Catamaran, BBQ, Ile Gabriel , Ile Plate ,Coin de Mire

The best thing about this two-day Mauritius outing is the contrast. Day one is all sea, sun, islands, and a BBQ, while day two takes you through tea country, Hindu pilgrimage sites, wild southern cliffs, and La Vanille Nature Park. You get a broad look at the island instead of spending both days in one resort area.

I especially like the included beer and wine with the BBQ lunch, and the private car with driver on day two. Those details make the long schedule easier and add real value to the $82.22 price. The main drawback is that the catamaran day is shared and can be crowded, while the private villa is an extra charge.

Key points to know before booking

• Three northern island sights: The sea day is designed around Ile Gabriel, Ile Plate or Flat Island, and Coin de Mire, with the detailed schedule placing special focus on Flat Island.
• A full day on the water: Allow about seven hours for the catamaran, including beach time, snorkeling, food, drinks, and rest.
• A private southern route: Day two lasts about six hours and uses a private car with driver for your group.
• Lunches are covered: The catamaran day includes BBQ lunch, beer, and wine. Day two includes lunch at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant.
• Accommodation is optional: A private villa with two bedrooms can sleep four, but it costs extra.
• Weather matters: The northern islands sit outside the reef, so rough conditions can cause a cancellation or date change.

Why this two-day Mauritius tour works

This is a good choice if you want more than a beach day but do not want to arrange several separate excursions. For one listed price, you get a northern boat trip and a southern road trip, each with a very different mood.

At $82.22 per person, the value depends on what you use. The price includes the catamaran outing, BBQ lunch, beer, wine, the private-car day, included nature-park admission, and lunch on the southern route. It does not include the optional villa, so check the final total carefully if you need overnight accommodation.

The experience is also useful for a short stay in Mauritius. You can see Grand Baie and the northern islands on day one, then reach the south’s major sights on day two. You will not have to choose between ocean scenery and inland culture.

Still, this is not a quiet private sailing trip from start to finish. The catamaran is shared with other people, and the boat may feel crowded. The second day is private for your group, but the first day has a more social, excursion-style feel.

Day one: leaving Grand Baie for the northern islands

The first day begins at Grand Baie Public Beach. Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting point is the public beach, so confirm the pickup arrangement before you go. The boat outing lasts about seven hours, giving you a full day for the water rather than a short harbor cruise.

The northern island route centers on Flat Island, also known as Ile Plate, with Ile Gabriel and Coin de Mire included in the overall experience. The northern islands sit outside Mauritius’ reef, which explains both the clear open-water setting and the dependence on good weather.

You can expect time to snorkel, relax, enjoy the beaches, and take in the views from the catamaran. The exact order and amount of time at each island can change with sea conditions. That flexibility matters here because the open water can make the trip uncomfortable or unsafe in poor weather.

I like this day for its simple rhythm. You sail, stop, swim or snorkel, eat, and rest. It is less about checking off formal sights and more about enjoying Mauritius from the water.

The tradeoff is crowding. The catamaran is a shared excursion, not a private charter. If you want space and silence, you may prefer a smaller boat experience. If you enjoy an easygoing day with food, drinks, and other people around, the shared setup should suit you.

Ile Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire

Each northern island adds a different note to the day. Ile Plate, or Flat Island, is the main named stop in the detailed schedule and is associated with beaches and open-water relaxation. It is the place to settle into the island-day pace rather than rush from one photo stop to the next.

Ile Gabriel is part of the northern island group and helps give the cruise its wider scope. The attraction is the setting itself: low islands, sea air, and a break from the built-up parts of Grand Baie.

Coin de Mire is another well-known northern island sight included in the route description. Depending on the sailing conditions and the operating plan for the day, you may see it from the boat or visit it as part of the island program. Do not treat every stop as guaranteed at the same length, since weather controls the route.

Snorkeling is included as part of the water-based day, but the supplied details do not specify equipment, so ask the operator what is provided. The same practical rule applies to sun protection: bring what you need for a long period outdoors.

BBQ lunch, beer, and wine on the boat

The BBQ lunch is one of the strongest parts of the package because food and drinks are already included. You can enjoy the meal without hunting for a restaurant during the boat day, and beer and wine make the stop feel like a proper holiday lunch.

Do not expect a restaurant-style dining experience. A catamaran lunch is about convenience, fresh air, and a relaxed break between swimming and sailing. If you have dietary needs, ask in advance, since no special menu information is provided.

The seven-hour length is worth considering. It gives you time to slow down, but it can feel long if you dislike boats or direct sun. The tour works best when you want a whole day at sea, not when you are looking for a quick island visit followed by other plans.

Day two: Mauritius by private car

The second day changes pace completely. Your group travels by private car with a driver for roughly six hours, visiting several southern attractions. This is a useful contrast to the shared catamaran because you can experience the road portion with your own group.

