Full Day Catamaran Luxury Cruise to Northern Islands w Lunch

The best part of this cruise is its island-hopping route. You pass the steep rock face of Gunners Coin, spend time around Flat Island and Gabriel Island, and finish with a snorkel stop near Coin de Mire, all from a stable Lagoon 380 catamaran. I like the mix of sailing, swimming, and a proper BBQ lunch served on board.

I also like that snorkeling gear, bottled water, and alcoholic drinks are included, so the $115 price covers more than just the boat ride. The main caution is weather: rain and rough conditions can spoil the views and may force the Coin de Mire snorkel stop to be canceled, as happened on a July outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Three northern-island sights in six hours: See Gunners Coin, Flat Island, and Gabriel Island without arranging separate boat trips.
• Two planned snorkel stops: The first is near Flat Island, while the return journey includes a stop by Coin de Mire, weather permitting.
• Lunch is served at sea: A BBQ meal, bottled water, and alcoholic drinks are included in the price.
• Simple meeting point: Check in at the reception of Coin de Mire Attitude in Bain Boeuf by 09:30 for the 09:45 departure.
• Weather matters a lot: Rain can keep you under shelter on an island, and dangerous conditions may cancel snorkeling.
• Best for active swimmers: The outing is not suitable for children under two, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people prone to seasickness.

Starting at Bain Boeuf on the Lagoon 380

Your morning begins at the reception of Coin de Mire Attitude Hotel in Bain Boeuf, on Mauritius’s north coast. The meeting time is 09:30, with the catamaran scheduled to leave at 09:45. That gives you a narrow check-in window, so I would arrive ready rather than treat the meeting time as a casual suggestion.

The boat is a Lagoon 380 catamaran, a multihull design suited to a day on the water. You get the open-air feel of a sailing trip, with room to move between the deck and the water stops. A safety briefing is part of the start of the day, and the host or greeter speaks English or French.

Hotel transfers are not included. That matters if you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius, since you must arrange your own way to Bain Boeuf. The meeting point is clear, but the outing is not a door-to-door package.

Bring a towel and beachwear. Leave large bags, oversize luggage, and baby strollers behind. Fishing is not allowed, and the activity cannot accommodate electric wheelchairs.

Sailing past Gunners Coin’s sheer cliffs

Once the boat leaves the north coast, the route heads toward the northern islands. One of the first sights is Gunners Coin, known for its striking rock formation and sheer cliffs. This is a scenic pass rather than a long shore visit, so you should think of it as a dramatic view from the water.

That is one reason a catamaran works well here. You are not confined to a road or a crowded lookout. The cliffs, open sea, and island shapes appear as part of the sailing route, with the boat itself providing the moving viewpoint.

The trip is also dependent on conditions. In fair weather, the northern coast should give you the bright, open-water setting that makes a catamaran day appealing. In rain or rough water, the same route can feel much less rewarding. A July 2024 trip was badly affected by rain, with time spent sheltering under huts on the first island and the planned Coin de Mire snorkel stop canceled because forecasts suggested dangerous conditions.

That is not a minor detail. The itinerary has plenty of water time, so weather is central to the experience rather than a background concern.

Flat Island brings the first swim and snorkel

The first main stop is Flat Island, also called Île Plate. Here you have time to snorkel in the lagoon before lunch. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, which saves you from bringing your own mask and gear.

The value of this stop depends on what you want from the day. If you enjoy swimming in clear water and seeing the trip from below the surface, this is the most active part of the morning. If you prefer a scenic cruise with little physical effort, you may find the snorkeling portion less important.

The supplied information does not give a set snorkeling duration, water depth, or a list of marine life. I would therefore book this for the clear-water swim and island setting, not for a guaranteed wildlife encounter. Sea conditions can affect visibility, comfort, and how long you actually want to stay in the water.

You should also keep your expectations practical. The bad-weather report shows that an island stop can become mainly a shelter break when rain arrives. Pack beachwear and a towel, but also consider a light cover-up for the boat and time on shore.

BBQ lunch, drinks, and a break from the water

After the Flat Island stop, lunch is served on board. The meal is a BBQ, with bottled water and alcoholic beverages included. For a $115 outing, that is an important part of the value: you are paying for the cruise, island route, equipment, food, and drinks in one package.

A meal on a catamaran also shapes the rhythm of the day. You can eat without leaving the route or finding a separate restaurant on an island. It gives you a break after swimming and lets the boat continue toward the next stop.

The details of the menu, drink selection, and dietary options are not provided. If you have food restrictions, you should check with Catamaran Cruises Ltd before booking rather than assume the BBQ will suit you.

Alcohol is included, but the boat still has another snorkel stop ahead on the return journey. I would keep that in mind before drinking heavily at lunch. The day is designed as a social cruise, but you still need to manage your footing and swimming safely around the boat.

Gabriel Island offers a second island stop

After lunch, the catamaran heads to Îlot Gabriel. The stop gives you another chance to experience the northern-island setting rather than making the whole trip a single beach visit.

