Snorkel with Dolphins, Lunch on Benitiers island, Speedboat

The main draw here is the chance to see and swim near dolphins in Tamarin Bay, then cross the west coast by speedboat to Crystal Rock and Ile aux Benitiers. You get a full day on the water, not just a quick dolphin sighting from shore.

I like the lively boat ride and the simple, social lunch on the island. I also like that snorkeling gear, life jackets, food, and drinks are included, which keeps the price of $64.79 per person in sensible territory. The main catch is that dolphin encounters depend on sea conditions and animal movement, while the first part can be tiring if you are not comfortable in open water.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphins in Tamarin Bay: Watch for dolphins and enter the water for swimming or snorkeling when conditions allow.
• Crystal Rock stop: Get close to one of Mauritius’s best-known offshore sights and swim near it if the group wishes.
• Ile aux Benitiers lunch: Spend about three hours around the island, with a barbecue, salad, drinks, beach time, and snorkeling.
• Small boat group: The boat carries a maximum of 14 people, giving the outing a more personal feel than a large cruise.
• Early start from Tamarin: Meet at Blond Boulette, La Baie, at 7:30 am, with the trip ending back at the same meeting point.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, and dolphin visibility is never guaranteed.

What the day is really about

This is a west-coast Mauritius boat day built around three pleasures: marine life, fast open-water travel, and an easy beach lunch. You leave from Tamarin, head into the bay for dolphin watching and swimming, stop at Crystal Rock, then spend the longer midday stretch at Ile aux Benitiers.

The schedule is listed at about seven hours and 15 minutes, though the time spent at each attraction is only approximate. That matters because wildlife tours cannot run like a train timetable. The crew may need to adjust the order or length of a stop according to sea conditions and what is happening on the water.

You should also set your expectations correctly. This is not a guaranteed dolphin performance, and it is not a quiet private cruise. It is an active group outing with a maximum of 14 people, which keeps it fairly small but still means you will share the boat, the water, and the island lunch with others.

Starting at Tamarin at 7:30 am

Your meeting point is Blond Boulette, La Baie, in Tamarin. The beach is part of the experience rather than just a place to wait. A short morning stroll gives you time to get your bearings before boarding, and you return to the same area at the end of the day.

The early start is useful for a water-based trip. It gives you a full morning in Tamarin Bay and leaves enough time for the island stop without rushing every part of the outing. It also means you need to plan your own way to Tamarin, since private transportation is not included.

The meeting point is especially important if you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius. The supplied information warns that roads can be slow in the morning when the drive takes more than an hour. Build in extra time rather than arriving breathless after a long transfer.

The crew provides life jackets and snorkeling equipment, and you can ask for help or guidance during the outing. Most people can take part, but the first section calls for reasonable physical confidence. Getting in and out of a boat, swimming in open water, and keeping pace with the group can be demanding for anyone who is not athletic or comfortable at sea.

Dolphins in Tamarin Bay

The first major stop takes place in Tamarin Bay, where the crew looks for dolphins and gives you the chance to swim or snorkel near them. This is the part most people will have in mind when booking, and it can be thrilling when the animals come close to the boat.

Still, dolphin watching is wildlife watching. The crew cannot control where the dolphins go, how long they stay, or how clear the water will be. One day may bring an exciting close approach. Another may offer only a distant view, or poor underwater visibility that makes swimming with dolphins less rewarding.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the boat trip, but it is a real consideration when you decide how much of the price you are assigning to this one moment. You are paying for a day at sea with several stops, not a guaranteed underwater encounter.

The equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange your own snorkeling kit. Life jackets are also available, and the crew is there to guide you. Even so, I would treat the dolphin swim as an optional highlight rather than the only reason to go. If conditions are not ideal, the island, scenery, and Crystal Rock still give the day other points of interest.

The surrounding views add to the sense of place. From the water, you can see beaches, mountains, islands, and the coast of western Mauritius. The boat ride itself supplies much of the excitement, but the scenery gives you quieter moments between the wildlife and swimming stops.

Crystal Rock and the open-water ride

After the dolphin portion, the boat continues toward Crystal Rock. Here, you can get out of the boat if the group wants to, swim near the rock, and even touch it. The amount of time is not fixed, so do not expect a long, formal visit with a set program.

Crystal Rock works well as a second water stop. If the dolphin approach is limited, you still have another chance to swim and enjoy the sea from a different angle. It also breaks up the day before lunch, giving the trip a natural rhythm: wildlife first, a scenic swim next, then time on the island.