The route includes a rum distillery, Bois Cheri Tea Plantation, Grand Bassin, Gris Gris, La Roche qui pleure, and La Vanille Nature Park. That is a lot for six hours, so expect a brisk sightseeing day rather than long, unhurried visits at every stop.

The private car is particularly valuable here. Southern Mauritius is spread out, and arranging these places independently would take planning. A driver also means you can focus on the views and stops instead of navigation.

The schedule is built around natural sights, local religion, agriculture, and food. That mix gives you a better sense of how Mauritius works beyond its beaches. You will see how tea and rum fit into the island’s economy, how Hindu worship shapes public life, and how the southern coast differs from Grand Baie.

La Vanille Nature Park and the Hungry Crocodile

La Vanille Nature Park is one of the more distinctive stops. You can see giant tortoises and crocodiles at the nature reserve, with admission included in the tour. For families, this may be the day’s most immediately appealing stop.

The park gives the road trip a clear wildlife focus, but it is still a managed attraction rather than a wild-animal encounter. Go for the chance to see these unusual animals up close in a park setting, not for a safari.

Lunch is served at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant. Since lunch is included on day two, you will not need to arrange a midday meal while moving between the southern sights. The available information does not give a menu, so ask about food choices if that matters to you.

Tea, rum, and Grand Bassin

The rum distillery and Bois Cheri Tea Plantation add some useful context to the island. At Bois Cheri, you learn about tea cultivation and the tea-making process. This is more than another scenic stop: it explains one of the products Mauritius is known for and shows a different side of the country’s working countryside.

The rum distillery offers another look at local production. The tour description does not specify a tasting, so do not assume one is included. The value here is the chance to connect the drink served on holiday with the process behind it.

Grand Bassin brings a cultural stop into the day. The route includes Hindu temples around the crater lake, giving you a chance to see an important part of Mauritius’ Hindu culture. Dress and behave respectfully at religious sites, and follow any instructions given during the visit.

This section of the tour is valuable because it keeps the day from becoming a string of viewpoints. You see places tied to faith, farming, food, and drink. That makes the southern drive feel more grounded in everyday Mauritius.

Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure

The southern coast brings a rougher mood than the calm northern beaches. Gris Gris and La Roche qui pleure show the power of the open sea, with rocky coastal scenery replacing the sheltered lagoon atmosphere.

The name La Roche qui pleure means the rock that cries, a reference to water running down or around the rock. It is a short, memorable stop that works well alongside Gris Gris, where the coast feels more exposed.

Weather and sea conditions matter here too. The attraction is the coast itself, not a guaranteed set-piece performance, so the look of the water can change from calm to dramatic. Take care near edges and follow local directions.

Accommodation, accessibility, and group setup

The optional villa is designed for up to four people, with two bedrooms. That can make sense for a family or a small group that wants to stay together, but accommodation is not included in the $82.22 price.

The tour information says the experience is wheelchair accessible and that most people can participate. Because the first day involves a catamaran and the second includes several stops, you should still confirm the practical boarding and transfer details for your own mobility needs.

There is an important distinction in the group arrangements. The catamaran is shared with other people, while the southern road tour is private for your group. That combination gives you the lower cost of a shared sea excursion and the comfort of private transport on the longer sightseeing day.

The booking confirmation is subject to availability and is expected within 48 hours. The tour ends back at the meeting point. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but weather or minimum participation can also affect the schedule. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this experience

I would choose this tour if you want a broad first look at Mauritius and enjoy changing from boat to car, beaches to temples, and snorkeling to wildlife. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want the private-car day but do not need a private catamaran.

It is also a sensible option for anyone staying near Grand Baie who wants the main northern island outing plus a structured trip south. The included meals and drinks reduce the number of details you need to organize.

I would think twice if you dislike shared excursions, want a slow pace, or care mainly about spending both days on the beach. The schedule is full, the catamaran may be crowded, and the sea portion can be canceled in poor weather.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want variety and solid inclusions for the price. The strongest value comes from combining the seven-hour northern catamaran with a six-hour private southern route, plus the BBQ, beer, wine, park admission, and lunch.

Before paying, confirm the optional villa cost, pickup details, island route, and what snorkeling equipment is supplied. If those points suit your plans, this is an efficient way to see far more of Mauritius than a standard beach holiday.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The tour takes place over approximately two days. Day one lasts about seven hours, and day two lasts about six hours.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The stated meeting point is Grand Baie Public Beach in Grand Baie, Mauritius. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is accommodation included in the price?

No. A private villa with two bedrooms that sleeps four is available for an additional cost.

What food and drinks are included?

The catamaran day includes a BBQ lunch with beer and wine. Day two includes lunch at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant.

Is the catamaran private?

No. The catamaran portion is shared with other people. The second day is a private activity for your group, using a private car with driver.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The northern island trip requires good weather because the islands are outside the reef. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.