Full-Day Northern Catamaran Cruise: Coin de Mire and Ile Plate Island

The best part of this Mauritius cruise is the simple rhythm of the day: sail along the northwest coast, stop in clear lagoon water, eat a barbecue lunch, then stretch out on deck with a drink. Île Plate gives the outing its main island stop, while Coin de Mire and the northern coast provide the scenery.

I like the fact that hotel pickup and drinks are included, so you do not need to arrange a taxi to Grand Bay or keep buying refreshments on board. I also like the mix of activity and downtime. You can swim and snorkel, but you can just as easily stay on deck, listen to music, and watch the coast pass.

The main concern is crowd control. The tour is advertised for a maximum of 20 people, but some departures have reportedly carried far more, including 30 and even 46 passengers. Confirm the expected group size before booking, especially if you want a quiet catamaran ride.

Key points to know before sailing

• The day starts early for hotel pickup: Your vehicle usually arrives one to two hours before the 9:00 a.m. activity start, depending on where you stay.
• Grand Bay is the launch point: You board near Grand Bay Public Beach and sail along the northwest coast toward the islands.
• Two water stops shape the day: Swimming and snorkeling take place in calm lagoon water, with time at Île Plate after lunch.
• Lunch is a proper included meal: Expect fish and chicken with bread, salad, and dessert, plus beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke.
• Snorkeling equipment is not included: Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to spend serious time in the water.
• Capacity can affect the experience: The stated maximum is 20 people, but past departures have been much fuller.

Leaving Grand Bay for the northern islands

Your day begins with a pickup from your Mauritius accommodation. The pickup time is not fixed for every hotel. It can be one to two hours before the 9:00 a.m. start, so plan for an early morning and wait in the lobby rather than rushing out at the last minute.

The catamaran leaves from Grand Bay, one of the island’s best-known northern resort areas. The boarding point is listed at Grand Bay Public Beach, and the boat ride begins with views along the northwest coast. Keep your camera ready as you pass the coastal areas around Cap Malheureux, Pereybere, and Grand Bay.

This opening stretch is less about a single landmark and more about settling into the pace of the trip. You have room to find a place on deck, sit in the sun, and watch Mauritius change from resort shoreline to open water. If the sea is calm, the ride should feel easy and social. If conditions are rough, the day can become more about the sailing than the snorkeling.

The catamaran format is a good fit for anyone who wants more space than a small speedboat usually offers. You can move around, stretch out, and choose between sitting in the open air or finding a quieter spot. The tradeoff is that a catamaran can feel crowded when the passenger count rises. Ask about the boat and expected number of people if personal space matters to you.

Swimming and snorkeling in the northern lagoon

The first major activity is a stop in a clear, calm lagoon on the north side of Mauritius. This is where you can swim and snorkel before lunch. The calm water is important because it makes the stop approachable for people who want a gentle swim rather than a demanding open-sea session.

You should bring your own snorkeling equipment. It is not included in the tour price, and some people expected gear to be supplied but found that it was not. That is a small detail with a big effect on the day: if you arrive without a mask and snorkel, you may spend the water stop simply swimming or staying on the boat.

The tour does not promise a guided marine-life session, a particular reef, or a guaranteed list of fish. Think of this as a relaxed swim stop in attractive northern waters, not a specialist snorkeling expedition. I would book it for the chance to get into the sea and enjoy the setting, while keeping expectations sensible.

Weather matters here. The outing requires good conditions, and rougher weather can change the character of the cruise. One departure was handled well in difficult conditions by the captain and crew, but calm seas will give you a better chance to enjoy both swimming and the boat ride.

Île Plate, barbecue lunch, and time ashore

The central stop is Île Plate, where lunch is served around the middle of the day. The included barbecue features fish and chicken, with bread, salad, and dessert. Drinks include alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices: beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke.

I like this arrangement because you do not have to search for food on an island or carry a full picnic. The meal also gives the day a clear pause after the morning sailing and water stop. If you need a vegetarian meal, request it when booking. Do not wait until boarding, since the operator needs advance notice.

After lunch, you have time to explore the island or relax on the beach. The information provided does not promise a guided walk or a long formal visit, so treat this as free time. You might stroll, take photographs, sit by the water, or simply return to the catamaran and enjoy the view.

This stop is also where crowd size matters most. A full boat means more people moving between lunch, beach time, and the water. On a well-managed departure, the included meal and open-air setting can feel convivial, with music and dancing adding a festive touch. On an overcrowded departure, the same setup may feel cramped.

The crew names associated with the most praised departures include Kevin, Rudi, Bruno, and Olivier. Their roles can vary by sailing, but the positive reports consistently point to a friendly, energetic crew and a good mix of music, food, and drinks. Service is a major part of the value here, since the cruise is as much a social day on the water as it is an island visit.

