Luxury Catamaran Cruise: The Northern Islands

The best part of this six-hour cruise is the route beyond Mauritius’s northern lagoon. You’ll sail past Gunners Coin toward Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, where bright sand and clear Indian Ocean water give the day its real appeal. Lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear are included, so you can leave the logistics to the crew.

I like the small maximum group of 17 and the easy mix of beach time, swimming, and sailing. I also like that the crew treats the boat as a social place, with music, dancing, jokes, and a barbecue rather than a silent sightseeing transfer. The main caution is the open sea: conditions can be rough, and the planned stops may be changed or missed in strong wind.

Key points to know before booking

• Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate: You get time ashore at two beautiful northern islands, with about 30 minutes listed at each stop.
• Six hours on the water: The morning departure is at 9:30 am from Bain Boeuf Public Beach, with the cruise returning to the same meeting point.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect a barbecue meal, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages, with vegetarian and vegan food available if requested in advance.
• Snorkeling equipment provided: You can swim and snorkel when sea conditions allow, but water visibility and access depend on the weather.
• A lively rather than formal cruise: The atmosphere may include music, singing, dancing, and plenty of crew interaction.
• The word luxury needs perspective: The boat is well liked, but some people find it more like a friendly, active catamaran outing than a high-end private yacht charter.

Sailing north from Bain Boeuf at 9:30 am

Your day begins at Bain Boeuf Public Beach near Cap Malheureux. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to the beach and arrive ready for a 9:30 am departure. The activity ends back at this meeting point, which makes planning easier if you are staying in the north.

The opening run is part of the experience. You get views along the north shore and toward offshore islands, including Gunners Coin. The boat then heads beyond the sheltered lagoon, where the sea can become noticeably choppier. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion feels most manageable, keep your hat secure, and bring the recommended sun protection.

The group limit is 17 people. That is small enough for the crew to keep an eye on the onboard mood and help with equipment, though it does not promise a private cruise. One person described the boat as too crowded for the luxury feel they expected, while other trips had noticeably fewer people. Group size can make a real difference here.

The crew is a major part of the day. Their style is friendly and playful, not formal. You might find the atmosphere turning into a singalong, with dancing and jokes between the practical jobs of serving food, handling equipment, and keeping an eye on safety. William and his fellow crew member received special praise for their kindness on one outing, though crew assignments can vary.

Ilot Gabriel, the first island stop

Ilot Gabriel is the first main stop. It is a protected natural area with a beach that gives you a break from the boat and a chance to get onto dry land. The listed stop lasts about 30 minutes, so think of it as a short island visit, not an afternoon to wander far inland.

This stop works best for a quick walk, photographs, and a swim if conditions are calm. The appeal is the setting: open sea, pale sand, and a feeling of distance from the main island. The island itself is the reason many people choose this route, and the combination of boat views and beach time gives the cruise more variety than a simple snorkeling trip.

The schedule may feel brisk. Thirty minutes is enough to stretch your legs and enjoy the beach, but not enough for a long exploration. If you want extended time ashore, a dedicated island excursion may suit you better. This cruise is designed to combine several highlights in one day.

Snorkeling is also connected with the Ilot Gabriel portion of the trip. Equipment is supplied, which saves you from renting a mask and fins separately. In calm conditions, the water can offer clear views of fish and reef life. Still, do not book this solely for snorkeling. Strong wind and rough water have sometimes made planned swimming or snorkeling impossible.

Ile Plate and the northern beaches

The second stop is Ile Plate, also called Flat Island. Here you can get off the catamaran for a short walk, relax on the beach, or swim. Like Ilot Gabriel, the listed time is about 30 minutes, so the stop is more about a taste of the island than a full day on shore.

I like this two-island format because it keeps the day moving. You are not stuck in one place for hours, and you get a change of view after the first island. The drawback is that you have limited time at each beach. People hoping for a slow, secluded island picnic may find the schedule too organized, especially on a busy day.

The northern islands are popular. That means the beaches may not deliver the quiet, private-island feeling you imagine from the photos. One of the more useful cautions is to set your expectations correctly: this is a shared cruise to well-known places, not a secret cove reached by a private skipper.

Even so, the route remains the strongest reason to book. The water, offshore rock formations, and bright beaches provide the visual payoff. You get a proper sense of Mauritius from the sea, rather than seeing only the resort side of the island.

Swimming and snorkeling depend on the sea

Swimming and snorkeling are included activities, but they are not guaranteed in every condition. The boat leaves the protected lagoon and enters deeper, more exposed water. Wind can build waves quickly, making the ride uncomfortable and reducing visibility near the islands.

That distinction matters. On a calm day, you may swim in clear water filled with fish and enjoy some of the best water scenery in northern Mauritius. On a rough day, the crew may need to shorten, move, or cancel the water activities for safety.

