Your Island Voyage Mauritius Speed Boat Excursion With BBQ Lunch

Mauritius looks best from the water. This private speed boat trip links Cap Malheureux, Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire in one well-paced day, combining open-sea speed with time for swimming, snorkeling, beach rest, and a generous BBQ lunch. I especially like the private boat for up to eight people and the chance to visit several northern islands without joining a large mixed group. The main consideration is the early start and weather-dependent schedule, so this suits you best if you can keep your plans flexible.

I also like the attention given to food and safety. The crew includes certified guides, snorkeling gear, safety equipment, and a beach lunch with seafood, meat, local sides, fruit juices, and Mauritian rum. Stéphane and Coco are repeatedly praised for their care, professionalism, and warm service, though the price makes the trip best value for a full group rather than just one or two people.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight: Your group has the speed boat to itself, which gives the day a calmer, more personal feel.
• Four northern Mauritius stops: You visit Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire, with Cap Malheureux as both the starting and finishing point.
• Three chances for water time: Snorkeling is offered at Ilot Gabriel and Coin de Mire, with swimming and beach time at Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate.
• Beach BBQ at midday: Lunch includes seafood, meat, local side dishes, fresh fruit juice, and Mauritian rum.
• Strong crew reputation: Stéphane and Coco receive especially warm praise for safety, kindness, food, and attentive service.
• A full six-and-a-half-hour outing: Arrive early, bring sun protection and a towel, and leave room in your day for a weather-related time change.

Why this private northern Mauritius trip works

Northern Mauritius is made for a boat day. Cap Malheureux gives you a scenic departure point, while the islands offshore offer a changing mix of sand, reef, open water, and rocky coastal views. Instead of spending the whole day at one beach, you get a sequence of places that each have a different role.

The private format matters. A boat for only your own group means you are not working around strangers at lunch or waiting for a large crowd to finish snorkeling. You still follow a set route, but the experience feels more relaxed and personal. For a family, this can make the day easier. For friends, it gives you space to enjoy the boat ride together.

At $615.47 per group of up to eight, the arithmetic is simple. A full group pays about $76.93 per person before any personal transport costs. For four people, the cost rises to about $153.87 each, and for two it is about $307.74 each. That makes this a strong buy for a larger family or friend group, but a much less economical choice for a couple.

The price includes the boat, crew, guide, safety equipment, snorkeling equipment, BBQ lunch, and locally prepared drinks. You are paying not only for a seat on a boat, but for a long route with several stops and a meal arranged on an island. Private transport to Cap Malheureux is not included, so you need to handle that part yourself.

Starting at Cap Malheureux before the water opens up

The meeting point is at 2J8C+365 in Cap Malheureux, near the famous red-roofed church. If you are driving, parking is available nearby, but I would arrive early rather than cutting things close. The recommended arrival time is at least 30 minutes before departure, so an 8:00 arrival gives you time to park, find the crew, and settle in before the 8:30 start.

The opening hour is used for arrival, a welcome from the guide and crew, a safety briefing, and an explanation of the route. This may sound routine, but it is useful on a speed boat day. You will spend hours moving between islands, and knowing how the day works helps you enjoy the faster stretches without wondering what comes next.

Cap Malheureux is also a fitting starting point because the northern coast quickly gives way to open water. Once the boat leaves, the trip becomes less about ticking off a beach and more about seeing how the islands sit around the coast. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray.

Ilot Gabriel: beach time and an early snorkeling stop

The boat is scheduled to leave Cap Malheureux at 9:00 and reach Ilot Gabriel at about 9:45. This first island stop lasts roughly an hour, which gives you enough time to get your bearings, walk with the guide, swim, or settle on the beach.

Ilot Gabriel is the trip’s early taste of island freedom. The plan allows for a guided walk, free time on the sand, and snorkeling in the surrounding lagoon. Starting with the water here is a good choice. You are still fresh, the heat has not built to its full strength, and you have the rest of the day ahead.

The snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or hiring your own set. Still, bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat. The island stops are outdoors, and shade is not promised. You should also expect the exact amount of time in the water to depend on sea conditions and the group’s pace.

This stop is brief compared with Ile Plate, so do not try to do everything at once. If swimming matters most to you, head for the water early. If you prefer walking and photographs, take the guided route first, then use the remaining time on the beach.

Ile Plate: lighthouse, lunch, and three slower hours

The boat leaves Ilot Gabriel at 11:30 and reaches Ile Plate at about noon. This is the center of the day, with three hours set aside for the island, the lighthouse visit, lunch, and time to rest.

Ile Plate gives the outing a little more substance than a simple sand-and-sea excursion. The guide takes you around the island and includes a stop at its historic lighthouse. You also get some context about the place and its role in the northern waters. The information provided does not promise a long formal history talk, so think of this as a short guided look rather than a museum visit.

Then comes the BBQ on the beach. The meal includes a mix of seafood, meat, local side dishes, fresh fruit juices, and Mauritian rum. This is one of the strongest parts of the experience because it turns lunch into part of the island visit, not just a packed meal eaten quickly between stops.

Food quality receives unusually high praise, and the crew’s service is a repeated strength. That matters on a private day. A well-prepared meal, served with care, can make the middle of a long boat trip feel generous rather than rushed. Special dietary needs and food allergies can be handled if you give notice in advance or add the details when booking.

