or impassable, the captain may change direction for safety and take the group toward Gunners Coin or Casita Beach instead.