Mauritius: Catamaran cruise to 3 Northern Isles with lunch

The main draw here is simple: you spend a full day moving through three protected Northern Isles, with white sand, clear water, reef fish, and a catamaran deck for the ride between them. I like the generous lunch, which includes BBQ fish, chicken, sausages, salads, rice, potatoes, pasta, fruit, and drinks. I also like the friendly crew and the chance to stop for snorkeling near Gabriel Island and, if conditions allow, Gunners Coin.

The main catch is the sea. This is a real boat trip, not a smooth lake cruise, and the catamaran can pitch on the waves. The islands offer little shade and no drinks, so bring water, reef-safe sun protection, a towel, spare clothes, and water shoes.

Key points to know before sailing

• Three Northern Isles in one day: Visit Gabriel Island, Flat Island, and Gunners Coin, with the exact order shaped by tide, wind, and water depth.
• Seven hours from Grand Bay: The boat leaves time for sailing, beach time, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch before returning around 4:00 pm.
• A proper BBQ lunch on board: Expect fish, chicken, sausages, salads, rice, potatoes, pasta, bread, crudites, fruit, and drinks.
• Bring your own snorkeling equipment: Gear is not supplied, so pack your mask, snorkel, and fins if you want to explore the reef.
• Sea conditions matter: Rough water can change the route or lead to rescheduling, and the captain makes the final call for safety.
• Best for active beach days: Children under three and people with mobility impairments should not book this trip.

Leaving Grand Bay for the Northern Isles

Your day begins at Grand Bay, one of Mauritius’s main sailing areas. From the jetty, you board the catamaran for a seven-hour outing that returns at about 4:00 pm.

The appeal is the journey as much as the stops. You get open views of the coast, the steady movement of the boat, and time to stretch out on deck rather than being driven from one short stop to another. The trip is guided in English and French, and the crew handles the practical side of the day, including the lunch service and safety instructions.

The boat can carry a sizable group. One recent trip had about 35 people on board, yet there was still room to move around and find a comfortable spot. That is worth keeping in mind if you want a private sailing experience. This is a shared day cruise, with the social energy that comes with it.

The crew’s manner is one of the stronger points. They are described as attentive, good-humored, and careful about passenger safety. On one trip, a child was allowed to sit at the wheel and steer for about ten minutes. That is not something you should assume will happen, but it gives you an idea of the relaxed atmosphere on board.

Gabriel Island: beach time with a reef nearby

Gabriel Island is the first major stop described on the route. You disembark at a white sandy beach, with clear water inviting you to swim. This is the place to slow down after the sailing portion and enjoy the basic pleasure of sand, sea, and sun.

The snorkeling area near Gabriel Island is a key reason to bring your own equipment. The water can reveal coral gardens and reef fish, but snorkeling equipment is not included in the price. If you already own a mask and snorkel, pack them. If not, arrange gear before the morning departure rather than counting on finding rentals at the island.

You should also bring water for this stop. The boat has plenty of drinks, but there are no drinks available on the island itself. You may be left there for around two hours, and the heat can be intense. A refillable bottle is one of the most useful things in your day bag.

Reef shoes are another smart choice. Parts of the shore and shallow water have coral and rough surfaces, making bare feet uncomfortable. Water shoes also give you more confidence when walking in the shallows. They are not listed as included, so bring your own.

Shade can be limited on a small island beach. Apply sunscreen before you leave the jetty, then keep reapplying. Strong sun is easy to underestimate when a sea breeze makes the temperature feel pleasant. One family returned with several sunburned areas despite using plenty of sunscreen, so take this warning seriously.

Flat Island and the changing order of the day

Flat Island forms part of the Northern Isles visit, along with Gabriel Island and Gunners Coin. The trip description presents Gabriel and Flat as the main island pair, with the catamaran approaching their coastlines for wide views before landing or stopping nearby.

The exact sequence is not fixed. Currents, tide, sea conditions, and water depth can affect which island comes first and how long the boat spends at each site. That flexibility is sensible, since a route that works in calm water may not be safe when the sea turns rough.

You should think of Flat Island as part of a combined coastal and island experience rather than expect a tightly timed sightseeing circuit. Some of the pleasure comes from seeing the islands from the catamaran, then stepping ashore or entering the water when conditions permit.

This also means you should not treat every advertised stop as guaranteed in the same form. The captain can change the plan for safety. Poor weather may bring a revised route, a different order, or a rescheduled trip. If an alternative date cannot be arranged after a weather cancellation, a full refund is offered.

Gunners Coin and the optional second snorkel

Gunners Coin is the possible extra snorkeling stop on the return journey. The site is known for reef fish and clear water, giving you another chance to see marine life away from the beach.

The important word is possible. The stop depends on weather, currents, sea conditions, and the captain’s decision. Do not book this trip only for the promise of a second snorkel. Treat it as a useful bonus after the main island visit.

If the stop goes ahead, it can break up the return sailing nicely. You have already had your beach time and lunch, so an additional swim or snorkel gives the afternoon a little more action. If the sea is rough, though, the captain may skip it, and that is the right call.

Anyone unfamiliar with water activities should take care here. Boats stay wet much of the time, and the deck can become slippery. Walk carefully, use sensible precautions, and follow the crew’s instructions around the water and boat edges.