You have time to relax after eating, which is important. A six-and-a-half-hour boat outing can become tiring if every minute is active. Use this pause to dry off, sit on the beach, and let lunch settle before the final water stop.

There is one practical point to keep in mind: drinks include fresh juices and Mauritian rum, but the information does not specify every drink option or quantity. If you need something particular, ask ahead. If you plan to drink rum, remember that the boat still has one more snorkeling stop and a return ride.

Coin de Mire: cliffs, views, and one last swim

At 2:30, you leave Ile Plate for Coin de Mire, also known as Gunner’s Quoin, arriving around 3:00. This stop lasts about an hour and changes the mood again. Instead of focusing mainly on beach relaxation, you get broad views, a look at the island’s dramatic form, and a final chance to see marine life.

The crew provides another snorkeling opportunity around Coin de Mire. That gives you a second chance if conditions were not ideal at Ilot Gabriel, or if you simply wanted more time in the water. Snorkeling can vary with weather, visibility, and sea movement, so it is sensible to treat this as an opportunity rather than a guarantee of particular animals.

The guide also explains the island’s history and importance. That short layer of context helps the stop feel like more than a photo break. Reviews describe sightings of dolphins, turtles, and rays on some outings, but wildlife is never guaranteed. Enjoy those encounters if they happen, but do not book the trip solely for them.

You may find this stop more exposed than the beach portions of the day. Hold on to hats and loose items, and follow the crew’s instructions around the boat and water. The stated fitness requirement is moderate, which fits a day involving boat boarding, swimming, snorkeling, walking, and moving around an island.

The ride itself is part of the attraction

The speed boat is not merely transportation between activities. It gives you a fast, open view of the northern coast and makes it possible to visit several offshore places in one morning and afternoon.

That speed also brings a tradeoff. A fast boat can be exciting, but it may feel bumpy or exposed to wind and spray. The tour includes safety equipment and a certified guide and crew, with safety described as a clear priority. Still, anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare sensibly and tell the crew if they need help.

The return begins at 4:00, with arrival back at Cap Malheureux around 4:30. This final half hour lets you enjoy the coast without another scheduled activity. Since the tour ends where it starts, you do not need to arrange a second pickup point.

Food, service, and the human side of the day

The strongest praise centers on Stéphane and Coco. They are described as kind, professional, attentive, and careful about safety. A family outing with two daughters was remembered for the food, personal care, and the range of sea life encountered. Another account highlights the crew’s competence and the feeling that the whole boat was available to one private group.

That combination is worth noting. Many island trips can offer beautiful water. Fewer get the small details right: explaining the route clearly, watching the group in the water, serving lunch with care, and keeping the mood friendly without making the day feel staged.

The guide speaks English or French, so you should be comfortable in one of those languages to get the full benefit of the explanations. The crew’s local insight is most useful at the lighthouse and Coin de Mire, where the visit includes background about the places you are seeing.

What to pack and how to plan the morning

Keep your packing light, but do not forget the basics:

• Sunscreen and a hat
• Swimwear and a towel
• A phone or camera with suitable protection from water
• Any personal food or drink you require
• Advance notice for allergies or special dietary needs

Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Parking is available near the red-roofed church, but arriving at 8:00 is less stressful than arriving at 8:25 and trying to find the boat in a hurry.

The tour is near public transportation, but private transport is not included. Check your route to Cap Malheureux before booking, especially if you are staying away from the north. The early meeting time and the return around 4:30 mean this is a full-day commitment once transport is added.

Weather can alter the route or cancel the trip. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, refunds and changes are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this excursion

I would choose this trip for a group that wants variety. You get a beach, snorkeling, a lighthouse, a BBQ, open-water views, and a fast ride, all without sharing the boat with unrelated people.

It is especially well suited to:

• Families who want a private setting
• Friends splitting the group price
• Couples who value privacy more than the lowest cost
• Strong swimmers and people comfortable around boats
• Food-focused visitors who want a proper island lunch
• First-time visitors looking for a broad introduction to northern Mauritius

It may be less suitable if you want a quiet, short beach morning, dislike speed boat travel, or need a guaranteed wildlife encounter. It is also less attractive financially for one or two people unless the private format is your main priority.

Should you book Your Island Voyage Mauritius?

Book it if you can fill most of the eight places and want a private day with plenty of variety. The price becomes much easier to justify when divided among a larger group, and the included lunch, crew, equipment, and several island stops add real value.

I would also book it for a family that wants attentive service and a less crowded feel. The repeated praise for Stéphane, Coco, food, and safety gives the experience a reassuring foundation.

Think twice if you are a solo visitor or a couple focused strictly on price. Also keep your plans flexible because weather can change the route or cancel the outing. For the right group, though, this is a well-rounded way to see northern Mauritius, with enough action for the morning, a satisfying lunch break, and a relaxed final run along the coast.

FAQ

Where does the speed boat tour start?

The tour starts at 2J8C+365 in Cap Malheureux, Mauritius, near the red-roofed church.

What time should I arrive?

The scheduled start is 8:30 am, and you are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Arriving around 8:00 am allows time for parking and the safety briefing.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes. It begins at 8:30 am and is scheduled to finish back at Cap Malheureux around 4:30 pm.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity for your group only, with space for up to eight people.

What islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin. Cap Malheureux is the starting and ending point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on Ile Plate, with seafood, meat, local side dishes, fresh fruit juices, and Mauritian rum.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and safety equipment are included in the tour price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The route may be adjusted because of weather. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.