North of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

Northern Mauritius gives you a fine mix of open sea, small islands, and a long lazy lunch on deck. The highlight is Gabriel Island, where you get time for swimming, snorkeling, beach walks, and a look at one of the north’s prettiest sandy shores. On the way, you pass Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin, a striking rocky islet known for its Paille en Queue seabirds.

I like the friendly, attentive crew and the fact that lunch is cooked and served on board rather than treated as an afterthought. I also like the easy six-hour schedule: you leave Grand Baie in the morning and return around 3:30 pm, leaving part of your evening free. The main consideration is the sea. Rough water can change the route, and the trip is not a good match for people prone to seasickness or with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• Gabriel Island is the main stop: Plan on swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and walking along the sandy beach from about 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.
• Coin de Mire is a birdwatching stop: Keep your eyes on the cliffs and sky for Paille en Queue birds during the morning sail.
• BBQ lunch is served on the catamaran: Fish, chicken, sausage, salads, vegetables, bread, garlic bread, seafood, and fruit are included.
• Drinks are part of the fare: Expect local rum, red, rosé and white wine, Phoenix beer, juice, soft drinks, and mineral water.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear if you prefer: Equipment is not listed as a guaranteed inclusion, so your own mask and snorkel can be useful.
• The route depends on the sea: If conditions are rough or unsafe, the captain may head toward Gunner’s Quoin or Casita Beach instead.

From Grand Baie to the northern islands

Your morning begins at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, where a hostess meets you near the jetty and handles check-in. The stated meeting time is between 8:45 and 9:00 am, with sailing listed at 9:00 am in the schedule. Another trip detail gives a 9:30 am departure, so I would confirm the exact departure time before you set out and arrive early either way.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You’ll need to make your own way to Grand Baie, then meet the crew in front of the jetty. That arrangement keeps the price at a reasonable $80 per person, but it means you should allow extra time for getting there, especially if you are staying outside Grand Baie.

Once the catamaran leaves, the first stretch is about two hours on the water. This is not simply dead time between stops. You get broad views of the northern coast and the open Indian Ocean, with the boat providing a pleasant base for conversation, drinks, and sun.

The crew speaks English and French. Past feedback gives special weight to the human side of the trip: the three guides were described as friendly, funny, and talkative, while another report praised the crew for staying attentive throughout the day. That matters on a boat trip. Helpful staff can make the difference between a relaxed outing and a day spent wondering where to find equipment, food, or a drink.

Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light jacket. The sun can be strong, while the wind on the outward crossing may feel cool. A waterproof bag protects your phone, wallet, and spare clothes from spray.

Coin de Mire and the Paille en Queue birds

Coin de Mire, or Gunner’s Quoin, is a rugged offshore islet with steep sides. You do not spend the day ashore there. Instead, the catamaran sails near the area while you watch for Paille en Queue birds, the white tropical seabirds with long tail feathers that give them their local name.

Birdwatching here is a matter of patience and luck. You may see them gliding over the water or near the rocky islet, but this is not a wildlife show with guaranteed close views. Bring binoculars if you have them, though the trip information only requires ordinary sun and beach gear.

This part of the route adds some character to the day. You get more than a generic boat ride toward a beach. Coin de Mire gives the morning a clear point of interest, and the two-hour crossing lets you settle into the rhythm of the sea before the swimming stop.

The tradeoff is that the ride may feel long if you want constant activity. I would choose a seat with some shade, keep water nearby, and treat the crossing as part of the outing rather than a delay. If you are easily bored on open water, bring a book or enjoy the views and conversation.

Gabriel Island from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Gabriel Island is the day’s main reward. The catamaran reaches the island at about 11:00 am, giving you roughly 90 minutes before lunch. The water is described as clear and turquoise, and the sandy beach provides a simple place to stretch your legs after the crossing.

You can spend your time in several ways. Swim in the lagoon, snorkel with help from the crew, walk along the beach, or stay on board and enjoy the view. This flexibility makes the trip work for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can head into the water, while anyone who prefers a slower pace can take a beach walk or sit in the sun.

Snorkeling conditions are never fully predictable. One report described seeing fish but not a huge variety, while still finding the experience impressive. That is a useful expectation to set. You may see fish in the clear water, but this is not sold as a specialist reef excursion, and marine life can change with visibility, weather, and location.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you prefer a familiar mask and snorkel. The crew is available to help, but the supplied information does not clearly promise a complete personal set for every participant. A well-fitting mask can make the difference between enjoying the water and spending the whole session clearing leaks.

The rules are sensible and important. Do not touch marine life or plants, and do not leave litter behind. Gabriel Island is valuable precisely because its shore and water remain clean and natural. Take only photographs and keep personal items in a waterproof bag.

BBQ lunch with a view of the sea

At about 12:30 pm, lunch is served on board. The menu is broad for a boat excursion: rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, a seafood dish, garlic bread, regular bread, and seasonal fruit.

The strongest food praise focuses on flavor and quantity. The meal was described as delicious and absolutely sufficient, which is exactly what I want from a full-day sea trip. You are not left with a token sandwich after spending the morning outside.

Vegetarians receive a separate menu with rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit. The children’s menu is listed as the same as the adult menu. If you have allergies or specific dietary needs, ask the operator in advance, since no further dietary detail is provided.

Drinks include local rum, red, rosé and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. The range is generous for the price, and nonalcoholic choices mean you do not need to drink alcohol to feel included. I would still pace yourself. The sun, wind, salt, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly.

