North: Cruise to the flat island & Gabriel island.bbq lunch

Mauritius saves its clearest water for the north. I like the easy mix of catamaran sailing and free beach time, and the chance to see Ile Plate, Ilot Gabriel, and Coin de Mire in one day. The main catch is that this is a relaxed cruise rather than a guided island tour, so you are on your own once you reach shore.

I also like the generous food and drinks package, especially the grilled lunch served on Ile Plate. Plan for a long day on the water, about seven hours in total, with a roughly 90-minute ride to the islands. If you want detailed commentary, hotel pickup, or a tightly scheduled sightseeing trip, this may not be your best fit.

Key points at a glance

• Three northern islands in one outing: Spend time on Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, then sail close to Coin de Mire.
• About seven hours on and around the water: The trip includes the outward cruise, island stops, lunch, snorkeling time, and the return to Grand Baie.
• BBQ lunch on Ile Plate: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad.
• Free time instead of a guided walk: You choose between swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, strolling, or simply resting on the sand.
• A lively catamaran ride: Music, friendly entertainment, and a social atmosphere are part of the appeal.
• Bring your own water bottle: Drinks are served on the boat and with lunch, but you are advised to carry bottled water while walking on the islands.

Setting out from Grand Baie

The day begins on the beach at Grand Baie. Look for the person holding a list, with other staff nearby. From there, a small boat carries you from the beach to the catamaran anchored offshore.

That short transfer is worth knowing about because you do not simply walk up a gangway from a pier. Keep your towel and beachwear handy, and expect to get close to the water during the boat transfer. The meeting point is also where the day ends, and hotel transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Grand Baie.

Once aboard, the main attraction is the open-water ride toward the northern islands. The catamaran offers a broad view of the sea and the mountains of northern Mauritius. The trip to the islands takes about 90 minutes, giving you plenty of time to settle into the rhythm of the day.

The atmosphere is not quiet or formal. Music and entertainment help keep the ride lively, and the mood suits people who enjoy meeting others and sharing a boat day. If your idea of a perfect cruise is peaceful reading with no music, bring realistic expectations.

Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel: two very different beach pauses

The first major part of the outing focuses on Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel. A smaller taxi boat takes you from the catamaran to the islands. You get roughly an hour of free time at the island stops, with the exact flow shaped by the crew and sea conditions.

The appeal is simple: soft, powdery sand, clear water, and a feeling of space away from the mainland. You can swim, snorkel, stretch out in the sun, stroll along the beach, or sit under the greenery. There is no required group walk and no long speech before you are released to enjoy the shore.

That freedom is a real strength. You can spend your time in the water instead of following a guide, or take a break if the sun and boat ride have already filled your morning. The water can show several shades of blue and green, with visibility good enough for colorful coral fish and other sea life.

Snorkeling is one of the more memorable parts of the day. Conditions vary, but you might see coral fish, larger fish, an octopus, or even a turtle. The possibility of turtles is a bonus rather than a promise, so go for the clear water and fish life first.

There is a practical limit to the island visits. You do not get a guided explanation of the islands, and you may need to carry your own bottled water while waiting for the taxi boat or walking in the heat. The tour provides drinks on the catamaran and at lunch, but that is not the same as having a bottle in your hand whenever you need one.

Bring sunscreen and apply it often. The glare from the water makes the sun feel stronger than it may seem, and there is little reason to spend this much money on a beach cruise only to cut your swim short because of sunburn.

Lunch on Ile Plate, with a proper island BBQ

Lunch is served on Ile Plate, which gives the middle of the day a welcome pause. Instead of grabbing a packaged meal between activities, you sit down to a hot BBQ spread on the island.

The menu includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad. That range matters because a long morning in the sun and water can leave you wanting more than a light snack. The food also suits mixed groups, including people who prefer fish, meat, or simpler side dishes.

Drinks are served with lunch, and the package includes drinks, juice, water, and cocktails while cruising. That is a strong value point at $76 per person, particularly if you expect to spend most of the day on the boat and would otherwise buy lunch and beverages separately.

Still, I would not treat the drinks package as a reason to leave your own bottle behind. The instructions specifically advise bringing bottled water for time spent walking on the islands or waiting for the transfer boat. A reusable bottle or purchased bottle is a sensible addition to your beach bag.

After lunch, you have time to rest on the island before returning to the catamaran. This slower stretch is useful. Not every minute needs to be filled with snorkeling or music, and the chance to take a short siesta makes the schedule feel less rushed.

Coin de Mire, the dramatic third island

Coin de Mire is the northern island you view from the water rather than visit on foot. The catamaran sails as close as possible to this steep, curious mountain in the sea, allowing you to take in its shape from several angles.

No catamaran stops there to let people set foot on the island. That detail is important, since the promise of seeing three islands could otherwise create the wrong impression. You visit Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, while Coin de Mire is a scenic sail-by stop.

