North: Cruise to the flat island & Gabriel island.bbq lunch

The best part of this North Mauritius cruise is that you get three very different sea views in one day: the soft beaches of Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, then the striking offshore peak of Coin de Mire. The boat ride itself is part of the show, with broad ocean views, music, drinks, and plenty of time to swim.

I like the easy, open-ended island time, since you can sunbathe, snorkel, stroll, or simply sit under the tropical sky. I also like the practical value: the price includes boat transfers, small-boat rides to both islands, lunch, and drinks. The main drawback is that this is a self-directed cruise, not a guided island tour, and the sea crossing can take about 90 minutes each way.

• Three northern islands in one outing: Visit Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, then cruise close to Coin de Mire.
• About 90 minutes across the sea: The outward crossing gives you a real sense of distance and open-water scenery.
• Barbecue lunch on Ile Plate: Expect grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad.
• Swimming and snorkeling time: Each island offers roughly an hour of free time for beach activities.
• Party-style catamaran atmosphere: Music, drinks, and a friendly crew keep the return trip lively.
• Bring bottled water for island time: Drinks are served on the boat and at lunch, but you need water while walking or waiting for a boat.

A Full Day Among Mauritius’s Northern Islands

This cruise is built around the simple pleasure of being at sea. From Grand Baie, you take a short boat transfer from the beach to the catamaran, then head north toward a group of islands that feel far removed from Mauritius’s busier resorts.

The outing usually takes about seven hours in total. One reported timing put the trip at around 90 minutes to reach the islands, which matters when you are planning your day. The long crossing is not wasted time. You get changing views of the ocean, the northern mountains of Mauritius, and the open horizon. If you like a boat ride as much as the destination, this is a strong point.

The day is relaxed rather than tightly programmed. You are not moving from one lecture or landmark to another. Instead, you spend time on beaches, swim when conditions suit, eat lunch outdoors, and return to the catamaran for more music and scenery.

That freedom is useful, but it also tells you what kind of outing this is. You will not have a guide leading a detailed walk, explaining every plant, or giving a formal talk about island ecology. You choose how to spend your time on each stop.

Meeting the Catamaran at Grand Baie

The meeting point is on the beach in Grand Baie. Look for the person holding a list, with other staff nearby. From there, a smaller boat takes you from shore to the catamaran anchored offshore.

This beach transfer is worth allowing a little patience for, since you are not simply walking from a pier onto the main boat. Wear beach clothing from the start, and keep anything that should stay dry in a secure bag. You will be dealing with sand, spray, and small boats before the main cruise even begins.

Hotel transfers are not included, so you need to make your own way to Grand Baie. That makes the cruise easiest if you are staying in or near the northern resort area. If you are based elsewhere on Mauritius, factor in the added cost and time of reaching the meeting point.

The catamaran provides a comfortable base for the day, though exact seating and onboard facilities are not specified. You can expect the atmosphere to be social, with music and drinks rather than a quiet, private sailing trip. One especially enthusiastic account described the boat as fast and secure, with a lively mood on the way out and a party feel on the return.

Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel: Two Different Beach Stops

The first major part of the day takes you toward Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel. These islands are known here for soft, powdery sand, clear water, and a quieter feel than the main island.

The catamaran does not necessarily pull directly onto the beach. Instead, a smaller taxi boat carries you from the catamaran to the islands. This is included in the price, but it means you should be ready to step into a smaller craft and manage your own belongings.

You get about an hour of free time at each island. That is enough for a swim, a little snorkeling, a walk along the beach, or a calm spell in the shade. It is not enough for a long hike, a detailed exploration of every corner, or an unhurried beach day at both locations. Set your expectations accordingly.

I like this format because you can make the stop your own. If the water looks inviting, swim. If you have already had enough sun, stroll along the sand. If you want to do nothing at all, this is a good place for a quiet break.

The water may show several shades of blue and green as the depth changes. This is one reason the northern islands are appealing even for people who are not keen snorkelers. You can enjoy the color and clarity from the beach or the boat.

Snorkeling can be a real highlight when sea and visibility conditions cooperate. The details reported from the outing include coral fish, larger fish, an octopus, and even the possibility of seeing turtles. These sightings are never guaranteed, so treat them as a bonus rather than a promise. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you prefer familiar equipment, since the supplied information does not confirm rental or onboard gear.

Barbecue Lunch on Ile Plate

Lunch is served on Ile Plate, adding a practical break to the beach visit. The meal includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad.

That is a broad menu for a day at sea. You can build a simple plate rather than relying on one dish, and the combination should suit different appetites. The food is cooked as a casual outdoor barbecue, so you should expect a relaxed island meal rather than restaurant service.

Drinks are served during lunch and while cruising. The package also includes juice, water, and cocktails. There is one useful catch: you are expected to bring your own bottled water for walks on the islands or while waiting for a small boat pickup. Do not rely only on the drink service onboard. Carry a bottle with you when you leave the catamaran.

A meal on the beach has value beyond the food itself. It keeps you from losing time looking for lunch, and it lets the day continue without returning to Grand Baie. The tradeoff is that island meals depend on the crew, weather, and the informal setting. Pack patience, and keep your beach expectations realistic.

Sailing Close to Coin de Mire

Coin de Mire is the third island on the route, but you do not step ashore there. No catamaran stops to let people land on the island. Instead, the boat sails as close as possible so you can see its steep form rising from the sea.

This is a different experience from the first two stops. Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel are for beach time. Coin de Mire is a viewpoint from the water, with the island’s unusual mountain shape providing the drama.

The approach gives you time to take photographs and enjoy the scale of the rock against the ocean. The view is especially worthwhile after spending the morning among low, sandy islands. It changes the mood from barefoot beach stop to open-water sightseeing.

