Catamaran Mauritius Cruise in the North Coasts

The best part of this cruise is the chance to see three northern islands in one day without arranging separate boat trips. From Grand Baie, you sail to Flat Island and Gabriel Island, then stop at Coin de Mire for a final swim and snorkel among reef fish.

I like the easy all-in format, especially the included transport, lunch, snacks, and drinks. I also like the choice of a soft beach stop at Gabriel Island or a more active swim at Coin de Mire. The main caution is the sea: high waves can make the crossing uncomfortable if you are sensitive to motion.

Key points to know before booking

• Three island stops in one cruise: Visit Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire during a single outing from Grand Baie.
• A full meal is served onboard: The BBQ lunch comes with drinks and snacks, so you do not need to arrange food for the day.
• Two worthwhile water stops: Gabriel Island offers a calm lagoon and sandbar, while Coin de Mire is used for swimming and snorkeling.
• Transport begins in Port Louis: Allow about 30 minutes by coach to reach Grand Baie, followed by a 15-minute walk.
• The catamaran is called Wind Dancer: Your day begins with tea, coffee, cake, and a captain’s briefing.
• Rough water is possible: The cruise is not the best choice for anyone who struggles with a rolling boat or high waves.

Setting sail from Grand Baie on the Wind Dancer

The outing begins with pickup at your resort reception, or with details sent to you the day before. The transfer from Port Louis takes about 30 minutes by coach. After reaching Grand Baie, you walk for around 15 minutes to the departure point at Grand Baie Public Beach.

That first transfer matters. You do not have to find a marina, arrange a taxi, or guess where the boat leaves. The tradeoff is that the listed six-hour cruise is part of a longer day if you are staying in Port Louis, since the road transfer adds roughly an hour in total.

Before the boat leaves, the captain gives a briefing. Tea, coffee, and cake are provided, which is a pleasant way to get settled before the open-water crossing. The boat is the Wind Dancer catamaran, and the shared cruise can also be booked as a private trip if you want a more personal setup.

I like the catamaran format for this route. It gives you room to sit, watch the coast, and move between the shaded and open areas as conditions allow. Still, do not mistake a catamaran for a completely smooth ride. One recent booking noted high waves and advised caution for people who are sensitive to motion.

The hour-long run to Flat Island

The first major stop is Flat Island, also called Ile Plate in the schedule. The crossing takes about an hour. That time gives you a good look at the northern sea and the coastal views around Mauritius, but it is also the part of the trip most likely to feel long if the water is rough.

Flat Island is one of the northern isles protected as a government-declared nature reserve. You have about three hours connected with the island stop, including a guided visit, sightseeing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. The value here is space and variety: you are not simply stepping ashore for a quick photograph and immediately returning to the boat.

You can explore the island’s natural setting, look across the white sand and clear water, and swim if conditions suit you. The information provided does not promise a particular route ashore, a long hike, or specific wildlife sightings, so I would approach this as a scenic nature stop rather than a formal walking tour.

The northern islands are appealing because they feel separate from the main resort areas. You get open water, small-island views, and a slower rhythm than you would find on a land-based sightseeing circuit. If your idea of a good excursion includes time to look around rather than rush from one photo stop to another, Flat Island helps make the cruise worthwhile.

Lunch, drinks, and a practical break onboard

After the Flat Island visit, you return to the catamaran for a BBQ lunch. Drinks and snacks are included as well, which makes the $170 price easier to assess. You are paying not only for the boat ride, but also for transport, entrance fees, food, drinks, guiding, and a six to eight-hour activity window.

The meal also gives you a break between the two main island visits. A boat trip with repeated swims can become tiring, so having lunch onboard means you do not need to leave the route to find a café or carry a separate picnic plan.

The exact BBQ menu is not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular meat, side dish, or special dietary arrangement unless the operator confirms it. The same applies to the drinks. They are included, but the available selection is not described.

I see this as a useful convenience rather than the central reason to book. The real value is the route and the water time. The lunch simply keeps the day moving and prevents extra spending during the cruise.

Gabriel Island and its famous sandbar

After lunch, the catamaran heads to Gabriel Island. This is the most classic beach stop of the day, with white sand, clear water, and an iconic sandbar. You can relax, take in the views, swim in the lagoon, or snorkel when conditions are calm.

Gabriel Island receives about three hours in the schedule, including sightseeing, swimming, scenic views on the way, and wildlife viewing. That generous block should give you time to choose your own pace. You can stay on the beach and enjoy the setting, or spend more time in the water.

This is where the cruise works well for mixed groups. One person can enjoy a quiet beach stop while another heads into the lagoon. You do not need to treat every stop as a demanding activity, and that flexibility is useful for families, couples, and groups with different energy levels.

The sandbar is also the sort of feature that depends on conditions. The tour specifically presents it as a place to relax and enjoy the scenery, but it does not guarantee a particular tide level or amount of exposed sand. You should think of Gabriel Island as a beautiful coastal stop, not a fixed postcard scene that looks identical every day.

Snorkeling at Coin de Mire

On the return journey to Grand Baie, the boat pauses at Coin de Mire. This is described as a natural aquarium, with colorful reef fish and a good setting for swimming and snorkeling.

For many people, this final water stop may be the most memorable part of the cruise. Flat Island and Gabriel Island give you beaches and scenery, but Coin de Mire adds a more direct look at the marine life around the northern coast. The stop is especially useful if you want some time in the water but do not want to dedicate an entire day to a specialist snorkeling excursion.

