North East of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ BBQ Lunch

This is the kind of day trip that mixes sun, sea time, and a real change of scenery without making you travel far. You start from Grand Gaube, head toward the mangroves of L’ile d’Ambre, then you get snorkeling and beach time, with lunch and drinks handled on board.

What I like most is the BBQ lunch on the catamaran deck, served with the sides you expect (rice, potatoes and egg salad, seasonal vegetables) and options for different diets. I also like that the drink list goes beyond water, with cocktails, fruit juice, soft drinks, and even local rum, wine, and Phoenix beer included.

The main drawback to consider is timing and sea conditions. The snorkeling is scheduled for a set break, and if seas are rough the captain can change direction to other beaches, so your water time may vary. Also, this is not for people prone to seasickness, so you will want to pack accordingly.

Key moments to look forward to

• 6.5 hours on a catamaran along the northeast coast, built for relaxed pacing
• Mangrove serenity at L’ile d’Ambre, with a cocktail-in-hand vibe
• Snorkeling break planned around the Grand Gaube turquoise area with crew guidance
• BBQ lunch on board with grilled fish, chicken, sausages, plus vegetarian and kids menu options
• Bernaches Island beach time for swimming, lagoon exploring, and easy walks
• Flexible routing if weather turns, with possible stops at Gunners Coin or Casita beach

Why this northeast Mauritius catamaran cruise feels like a real day out

If your idea of a great Mauritius day is less “bus tour” and more “sea day,” this cruise fits the bill. The route is designed around water time: a swim and snorkel window, a mangrove interlude, lunch on deck, then more beach time at Bernaches Island.

The experience also has a social, vacation energy. The catamaran setting makes it easy to relax with other passengers, and the crew is part of the mood. One theme in the feedback is the atmosphere on board, with people enjoying the run of the day rather than watching a schedule like homework.

Two practical reasons this works well for most visitors: you get a full dose of north-coast scenery in one go, and you do not have to coordinate lunch or drinks. That matters because Mauritian beach days can get expensive fast once you start buying food and beverages separately.

Getting on board: meeting point, timing, and how the day is paced

You meet at 9:30 am at the jetty of Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort in Grand Gaube. Departure is at 10:00 am, and you are back at the same jetty around 4:00 pm.

Why this matters: the trip is long enough to feel like a proper day, but short enough that you are not stuck far into the evening. The itinerary is also built in chunks, which helps when you are juggling sun exposure, hydration, and energy levels.

Here is the rhythm you should expect:

• A morning cruise out to the mangrove area at L’ile d’Ambre
• A set swimming and snorkel break (with crew assistance)
• Lunch around noon on the deck
• Early afternoon Bernaches Island time until about 2:30 pm
• Return to Grand Gaube by mid-afternoon

Also note the languages offered are French and English, so you can expect clear communication about what to do next during the day.

L’ile d’Ambre mangroves: the quiet stop that makes the trip feel special

After you sail away from Grand Gaube, you head toward L’ile d’Ambre, known for lush mangroves. This is not just a “pass by” stop. The day is timed to let you enjoy the mangrove zone, including a chance to relax and enjoy drinks in that calmer setting.

In the feedback, people repeatedly highlight this part of the day as the mood changer. The mangroves can feel like a separate world from the busy shoreline, and the slower pace helps you reset between water activities.

What you can realistically do during this segment:

• Enjoy the views and boat time
• Relax in the mangrove atmosphere
• Take in the scenery while you sip a cocktail or other included beverage

Since touching plants is not allowed and you should avoid disturbing marine life, the focus here is appreciation and relaxation, not “hands-on exploration.”

Snorkeling at the Grand Gaube turquoise lagoon, and what to expect from the gear situation

Snorkeling is one of the headline activities, and the day includes a break where you can swim and snorkel with crew help. The tour description points to the Grand Gaube turquoise lagoon area for snorkeling.

A few helpful expectations to set upfront:

• You will not be out snorkeling for hours. It is scheduled as a break, so it is best for beginners and for people who want fun water time rather than training for underwater endurance.
• The snorkeling quality may depend on conditions. One less satisfying note in the feedback suggests snorkeling was not worth the effort for some people. That does not mean it will be bad for you, but it is a reminder that visibility and water conditions can change.

Bring your own snorkeling gear, or use what you have

The essentials list specifically encourages you to bring snorkelling equipment if you prefer. If you do not bring your own gear, you might still be able to join in, but the tour data does not clearly state that rental gear is included.

So if snorkeling matters to you, pack your own mask and snorkel and you will feel more confident once you hit the water.

Pack like a snorkeler, not like a museum visitor

Bring:

• Sunscreen and a hat/cap
• Swimwear plus cover-up
• A waterproof bag or backpack for your phone and towel
• A towel and a change of clothes
• Motion sickness pills if necessary
• Snorkeling gear if you want to be comfortable and consistent

And remember the rules: do not touch marine life. You want to look, float, and swim, not handle.

The BBQ lunch on deck: the real value driver

Lunch is served onboard, and this is where the day often feels like more than a basic cruise. It is a true BBQ lunch on the deck, eaten with ocean views in the background.

The BBQ menu includes:

• Rice salad
• Potato and egg salad
• Mixed salad and seasonal vegetables
• Grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage
• Seafood delicacy
• Garlic bread, bread
• Seasonal fruit

You also get a vegetarian menu option: rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled vegetarian sausages, bread, and seasonal fruit.