The view is still a highlight. After the low beaches of the first two islands, Coin de Mire provides a striking change in form. Its rocky rise gives the open sea a strong focal point, and it is a good moment to have your camera ready.

You will not get an extended shore visit or a guided nature talk at Coin de Mire. Think of it as a scenic viewpoint from the catamaran, not a third beach stop. For many people, that is enough. The contrast between pale sand, open sea, and the mountain-like island gives the return cruise a memorable finish.

What the catamaran day feels like

This experience is built around movement, water, and atmosphere. You spend a large part of the day cruising, with island time placed between the outward and return journeys. The catamaran is described as comfortable, fast, and secure, and the ride itself is part of the attraction rather than mere transport.

Music helps create a party mood, especially on the trip back to Grand Baie. That can be fun after a day of swimming and lunch, and it gives the outing a social, celebratory feel. The crew is described as friendly, and entertainment is a repeated strength of the experience.

The same features may not suit everyone. A lively boat is not the right setting for someone seeking silence, and the open sea can feel tiring if you are not comfortable with a long ride. You should also bring a towel and beachwear, since swimming and snorkeling are central parts of the day rather than minor extras.

There is no stated guided commentary in a particular language during the island visits. The available languages are English, French, Hindi, and Urdu, which may help with basic communication and arrangements. Since you explore the islands at your own pace, you should be comfortable making your own choices about where to sit, swim, or stroll.

Is $76 a fair price?

At $76 per person, the value depends on how much of the package you would use. The price covers the beach-to-catamaran transfer, the full cruise, taxi boats to both islands, lunch on Ile Plate, and drinks during lunch and while cruising.

It also combines three major northern sights into one day. Booking separate transport, island visits, a boat ride, lunch, and drinks could easily become less convenient, even if the total price were similar. The all-in-one format is especially useful if you want a full day at sea without managing several operators.

The strongest value comes from the mix of activities. You are not paying only for a boat transfer. The day includes swimming, snorkeling, beach time, a cooked meal, drinks, live music, and close views of Coin de Mire.

The value is weaker if you want a small, quiet, highly customized outing. Hotel pickup is not included, and the island visits are not guided. You are paying for access, scenery, food, and atmosphere, not for a history lesson or a private itinerary.

I would also remember that weather can change the plan. If conditions are poor, the trip may be rescheduled after consultation. Safety comes first, and if bad weather prevents a rescheduled trip, a full refund is available after approval through the booking site.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and groups of friends who want a complete beach day with little planning. It works particularly well for people who enjoy switching between activities: a boat ride, a swim, a snorkel, a BBQ lunch, a quiet beach pause, and music on the return.

It is also a good choice if you want to see the northern islands but do not need a guide beside you at every stop. The free time gives you control, and you can make the day as active or lazy as you like.

You may want another type of boat trip if you dislike music, long periods at sea, or shared activities. The same is true if a guided visit is important to you. Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel are places for personal beach time, not structured sightseeing.

Families should note the practical basics: bring towels, sunscreen, beachwear, and bottled water for island time. The supplied details do not state age limits, accessibility arrangements, or snorkeling equipment policy, so check those points before booking if they matter to your group.

Booking details that matter

The starting price is $76 per person. You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still shifting. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

The cruise begins and ends at the beach meeting point in Grand Baie. Hotel transfers are not included, so leave enough time to reach the beach and identify the person holding the list.

The operator, VACANCES OH SOLEIL, offers communication in English, French, Hindi, and Urdu. Trips depend on sea and weather conditions, and a bad-weather change may be discussed with you before a new date is arranged.

Should you book this northern islands cruise?

Book it if you want a full, sociable day on the water with clear swimming spots, two island beach visits, a substantial BBQ lunch, included drinks, and a close look at Coin de Mire. The strongest reasons to go are the excellent variety, the beautiful water, and the easy combination of activities in one package.

Skip it if you want a quiet sailing trip, a private boat, hotel pickup, or a guided tour of each island. For the right kind of day, though, $76 is a sensible price for a long northern Mauritius outing that covers the main costs and leaves room for both action and rest.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts on the beach in Grand Baie. Look for the person holding a list, with other staff members nearby.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point on the beach in Grand Baie.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, so you must arrange your own transportation to and from the Grand Baie meeting point.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

You spend time on Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel. The catamaran also sails close to Coin de Mire for views, but you do not get off there.

Can you swim and snorkel?

Yes. You have free time on Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking along the beach.

What food is served at lunch?

The BBQ lunch includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks, juice, water, and cocktails are served during the cruise and with lunch. You are still advised to bring your own bottled water for walking on the islands or waiting for the island transfer boats.

How long does the cruise last?

The full activity takes about seven hours. The ride to the islands takes about 90 minutes.

What should you bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and your own bottled water for time on the islands.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip may be rescheduled after consultation. If bad weather prevents a rescheduled trip, you are entitled to a full refund after approval through the booking site.