North of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

Northern Mauritius looks best from the water. This six-hour catamaran cruise links Grand Baie with Coin de Mire, Gabriel Island, and the northern seas, pairing easy island time with a generous BBQ lunch. I like the attentive crew and the chance to swim and snorkel without rushing. I also like that drinks are included, from juice and soft drinks to beer, wine, and local rum. The main drawback is rough water, which can change the route and trouble anyone prone to seasickness.

The day is relaxed rather than packed with sightseeing stops. You spend much of the morning sailing, watching for white-tailed tropicbirds around Gunner’s Quoin, then get a proper beach break at Gabriel Island. Bring your own snorkel gear if you prefer, and remember that hotel pickup is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Six hours on the northern seas: Meet at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie and return to the same jetty around 3:30 pm.
• Gunner’s Quoin bird watching: The rocky islet of Coin de Mire is a useful place to look for Pailles-en-Queue, Mauritius’s elegant white-tailed tropicbirds.
• Gabriel Island beach time: You get time for swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, or a walk on the sandy shore.
• A full BBQ lunch onboard: Fish, chicken, sausage, salads, vegetables, garlic bread, fruit, and vegetarian options are available.
• Drinks are part of the price: Wine, Phoenix beer, local rum, fruit juice, soft drinks, and water are listed.
• Weather can change the plan: The captain may head toward Gunner’s Quoin or Casita Beach if the sea becomes rough or unsafe.

From Grand Baie to the northern islands

Your morning begins at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, where a hostess meets you in front of the jetty for check-in. The stated meeting window is 8:45 to 9:00 am, so I would arrive early rather than treat this as a casual dockside departure.

There is one timing detail worth checking before you go. The main schedule says sailing begins at 9:00 am, while another note gives a 9:30 am departure. The return time is listed as 3:30 pm. Confirm the exact departure with Blue Safari Mauritius when you book, especially if you are arranging a taxi or connecting with another activity.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to reach Grand Baie on your own, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. That is simple if you are staying near Grand Baie, but it adds planning if your accommodation is elsewhere on Mauritius.

Once onboard, the outing settles into a slow cruise across the northern waters. This is not a speedboat trip built around constant action. You get a broad view of the coast and islands, with time to sit, talk, take photographs, and enjoy the sea.

Coin de Mire and the Pailles-en-Queue

The first notable sight is Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin. This rocky island rises from the sea north of Mauritius and gives the morning a strong sense of place. It is not presented as a landing stop. Instead, you watch the island from the catamaran while keeping an eye out for Pailles-en-Queue birds flying around it.

The white-tailed tropicbird is one of Mauritius’s memorable seabirds. It has a slim white body and long tail feathers that make it easy to spot when conditions are right. Bird sightings are never guaranteed, so think of this part as a scenic lookout rather than a formal wildlife excursion.

The two-hour morning sail may suit you if you enjoy being on the water for its own sake. It may feel long if you expect one attraction after another. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light jacket. Even on a warm day, wind on an open catamaran can make the morning feel cooler than it does on land.

The boat’s movement also matters. The experience is not recommended for people prone to seasickness, and that warning deserves attention. If you know you are sensitive, bring motion sickness pills if suitable for you, and eat lightly before departure. A waterproof bag will protect phones and other small items from spray.

Gabriel Island’s clear lagoon and sandy shore

The main leisure stop is Gabriel Island, reached around 11:00 am. You have roughly an hour and a half for swimming and snorkelling, with the crew available to help. This is the heart of the day, especially if your idea of a good excursion includes warm water and a quiet beach rather than a long list of sights.

The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the island offers immaculate sandy beaches. You can swim in the lagoon, snorkel, lie in the sun, or take a leisurely walk. The choice matters because not everyone wants the same sort of beach break. Some people can head straight into the water, while others can stay dry and enjoy the views.

Snorkelling conditions are naturally dependent on the sea, visibility, and marine life. One particularly useful piece of advice is to keep expectations measured. A day on the water does not guarantee a busy reef or large fish. One visitor found the fish sightings limited but still considered the snorkelling impressive, which is a fair way to approach it.

Bring your own equipment if you have a preferred mask or snorkel. The tour information specifically allows that. You should also pack a towel, swimsuit, cover-up, change of clothes, and non-slip shoes. The island portion is casual, but wet decks and sandy feet make sensible footwear useful.

There are a few simple environmental rules: do not touch marine life, do not touch plants, and do not litter. Follow them closely. The island stop is about enjoying a delicate coastal setting without treating it like a playground.

A BBQ lunch with a view

At about 12:30 pm, lunch is served onboard. The meal includes rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, a seafood dish, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit.

That is a substantial spread for a boat excursion. The strongest food praise focuses on both flavor and quantity, with the meal described as delicious and more than sufficient. You are not simply handed a sandwich before being sent back into the water. Lunch gives the afternoon a proper pause.

Vegetarians have a separate menu with rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit. The children’s menu is listed as the same as the adult menu, so families should not expect a separate child-sized selection.

