GBaie: 3 North Islands Cruise, Lunch & CoindeMire Snorkeling

Mauritius shows its best colors from the water, and this seven-hour catamaran trip gives you a full day of sea, sand, snorkeling, and island stops for $70. The route includes Ile Plate, Ilot Gabriel, and a close sail past Coin de Mire, a steep rocky island rising from the ocean.

I like the chance to swim in a clear lagoon and spend relaxed beach time on two very different islands. I also like that lunch is cooked as a barbecue on or near the catamaran, with salad and drinks included. The main caution is comfort: boats can feel crowded, shade is limited on Flat Island, and drinks may not be easy to get during the island stops.

Key points to know before you book

• Coin de Mire is a sail-by sight, not a landing: You get close views of the island, and snorkeling nearby depends on sea conditions.
• Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel provide the beach time: Expect swimming, sand, sun, and time away from the boat.
• The barbecue is served after the island visit: Lunch may occasionally be served on an island instead.
• Bring extra drinking water: Onboard drinks are included, but service during island stops can be limited.
• The catamaran may feel busy: One recent outing had around 12 catamarans in the area, and space became tight when people returned hot and tired.
• Weather controls the day: The captain can change, delay, or cancel parts of the plan for safety.

Setting out from Mauritius for the North Islands

You meet the crew on the beach, with the exact meeting details confirmed by your guide about 24 hours before departure. The trip lasts about seven hours, but the start time can vary, so check availability before booking.

Once aboard, the day begins with open-water sailing toward the North Islands. The sea changes color as you move away from the coast, and the catamaran gives you a broad view rather than the enclosed feel of a standard boat.

That is part of the appeal. You can sit with family or friends, watch the water, and let the day unfold at a slow pace. It is less about a tightly timed sightseeing tour and more about spending a full day outdoors.

The boat can be lively, especially when several catamarans are visiting the islands at once. On one recent outing, about 12 catamarans were in the area, and seating became difficult later in the day. If you want the quietest possible boat trip, this may not be the right choice.

Ile Plate, or Flat Island, and its clear lagoon

Ile Plate is one of the main beach stops. You can walk onto the sand, swim in the lagoon, and enjoy the water’s clear colors without needing to rush back aboard immediately.

The island is a good fit for anyone who wants simple beach time rather than a long guided walk. You can swim, sit by the shore, or use the stop to take photographs of the sea and nearby islands.

There is, however, little shade in some parts of Flat Island. Mauritius sun can be strong, and the combination of heat, salt water, and several hours outside can catch you quickly. Bring sunscreen, a towel, and swimwear, as requested, and consider carrying extra water with you.

The published plan says drinks are provided, but drink service during the island stops may not be continuous. On some outings, people had no water while spending close to an hour on the island. I would treat the included drinks as an onboard benefit, not as a guarantee that you will have a cold drink in hand on the beach.

Ilot Gabriel and the island’s birdlife

The next island stop is Ilot Gabriel, a natural reserve known for its nesting Paille en Queue, or white-tailed tropical birds. The setting is another chance to enjoy pale sand, clear water, and a quieter stretch away from the main island.

The supplied plan allows for a substantial stop, sometimes close to two hours. That gives you time to swim and sit on the beach, but it also means you need to manage your sun exposure and water intake.

There is no claim that this is a guided wildlife walk, so you should not expect a formal bird tour. Still, the nesting birds add a natural detail to the beach stop, and the reserve setting gives the visit more interest than a simple swim break.

The island sequence also affects lunch timing. The usual plan is to return to the catamaran by dinghy after the island time, with lunch ready aboard. In some cases, lunch may instead be served on the island.

Snorkeling near the islands and Coin de Mire

Snorkeling is planned near the islands and again near Coin de Mire if conditions allow. You are asked to bring your own equipment, so do not assume a mask and fins will be supplied.

Coin de Mire is the most striking sight of the route. It looks like a large mountain rising directly from the sea, and the catamaran sails as close as possible without landing. You do not set foot on the island.

The snorkeling near Coin de Mire is weather dependent. If the captain decides the sea is unsafe or unsuitable, that part can be removed. Safety comes first, and this is important to understand before you book because the Coin de Mire stop is one of the main selling points.

The water can be especially clear during the swim from the boat. One memorable part of the day can be jumping into deep water while waiting to return toward Grand Baie. That swim is not the same as walking into a shallow beach lagoon, so you should be comfortable in open water.

You will also need to accept that the snorkeling may not happen exactly when you expect. On one outing, it took place only after a passenger requested it. That suggests the crew may adjust the plan during the day, rather than follow a strict minute-by-minute schedule.

Barbecue lunch aboard the catamaran

Lunch is designed to make the day feel easy. The usual meal includes a barbecue, salad, and drinks, served after the island visit when you return to the catamaran.

