Mauritius North Island Boat Tour

The northern archipelago of Mauritius comprises five uninhabited islands — Coin de Mire, Île Plate, Île Ronde, Îlot Gabriel, and Serpent Island — scattered across 30 square kilometres of protected marine reserve between 8 and 22 kilometres offshore. Volcanic in origin, these outcrops emerged between 8.7 and 4.7 million years ago, predating the main island by several million years. Coin de Mire, the most recognisable silhouette, rises 162 metres from the Indian Ocean and serves as a nesting ground for endemic seabirds including the red-tailed tropicbird and the wedge-tailed shearwater. The islands were declared a nature reserve in 1983, and landing is now restricted to Îlot Gabriel and Île Plate under permit to limit erosion and disturbance to breeding colonies. Commercial boat tours depart daily from Grand Baie Public Beach, the main launching point for northern island excursions. Operators run both catamaran and speedboat itineraries, with catamarans offering covered seating and stabilised decks suited to families, while speedboats reduce transit time and appeal to smaller groups prioritising snorkeling duration. Most itineraries anchor at two or three sites: the coral gardens off Îlot Gabriel, the drop-off near Coin de Mire, and the shallows surrounding Île Plate. Water clarity in the northern lagoons averages 20 to 30 metres visibility during the May-to-November dry season, when southeast trade winds moderate and plankton levels drop. Îlot Gabriel remains the most visited of the five, thanks to its white-sand beach and sheltered anchorage. The island measures just 42.8 hectares, yet its fringing reef supports over 150 species of reef fish and occasional sightings of hawksbill and green turtles foraging in seagrass beds. Tour operators prepare barbecue lunches on board or on the beach, typically featuring grilled chicken, fish, and Mauritian sausages accompanied by rice, salads, and local rum. Open bar service is standard on full-day catamaran charters, with Phoenix beer, local spirits, and soft drinks replenished throughout the voyage. The five-island speedboat safari format has gained traction since 2018, circling all five islets in a single departure and pausing for snorkeling at three locations. These circuits cover approximately 45 nautical miles and last six to seven hours, with departure windows clustered between 08:30 and 09:00 to exploit morning calm and secure mooring space at Gabriel before the catamaran fleet arrives. Weather permitting, speedboat captains approach the sea caves on the southern flank of Coin de Mire, where basaltic columns descend vertically into 18 metres of water.