Private Dolphin Swim/Snorkeling & Lunch on Benitiers island

Swimming near dolphins in Tamarin Bay is the headline here, but the day works best as a private sea outing rather than a guaranteed solo encounter. I like the freedom of having a boat for just your group, and I like that the trip combines dolphin watching, snorkeling, a BBQ, and beach time in one full day.

The other strong point is the setting: Crystal Rock and Le Morne Mountain give the middle of the day a fine Mauritius backdrop. The catch is that dolphin swimming can get crowded, especially in December, when several boats may gather in the same area. Leaving earlier may help, but the captain controls the schedule and weather.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphin swimming in Tamarin Bay: See and enter the water near dolphins in their natural surroundings, subject to sea conditions and local boat traffic.
• Private speedboat for up to two people: Hotel pickup, drop-off, crew, guide, and a seven-hour outing are included in the $1,150 group price.
• Crystal Rock snorkeling stop: Use the included equipment while looking toward Le Morne Mountain and the surrounding lagoon.
• Fresh BBQ on Île aux Bénitiers: Cooks prepare grilled kebabs, seafood, fish, chicken, sausages, accompaniments, and drinks while you settle on the island.
• A flexible private day: The schedule can be adjusted to suit your preferences, within the limits of weather, sea conditions, and the captain’s decision.
• Best for confident swimmers and couples: Pregnant women and people with mobility impairments should not book this outing.

The real draw: dolphins in Tamarin Bay

The day begins with a speedboat trip toward Tamarin Bay, where you watch for dolphins and may enter the water near them. This is not a dolphin park or a staged performance. The animals are in their natural surroundings, so the quality of the encounter depends on where they are, how the sea behaves, and how many boats are in the bay.

That natural setting is the main reason to book. You are not promised a tidy, timed show. Instead, you get a chance to see dolphins from the boat and swim in the same broad area. I find that more appealing than a controlled attraction, but it also calls for realistic expectations.

You may spend time waiting for the right moment, and the water may not feel calm. The crew is experienced and licensed, but no guide can make wild dolphins appear on command. A private boat gives you a better chance to discuss timing and preferences with the crew, yet it does not create a private ocean.

One important detail comes from a December outing: the dolphin swim and snorkeling were good, but not exceptional because many other boats were present. The family had booked a private trip, which was strongly recommended for keeping the day personal, but the dolphin area itself was still shared. If this part matters most to you, ask about the earliest possible departure and understand that the captain has the final say.

Why the private boat matters

The private format is the clearest difference between this trip and a basic shared excursion. The $1,150 price covers a group of up to two people, rather than charging two separate seats. For a couple, that means the price is high, but the boat, timing, and general rhythm belong to your party.

You can tailor the day to your preferences. That may mean spending more time in the lagoon after lunch, moving at a comfortable pace, or talking with the crew about the order of stops. The available information does not promise unlimited changes, so think of the flexibility as practical rather than absolute.

A private trip also makes hotel transfers easier. Pickup and drop-off from any accommodation in Mauritius are included, which removes the need to arrange a separate taxi to the coast. The seven-hour duration gives you a full day at sea, not a short dolphin sighting squeezed between other plans.

The speedboat is useful for covering the route to Île aux Bénitiers and fitting several stops into one outing. It also means you should expect motion, spray, and a more open-air ride than you would get on a larger vessel. Bring a hat, towel, swimwear, and beachwear, and keep anything delicate protected from water.

Crystal Rock with Le Morne in view

The boat continues to Crystal Rock, one of the day’s visual highlights. You can snorkel here with the provided equipment and look across the water toward Le Morne Mountain. The stop gives the trip a different feel from the dolphin encounter: less focused on wildlife and more on the lagoon, coral, rock, and broad mountain view.

Snorkeling equipment is available at no extra cost, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. The trip information does not specify the exact reef conditions, water clarity, or time spent in the water. That matters because snorkeling quality can change with wind, weather, and sea conditions.

I would treat Crystal Rock as a scenic snorkeling stop, not as a guaranteed major reef expedition. You might find clear water and good fish viewing, or you might find that conditions limit visibility. The point is the combination of a swim, a famous rock formation, and the view toward Le Morne, all in one stop.

If you are not a strong swimmer, tell the crew before entering the water. The trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is also not suitable for pregnant women. The supplied information does not describe flotation support, so you should not assume that special swimming aids are available.

Lunch takes shape on Île aux Bénitiers

After the water activities, the boat heads to Île aux Bénitiers for a picnic and BBQ lunch. The cooks begin preparing the food as soon as you arrive, with lunch expected within about an hour. That cooking time becomes part of the island stop rather than dead time.

The meal is described as a three-course BBQ with grilled kebabs, seafood and fish, chicken, sausages, other accompaniments, and drinks. This is a generous spread for a beach lunch, with enough variety to suit a mixed group. Drinks are included, although the information does not list every beverage or explain how dietary restrictions are handled.

If you have allergies or follow a special diet, raise the issue when booking or before departure. Do not wait until the grill is ready. The menu has several meat and seafood items, but no specific vegetarian, vegan, halal, or allergy-friendly arrangement is promised.

