North East of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

The best part of this Northeast Mauritius catamaran cruise is its easy mix of sea time and shore time. You sail from Grand Gaube to L’ile d’Ambre, pause in the mangroves, eat lunch on deck, then swim or stroll on Bernaches Island.

I like the friendly crew and relaxed mood, along with the unusually generous drinks service. I also like that the BBQ is cooked and served aboard the boat, so lunch comes with open Indian Ocean views rather than a rushed stop at a restaurant.

The main caution is that this is not a long-distance sailing voyage. One passenger found the actual sailing lasted only a few minutes, and another felt the snorkeling area was not worth the stop. If you want serious reef snorkeling, this may feel modest.

Key points at a glance

• A 10:00 am departure from Grand Gaube: Meet at the Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort jetty at 9:30 am, then spend the day on the water.
• L’ile d’Ambre mangroves: Swim and snorkel in the turquoise lagoon before relaxing in a quieter mangrove setting with a cocktail.
• BBQ lunch on the catamaran: Expect grilled fish, BBQ chicken, chicken sausage, seafood, salads, rice, vegetables, garlic bread, and fruit.
• Bernaches Island shore time: From about 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, you can swim, stroll along the sand, or sit by the lagoon.
• Drinks are included: Local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, juice, soft drinks, and mineral water are available.
• Weather can change the route: Rough seas may send the captain toward Gunners Coin or Casita Beach instead.

Starting at Grand Gaube’s hotel jetty

Your day begins at the jetty of the Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort in Grand Gaube. You need to be there by 9:30 am for the 10:00 am departure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own way to the meeting point.

That detail matters. This is not a door-to-door excursion, and the resort jetty is the fixed start and finish. If you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius, check your driving time before booking. The boat returns to the same jetty at about 4:00 pm.

The trip is described as a 6.5-hour outing aboard a catamaran. The stated timetable gives you a 10:00 am sailing time and a 4:00 pm return, with the 9:30 am meeting time covering check-in and boarding. Plan on giving the cruise most of your day.

The catamaran format suits people who want room to sit, chat, eat, and stretch out while the boat moves along the coast. It is less suited to anyone hoping for a fast, tightly packed series of attractions. The pace is deliberately unhurried.

Sailing toward L’ile d’Ambre

The first route takes you from Grand Gaube toward La Mangrove at L’ile d’Ambre. This part of the trip is about the setting rather than a long offshore crossing. You get views of the Northeast Coast and time to settle into the rhythm of the boat.

The first swimming and snorkeling break runs from about 10:00 am until noon. The crew can assist you in the water, which is useful if you are not fully confident in open-water swimming. You should still bring your own snorkeling equipment if you prefer a familiar mask and fins.

The lagoon is described as turquoise, and the water stop gives you a chance to cool off before lunch. Still, keep your expectations measured. The available feedback includes a clear warning that the snorkeling here may not feel especially rewarding. Marine life and visibility can vary, and this stop should be seen as a pleasant swim with some snorkeling, not as a major reef expedition.

You are asked not to touch marine life or plants. That is sensible in a shallow lagoon and mangrove area. Bring a waterproof bag for your phone and valuables, and use reef-safe habits even though no special equipment is supplied as part of the package.

The quiet pause in the mangroves

After the water stop, the catamaran heads into the mangrove area of L’ile d’Ambre. This is one of the more distinctive parts of the route. Instead of spending the whole day in open water, you get a calmer setting with roots, shallow water, and a different view of Mauritius’s coastal environment.

The schedule pairs this stop with a cocktail. Included drinks cover local rum, wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. Nonalcoholic choices make the outing workable for people who do not drink, while the rum and wine add a holiday feel for those who do.

I would treat the mangroves as a quiet break rather than a formal nature tour. There is no promise of a wildlife talk or a guided walk. You can enjoy the scenery, take a drink, and let the crew manage the boat. Since the rules prohibit touching plants, you should admire the mangrove setting without treating it like a place to explore by grabbing branches or walking into sensitive areas.

This stop also helps explain the appeal of the cruise. You are not simply being taken from one beach to another. The route includes open lagoon water, mangrove surroundings, a meal at sea, and a sandy island stop. Each setting has a different feel, even if none is designed as an intensive guided excursion.

A BBQ lunch with the Indian Ocean around you

At noon, lunch is served on the catamaran deck. The menu 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 generous spread for a boat lunch. The food is casual rather than fancy, but it matches the day well. You can eat outdoors, keep your view of the water, and avoid losing time to a restaurant transfer. The strongest food praise in the available feedback is simple: the meal was very good and the grilled items were fresh.

Vegetarians have a separate menu with rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit. The menu does not list vegan or allergy-specific arrangements, so you should ask the operator about your needs before reserving if you require more than the stated vegetarian option.

Children receive the same menu as adults. That may work well for families with flexible eaters, but there is no separate child-sized menu described. Bring any snacks or familiar food your child may need, since personal expenses and extras are not included.

The drink service adds real value to the lunch period. You receive wine, beer, rum, juice, soft drinks, and water rather than paying separately for every basic refreshment. Drink responsibly, especially if you plan to swim later and if the sea is moving.

