Ile Aux Bénitiers : Private Catamaran Cruise & Gourmet Lunch

The star of this six-hour cruise is the west coast setting: Black River mountain peaks behind you, Morne Mountain ahead, and calm blue water under the catamaran. The day mixes dolphin watching, reef snorkeling, a generous BBQ, and a short stop at Île aux Bénitiers.

I like the relaxed pace and the chance to swim in more than one spot. I also like that lunch and drinks are included, so you can settle into the boat instead of counting extra costs. The main drawback is Île aux Bénitiers itself, which can feel commercial and crowded, with shallow water that is not useful for swimming.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphin watching comes early: You search the waters of Tamarin Bay near Grande Rivière Noire, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• The best swimming may be near Crystal Rock: You get time for snorkeling and a second swim while lunch is prepared.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: The BBQ includes chicken, fish, lobster, side dishes, dessert, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Île aux Bénitiers is a short visit: You have about 40 minutes, with a small boat available to take you ashore.
• The group details need checking: The booking is described as private for up to six people, but the information also says the shared catamaran can carry up to 20.
• Alcohol comes after snorkeling: Drinking beforehand can mean the snorkeling stop is cancelled.

A west coast day built around water, not sightseeing from shore

This is the kind of Mauritius outing where the boat is the destination. From the deck, you see the Black River mountain range and Morne Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while a light ocean breeze takes the edge off the tropical sun.

The meeting point is L’Estuaire La Balise Marina in Rivière Noire, opposite the church. You should arrive 15 minutes early for the 9:15 AM departure. The boat returns to the same area at about 3:30 PM, giving you a full half-day without filling the morning and evening with transfers.

I would choose this cruise if you want several classic west coast sights in one outing, but do not want to spend the day moving between separate tours. You get wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, food, and a little time on an island. The tradeoff is that no single stop receives a very long visit.

The activity is operated by Oceane Cruises Mauritius, with French and English spoken. No individual crew names are provided, but the crew plays an important role in the day: preparing lunch, handling the boat, setting up stops, and helping you move between the catamaran and Île aux Bénitiers.

Leaving L’Estuaire for Tamarin Bay

The catamaran leaves L’Estuaire and heads toward Tamarin Bay, passing through the waters off Grande Rivière Noire. This first section is for dolphin watching, so keep your camera ready and be patient.

Dolphin sightings are part of the plan, not a promise. The boat may pause while you look across the bay, but wildlife decides the timing. That uncertainty is normal, and it is worth treating this as a chance to see dolphins rather than a guaranteed show.

Several published experiences of this outing included dolphins, and some also saw whales and sea turtles. You should not book on the assumption that all three will appear. Still, the west coast route gives you a good reason to spend time looking out from the deck rather than staying below.

This is also a pleasant introduction to the catamaran. You can take in the open views before the swimming begins, and you get a sense of the day’s pace. The west coast is especially appealing here because Morne Mountain gives the cruise a strong visual anchor.

La Preneuse brings the first proper swim

After Tamarin Bay, the boat heads toward La Preneuse for swimming and marine-life viewing. This is where you can get into the water near the coral reef and use the snorkeling time included in the cruise.

Bring your own comfortable swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat. A camera is also listed as useful, but protect it carefully around salt water. Comfortable shoes matter for the marina and island transfer, even though most of your time will be spent barefoot or in swimwear.

The snorkeling is best understood as a relaxed reef stop rather than a technical underwater excursion. The available details do not promise equipment, instruction, or a formal scuba session, so ask the operator what is supplied before you go if you do not have your own gear.

The order of activities matters. Alcoholic drinks are served only after snorkeling, and the management can cancel the snorkeling stop if people drink beforehand. This is a sensible safety rule, but it is worth knowing in advance if your group is eager to start with rum or beer.

Crystal Rock is the day’s main pause

The cruise continues toward Crystal Rock, one of the best-known sights on this route. The rock makes a natural photo stop, but its real value is the surrounding water, where you can swim again while the crew prepares lunch.

This is the point where I would plan to spend your energy. If you love swimming and fish viewing, the water near the reef is likely to be more rewarding than the island stop later in the day. You can photograph Crystal Rock, cool off, and then return to the boat for the BBQ.

The schedule allows a break, photos, lunch, free time, and swimming here. That sounds generous, but all those activities share one stop. If the crew is preparing food while you swim, you may want to decide what matters most to you before getting in the water.

The views also change the mood of the trip. From the water, Morne Mountain and the west coast peaks give the meal a memorable setting. You are not simply eating lunch on a boat. You are eating with open sea around you and Mauritius’ most recognizable mountain country in view.

The BBQ is a serious reason to choose this cruise

Lunch is not an afterthought. The food described for this cruise includes chicken, fish, lobster, side dishes, and dessert. One particularly strong report praised the grilled lobster, along with the large selection of sides and a good dessert.

I would choose this tour over a bare-bones sailing trip if food matters to you. A six-hour boat day can feel long when lunch is just a sandwich, but a cooked BBQ gives the middle of the outing a proper pause. You can swim before eating, settle down at Crystal Rock, and enjoy the meal while the boat remains in the middle of the scenery.

Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. That improves the value for a group that plans to enjoy beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, or tea during the day. It also means you should pace yourself, since snorkeling takes place before alcoholic drinks are served.

The word gourmet in the product name should be treated with some caution. The supplied details clearly support a generous BBQ with lobster and several accompaniments, but they do not provide a full menu, dietary information, or details about table service. If someone in your group has allergies or special food needs, ask Oceane Cruises Mauritius before booking.

