Grand Baie: Catamaran 3 Islands Cruise & Lunch on the Island

Three islands, one long day at sea. This full-day cruise from Grand Baie visits Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire, with snorkeling, a beachside BBQ, drinks, and plenty of turquoise water along the way. I like the unusual lunch setting on Ile Plate and the cheerful catamaran atmosphere, especially on the return trip.

The main caution is the sea. The crossing can be choppy, and the ride to the islands takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Snorkeling is self-guided, and currents, stones, crowds, or poor weather can affect how much you enjoy the water.

At $70 per person, this is a strong-value day if you want several northern Mauritius highlights in one outing. You get the boat ride, island transfers, food, drinks, and access to two islands without paying separately for each part. Just bring sunscreen, water shoes, and a sensible attitude toward changing sea conditions.

Key points before you book

• Lunch is served on Ile Plate: You do not simply stop for a quick sandwich. The BBQ is prepared and served on the island, with food and drinks included.
• You visit two islands on foot: You land on both Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel. Coin de Mire is viewed from the catamaran, since visitors do not go ashore there.
• The return ride is often the liveliest part: Music, dancing, and rum drinks can turn the final sailing into a small party.
• The sea may be rough: June through September can bring difficult conditions, and the captain may change or cancel the route for safety.
• Snorkeling gear is not included: Bring your own mask, snorkel, fins, and water shoes if you have them.
• The meeting point takes preparation: You meet halfway along Grand Baie beach, opposite the red Express bus for Port Louis and the Highlights shop.

Starting from Grand Baie beach

The meeting point is not a conventional marina entrance. You go to the middle of Grand Baie beach, opposite the red Express bus for Port Louis and opposite the shop named Highlights. The operator asks for a valid WhatsApp number so they can send a written description, a video, and a Google location once you are in Mauritius.

That extra communication matters. Some people have found the first boarding stage unclear, with a wait on the public beach before understanding when to board the motorized dinghy. I would arrive early, keep your phone available, and look for the crew rather than assuming the catamaran will be sitting directly on the sand.

You first take a dinghy from the beach to the catamaran. This transfer is included, but it means the start involves moving between sand, small boat, and catamaran. Wear clothes that can handle splashes, and keep valuables in a dry bag if you have one.

Shoes are generally left on the beach before boarding the catamaran, since hard soles can damage the deck. Water shoes are still useful for the islands, swimming areas, and stony patches underfoot. Pack them in a small bag.

The catamaran ride to the northern islands

The cruise itself is a major part of the experience, not just transport between stops. From the boat, you see shades of blue and green that are impossible to take in from the road or a hotel beach. The views begin before the first landing, with open water, distant islands, and changing sea colors around the northern coast.

The boat ride is usually described as smooth and enjoyable when the weather cooperates. The catamaran is a decent size, though group numbers vary. Some departures have felt comfortable, while others have carried more than 40 people and seemed crowded during boarding and disembarking.

If you want the most exciting ride, sit at the front. You may get soaked by spray, especially in rougher water, but that can be part of the fun. If you are prone to seasickness, a deck position with fresh air may help, though no seating area can remove the motion completely.

The crossing can be rough. One practical tip is to eat lightly before departure. Several people have found that skipping a heavy breakfast helped them manage the waves. If you know you get seasick, consider bringing whatever remedy you normally use. A speedboat may be more suitable for some people, but that is a different type of outing and is not part of this cruise.

The crew normally explains timing, safety, and transfers. Their mood is one of the strongest parts of the trip. They help people in and out of the dinghy, keep the boat reasonably tidy, serve drinks, and often create a party atmosphere on the return. English and French are spoken, though some English speakers have found strong French accents difficult to understand.

Ile Plate and the island BBQ

The schedule includes Ile Plate, also called Flat Island, and Ilot Gabriel. The order may vary. Some departures eat on Ile Plate first, then move to Ilot Gabriel, while the description emphasizes a transfer to Ilot Gabriel before lunch on Ile Plate.

The important point is that you set foot on both islands, rather than viewing them from the boat. That gives the day more substance than a simple coastal cruise. You can walk along the beach, swim, snorkel, rest, and enjoy the contrast between the open sea and the pale sand.

Lunch is served on Ile Plate, which is one of the best features of the trip. A BBQ on an island feels far more special than eating from a buffet inside a port restaurant. The meal is generally described as plentiful, with seconds available on some departures. Food can include options suitable for different needs, including vegan choices on at least some outings.

Drinks such as juice and beer are included, and the crew serves them during the day. The drink service is generous, although some people have found drinks warm and wished that bottled water had been more clearly provided. I would still bring extra water if you can, especially because you spend hours in sun and wind.

Do not expect a refined restaurant lunch. This is an outdoor BBQ in a simple island setting. The value comes from the location, the quantity, and the fact that you do not need to arrange food separately. The meal has received some criticism for being ordinary, but even those comments generally accept that there is enough food.

Ilot Gabriel and time in the water

Ilot Gabriel is the other main landing. It is known here less as a formal sightseeing stop and more as a place to rest, swim, snorkel, and enjoy the beach. You may have roughly 45 to 60 minutes on the island during one part of the schedule, with additional time around the islands depending on how the day is arranged.

The exact amount of free time can feel short because boarding and transfers take time. You need to keep an eye on the meeting instructions and return to the dinghy when asked. This is not a day for wandering off on your own schedule.

The water can be excellent for an easy swim. In shallow areas, you may see fish, and some people have encountered turtles and stingrays. One optional turtle experience has been available for an extra charge, with instructions about keeping a respectful distance and not disturbing the animals.