The order matters. Flat Island is paired with the first snorkeling session and lunch follows, while Gabriel Island comes afterward. This creates a straightforward day: sail, swim, eat, then explore the next island before heading back.

The information does not specify how long you spend on Gabriel Island or exactly what activities are offered there. You should expect time to see the island and enjoy the surroundings, but do not book this as a guided cultural tour or a detailed island walk. The focus is the sea, the islands, and the boat ride between them.

For me, the appeal is the variety. You are not simply anchored in one bay for six hours. The route gives you several points of interest, though the amount of time at each place may feel brief if you want a long, quiet stay on shore.

Coin de Mire is the final snorkeling test

On the way back, the catamaran stops near Coin de Mire for snorkeling in what is described as a clear-water natural aquarium. This is the second planned water stop and a strong finish when the sea is calm.

Coin de Mire is also one of the most weather-sensitive parts of the route. Dangerous forecasts caused this stop to be canceled on one July outing. If this is the part you are most excited about, keep your plans flexible and ask about sea conditions before departure.

The phrase natural aquarium sets the right general picture, but it should not be read as a guarantee of perfect visibility or abundant marine life. Snorkeling depends on wind, rain, current, and water clarity. On a good day, this can be the highlight. On a wet or rough day, it may be removed for safety.

The scheduled return to Coin de Mire Attitude is 15:45, giving you about six hours on the water. That timing leaves a full afternoon free, but delays caused by conditions are always worth allowing for when arranging another activity.

Is $115 good value for a six-hour cruise?

At $115 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Mauritius’s northern islands. It is a fairer comparison to price the complete package rather than the boat seat alone.

You receive:

• A six-hour catamaran cruise
• Visits toward Gunners Coin, Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire
• Snorkeling equipment
• BBQ lunch
• Bottled water
• Alcoholic beverages
• English or French hosting
• A safety briefing

That package suits you if you want one organized day with food and drinks handled for you. It also avoids the hassle of trying to arrange separate transport and boat trips to several islands.

The value drops if bad weather removes the snorkeling and limits island time. One reported outing had rain severe enough that people spent much of their first island stop under huts, and the final snorkel was canceled. The operator’s safety decision was sensible, but it meant the paid experience delivered much less of what the route promises.

I would judge the price as reasonable in good conditions, especially for anyone who wants a relaxed boat day rather than a bare transfer. I would not call it weatherproof value. The sea is the main attraction, so a forecast check is essential.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day?

I would recommend this cruise to adults and older children who enjoy swimming, open-air boat rides, and a flexible island day. It is a good fit if you want your lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear included rather than making decisions throughout the day.

It also suits couples, friends, and families with children older than two who can manage a full day around water. The six-hour length is long enough to feel substantial without taking up the entire day.

This is not a good match for people prone to seasickness. A catamaran may feel steady to some people, but the activity is still exposed to open-water movement. You should also avoid it if you need step-free access, use a wheelchair, or have a mobility impairment, since the experience is not designed for those needs.

If you mainly want guaranteed sunshine, extensive time on a beach, or a carefully timed guided tour, choose with caution. If you want a simple package of sailing, swimming, island views, and lunch, the format makes sense.

Practical advice for making the day work

Check the marine forecast before you go, then check it again on the morning of departure. A poor forecast can affect both the scenery and the snorkeling, and the operator may alter or cancel a water stop for safety.

Arrive at the hotel reception by 09:30. Since the boat leaves at 09:45 and no hotel pickup is included, build in time to reach Bain Boeuf on your own.

Bring only what you need: towel, beachwear, sunscreen, and a small personal item. Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed, and the catamaran is not the place for bulky beach equipment.

Use the included snorkeling equipment, but ask for help early if the fit is wrong. A mask that leaks can turn a clear-water stop into a frustrating swim.

Treat the itinerary as weather-dependent rather than fixed. Gunners Coin, Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire are the planned highlights, but rain, wind, and sea safety can change how much time you spend at each one.

Should you book the Northern Islands cruise?

Book it if you want a six-hour northern-island outing with several stops, a BBQ lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear included for $115. The combination of Gunners Coin’s cliffs, Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire gives the day more range than a short coastal boat trip.

I would be careful if your holiday dates are fixed and you have no room for a weather disappointment. The July 2024 experience shows that rain can leave you sheltering on shore and remove the final snorkel. For the best chance of getting the full program, choose a day with a favorable forecast, arrive prepared, and view the snorkeling stops as weather-dependent extras rather than guarantees.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is the reception of Coin de Mire Attitude Hotel in Bain Boeuf, on the north coast of Mauritius.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at 09:30. The catamaran is scheduled to leave at 09:45.

What time does the cruise return?

The scheduled return to Coin de Mire Attitude Hotel is 15:45.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Gunners Coin, Flat Island, and Gabriel Island, with a planned snorkeling stop near Coin de Mire on the return journey.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on board.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the planned water stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Transfers from and back to your hotel are not included, so you must arrange your own transport to Coin de Mire Attitude Hotel.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear. Large bags, oversize luggage, baby strollers, fishing equipment, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

Who should not book this activity?

The cruise is not suitable for children under two, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people prone to seasickness.