One particularly poor outing involved strong wind, missed island stops, and snorkeling in cloudy lagoon water from a different boat. That is not the normal promise of the trip, but it shows the risk of booking a sea-based activity with a fixed schedule. The operator has stated that poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled. If the cruise goes ahead but conditions affect the route, the outcome may be less satisfying.

Bring a bathing suit, towel, suntan lotion, and a cap or hat. Use a secure bag for phones and cameras. The sun can be intense even when wind makes the air feel comfortable.

A barbecue lunch with a social crew

Lunch is served on board and is one of the better value points. The menu described in one detailed account included barbecued chicken wings, hotdogs, and fish, with other food alongside. The exact menu may vary, but the meal is more substantial than a token snack.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available when requested at booking. Tell the operator about dietary needs early. Do not wait until you board, since the food has to be planned in advance.

Bottled water and alcoholic drinks are included. This helps justify the $113.99 price, especially when you add the boat trip, two island stops, snorkeling gear, and lunch together. The open bar style also shapes the mood. This is not a quiet, polished yacht lunch. It is more likely to feel like a relaxed beach barbecue at sea, with the crew keeping drinks moving and encouraging people to enjoy themselves.

Food quality receives strong praise, but expectations should stay sensible. You are eating from a working catamaran, not a restaurant kitchen. If you value a generous meal, drinks, and a friendly atmosphere, the inclusions are useful. If your idea of luxury means plated dining, a quiet deck, and personal service, this cruise may feel ordinary for the price.

What $113.99 buys you

At $113.99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day on the water. The price includes lunch, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and the main sailing route. You also avoid having to arrange separate island transport and food.

The value is strongest when you use the whole package. A full day with two island visits, swimming, a barbecue, and drinks can compare well with several separate bookings. The small group limit is another plus, although the boat may still feel busy depending on the departure.

There is one price check worth making. A person staying at Coin de Mire Attitude said the hotel could book a similar catamaran outing directly for 3,200 Mauritian rupees per person. Rates change, and the exact arrangements may differ, but it is sensible to ask your hotel for its direct price before paying. Compare what is included, not just the headline amount.

The word luxury is the weak point in the product description. The boat can be clean, modern, and well maintained, but some people found the experience less luxurious than expected. I would treat this as a comfortable, small-group catamaran cruise with good food and a lively crew, not as a private yacht charter.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

You should consider booking if you want one organized day that combines scenery, beaches, snorkeling, lunch, and drinks. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who prefer a ready-made outing to piecing together boat transport and meals.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but the open-water ride deserves attention if you have motion sensitivity or dislike unstable boats. The crew can be safety conscious, but nobody can smooth out a rough sea.

This is also a good choice if you enjoy social energy. Singing, dancing, jokes, and crew interaction are part of the appeal. If you want silence, privacy, or long stretches of solitude, the music and shared boat setting may not be your ideal match.

The cruise is less suitable if your priority is guaranteed snorkeling. Weather controls that part of the day. It is also less suitable if you want extensive time on either island, since the planned beach visits are short.

Practical details that can change your day

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience requires a minimum number of people, and poor weather or an insufficient group can lead to a new date or a full refund.

The booking itself is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. That makes travel insurance or a flexible holiday plan worth considering, especially if your schedule is tight.

You need to arrange your own transport to Bain Boeuf Public Beach. The meeting point is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Check your route before the morning of the cruise, since a late arrival could mean missing the departure.

Plan for sun, spray, and a wet boat deck. Bathing attire, suntan lotion, a hat, and a cap are specifically recommended. Request any vegetarian or vegan meal when booking.

Should you book the northern islands cruise?

Book it if you want a social, all-in-one day on the water with attractive island scenery, beach stops, a barbecue, drinks, and a crew that enjoys entertaining. The northern route is excellent, and the included food and equipment make the price easier to understand.

Skip it if you need a quiet luxury experience, guaranteed snorkeling, or long, empty stretches of beach. The boat can feel crowded, the islands are popular, and rough seas can change the plan.

My practical call is this: book on a calm-weather day, confirm the direct price with your hotel, and think of the word luxury as marketing shorthand for a comfortable catamaran package. If you accept the weather risk and want a lively day around Ilot Gabriel and Ile Plate, this is a strong northern Mauritius outing.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise begin?

It begins at Bain Boeuf Public Beach in Cap Malheureux, Mauritius.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the Bain Boeuf Public Beach meeting point.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting point.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes lunch, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages.

Is snorkeling equipment supplied?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I request vegetarian or vegan food?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, but you should give the dietary requirement when booking.

How much time is planned at each island?

The itinerary lists about 30 minutes at Ilot Gabriel and about 30 minutes at Ile Plate.

Can bad weather affect the cruise?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.