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Why Spend a Day on the Water

Mauritius is ringed by one of the most inviting lagoons in the Indian Ocean, and the flat, sheltered water inside the reef is made for slow sailing. A catamaran day trip takes you away from the hotel pool and out across water so clear you can watch the reef slide past beneath the trampoline nets. It is also remarkably good value: most full-day trips run from around £45 to £90 per person, including lunch and drinks, which makes it one of the best-value excursions on the island.

The pace is gentle. You will typically sail for an hour or two, anchor over a coral garden for snorkelling, moor near a small islet or beach for lunch, then drift home with the trade wind behind you. It suits families, couples and anyone who would rather be on the sea than beside it.

Choose the Right Coast for Your Trip

Where you stay should shape where you sail, because road transfers across the island can eat two hours of your day.

• North: Departures from Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches head for the northern islets — Coin de Mire, Île Plate and Îlot Gabriel. Expect excellent snorkelling, deep blue water outside the reef and a good chance of seeing dolphins.
• East: Belle Mare and Trou d'Eau Douce are the gateway to Île aux Cerfs, with its long white beach, gentle lagoon and the Grand River South East waterfall. Busier, but the scenery is worth it.
• West: Black River and Tamarin offer dolphin-watching sailings at dawn, plus trips to Île aux Bénitiers and the crystal-rock area near Le Morne. The west coast is drier and calmer in the winter months.
• South: Fewer operators, wilder coastline, and sailings that depend heavily on sea conditions.

If you are prone to seasickness, pick a lagoon-only itinerary rather than one that rounds a headland into open water.

How to Book, and What a Typical Day Looks Like

Book at least two or three days ahead in peak season (July, August, December and January), and a week ahead if you want a specific date around Christmas. Your hotel concierge can arrange it, and most operators also take direct bookings by phone or through their own websites. Ask three questions before you pay: does the price include hotel transfers, how many passengers will be on board, and is there shade and a working toilet?

A standard day runs roughly like this:

• 08:00–09:00 — Hotel pick-up or meet at the jetty; safety briefing and boarding.
• 09:30 — Sail out; drinks served on deck.
• 11:00 — Snorkelling stop over the reef, usually 45 to 60 minutes.
• 12:30 — Lunch: grilled fish or chicken, rice, salads and fresh fruit, often cooked on board or on the beach.
• 14:00 — Free time to swim, walk the islet or simply doze in the shade.
• 16:00 — Return to the jetty and transfer back.

Confirm the sea state the evening before. Operators cancel or reschedule when the wind picks up, and a good crew will tell you honestly rather than take you out in a chop.

What to Bring

Pack lighter than you think — there is limited dry space on deck.

• Reef-safe sunscreen, plus a hat and sunglasses with a strap. Some operators now ask for mineral-based sunscreen only.
• A rash vest or long-sleeved top for sun and wind protection; the trade wind can feel cool once you are wet.
• Your own snorkel mask if you have one. Shared masks are cleaned but rarely fit well, and a leaking mask ruins the best reef of the day.
• Water shoes or old trainers for rocky islet landings.
• A dry bag or large zip-lock for phone, camera and cash.
• Cash in rupees for drinks, tips and any jetty fees.
• Seasickness tablets, taken 30 to 60 minutes before departure — not once you are already aboard. Ginger sweets work well for mild queasiness.
• A light towel and a change of clothes in a waterproof bag for the transfer home.

On Board Etiquette and Safety

Shoes come off before boarding on most catamarans, so wear something easy to slip on and off. Move around holding a rail or the rigging, particularly when the sail is up, and keep clear of the boom. Children should wear the life jackets provided for the whole crossing, not just the snorkelling stop.

Use the marine toilet rather than the water, and take everything back to shore — cigarette butts, fruit peel and plastic included. Tell the crew before departure if you have dietary needs, allergies or limited swimming ability. Non-swimmers are welcome on most trips and can snorkel alongside the ladder with a guide and a float.

Making the Most of the Snorkelling and Lunch

Ask the crew to point you towards the liveliest patch of coral — they know where the turtles and parrotfish feed, and it is rarely straight off the stern. Keep your fins away from the reef, never stand on coral, and give yourself a good ten minutes to float quietly; the fish return once you stop splashing.

For lunch, vegetarians and pescatarians should say so when booking, as the menu is often fixed. If you are a fussy eater, tuck a few snacks in your bag. Afterwards, resist the urge to rush back into the water on a full stomach — a slow swim off the beach is far more pleasant, and the light on the lagoon in the late afternoon is the best of the day.