After lunch, the schedule allows time to relax on the catamaran until about 2:15 pm. This quieter period is part of the appeal. You are not rushed from one activity to the next, and you can sit back, dry off, and enjoy the sea before the return crossing.

The afternoon return to Grand Baie

The catamaran returns to Sunset Boulevard at about 3:30 pm. The stated total duration is six hours, though the exact timing can shift with sea conditions and the final departure time.

The return is a chance to enjoy the boat without needing to plan anything. You have already swum, eaten, and seen the main island stop, so the ride back can feel restful. If you tend to get seasick, keep taking the precautions that work for you, stay hydrated, and consider motion sickness pills before departure rather than waiting until you feel unwell.

The captain can change direction if the sea is rough or impassable. The alternative route may include Gunner’s Quoin or Casita Beach. This is a practical safety measure, not a failure of the trip, but it means you should avoid booking the cruise only because you want one exact beach photograph.

What the $80 price really covers

At $80 per person, the fare covers a full six-hour catamaran outing, the northern-island route, time at Gabriel Island, BBQ lunch, and a wide selection of drinks. Those inclusions make the price fairly strong, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a meal, and beverages.

The value is best for someone who wants a complete day package. You do not need to find a restaurant at lunchtime, arrange a second boat for snorkeling, or buy drinks one by one on the island. The catamaran acts as your transport, dining room, and resting place.

The fare does not include hotel transfers or personal expenses. That is the main extra cost to plan for. You also need to bring your own towel, sunscreen, change of clothes, and beach items.

I would compare this trip with cheaper short boat rides carefully. A lower price may not include lunch, drinks, or such a long schedule. On the other hand, if you want a quiet private charter or a specialist snorkeling trip, this group outing may not be the right fit.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience to couples, families, and groups of friends who want a relaxed island day without arranging each part themselves. The timetable gives you a clear morning departure, a proper beach stop, lunch, and an afternoon return.

It also suits people who enjoy variety. You get birdwatching, open-water sailing, swimming, snorkeling, beach time, food, and drinks in one outing. You can be active for part of the day and restful for the rest.

Families should note that the children’s menu is the same as the adult menu. That may work well for children who eat familiar grilled food and salads, but the operator does not provide further information about child pricing, special equipment, or age limits.

I would not choose it if you are strongly prone to seasickness. The trip involves a long morning crossing and a return by catamaran, with no promise of calm water. It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and no accessibility details are provided for boarding, the boat, or the island.

What to pack for a more comfortable day

The official essentials are practical. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, beachwear, a change of clothes, and a jacket. Non-slip shoes are useful on a wet deck, and insect repellent may help during time on the island.

I would add a waterproof phone pouch or dry bag. You’ll be moving between boat, beach, and water, and ordinary backpacks are not ideal around spray and wet swimwear.

Bring snorkeling equipment if you have a set you trust. Also consider motion sickness pills if you need them and a waterproof jacket for changing weather. The jacket may seem unnecessary on a sunny morning, but it takes little space and can make the ride home more comfortable.

Do not bring pets, except assistance dogs. Do not touch plants or marine life, and do not litter. These are simple rules, but they protect the islands and the water that make the trip worthwhile.

Booking, timing, and sea conditions

Blue Safari Mauritius operates the trip every day from Monday through Sunday. The meeting point is Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, and the activity ends back at the same jetty.

Because the supplied timing gives both a 9:00 am and a 9:30 am departure, I would verify the exact time at booking. In either case, arriving at 8:45 am is the safest choice, particularly since the check-in takes place at the jetty.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still moving. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms are useful for a weather-sensitive outing, though you should still check the current conditions and operator instructions before leaving.

The captain may alter the route for safety. If the sea is too rough for the planned crossing, the boat may go to Gunner’s Quoin or Casita Beach instead. That flexibility protects the day from becoming unsafe, but it also means the exact island sequence is not guaranteed.

Should you book the northern Mauritius catamaran cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want a well-rounded day on the water with lunch and drinks already covered. The standout points are the pleasant crew, generous BBQ menu, good beverage selection, and useful balance between activity and downtime. The schedule gives you a real island stop rather than only a short photo pause.

I would think twice if snorkeling is your main goal, since fish sightings and water conditions can vary. I would also skip it if you are prone to seasickness, have mobility limitations, or need a private and highly flexible boat.

For most visitors staying near Grand Baie, the $80 price offers solid value. Arrive early, bring sun and sea protection, pack your own snorkeling gear if preferred, and confirm the departure time. Do that, and you’ll be set for a scenic northern-island day with a satisfying lunch at its center.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, Mauritius. You meet the hostess in front of the jetty for check-in, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The listed duration is six hours. The schedule gives a morning meeting time around 8:45 to 9:00 am and a return to the jetty at about 3:30 pm.

What islands and sights are included?

The route heads toward the northern islands, including Coin de Mire, also called Gunner’s Quoin, Flat Island, and Gabriel Island. The planned schedule includes birdwatching near Coin de Mire and free time at Gabriel Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is served on the catamaran. The menu includes grilled fish, BBQ chicken, chicken sausage, seafood, salads, seasonal vegetables, bread, garlic bread, and fruit. A vegetarian menu is also available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are local rum, red, rosé and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water.

What happens if the sea is rough?

For safety, the captain may change the route if sea conditions are rough or impassable. The alternative may include Gunner’s Quoin or Casita Beach.