The food has been a strong part of the day for some people, especially after swimming and sitting in the sun. A hot meal is welcome after several hours outdoors, and eating on the boat keeps the sea view going.

Do not expect a restaurant meal or a long lunch service. The meal can be quick and functional, and the quality of the drinks has been less consistent than the food. Some outings had only one round of drinks, with no ice available, and the bar closed when more drinks were requested.

That makes the water issue worth repeating. Bring your own drinking water if possible, particularly if you plan to stay on the islands for a long time. You will still have the included lunch and drinks, but extra supplies give you more control over the day.

Crew, languages, and the feel of the boat

The crew can provide service in English, French, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, and Arabic. That language range is useful for mixed groups and families, though the amount of historical explanation may vary.

You should not book this as a formal history tour of the North Islands. The information provided focuses on scenery, swimming, birds, snorkeling, and relaxation, and one outing had very little explanation about the history of the three islands.

The mood can also vary. Some crews are friendly, lively, and entertaining, which suits families with children. At other times, the atmosphere may be quieter, with music coming from nearby boats rather than from your own catamaran.

There has also been a complaint about the captain arriving late and speaking harshly to the crew in front of passengers. That is not the tone anyone wants on a relaxing day at sea. It appears to be an individual operating issue rather than something you can predict, but it is worth keeping expectations realistic.

How the $70 price holds up

At $70 per person, this is a fair value if you want transport to the North Islands, several beach stops, snorkeling opportunities, a barbecue lunch, drinks, and a full day on the sea in one booking.

The value is strongest for families and groups of friends who will use the whole day. You get more than a short boat ride, and the combination of Ile Plate, Ilot Gabriel, and Coin de Mire gives the route variety.

The value is weaker if you mainly want guaranteed snorkeling or a quiet, uncrowded catamaran. Weather can cancel the Coin de Mire swim, and crowding can reduce personal space aboard. You may also spend longer than expected waiting for food, boarding a dinghy, or moving between the islands.

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. The captain may reschedule the trip when bad weather is known in advance, while sudden weather changes can also alter the timing or planned stops.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip for a family that wants swimming, simple beach time, and a barbecue without arranging separate boat transfers. Children who enjoy the sea should have plenty to do, though parents need to watch sun exposure and make sure everyone is comfortable in open water.

It also suits a group of friends who value shared time more than formal sightseeing. The best moments come from sitting together on deck, swimming off the boat, and watching Coin de Mire rise from the sea.

I would hesitate if you need wheelchair access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would also hesitate if you dislike strong sun, crowded boats, limited shade, or changes caused by weather.

For a history-focused visitor, this is not the strongest match. The day offers scenery and sea time, but you should not expect detailed interpretation of the islands.

What to pack for a smoother day

The official essentials are simple: towel, sunscreen, and swimwear. I would add a hat and extra drinking water, particularly because island shade and drink service may be limited.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to take part near Coin de Mire. The activity includes snorkeling opportunities, but the instructions specifically ask you to bring your own gear.

A dry bag or waterproof pouch is also sensible for phones and small belongings, though no special storage arrangements are stated. Keep your packing light, since the catamaran may feel crowded when everyone returns from the beach.

The best practical approach is to protect yourself from the sun early, drink before you feel thirsty, and save some energy for the return sail. Seven hours on the water can feel wonderfully easy at first, then tiring after repeated swims and hot beach stops.

Should you book the North Islands cruise?

Book it if you want a full, social day at sea with two island visits, a barbecue, and the chance to snorkel near one of Mauritius’s most dramatic offshore sights. At $70, the package offers good value when the weather cooperates and the boat is not overly crowded.

Skip it if your priority is guaranteed snorkeling, strong guiding, generous shade, or a polished all-day drinks service. For the best chance of enjoying it, bring water and your own snorkeling gear, confirm the meeting point the day before, and accept that the captain may change the route for safety.

FAQ

How long does the North Islands catamaran trip last?

The activity lasts about seven hours. Starting times depend on availability and may change if weather or other force majeure conditions affect the plan.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The main island stops are Ile Plate, also called Flat Island, and Ilot Gabriel. The catamaran also sails close to Coin de Mire.

Can I land on Coin de Mire?

No. The catamaran sails as close as possible to Coin de Mire, but the activity does not include landing on the island.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling is planned near the islands and near Coin de Mire if sea conditions allow. You should bring your own snorkeling equipment.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The captain may reschedule the trip when bad weather is known in advance. The route, timing, or snorkeling portion can also change if conditions at sea make it unsafe.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch, salad, and drinks are included. Lunch is usually served on the catamaran after the island stop, though it may sometimes be served on an island.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and swimwear. You should also bring your own snorkeling equipment and extra drinking water, since drink service during the island stops may be limited.

Which languages are available?

Guide services are available in English, French, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, and Arabic.