The speedboat is a key part of the character of this outing. You cover the coast quickly and feel the wind and movement more directly than you would on a slow sightseeing boat. That is fun for people who enjoy an active ride, but it may not suit anyone who prefers a calm, quiet cruise.

Keep your expectations practical. This is a shared boat with a maximum of 14 people, not a private charter. The smaller capacity should make it easier to hear the crew and move through the day, but you will still need to share swimming space and follow the group’s timing.

Three hours on Ile aux Benitiers

Ile aux Benitiers is the longest stop, with about three hours set aside for the island. That gives you time to eat, swim, walk around, and slow down after the morning’s boat activity.

The island is described as having natural vegetation, white sand, and a lagoon suitable for swimming and some snorkeling. You can expect the appeal to come from the combination of beach and shallow-looking coastal scenery rather than from a long list of organized activities. This is your chance to choose your own pace.

Lunch is included and consists of a barbecue, salad, and drinks. That makes the stop practical as well as scenic. You do not have to leave the group to arrange a separate meal, and you can eat close to the beach before returning to the water or island surroundings.

The meal is also a social part of the trip. You will be sharing a simple island lunch with the boat group, which suits people who enjoy a relaxed, communal setting. If you want a secluded beach and complete silence, this may be less appealing.

Crowding is the main drawback here. Ile aux Benitiers can be busy, and that can reduce the sense of having a private island escape. The island may still be beautiful, but you should not picture an untouched beach with no other groups around.

That trade-off is common on popular coastal excursions. You gain an easy lunch stop, a pleasant beach, and included drinks, but you give up some peace and personal space. I would enjoy this part most by treating it as a comfortable break in a full day rather than expecting a deserted island.

What the $64.79 price includes

At $64.79 per person, the value is strongest if you plan to use the whole package. You receive the boat trip, dolphin watching, the Crystal Rock stop, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, lunch, salad, and drinks. For a seven-hour-plus outing, that is a fair bundle.

The price also reduces the small costs that can otherwise accumulate on a day at sea. You do not need to rent snorkeling equipment separately or buy lunch and drinks at the island. Those inclusions make the final cost easier to predict.

Private transportation is not included, so your value calculation needs to include the cost and effort of reaching Tamarin. If you are staying nearby, the price is more attractive. If you are far away and need a long private transfer, the total day cost rises, and the early road journey can take some of the shine off the morning.

The maximum group size of 14 is another useful part of the value. It is not a private experience, but it is more limited than a large boat excursion. You should have a better chance of receiving direct help from the crew and moving through the day without the feel of a packed cruise.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this outing if you want several west-coast experiences in one day and enjoy being active. It suits couples, friends, and families whose children or adults are comfortable around boats and open water.

It is also a good fit if you want a straightforward holiday day with the major practical details handled. Gear, food, drinks, and life jackets are provided, while the crew helps guide the group from one stop to the next.

You may want to think twice if your main goal is a guaranteed dolphin swim. The animals may not approach closely, and underwater visibility can be poor. You should also reconsider if you find speedboats tiring, dislike group meals, or need a very gentle water activity.

The day is not presented as a private or luxury experience. Its appeal is the mix of scenery, wildlife, speed, swimming, and an uncomplicated island meal. That combination is often more useful than a polished but narrow excursion, especially if this is your only full day on Mauritius’s west coast.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is offered with a mobile ticket. Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time.

Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The trip also depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the outing, or the minimum is not met, you can be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

That policy is worth noting for a water activity. Keep some flexibility in your Mauritius schedule if possible, especially during unsettled weather. The tour returns to the Tamarin meeting point, so you can plan the rest of your day from there.

Should you book the Tamarin dolphin and island day?

I would book this if you want an active, good-value day that combines dolphins, snorkeling, a speedboat ride, Crystal Rock, and lunch on Ile aux Benitiers. The small group, included equipment, and included meal make the $64.79 price easy to justify when you use the full day.

I would not book it solely for a guaranteed underwater dolphin encounter. Wildlife and water clarity can change, and the island may feel crowded. Go for the complete west-coast outing, keep your expectations flexible, and arrive ready for swimming, wind, sun, and a lively group day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Blond Boulette, Boulette La Baie, M9FH+62X, Tamarin, Mauritius.

What time does the activity begin?

The scheduled start time is 7:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Tamarin.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a barbecue, salad, and drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided at no extra charge.

Are life jackets available?

Yes. Life jackets are available on the boat.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 14 participants.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to an alternative date or a full refund.