Full Day Catamaran Cruise on shared basis to Bénitiers Island

The big draw is the chance to watch dolphins in Tamarin Bay, then anchor beside Crystal Rock with the Black River mountain range behind you. The route combines open-water sailing, a short snorkeling stop, lunch on board, and time at Bénitiers Island.

I like the all-in-one format: food, drinks, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and alcoholic beverages are included. I also like the sociable feel of a shared catamaran, with a maximum of 35 people rather than a huge boatload.

The main caution is simple: dolphins are wild, and the boat may not reach them. One disappointed passenger reported spending much of the day at sea after being told the dolphins were too far away, although the crew was friendly. This is best booked as a sea day, not as a guaranteed wildlife sighting.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphin watching in Tamarin Bay: The first stop lasts about 10 minutes and depends on where the dolphins are.
• Crystal Rock lunch stop: Your barbecue is served on board near one of Mauritius’ best-known lagoon landmarks.
• Bénitiers Island visit: You get a short stop on the island as part of the sailing day.
• Snorkeling equipment included: You do not need to bring your own gear, though towels are not supplied.
• Shared boat with up to 35 people: This keeps the price moderate but means the experience is not private or quiet.
• Good package value: At $90.59 per person, lunch, drinks, alcohol, water, and snorkeling gear are covered, but transport to the marina is not.

Sailing west from Grande Rivière Noire

The day begins at 9:30 a.m. at Le Morne Anglers’ Club on Colonel Dean Avenue in Grande Rivière Noire. You arrange your own way to the meeting point, since hotel transfers are not included.

That detail matters. If you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius, check your driving time before booking. The cruise itself lasts about six hours, returning to the same meeting point at roughly 3:30 p.m. You are not buying a quick harbor ride. This is most of a day on the water.

The boat is shared, with a maximum of 35 people. That size gives the cruise a social holiday feel. You can chat over lunch, enjoy the music and company if the atmosphere is lively, and keep the price below that of a private charter. It also means you should not expect a personal guide beside you for every part of the trip.

The operator is Catamaran Cruises Mauritius. The crew prepares lunch and serves the included drinks, and one strong point of the experience is the friendly service. A particularly positive account praised the catamaran Océane, its crew, the atmosphere, and the food. The exact boat can depend on availability, so I would not assume every departure uses Océane.

Tamarin Bay and the dolphin search

The first planned stop is Tamarin Bay, where the crew looks for dolphins. The listed stop is about 10 minutes, so this is a brief wildlife encounter rather than a long marine-life expedition.

That short time is worth understanding before you book. If dolphins are close, you may get a thrilling glimpse as the boat watches them in the bay. If they are far away, the crew may decide not to chase them. One poor account describes exactly that problem: the passenger felt there was little to do after the dolphins were judged too distant, despite finding the crew pleasant.

I see this as the central trade-off. Dolphin watching can be the emotional highlight of the day, but it is never fully controllable. The cruise description itself uses hopeful language about a possible dolphin greeting, not a promise of a sighting. Go in expecting a search, not a scheduled show.

I also recommend keeping your expectations realistic about commentary. The available information does not promise a naturalist guide or detailed wildlife talk. One unhappy passenger specifically felt there were too few explanations during the day. If you want a highly educational marine tour, this may not be the right fit. If you mainly want to be on the water, swim, eat, and enjoy the views, the format makes more sense.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

After the dolphin stop, the cruise includes a snorkeling break. Equipment is supplied, which is useful if you are packing light or do not want to rent gear separately.

The information provided does not give a precise snorkeling location or length of time. I would therefore treat this as a pleasant part of the cruise rather than the sole reason to book. Conditions, visibility, and the exact stop can affect what you see.

The waters off Mauritius are known for colorful marine life, and the tour description points to fish-filled seas. Still, no specific fish, reef, or underwater site is guaranteed. The value here is convenience: you get a chance to enter the lagoon, use the supplied equipment, and cool off during a full day on the water.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not included, and there is no mention of hotel pickup, so you should also plan your clothing and transport around a marina departure. The practical setup is easy enough, but only if you know those omissions in advance.

Lunch beside Crystal Rock

The cruise serves lunch on board near Crystal Rock. This is one of the more appealing parts of the route because you eat while anchored in the lagoon, with a wide view toward the Black River mountain range.

The meal is described as a barbecue prepared by the crew. Drinks are included, including bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages. That makes the $90.59 price easier to judge: you are not paying only for the boat ride and then adding lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear afterward.

One of the most positive accounts singled out the meal as tasty and well prepared, along with the service and friendly mood on board. That is useful context. Food quality can vary from one departure to another, but the barbecue is more than a minor add-on here. It is part of the day’s social rhythm.

Crystal Rock itself is a quick visual landmark rather than a formal attraction with an admission fee. The boat stops nearby, giving you time to take in the rock, the lagoon, and the mountain views. If you enjoy scenic boat lunches, this is likely to be one of the strongest sections of the cruise.

