North Islands Catamaran Cruise Mauritius: Ile Plate & Gabriel

Three islands, lunch on the beach, and snorkeling in a natural aquarium

A full-day catamaran cruise from Mauritius visits Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, where you land, swim and eat lunch on the beach, then sails to Coin de Mire for snorkeling in one of the north's best spots. The boat carries you through turquoise lagoons and past white-sand shores; lunch, drinks and a guide in English, French, Hindi or Urdu are included. Sea conditions determine whether you can snorkel at Coin de Mire, and the captain makes that call.

Step-by-step itinerary

Catamaran cruise and island visits

• Depart from Grand Baie
• Land on first island for beach and snorkeling
• Enjoy views of endemic Paille En Queue birds
• Travel to Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel islands
• Eat lunch and relax on the island
• Have siesta on the island
• Sail near Coin de Mire island
• Snorkel near Coin de Mire if conditions allow
• Return from islands to Grand Baie

The Experience

If you have a free afternoon or a morning to spare in Mauritius, this cruise fills a full day without you arranging transport or a meal. The catamaran leaves from Grand Baie and heads north for roughly ninety minutes to reach Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel, two small islands edged by white sand and linked by turquoise lagoon. You land on both, swim in the shallows, and watch for the endemic Paille En Queue bird nesting on the cliffs nearby.

Lunch happens on the island itself—a barbecue with salad and drinks provided—so you eat where you arrived instead of heading back to the boat. After the meal, you can rest on the beach or snorkel near the islands as your abilities allow. The rhythm is yours: the day is built around the islands and the water, not a schedule.

In the afternoon, the boat sails to Coin de Mire, an ancient volcanic cone rising 8 kilometres north of the coast. The snorkeling here is among the best in the north, with water clarity and depth—averaging 6 metres, ranging from 3 to 9—that make the conditions ideal year-round. Whether you actually enter the water at Coin de Mire depends on the sea state; the captain decides based on safety, and that decision is final. The whole journey takes about seven hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Catamaran transport from Grand Baie to all three islands.
• lunch with barbecue and salad on Ile Plate or Ilot Gabriel.
• drinks throughout the day.
• snorkeling near the islands as your abilities allow.
• a guide in English, French, Hindi or Urdu.
• swimming and beach time on white sand.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Vacances Oh Soleil

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full day combining sailing, island landing, and snorkeling in one outing—you'll eat on the island and snorkel at your own pace near Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel.

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Top questions

How long does it take to reach the islands from Grand Baie?

The trip to Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel takes about ninety minutes each way, so you spend roughly three hours traveling and four hours on and around the islands before heading back.

Can I snorkel at all three islands?

You can snorkel near Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel as you wish. Coin de Mire is known as one of the best snorkeling spots in the north, with water averaging 6 metres deep and excellent visibility, but landing there depends on sea conditions—the captain decides whether it is safe to enter the water.

What is included in the lunch on the island?

Lunch is a barbecue with salad, and drinks are provided throughout the day on the boat and on the island.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, French, Hindi and Urdu, so you can choose the language that suits you when you book.

What are Ile Plate and Ilot Gabriel like?

Both islands are small, with white sand beaches and turquoise lagoon between them. Ile Plate is also called Flat Island, and both are located about 10 kilometres north of Mauritius. They are largely undeveloped, so you see a preserved landscape and can watch nesting seabirds up close.

Is this cruise suitable if I have never snorkeled before?

Yes—snorkeling is optional and you choose whether to enter the water based on your comfort and ability. The islands themselves offer swimming in shallow water, and you can rest on the beach instead if you prefer.