Île aux Bénitiers is the least convincing stop

After lunch, you get about 40 minutes to discover Île aux Bénitiers. A boat is available to take you from the catamaran to the island, so you do not have to swim ashore.

This stop gives you a change of scene and a chance to take photos on land. It also breaks up the return journey. If you enjoy browsing souvenirs or simply want to walk on the island, the short visit may be enough.

I would keep expectations modest. The island has been described as commercial, with rows of souvenir stalls and many people. The surrounding water can be no more than knee-deep, so it is not the right place for a proper swim.

That does not make the stop useless. Some people enjoy a quick look around, and families may appreciate getting off the boat for a few minutes. But if your priority is quiet nature or clear swimming water, this is the weakest part of the schedule.

A useful approach is to treat Île aux Bénitiers as optional flavor rather than the main reason to book. The catamaran ride, reef stops, dolphin search, and BBQ carry the experience. If you would rather have more time in the water, the crew may sometimes allow extra snorkeling or swimming time when conditions and timing permit, but that is not guaranteed.

The return through Black River keeps the day easy

The cruise returns through Black River toward L’Estuaire, with coffee, tea, and the final stretch of sailing listed among the activities. Arrival is expected at approximately 3:30 PM.

That timing works well for anyone staying around Rivière Noire or the west coast. You finish early enough to have an evening meal without rushing, though you should allow extra time if you need to drive across Mauritius afterward.

Because this is a boat-centered day, weather and sea conditions can affect the feel of the schedule. The route includes calm blue waters on the west coast, but the operator controls the exact timing of stops. If you need every minute to follow a fixed plan, this may feel loose. If you like an outing that adjusts to wildlife and water conditions, that flexibility is useful.

Is the $1,325 group price good value?

The listed price is $1,325 per group of up to six people. That works out to roughly $221 per person if six people share the booking.

At that level, the value depends heavily on the group arrangement. You are paying for a private group booking, a six-hour catamaran cruise, BBQ lunch, unlimited drinks, crew service, multiple water stops, and the chance to see dolphins. For six people, the cost can make sense, especially if you prefer a more personal boat day to a basic shared excursion.

There is an important point to clarify before paying. The information also says there could be up to 20 people on the shared catamaran. That does not sit neatly with the private-group description for up to six. Ask Oceane Cruises Mauritius whether your booking reserves the catamaran for your group or simply places your group on a boat that may carry other people.

If the boat is genuinely private for six, you gain control over the atmosphere and more room to enjoy the deck. If it is shared, the price may feel high unless the food, service, and included drinks are your main priorities. I would get the group arrangement confirmed in writing.

The included drinks also affect the calculation. A group that drinks little may not get the full financial benefit, while a group that enjoys beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea may find the package easier to budget.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I think this outing suits you best if you want a full west coast day without piecing together separate activities. It works particularly well for:

• Couples or families who want swimming, wildlife, food, and scenery in one booking
• Small groups that can share the $1,325 cost
• People who value a cooked lunch and included drinks
• Anyone who prefers a gentle snorkeling stop to a highly technical water excursion
• Visitors staying near Rivière Noire who can reach L’Estuaire Marina easily

You may want a different plan if your main goal is a quiet island visit. Île aux Bénitiers is short and commercial, so it should not be the central reason you choose this cruise.

You should also think about your group’s swimming habits. The day includes snorkeling and swimming near the reef, but it is not described as a dedicated scuba experience. If some people in your party do not want to enter the water, they can still enjoy the views and lunch, but they will miss a central part of the outing.

The catamaran is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, you should confirm the practical details of boarding, the transfer boat to Île aux Bénitiers, and access around the marina before booking, since the information does not explain how each part is handled.

Practical details that can make the day better

Arrive at L’Estuaire La Balise Marina 15 minutes before departure. The meeting point is in Rivière Noire, opposite the church, and the planned departure is 9:15 AM.

Pack light, but bring the things that matter:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Reef-safe sunscreen or your preferred sunscreen
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Comfortable shoes
• A camera
• Dry clothing for the return ride

Smoking is not allowed, and intoxication is not allowed. Keep alcohol for after snorkeling, as drinking before the water stop can lead to that activity being cancelled.

The host speaks French and English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times should still be checked for your chosen date.

My verdict on Oceane Cruises Mauritius

I would book this cruise for the boat day as a whole, not for Île aux Bénitiers alone. The strongest elements are the west coast views, the chance to look for dolphins, the reef swimming, the Crystal Rock stop, and the BBQ with lobster and unlimited drinks.

I would book it confidently for a group of six after confirming whether the catamaran is truly private or may carry up to 20 people. I would also tell everyone in the group that the island is a short, commercial stop, not a peaceful beach escape.

If your group wants good food, easy sailing, several chances to get in the water, and a generous day on Mauritius’ west coast, this is a solid choice. If you want long snorkeling sessions or an unspoiled island, put your money elsewhere.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

It departs from L’Estuaire La Balise Marina in Rivière Noire, opposite the church.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

The planned departure is at 9:15 AM, with arrival back at L’Estuaire at approximately 3:30 PM. You should reach the meeting point 15 minutes early.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is included, with chicken, fish, lobster, side dishes, and dessert described as part of the meal.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Alcohol is served after snorkeling, and drinking beforehand can lead to the snorkeling activity being cancelled.

How long is the visit to Île aux Bénitiers?

You have about 40 minutes to visit Île aux Bénitiers. A boat is available to take you from the catamaran to the island.

Is the activity private?

The experience is priced per private group of up to six people. The information also says there could be up to 20 people on the shared catamaran, so confirm the exact boat arrangement with the provider before booking.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. You should still confirm boarding arrangements and access to the transfer boat for Île aux Bénitiers before departure.