There is also a kids menu, which is the same as the adult menu. If you are traveling with children, this matters because you are not guessing what will be available at lunch.

Drinks on board: the included options make it feel like a party without the pressure

The drinks listed include:

• Local rum and wine (red, rosé, white)
• Phoenix beer
• Fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water
• Cocktails are part of the day as well

Even if you skip alcohol, the availability of fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water keeps things easy. You are not spending money every time you want something cold during the midday heat.

In short, the lunch and drinks turn the cruise into a complete package. That is why the price can feel fair even if you are comparing it to a half-day boat hire.

Bernaches Island: beach time with an easy walking pace

After lunch, you sail to Bernaches Island, where you have time to unwind until around 2:30 pm. This is your laid-back segment of the day, with less pressure than snorkeling.

On Bernaches Island, you can:

• Swim
• Explore the lagoon
• Stroll along the sandy beaches
• Just relax in the sun

This is a smart pairing after your earlier water activities. If you snorkel in the morning, Bernaches gives you a different kind of water time, more flexible and less equipment-focused. If you skipped snorkeling earlier, this island segment still gives you a reason to be out on the water.

Also, in the feedback, Bernaches and the mangrove zone are connected to that “small island feeling.” That matters because it helps your day feel like you got away, even though you are starting and ending in Grand Gaube.

Sea conditions, comfort, and who should think twice

You cannot control the ocean, but the tour does prepare for it. If seas are rough or the captain judges landing spots as unsafe or unreachable, the captain may change direction for safety and take you to Gunners Coin or Casita beach instead.

That is the correct approach for safety. The trade-off is that your exact snorkeling and beach plan might shift.

If you get motion sickness

This is not a small boat wiggle tour. Still, it is a catamaran and you can feel movement. The tour is explicitly not suitable for people prone to seasickness. If you are sensitive, bring motion sickness pills as suggested in the essentials and consider whether you want to gamble on comfort that day.

Mobility and physical limits

It is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That is important for planning, since getting on and off a boat and navigating beachy surfaces can be tricky.

Animal lovers

Pets are not allowed, though assistance dogs are allowed.

Price and value: what $80 per person buys you, really

At about $80 per person, this cruise is priced for a full-day experience. The value comes from the bundle: boat time, lunch, and drinks, plus built-in swimming and snorkel breaks.

What you are getting for your money:

• 6.5 hours on a catamaran
• BBQ lunch with multiple protein options plus vegetarian and kids menu options
• A wide drink list, including rum, wine, Phoenix beer, and nonalcoholic options
• Swimming and snorkeling time with crew assistance
• Free time at Bernaches Island and in the mangroves of L’ile d’Ambre

If you were doing this yourself, the costs would pile up fast once you add transport, boat hire, food, and drinks. Here, the day is structured so you can pay once and relax.

Is it perfect value for everyone? Not necessarily. A less positive note included the idea that the snorkeling was not worth it for some people, and there is even one report that the sailing felt extremely short. That is not the norm suggested by the itinerary, but it is a reminder to choose this tour for the overall package, not just for snorkeling bragging rights.

Tips to make your cruise day smoother

A few practical moves that will make the day easier.

• Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you care about comfort and fit. The difference between a good mask and a bad one is huge.
• Use sunscreen early. You are on the water, so reapplication matters.
• Pack a waterproof bag for your phone and charger. You will likely want photos from Bernaches and the mangrove area.
• Wear beachwear that dries fast. You have a change of clothes option, but convenience helps.
• If you think you might feel seasick, take prevention early, not after you feel bad.
• Bring a light jacket or waterproof jacket. The essentials list calls for it, and it can be helpful depending on wind and sea mood.

If you want the most from the included drinks, treat them like part of the vacation, not a mission. Stay hydrated with water and nonalcoholic options too.

Should you book this northeast Mauritius catamaran with BBQ lunch?

I think this tour is a good choice if you want:

• A full-day catamaran experience with minimal planning
• A satisfying BBQ lunch served onboard
• A mix of mangroves, snorkeling time, and beach time
• Included drinks that keep the mood relaxed

I would think twice if:

• Snorkeling is your one and only priority, especially if you have strong expectations about water clarity every time
• You are prone to motion sickness, since the day is not recommended for that
• You need accessibility-friendly logistics, because it is not suitable for mobility impairments

If you land in the sweet spot, you are likely to leave with what most people seem to love: a fun catamaran atmosphere, crew energy, good food, and enough time on the water that the day feels like an escape.

FAQ

What time do I meet and when does the tour return?

Meet at 9:30 am at the jetty of Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort in Grand Gaube. The catamaran departs at 10:00 am and you return back to the jetty at 4:00 pm.

Where do we board the catamaran?

You board at the jetty of Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel Resort in Grand Gaube.

What is included in the BBQ lunch and drinks?

Lunch is a BBQ menu that includes items like rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled sausage, seafood delicacy, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit. There is also a vegetarian menu and a kids menu (the same as adult). Drinks include local rum, wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

Snorkelling equipment is listed as something to bring, and you are told you can bring your own gear if you prefer. The tour also plans crew-assisted swimming and snorkelling during the morning break.

What happens if the sea is rough?

If sea conditions are rough or landing is not possible, the captain may change direction for safety. The tour may take you to Gunners Coin or Casita beach instead.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No, it is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Are pets allowed on board?

Pets are not allowed, but assistance dogs are allowed.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.