Snorkeling is not a guided lesson or a carefully managed group session. You generally enter the water when you wish and snorkel according to your own ability. That freedom suits confident swimmers, but it means you need to judge currents and conditions yourself.

The underwater experience can be mixed. You might see fish and coral, but some areas have strong currents, stones, and signs of damage from heavy tourism. Fins are useful, particularly if you are not a strong swimmer. Bring your own snorkeling equipment because it is not included.

Coin de Mire from the catamaran

Coin de Mire is the third island, but it is a viewing stop rather than a landing. The catamaran passes as close as water depth and safety allow, giving you a chance to see its rocky profile from the sea.

This distinction is important when setting expectations. The name 3 Islands Cruise does not mean three beach stops. Your actual island landings are Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel. Coin de Mire adds scenery and context to the sailing route, but you do not walk ashore.

For many people, this is enough. The island is striking from the water, and the slow pass gives you a different view from the beaches. If your main goal is to spend time on three separate islands, this tour will not meet that exact expectation.

The return trip, music, and sea views

After the swimming and island time, the catamaran heads back toward Grand Baie. This is often when the boat becomes most social. Music plays, drinks continue, and people may dance on deck.

The atmosphere can be relaxed and friendly, especially for solo visitors or couples who enjoy meeting people during a shared outing. Birthday celebrations have been folded into the day, and the crew has helped make special occasions feel personal when time allowed.

The party mood is not guaranteed, and it may not suit someone seeking a quiet sunset sail. Still, the music and rum drinks give the return journey a clear identity. The day ends as a sociable boat outing rather than a silent transfer back to shore.

There have also been occasional wildlife surprises, including dolphins and humpback whales on the return route. You should not book this trip expecting to see them, but it is worth keeping your eyes on the water. A captain has diverted the boat to give passengers a better view of whales, which turned an already good day into a memorable one.

What the $70 price includes

At $70 per person, the price is reasonable for a seven-hour outing. The package covers the catamaran cruise, transfers to the islands, the dinghy ride from the beach, BBQ lunch, and drinks including juice and beer.

That bundle matters in Mauritius, where separate boat transfers, meals, and water activities can quickly add up. You also get a full day rather than a short two-hour cruise. The strongest value comes from combining transport and food with actual time on two islands.

The cost does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to Grand Baie beach. Snorkeling equipment is also excluded, so add the cost of renting or buying gear if you do not have your own.

The tour can feel less valuable if you want long, quiet beach time. The route involves a lengthy crossing, shared transfers, and a fixed schedule. It works best when you see the boat ride and social atmosphere as part of the attraction.

Weather, comfort, and safety

The captain can cancel or reschedule when conditions are unsafe, and that decision is final. In winter, particularly from June through September, rough seas may also make it impossible to visit all three locations as planned.

That is not a minor footnote. The northern islands are exposed to weather, and the same wind that makes the catamaran ride exciting can make landings uncomfortable or unsafe. Keep your schedule flexible and do not book this as the only activity on a tightly timed final day unless you are comfortable with that risk.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. You need to manage beach boarding, dinghy transfers, a moving catamaran, and uneven island surfaces.

Pack:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, preferably more than you think you need
• Comfortable clothes and shoes
• Water shoes
• Snorkeling equipment and fins
• Extra drinking water
• A waterproof pouch for your phone

Expect sun and wind all day. Even on a cloudy departure, exposed boat decks can leave you burned.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip if you want a big day outdoors with scenery, swimming, food, and a friendly group atmosphere. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who wants to see the northern islands without arranging several separate bookings.

It is also a good pick if you enjoy music and a social boat ride. The return party can be a highlight, and the crew’s humor and friendliness have been praised repeatedly.

I would think twice if you dislike rough water, need a quiet and private experience, or want expert-led snorkeling. The boat can feel crowded, the boarding process may be unclear at first, and the snorkeling is self-directed rather than a formal lesson.

The overall rating of 4.2 from 918 ratings reflects that balance. Most of the strong praise centers on the crew, food, scenery, and fun atmosphere. The less positive points are practical: choppy seas, crowded boats, limited water time, average snorkeling, warm drinks, and occasional confusion at the start.

Should you book the 3 Islands Cruise?

Book it if you want the northern Mauritius islands in one well-priced day and you value atmosphere as much as sightseeing. The island BBQ, two beach landings, included drinks, and lively return cruise make this more than a basic boat transfer.

Skip it if you are highly prone to seasickness, need accessible boarding, or want a peaceful, uncrowded snorkeling trip. For everyone else, the best approach is simple: arrive prepared, bring water shoes and your own gear, protect yourself from the sun, and accept that the sea controls the schedule.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts about 7 hours, including the catamaran ride, island transfers, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and the return journey.

Which islands do you visit?

The route includes Ilot Gabriel, Ile Plate, and Coin de Mire. You land on Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, while Coin de Mire is viewed from the catamaran.

Can you walk on Coin de Mire?

No. The catamaran passes as close as possible, but the tour does not include setting foot on Coin de Mire.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included and is served on Ile Plate. Food is generally plentiful, and vegan options have been available on some departures.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks can include juice and beer. Bringing extra water is still sensible because you spend much of the day in sun and wind.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own mask, snorkel, fins, and water shoes if possible.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must reach the meeting point on Grand Baie beach yourself.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet halfway along Grand Baie beach, opposite the red Express bus for Port Louis and opposite the Highlights shop. The operator can send a written description, video, and Google location through WhatsApp.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. Pregnant women are listed as unsuitable for this activity.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The captain may cancel, reschedule, or alter the route if sea conditions are unsafe. During rough winter conditions, it may not be possible to visit all three islands.