Ilot Gabriel is a small islet located some 20km off the northern coast of Mauritius. It is a flat islet of 42 hectares in size consisting mainly of coralline sand and open grasslands. It is quite small and harbours a few endemic animal species; the islet has been proclaimed a nature reserve under the Forests and Reserves Act 1983. The islet is a wonderful lunch point for catamaran day cruises.
There are a few locations where there are meeting points from escorted guides that will provide transportation for you on most days. The most common meeting point for the trip to the islet is normally in the north of Mauritius (Grand Bay beach and Pereybere depending on the catamaran) where a big boat (usually a catamaran) is awaiting the visitors. It usually starts early in the morning (about 9am) and finishes in the afternoon at 5pm. The cruise itself is an amazing experience what with sailing in the bright blue Mauritian waters and sun bathing lazily on the catamaran.
As the boat nears the islet, a small heavenly piece of land of white sand enclosed by the jewel cerulean waters comes into view. White tail tropic birds and wedged tail shearwater birds can be seen soaring the perfectly blue sky above. The islet just invites anyone to forget their worries and enjoy its beauty. It is mainly covered by a plant species called “Baume de l’ile Plate” which is endemic to the place. The native fauna of the islet include the Bojer’s skink, the Bouton’s skink and the ornate day gecko which are also found on neighbouring Flat Island. While some prefer to walk around the islet, others prefer to lie on the beach and enjoy the sun. An open bar is also found there serving mainly barbeques, salads and drinks.
The lagoon around Ilot Gabriel harbours a very rich marine life which makes snorkelling an amazing experience there. People can either enjoy their swim in the warm waters or else enjoy the diversity of fishes and corals underwater.
Here is a small list of some of the experiences you can enjoy on Ilot Gabriel:
- A full day cruise
- Sunset cruise
- Sunset dinner
- Overnight private charter
- Personalised wedding on Ilot Gabriel
Depending on the package, group and tour company prices can vary a lot, a small tip is to check out all the local tour operators along the beach they usually have very competitive rates. Never book from outside of Mauritius as you will find that the prices are overly inflated.
The one thing not to forget when going to Ilot Gabriel is your camera!