A short visit to Bénitiers Island

Ile aux Bénitiers, also called Bénitiers Island, is the second named stop. The listed visit lasts about 20 minutes, with no admission fee.

That is enough time for a brief walk, a look around, and photographs, but not enough for a full island outing. Keep the timing in mind if you picture a long beach stay or a half-day exploration. The island visit is one part of a larger sailing circuit, not the entire point of the excursion.

The appeal is the change of setting. After time on the catamaran and in the water, you step ashore for a short break. It gives the day some variety and lets you see the island from a closer position rather than only from the boat.

The tour returns to the meeting point at about 3:30 p.m. Since the island stop is brief, the cruise works best for someone who wants several small highlights in one day. If you would rather spend hours on one beach, a dedicated island trip may suit you better.

What the $90.59 price really covers

At $90.59 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Mauritius. But it includes several costs that can quickly add up on a boat outing:

• Lunch prepared by the crew
• Bottled water
• Soda and other soft drinks
• Alcoholic beverages
• Snorkeling equipment
• The catamaran cruise
• Stops at Tamarin Bay and Bénitiers Island

Transport to Le Morne Anglers’ Club is not included. Neither are towels. Those are small omissions, but they affect your real budget and planning.

For me, the value depends on how much of the package you will use. If you want lunch, drinks, a snorkeling stop, and a full six hours at sea, the price is reasonable. If you are mainly interested in dolphins, it becomes harder to justify because the wildlife sighting is uncertain and the dolphin stop is short.

A shared boat is also part of the value calculation. You pay less than you would for a private catamaran, but you give up space and flexibility. With as many as 35 people on board, the atmosphere may be friendly and active rather than calm and secluded.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you like a relaxed day that mixes several activities. You get wildlife watching, snorkeling, a barbecue, drinks, scenic views, and a short island visit without having to arrange each piece separately.

It is also a good match for couples, families, and groups of friends who enjoy being around other people. The included alcohol and social setup may suit adults looking for a festive day on the water, while the snorkeling and island stop give the outing more to do than simply sitting on deck.

You should be comfortable with uncertainty. The cruise depends on good weather, and the dolphin search may not produce a close sighting. The schedule is also fairly compact, so no single stop lasts long.

I would hesitate to recommend it if your main goal is serious snorkeling, a quiet luxury cruise, or detailed natural-history commentary. The supplied information does not promise any of those. The positive experience comes from the combination of scenery, food, swimming, and crew service.

Practical details that shape the day

You receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The cruise also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation is possible if that minimum is not reached. In those cases, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the cruise, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. This is worth remembering when planning a tightly packed Mauritius itinerary.

The cancellation deadline is 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund. Since the boat leaves at 9:30 a.m., make that cutoff a firm part of your planning.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied details. No special accessibility information is provided, so if you have mobility or medical concerns, ask the operator before paying.

Tips for getting more from the catamaran

Arrive ready for a full day outdoors. Bring a towel because none is provided, and plan your own transport to Grande Rivière Noire.

Think of the dolphin stop as a bonus, not a promise. That simple change in expectation protects the rest of your day if the animals are too far away.

If you enjoy taking photographs, the Crystal Rock stop and the view toward the Black River mountains should be your priority. Keep your camera or phone protected around the water, and do not assume the brief Bénitiers Island stop will give you time for a long walk.

The shared format means you may want to claim a comfortable place on board early, although no seating policy is provided. You can expect the crew to handle the barbecue and drinks, leaving you free to enjoy the views and company.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 22 reviews, with 95 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong signal, but the one very negative account points to the exact risk: a day with limited dolphin activity can feel empty if you have not come for the wider sailing experience.

Should you book this Bénitiers Island cruise?

Book it if you want a convenient, social sea day with food and drinks included. The combination of Tamarin Bay, a snorkeling stop, a barbecue near Crystal Rock, and Bénitiers Island gives you a good range of experiences in six hours.

I would call it a solid-value choice for someone who sees dolphin watching as one pleasant possibility rather than the whole purpose of the trip. The friendly crew, well-liked meal, and all-inclusive onboard setup add real value.

Skip it if a dolphin sighting is essential, if you want a private boat, or if you need a long island stay. For everyone else, this is a practical way to sample Mauritius’ west coast from the water, provided you are happy to share the boat and accept the sea’s unpredictable schedule.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Le Morne Anglers’ Club, Colonel Dean Avenue, Grande Rivière Noire, Mauritius.

What time does the cruise start and finish?

The start time is 9:30 a.m. The activity ends back at the meeting point at about 3:30 p.m.

How long is the experience?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Transfers are not included, so you must arrange your own transportation to and from Le Morne Anglers’ Club.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch prepared by the crew is served on board near Crystal Rock.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes bottled water, soda, and alcoholic beverages.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included. Towels are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refundable. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum number of participants cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.