Conditions matter here. The tour presents snorkeling as an opportunity, not a guaranteed experience with a particular number of fish or perfect visibility. High waves can affect comfort and water clarity, and anyone who is uneasy in open water should be realistic about how much time they want to spend snorkeling.

The available information does not specify whether snorkeling equipment is included, so confirm that point before departure if you do not have your own gear. The activity does clearly include swimming and snorkeling stops, but equipment details are not provided.

How the $170 price measures up

At $170 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. It can still offer fair value if you want a packaged day with transport and meals already handled.

The price includes entrance fees, transportation, BBQ lunch, all drinks and snacks, and the six to eight-hour activity. It also covers the guided cruise and access to three northern islands, which would be harder to organize independently in one day.

I would compare it with the cost of separate transfers, boat hire, food, and entry arrangements before judging the price. The biggest saving is not necessarily the lunch. It is the convenience of having the route, boat, timing, and return transfer arranged together.

The private option may suit a group that values control over the day, while the shared option should be the more natural choice for solo bookers and couples who are comfortable joining others. No group size is provided, so do not assume the boat will feel intimate or private unless you select the private format and confirm the details.

The price makes the most sense for someone who wants a full northern-island circuit. If you only want a short swim near Grand Baie, this is more excursion than you need.

Timing, transport, and what the day feels like

The published duration is six hours, while the inclusions describe a six to eight-hour tour. The core experience is presented as a six-hour catamaran cruise, with the Port Louis coach transfer added around it. Check the exact departure time when booking, since the activity page directs you to check availability for starting times.

The schedule has a clear shape:

• Coach from Port Louis to Grand Baie, about 30 minutes
• Walk from the drop-off point to the beach, about 15 minutes
• Captain’s briefing, tea, coffee, and cake
• About an hour by catamaran to Flat Island
• Island visit with sightseeing and swimming
• BBQ lunch with drinks and snacks onboard
• Gabriel Island for beach time, swimming, and snorkeling
• Coin de Mire for a final swim and snorkel
• Return to Grand Baie, followed by coach transport back toward Port Louis

The boat returns to Grand Baie in the afternoon. Pickup is included from your resort reception, and the operator provides more details a day before pickup if needed. That is helpful, but you should still watch for the message and clarify the meeting point if your accommodation has more than one reception area.

The main drawback: exposed water and changing conditions

The most important practical point is the sea. A verified booking from February 2026 described the cruise as excellent overall but specifically warned that high waves may not suit people who are sensitive to motion. That is direct, useful advice.

You may find the catamaran comfortable in calm conditions, but no island cruise can control wind, swell, or water clarity. The route includes a long crossing to Flat Island, so this is not a short harbor outing where you can quickly return to shore if the sea becomes uncomfortable.

If you know you get seasick, weigh this carefully before booking. The beautiful stops do not cancel out an unpleasant crossing. It is also worth remembering that snorkeling is optional. You can enjoy the views, beach, and onboard lunch without spending every stop in the water.

The cruise is also not designed as a detailed history tour. The guide languages are English and French, and guided sightseeing is included, but the description focuses on nature, beaches, swimming, and marine life rather than museums or island history.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this experience to you if you want several northern-island highlights in one organized day. It is a good match for people who enjoy:

• Beach time mixed with boat travel
• Swimming and snorkeling
• Scenic coastal views
• A prepared lunch rather than a self-catered outing
• Resort pickup and return transportation
• A choice between shared and private arrangements

It also suits groups with mixed interests because the island stops allow for both relaxation and activity. You can swim at Gabriel Island, snorkel at Coin de Mire, or simply enjoy the sand and views.

I would be more cautious if your priority is a quiet, short boat trip or a detailed cultural tour. The day involves transport, a 15-minute walk, open-water travel, and several stops. If high waves bother you, the route may be tiring even though the final destinations are appealing.

Small details that make the booking easier

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mauritius plans are still changing.

English and French guiding are available. Pickup is listed at the resort reception, with further pickup information sent the day before. Since the transfer starts in Port Louis and the boat leaves from Grand Baie Public Beach, confirm that your accommodation falls within the pickup arrangement.

The activity includes entrance fees, but the information does not list snorkeling equipment, a specific BBQ menu, exact group size, or accessibility arrangements. Those are the points I would ask about before paying, especially if you need particular food or equipment.

Should you book the Northern Coasts catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want the northern isles handled in one day, with transport, food, drinks, and water stops included. Gabriel Island’s sandbar and Coin de Mire’s snorkeling stop give the trip a good mix of beach scenery and marine life, while Flat Island adds another protected island to the route.

Think twice if you are very sensitive to high waves or want a small, quiet, highly tailored outing. For everyone else, the $170 cost is reasonable when you value convenience and the chance to visit three northern islands without arranging the details yourself. Choose the private option if control matters most. Choose shared if you mainly want the route and the included extras at the simplest price.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The catamaran departs from Grand Baie Public Beach. Pickup is included from your resort reception, with more pickup details provided the day before.

How long does the activity last?

The activity is listed as six hours, while the inclusions describe a six to eight-hour tour. Check the available starting time when booking.

Is transportation from Port Louis included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a coach transfer of about 30 minutes from Port Louis, followed by a walk of around 15 minutes to the departure point.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route visits Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served onboard the catamaran.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. All drinks and snacks are included in the activity.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. Swimming is included at the island stops, including Flat Island and Gabriel Island, with an additional swim and snorkeling stop at Coin de Mire.

Is snorkeling included?

The itinerary includes snorkeling opportunities at Gabriel Island and Coin de Mire. The available information does not specify whether snorkeling equipment is provided.

Which languages are available for the guide?

Live guiding is available in English and French.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.