Bernaches Island from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

After lunch, the catamaran continues to Bernaches Island. The planned shore break begins around 1:00 pm and lasts until about 2:30 pm. This is your best chance to get off the boat, walk on sand, swim in the lagoon, or find a comfortable place to sit in the sun.

Bernaches Island is not presented as a sightseeing stop with monuments or a formal tour. Its appeal is simple: a sandy shoreline, clear water, and free time. I like that the schedule gives you enough time to choose your own pace. You can walk, swim, snorkel, or do very little.

The island stop also balances the boat-heavy morning. If you get restless on a catamaran, this shore break gives you room to move. If you prefer the boat, you can stay close to the water and use the stop as a change of scenery.

You should bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, and a cover-up. A change of clothes is useful after two water stops. There is no stated provision for shade, changing rooms, or personal storage on the island, so a waterproof backpack is the practical choice.

What the $80 price really covers

At $80 per person, the cruise sits in the midrange for a full-day Mauritius sea outing. The price includes the catamaran trip, the lagoon snorkeling stop, free time at the mangroves and Bernaches Island, the onboard BBQ, and a broad drinks list.

That package is strongest for you if you value convenience. Lunch alone can make a boat day easier, and the included drinks mean you are not constantly reaching for your wallet. The catamaran also gives you several hours in attractive coastal surroundings without arranging separate transport between beaches.

The value is weaker if your main goal is snorkeling. The stop is included, but the available feedback specifically warns that the area may not offer much. You are paying for the whole day, the boat atmosphere, food, drinks, and beach time, not for a specialist snorkeling trip.

There are also added costs outside the ticket. You must get to Grand Gaube yourself, and personal expenses are not included. If you are staying far from the meeting point, the transport cost and early start may change the calculation.

I see the $80 price as fair for a social, food-and-drinks catamaran day, provided you want a relaxed outing. I would not choose it as my first option for serious marine life, long sailing, or a highly active water itinerary.

The crew, mood, and pace

The crew is a major part of the experience. The strongest praise focuses on friendly service, a good mood from the captain, and an easy boarding process. That matters on a boat day, since the crew sets the tone from the first step onto the catamaran.

You should expect a casual atmosphere rather than a formal sailing lesson. The crew assists with the swimming and snorkeling stop, but the information does not promise detailed marine interpretation or a named guide. The available tour languages are French and English.

The trip seems best when you are happy to share the day with other people, enjoy music or conversation, and let the crew handle the food and drinks. It may disappoint you if you want silence, a private charter feel, or a captain focused on teaching sailing skills.

One unusually negative comment described only five minutes of sailing. That does not match the published full-day schedule, but it points to a possible mismatch in expectations. The boat may spend substantial time anchored at swimming, lunch, mangrove, and island stops. If you define a catamaran trip as constant sailing, ask for clarification before booking.

Sea conditions and practical comfort

The captain can change the route if the sea is rough or unsafe. In that case, the boat may head toward Gunners Coin or Casita Beach instead of following the planned route. This is a safety decision, not a failure of the tour, but it means the exact stops are not guaranteed.

People prone to seasickness are told this outing is not suitable. That warning deserves attention. Bring motion sickness pills if you normally need them, and consider where you sit on the catamaran. The boat’s movement can feel different from a ferry or a large cruise ship.

The experience is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You need to board at a jetty, move around a boat, enter the water if you choose to snorkel, and potentially walk on a sandy island. Assistance dogs are allowed, but other pets are not.

Wear comfortable beachwear and pack a waterproof jacket. The jacket may seem unnecessary in warm Mauritius, but spray, wind, or a change in weather can make the return sail less comfortable. You should also pack a towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a waterproof bag.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day

I would recommend this cruise to couples, friends, and families who want a simple day on the water with food and drinks already arranged. It suits you if you want a few gentle activities, plenty of open time, and a friendly crew rather than a demanding adventure.

It is especially useful for people who like variety. You get a lagoon stop, mangroves, lunch, a sandy island, and a return sail in one outing. The schedule gives you structure, but the island and mangrove pauses leave room to set your own pace.

I would be more cautious if you are a keen snorkeler, prone to seasickness, uncomfortable on boats, or hoping for hours of active sailing. The snorkeling may be ordinary, and the actual route can change with sea conditions.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those policies help if your weather plans are still shifting, but you should still check the sea forecast and your transport to Grand Gaube.

Should you book the Northeast Mauritius catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an all-in-one day with a relaxed boat atmosphere, a solid BBQ lunch, included drinks, and time at Bernaches Island. The crew’s friendly manner and the easy pace are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if snorkeling is your top priority or if you want a true sailing-focused trip. For the best match, think of this as a coastal picnic by catamaran, with swimming and beach time added, rather than a major reef tour.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

Meet at the jetty of the Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort in Grand Gaube, Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should meet the team at 9:30 am. The catamaran is scheduled to leave Grand Gaube at 10:00 am.

What time does the cruise finish?

The catamaran is scheduled to return to the hotel resort jetty at about 4:00 pm.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transport to and from the meeting point.

What food is served?

The BBQ 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. A vegetarian menu is also available.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a change of clothes, a cover-up, a waterproof bag, and a jacket. You may also bring your own snorkeling equipment and motion sickness pills if needed.