For the mangroves around Île d’Ambre and Îlot Bernache, distinguish the shared pirogue from Grand Gaube, the private speedboat from Grand Baie and the catamaran from Grand Gaube. Andeor offers these outings through its partners. Their general destination overlaps, but the boarding point, lunch arrangements and booking format differ. Those practical details matter more than choosing whichever photograph looks most like the island you imagined.
Good to know
FAQ
Is the standard pirogue private?
No. It is shared with up to ten passengers. A private trip needs a separate arrangement and confirmed price.
Do all three offers include lunch?
No. The pirogue and catamaran include a meal. The private speedboat includes mineral water, with other catering separate.
Does the pirogue beach lunch have seating?
The listing specifies lunch on the beach without tables or chairs. Tell Andeor about any seating needs before booking.
The full-day pirogue from Grand Gaube leaves around 09:30 and returns around 15:30, with timing affected by tides. It follows the mangroves of Île d’Ambre, includes a snorkelling stop and continues to Bernache. A beach barbecue and the listed drinks are included. Lunch is served on the sand without tables or chairs. The standard excursion is shared with a maximum of ten passengers. A private arrangement can be requested at a separately confirmed price; booking several seats does not automatically reserve the boat.
A private speedboat with catering arranged separately
The private mangrove outing from Grand Baie follows the northern coast towards Île d’Ambre and Bernache, with snorkelling opportunities. Its published programme runs from 09:00 to 15:30. The boat and mineral water are included, while meals and other drinks must be brought or arranged separately. Choose it when reserving the vessel for your own group is important. Do not attribute the pirogue’s included beach barbecue to this different offer merely because both visit the same area.
A catamaran day with lunch aboard
The mangrove catamaran from Grand Gaube publishes a 10:00 to 16:00 programme with check-in at 09:45. Barbecue lunch, water, soft drinks and selected adult alcoholic drinks are included. A vegetarian menu must be requested in advance. The supply of snorkelling equipment aboard is limited, and guests may bring their own. Having lunch on the vessel is a practical distinction from sitting on the beach; choose the setting that suits your party rather than comparing menus alone.
Make the meal and boarding arrangements part of the decision
Share the ages of all guests, dietary requirements and any assistance needed for boarding or lunch. A beach meal without furniture may not suit someone who cannot sit comfortably on the ground. A private vessel is not in itself a promise of a particular boarding arrangement. The skipper adapts the programme to conditions. If Bernache rather than the mangrove passage is your main interest, our Bernache speedboat and pirogue comparison focuses on those two island-day offers.
Check the correct departure before arranging transport
Grand Baie and Grand Gaube are different meeting areas. Use the precise confirmed point rather than a general northern-coast pickup. Hotel transfers are excluded from the private speedboat and catamaran offers compared here. Andeor can arrange a separate journey through Seke. To understand the shorter pirogue alternative, read our half-day and full-day pirogue guide. It helps decide how much of the day to reserve before fixing the return journey.
Explore the boat experiences available through Andeor to compare the current options.