The return sail to Grand Bay

After the Île Plate stop, the catamaran sails back toward Grand Bay. The return gives you another chance to enjoy the coast without having to plan anything. If you have spent the morning swimming, the ride back is a useful chance to dry off and rest.

At the end of the cruise, you return to Grand Bay and transfer back to your accommodation. One important practical issue is the return pickup. A reported departure involved a passenger waiting about half an hour because the taxi driver did not appear. That may not happen on your day, but I would keep the operator’s contact details available and avoid planning a tight evening reservation after the cruise.

The listed duration is about seven hours. Add the hotel transfer time, which can begin one to two hours before departure and extend after arrival, and this is a full-day commitment. It is best suited to a day when you want one organized outing rather than several separate plans.

What the $111.54 price really covers

At $111.54 per person, the price is not just for a boat seat. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the catamaran ride, the barbecue lunch, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Those inclusions make the price easier to justify than a bare sailing excursion where you must pay separately for transport, lunch, and refreshments.

The value is strongest if you plan to drink, want a cooked lunch, and are staying somewhere that makes taxi arrangements inconvenient. A couple can also appreciate the simplicity of booking one package instead of piecing together transport and a boat trip.

The value is weaker if you do not drink alcohol, already have easy access to Grand Bay, or mainly want high-quality snorkeling. Equipment is not supplied, and the tour does not present itself as a specialist reef trip. Bring your own gear if snorkeling is central to your decision.

The group-size question is the largest factor in value. The current information gives a maximum of 20 participants, but some past departures were much larger. A boat with 20 people can feel quite different from one carrying 30 or 46. Before paying, ask Eco Holidays Mauritius to confirm the expected passenger count and the specific catamaran assigned to your date.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day

I would recommend this outing to couples, friends, and adults who want a relaxed all-day boat trip with food and drinks already arranged. The minimum age is 18, and the minimum booking is two people, so this is not designed as a solo youth excursion or a family activity for children.

It suits you especially well if you like a flexible schedule. You get swimming, snorkeling, beach time, coastal views, music, and a barbecue, but no demanding hike or long guided sightseeing program. You can be active for part of the day and lazy for the rest.

It may not suit you if you dislike open-water travel, want a small private group, or expect professional snorkeling equipment and instruction. It is also a poor choice for a tightly scheduled day because pickup and return transfers add time, and conditions at sea can affect the timetable.

The cruise is described as suitable for most participants, but no detailed accessibility information is provided. If you have mobility concerns, contact the operator before booking and ask about boarding, movement on the catamaran, and access to Île Plate.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is sent at booking, and the operator requires each participant’s passport name, number, expiry date, and country. Have those details ready to avoid delays.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the cruise, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For a normal cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

I would also confirm four points before departure:

• The exact hotel pickup time
• The meeting point at Grand Bay
• The expected number of passengers
• Whether you need to bring your own mask, snorkel, towel, or other personal items

Only the snorkeling equipment issue is clearly settled by the supplied details: it is not included. The other items are sensible questions to ask because transport and boat arrangements can vary by departure.

Should you book the northern catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a convenient, social day on the sea with transport, lunch, and drinks bundled together. The route gives you a pleasant mix of northwest-coast views, lagoon swimming, Île Plate beach time, and a relaxed ride back to Grand Bay. The crew, including Kevin, Rudi, Bruno, and Olivier on praised departures, can add real warmth and energy to the day.

Before booking, ask directly about capacity. That single check may determine whether the experience feels comfortable or overcrowded. Bring snorkeling gear, request a vegetarian meal in advance if needed, and leave your evening schedule open for possible transfer delays.

My call: this is a good-value island day for adults who want easy logistics and a festive boat atmosphere. It is not the right pick for a quiet, intimate cruise or a dedicated snorkeling trip.

FAQ

What is included in the catamaran cruise?

The tour includes a barbecue lunch, alcoholic beverages, hotel pickup, and hotel drop-off. The cruise itself and the scheduled island and swimming stops are also part of the experience.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to use them during the water stops.

What food is served for lunch?

Lunch includes grilled fish and chicken, bread, salad, and dessert. A vegetarian option is available if you request it when booking.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks can include beer, wine, local rum, water, and Coke. Both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are provided.

Where does the boat leave from?

The catamaran departs from Grand Bay, near Grand Bay Public Beach. The meeting information identifies Grand Bay Store and Grand Bay Public Beach as the stop area.

What time does the activity start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m. Hotel pickup usually takes place one to two hours earlier, depending on your pickup location.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours, not including the extra time required for hotel pickup and drop-off.

Is hotel transportation provided?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from Mauritius accommodations is included. Pickup time depends on your location.

What is the maximum group size?

The stated maximum is 20 participants. Because some past departures were reportedly much larger, confirm the expected group size with Eco Holidays Mauritius before booking.

Can children join the cruise?

No. The minimum age is 18, and each booking must include at least two people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

How late can I cancel for a full refund?

You must cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time to receive a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.