Drinks are included throughout the day. The listed choices include red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, local rum, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. The range is useful because it covers both alcoholic and nonalcoholic preferences. You can enjoy a drink after swimming without paying separately for every glass, though personal expenses are not included in the tour price.

After lunch, the schedule allows you to relax on the catamaran until about 2:15 pm. This is a quiet stretch, not wasted time. After swimming, snorkelling, and eating, a little deck time is welcome. It also gives you a chance to dry off and take in the islands from the boat.

Crew service and the feel of the day

The crew receives some of the warmest praise. They are described as friendly, funny, talkative, and attentive, with three guides helping create a sociable mood onboard. No individual guide names are provided, but the repeated point is clear: the human side of the trip is one of its strongest features.

That matters on a catamaran. You are sharing a relatively close space for several hours, so a helpful crew can make the difference between a pleasant outing and a tiring one. The crew assists with swimming and snorkelling, keeps drinks moving, and helps the day feel organized without making it rigid.

The atmosphere sounds more convivial than quiet. If you want a private, silent sailing trip, this may not be the best match. If you like a friendly boat, casual conversation, and crew members who take an active interest in the day, the format should suit you.

The tour is offered in English and French. Mobility is another practical concern. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and boat access, wet surfaces, and the island stop may be difficult if you need step-free facilities.

What the $80 price really covers

At $80 per person, the value rests in the length of the outing and the number of inclusions. You receive about six hours on the catamaran, transport by boat to the northern islands, time at Gabriel Island, a BBQ lunch, and a fairly broad drinks selection.

That makes the price easier to justify than a short cruise with one drink and a basic snack. You are paying for a full half-day experience, not only a ride between Grand Baie and a beach. The meal also reduces the need to buy lunch separately during the day.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the whole package. Swim, snorkel, spend time on the beach, eat lunch, and enjoy the sailing. If you dislike open-water cruising or plan to stay seated onboard for most of the day, the price may feel less attractive.

Hotel transport is not included, so add the cost of reaching Sunset Boulevard. Personal purchases are also outside the price. Still, the included food and drinks keep the spending fairly predictable once you reach the jetty.

The tour can be cancelled up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. These policies are useful if your Mauritius plans are still shifting, but you should still confirm the sailing time and weather arrangements before the day.

Rough seas and backup plans

The captain may change direction if the sea becomes rough or impassable. The stated alternatives include Gunner’s Quoin or Casita Beach. This is a safety decision, not a promise that every stop will remain identical in all weather.

That flexibility is sensible in Mauritius, where conditions can affect a day at sea. It also means you should not book this excursion only for one exact photograph or one guaranteed snorkelling spot. The broad experience is the northern coast, the islands, the boat ride, and the beach time.

If the water is choppy, the crossing may be tiring. Wear practical clothing, keep valuables in a waterproof bag, and bring a jacket even when the forecast looks warm. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, so do not dismiss that limitation.

The route may also be less appealing to anyone seeking a highly structured cultural tour. There is no listed visit to a village, museum, or historic site. This is a sea-and-beach day, with bird watching and a shared meal as the main added touches.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want a social day on the water with food and drinks included. It also suits you if you prefer a gentle mix of activity and rest. You can snorkel for a while, walk the beach, and then spend the afternoon reclining on the catamaran.

It is especially good for people staying in or near Grand Baie, since the meeting point is central to the experience and no hotel transport is provided. English and French support makes the practical side easier for a wide range of visitors.

I would hesitate if you suffer from seasickness, have mobility limitations, or want guaranteed marine life during snorkelling. I would also reconsider if your perfect boat trip means a small, quiet group, since the friendly crew and shared BBQ create a more communal mood.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a well-fed, easygoing day among Mauritius’s northern islands, and if you value attentive crew service as much as the scenery. The combination of Gabriel Island, a filling BBQ, included drinks, and several hours at sea gives the $80 price solid value.

Go with flexible expectations about the route, bird sightings, and snorkelling. Confirm whether your departure is 9:00 or 9:30 am, arrive early at Sunset Boulevard, and pack for sun, spray, and changing sea conditions. If that sounds like your kind of Mauritius day, this is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, Mauritius. Meet the hostess in front of the jetty for check-in and embarkation.

What time should I arrive?

The meeting time is listed as 8:45 to 9:00 am. Another note gives a 9:30 am departure, so confirm the exact sailing time with Blue Safari Mauritius before your trip.

What time does the cruise return?

The catamaran is scheduled to return to the jetty at about 3:30 pm. The activity ends at the same meeting point in Grand Baie.

Which islands are included in the route?

The route heads toward the northern islands, including Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin, Flat Island, and Gabriel Island. The captain may adjust the route if sea conditions are rough.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served onboard, with fish, chicken, sausage, salads, seasonal vegetables, bread, garlic bread, seafood, and fruit. Vegetarian options are available.

Are drinks included?

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

Should I bring snorkelling equipment?

You may bring your own snorkelling equipment if you prefer. You should also bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a change of clothes, and a waterproof bag.

Can the trip be cancelled because of sea conditions?

The captain may change the direction or destination if the sea is rough or impassable, with Gunner’s Quoin or Casita Beach listed as possible alternatives. The trip is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.