The island itself gives you time to slow down. You can tan on the beach, walk along the long stretch of sand, or explore the lagoon and coral reefs around the island. I like this pause because it keeps the trip from becoming a checklist of quick boat stops. You get a meal, a view, and time to decide how active you want the afternoon to be.

The word island should not make you expect a private beach. This is a popular day area, and the dolphin stop has already shown that other boats may be around. The attraction is the setting and the open time, not guaranteed solitude.

A seven-hour rhythm that feels full

The advertised duration is seven hours, with starting times available according to the date you choose. The exact order and length of stops can shift. Weather can change the date, and the number of hours may vary slightly for reasons outside the operator’s control.

That flexibility is normal for a boat day. Wind, waves, visibility, and dolphin movements all matter. The captain’s decision is final, and if poor weather prevents the trip, your booking is not lost. An alternative date is proposed according to your convenience.

You are advised to eat a light breakfast at your hotel. That is sensible. The morning may include boat movement and time in the water before lunch, while the BBQ is prepared after arriving on Île aux Bénitiers. A heavy breakfast could make the speedboat ride less comfortable.

The included pickup and drop-off help with the day’s timing, especially if you are staying away from the southwest coast. Since the tour is private, it should feel less rushed than a large group outing, but the seven-hour window still has to cover transfers, the dolphin area, Crystal Rock, lunch, and the return ride.

Food, drinks, and what to pack

The meal is one of the better practical features because it is cooked on the island rather than handed to you as a cold box lunch. The selection of grilled food makes the stop feel like a proper midday break, and drinks are included.

Pack light. Your useful list is:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Beachwear

You should also protect phones and cameras from spray. That suggestion is common sense for a speedboat, though a dry bag is not listed as included. Bring only what you need for the water and beach.

Snorkeling gear is provided free on board. The information does not list sunscreen, so bring your own. The same applies to personal medication and any special food needs.

Price and value for two people

At $1,150 per group of up to two, this is an expensive Mauritius excursion. The price makes the most sense when you place real value on privacy, hotel transfers, a speedboat, licensed crew, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, and a full seven-hour day.

For two people, the cost buys more than a single dolphin stop. You are also paying for Crystal Rock, the Le Morne view, Île aux Bénitiers, a cooked BBQ, and the ability to shape the day around your own party. If you want the cheapest way to see dolphins, this is not the right choice.

The value improves for a couple who dislikes fixed group schedules. You do not need to share the boat with strangers, and you can spend your free island time as you choose. Still, private does not mean the sea is private. Other boats may gather around dolphins and popular snorkeling areas.

I would book this for a special day, especially if the boat format and personal service matter as much as the wildlife. I would think twice if your budget is tight or if your only goal is a guaranteed close dolphin encounter. The natural setting is appealing, but nature does not provide guarantees.

Who should book this day on the water

This trip suits a couple or a two-person party that wants several Mauritius highlights in one outing. You should be comfortable with a speedboat, swimming, snorkeling, and a full day outdoors.

It also suits people who want a private guide and crew who can speak English or French. The guide and experienced licensed crew are included, along with hotel transfers, so you do not need to build the day from separate bookings.

Families can book the private format if their party fits the stated group limit, but the information specifically prices the experience for up to two people. Because the itinerary involves swimming and boat travel, confirm the arrangements for any child before paying.

This is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. It may also disappoint anyone expecting an empty dolphin bay, a fixed schedule, or guaranteed snorkeling visibility.

What the strongest praise points to

The most praised parts are the pickup service, the scenery, the dolphins, the BBQ, and the snorkeling. Those are not minor extras. Together, they explain why the day earns a strong overall rating of 4.5 from the available feedback.

The French response singled out the pickup, views, dolphins, BBQ, and snorkeling as excellent. That matches the design of the day: it removes transport hassle, puts several major stops together, and ends with an easy beach lunch.

The useful note is the December crowding around the dolphins. The same family still recommended the private trip, but the dolphin swim was affected by many other people wanting the same encounter. That is the most important balance point in the whole booking decision.

Should you book it?

Book this private outing if you want a polished full day with dolphins, snorkeling, a cooked island lunch, Le Morne views, and hotel transfers, and you are willing to pay for a boat reserved for your party.

Skip it if the $1,150 price feels uncomfortable, if you need guaranteed calm water, or if you want a completely private dolphin encounter. For the right couple, this is a memorable mix of wildlife, sea time, scenery, and food. Just judge it as a flexible day in nature, not a timed marine show.

FAQ

How long does the private dolphin and snorkeling trip last?

The advertised duration is seven hours. The exact number of hours may change slightly because of weather or other factors beyond the crew’s control.

How many people can join the private group?

The price covers a private group of up to two people.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation in Mauritius are included.

Where do you swim with dolphins?

The dolphin watching and swimming take place in Tamarin Bay, near Mauritius.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available free on board.

What food is served at lunch?

The BBQ includes grilled kebabs, seafood and fish, chicken, sausages, other accompaniments, and drinks. Lunch is prepared on Île aux Bénitiers.

Which languages are available?

The live guide and crew support English and French.

Can the date change because of bad weather?

Yes. The captain makes the final decision if weather conditions affect the trip. The booking is not lost, and an alternative date is proposed according to your convenience.

Is the trip suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. You should also bring a hat, swimwear, towel, and beachwear.