If you are booking this cruise mainly to walk on three islands, it is not the right choice. You visit two islands on foot, and Coin de Mire is a sail-by stop only. If seeing all three northern islands from different angles is enough, the route makes good sense.

Music, Drinks, and the Return Across the Sea

The catamaran is not just transportation between beaches. Music and a social atmosphere are part of the experience, especially on the way back to Grand Baie.

This will suit you if you like a cheerful boat setting with conversation, drinks, and a little dancing. It may not suit you if you want a silent sailing trip or a small, private charter. The supplied details do not give a fixed group size, so you should expect a shared excursion rather than an intimate boat ride.

The return crossing can be a satisfying final stretch. After swimming, walking, and eating, you can sit back with a drink and watch the northern coast recede. The boat’s movement and the open sea can feel exhilarating, but anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully about the long crossing and changing waves.

The crew speaks English, French, Hindi, and Urdu. That is useful for a mixed group, though the cruise remains a leisure outing rather than a guided cultural program. You will receive practical help with the transfers and day’s arrangements, but most of your time is your own.

What the $76 Price Really Covers

At $76 per person, the value depends on how much of the package you would otherwise have to arrange yourself. The price includes the beach-to-catamaran transfer, the full cruise, boat transfers to Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, lunch on Ile Plate, drinks, and the sail close to Coin de Mire.

That is a good amount for a full-day outing. You are paying for access to remote-feeling beaches, several boat journeys, a prepared meal, and onboard refreshments. You also avoid having to coordinate separate transport to the islands and find food during the day.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a complete, easy day at sea. It is less compelling if you only want a short swim or a quiet private trip. Hotel transfers are not included, so add your own transport cost if you are staying outside Grand Baie.

The package is described as all inclusive, but remember the small practical exception: bring bottled water for time spent on the islands. Also, because the trip is weather dependent, the route may be rescheduled if sea conditions are unsafe. If rescheduling is not possible, a full refund can be provided after approval through the booking site.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Mauritius plans are still shifting.

What to Pack for a Better Day

Keep your packing simple and useful:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Beachwear
• Bottled water for island time
• A secure bag for valuables and electronics

Apply sunscreen before leaving the beach. The open sea offers little shade, and the combination of glare, wind, and swimming can make the sun feel less intense than it is.

Wear something that dries fairly quickly. You will use the beach transfer, the smaller island boats, and possibly the water several times. Keep your phone and camera protected from spray, especially during the ride between the catamaran and the islands.

Do not overpack. You will move between a beach, a catamaran, and small boats, so a light day bag is much easier to manage than a large suitcase-style bag.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a broad taste of the northern islands in one day. It works particularly well for couples, families, and groups of friends who like a mix of swimming, scenery, casual food, and music.

Snorkelers have a good reason to consider it, since the water can be exceptionally clear and marine life may include coral fish, an octopus, larger fish, and possibly turtles. Still, the time at each island is limited, and there is no promise of specific sightings.

It also suits people who prefer free time to a guided schedule. You are not required to join a walking tour or follow a set activity. You can use the hour at each stop in the way that feels best.

I would be more cautious about recommending it to you if you dislike long boat rides, need a quiet setting, or want to spend the entire day on one beach. The 90-minute crossing reported for the outward journey can feel long if you are focused only on reaching the sand.

It is also not ideal for anyone expecting to set foot on Coin de Mire. The island is viewed from the sea. That distinction is important when comparing this cruise with trips that focus on a single island.

Weather, Sea Conditions, and Comfort

The cruise depends on the weather. If conditions are poor, the trip may be rescheduled after discussion with you. Safety takes priority, and if the activity cannot be rescheduled, you may receive a full refund after approval.

This is sensible for a route that includes open-water crossings and small-boat transfers. Conditions can affect the comfort of the ride, the clarity of the water, and the ease of swimming or snorkeling. A day with calm seas will make the whole program feel more relaxed.

You should also remember that the islands are not presented as a guided, developed attraction. The appeal comes from beaches, water, and open space, not from facilities or formal interpretation. Bring what you need for the day and be ready for a simple outdoor setting.

My Verdict: Book It for the Complete North Island Day

I would book this cruise if you want the northern Mauritius highlights packaged into one active but easygoing day. The combination of two island beach stops, a barbecue lunch, clear snorkeling water, drinks, music, and a close view of Coin de Mire gives you a lot for $76.

Choose it with the right expectations. This is a shared catamaran outing, not a private yacht charter or a guided nature tour. You will spend real time crossing the sea, Coin de Mire is viewed from the boat, and island time is limited to roughly an hour at each main stop.

For most people who want scenery, swimming, food, and a cheerful boat atmosphere, those compromises are reasonable. Bring water, sunscreen, and a towel, arrive at the Grand Baie beach meeting point, and let the day unfold at sea.

FAQ

How much does the North Mauritius island cruise cost?

The price is $76 per person.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The activity starts and ends on the beach at Grand Baie. You should look for the person holding a list at the meeting point.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to and from Grand Baie.

Which islands can I visit during the cruise?

You visit Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, with time on both islands. The catamaran also sails as close as possible to Coin de Mire, but you do not get off on that island.

What food is served for lunch?

The barbecue lunch includes grilled fish, chicken, sausages, pasta, rice, bread, and green salad.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Drinks are served during the cruise and at lunch, including juice, water, and cocktails. You should still bring your own bottled water for walking on the islands or waiting for a pickup boat.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip may be rescheduled after consultation with you. If bad weather prevents rescheduling, you may receive a full refund after approval through the booking site.