The BBQ lunch is part of the value

Lunch is served on the catamaran and is one of the strongest practical reasons to consider the $76 price. The meal includes BBQ chicken, fish, and sausages, along with green salad, other salads, rice, potatoes, pasta, fresh vegetables, warm bread, and fruit for dessert.

The drink selection includes water, wine, beer, local punch, rum, and soft drinks. That saves you from buying lunch and drinks separately during a long day away from shore. It also makes the timing easier, since you return to the boat for a prepared meal rather than trying to find food on a small island.

The food is served as an open buffet, so you can choose what suits you. A three-course description is used for the meal, but the practical experience is closer to a generous BBQ buffet with sides, bread, drinks, and fruit. The crew cleans and dries the floor after lunch, which matters on a boat where food, water, and bare feet can quickly create a slippery mess.

There is enough food for the group, and the meal is designed for a mixed crowd rather than a formal dining setting. You should not expect a restaurant meal or a quiet table with a view. You should expect a filling island lunch in the middle of a day at sea.

What $76 buys you

At $76 per person, this is good value if you plan to use the full day. The price covers the catamaran, visits to the three Northern Isles, swimming, snorkeling time, the BBQ buffet, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

The cost looks even better when you count the included food and beverages. A shorter boat trip might cost less upfront, but you would still need to arrange lunch, water, and perhaps drinks. Here, those basics are built into the day.

The value is less convincing if you dislike boats, get seasick, or want a quiet private charter. The cruise lasts seven hours, and the sea may be lively. One outing was described as a wild ride on the waves, even though the islands and views were excellent.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. They may be arranged separately for an extra charge. Check the transport plan before booking, especially if you are staying outside Grand Bay or do not have a straightforward way to reach the jetty.

The booking terms add useful flexibility. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Availability and starting times should still be checked for your chosen date.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want a full Mauritius beach day with plenty built in. It suits couples, families with older children, and friends who like a mix of sailing, swimming, snorkeling, and casual food.

It is especially useful for you if you want to see several Northern Isles without arranging separate boats or meals. You can spend the day outdoors, move between several settings, and let the crew handle the route and lunch.

It is not a good fit for children under three. People with mobility impairments should also avoid it, since boarding, moving around a wet catamaran, stepping into shallow water, and getting on and off at the islands can be difficult.

You should also think twice if you are prone to seasickness. The sea can be rough, and the itinerary may change when conditions deteriorate. Bring any personal medication you normally use, though the supplied information does not specify what the boat carries.

A practical packing list for the boat and beach

Pack lightly, but pack the right things. Your most useful items are:

• A towel and a complete change of clothes
• Swimwear and a cover-up
• Your own mask, snorkel, and fins
• Water shoes for coral and rough ground
• A refillable bottle of water for the island stop
• Strong sunscreen and a way to cover your head
• A small dry bag or waterproof pouch for valuables

You will want dry clothes for the ride home, especially after swimming or snorkeling. The boat is wet much of the time, and spray can reach areas you might expect to stay dry.

Keep your phone and other valuables protected. The supplied information does not promise dry storage, so a waterproof pouch is the safer choice.

Weather can reshape the whole experience

The Northern Isles are at their best when the sea is calm enough for swimming and snorkeling. Wind and currents can change the order of the stops, shorten water time, or remove Gunners Coin from the plan.

If conditions become unsafe, the trip can be rescheduled. You receive an alternative date, and if no suitable date can be arranged, a full refund is offered. That policy is helpful, but it does not remove the need to keep some flexibility in your Mauritius schedule.

A cloudy or breezy day may still produce a pleasant sailing trip, but poor sea conditions can affect the parts most people book for: swimming, beach time, and snorkeling. I would place this tour on a day when you can accept some uncertainty rather than on the one day you have available for a must-see activity.

Should you book the Starline Tours catamaran?

Book it if you want strong value from a full day at sea, especially if lunch and drinks included in the price matter to you. The three-island route, friendly crew, generous buffet, and snorkeling opportunities make this a well-rounded choice for an active day in northern Mauritius.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a shared catamaran, the sea can be rough, snorkeling gear is not provided, the islands have no drinks, and weather may change the plan. Bring water, reef shoes, dry clothes, and serious sun protection.

For most visitors who enjoy the water and can handle a lively boat ride, I would book it. If you need calm conditions, easy access, or a guaranteed snorkeling stop at every site, choose a different kind of outing.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts from Grand Bay in Mauritius.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts about seven hours and is scheduled to return to the jetty around 4:00 pm.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Gabriel Island, Flat Island, and Gunners Coin Island.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling time is included, but snorkeling equipment is not. Bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a BBQ buffet with chicken, fish, sausages, salads, rice, potatoes, pasta, fresh vegetables, bread, and fruit.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are water, wine, beer, local punch, rum, soft drinks, and other nonalcoholic options listed by the operator.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be arranged separately for an extra cost.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and French.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. Currents, tide, water depth, poor weather, or rough seas can change the order of the stops or the planned activities. Gunners Coin snorkeling depends on conditions and the captain’s decision.

Is the cruise suitable for young children or people with mobility impairments?

Children under three are not permitted, and the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.