Snorkel with Dolphins, Lunch on Benitiers island, Speedboat

The main draw is the morning run across Tamarin Bay, where you watch for dolphins from a speedboat and may enter the water for swimming and snorkeling. I like the small maximum group of 14 and the fact that snorkeling equipment, lunch, and drinks are included. The boat also adds real excitement without turning the day into a long, slow cruise.

I also like the two-part rhythm: active time on the water, then a relaxed beach lunch on Ile aux Benitiers. The main caution is that dolphin encounters and underwater visibility cannot be guaranteed. The water may be cloudy, and the first part can be tiring if you are not comfortable swimming or climbing in and out of a boat.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphin time in Tamarin Bay: Watch for dolphins and enter the water for swimming or snorkeling when conditions allow.
• Crystal Rock stop: The boat visits this famous natural formation, with time to swim close to it if the group wishes.
• Lunch on Ile aux Benitiers: A BBQ, salad, and drinks are served during a three-hour island stop.
• Fast, small-group boat: The group is limited to 14 people, giving the trip a more personal feel than a large party boat.
• All basic water gear included: Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are available on board.
• Seven hours and 15 minutes for $64.79: The price covers a full morning and afternoon on the water, but not private transport to Tamarin.

Tamarin Bay gives the morning its spark

This trip begins at Blond Boulette, also listed as Boulette La Baie, on Tamarin Beach. The meeting time is 7:30 am, so you can take a short walk along the beach before boarding and get settled into the sea mood.

The speedboat is more than a way to get from one stop to another. It gives you a lively ride along Mauritius’s west coast, with views of the ocean, beaches, mountains, and offshore islands. If you enjoy wind, spray, and quick movement, the boat is part of the attraction.

The first four hours are devoted to Tamarin Bay and the nearby sights. Dolphin watching comes first, followed by the chance to swim or snorkel near the animals. The crew supplies the snorkeling gear and life jackets, and they are available to guide you.

That last point matters. Getting into the sea from a boat can feel awkward, especially when the water is moving and other people are waiting their turn. You should be ready to follow the crew’s instructions and accept that your time in the water may depend on the dolphins’ movement and the conditions that morning.

The approach is not always close. One of the clearest practical warnings from the available feedback is that the dolphins may be easier to see from the boat than underwater. Water visibility can be poor, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed underwater encounter or perfect photographs.

Dolphin swimming requires reasonable fitness

The dolphin portion suits confident swimmers who are comfortable in open water. One assessment specifically found the first part unsuitable for less athletic participants, and that is useful advice to take seriously.

You do not need to be a competitive swimmer, but you should be able to manage a boat-based water activity and use snorkeling equipment. Life jackets are available, and the crew helps and guides you, yet basic comfort in the sea still matters.

The activity is not presented as a private dolphin encounter. The boat may need to wait, reposition, or approach at a distance. That uncertainty is normal for a wildlife-based outing, but it means the experience can vary from one morning to the next.

I would set your expectations this way: you are buying a chance to watch and swim near dolphins in Tamarin Bay, not a fixed-length swim with guaranteed contact. If the dolphins remain shy or the water is cloudy, the speedboat ride, scenery, Crystal Rock, and island stop still make up the rest of the day.

Crystal Rock adds a short natural stop

After the dolphin activity, the boat continues toward Crystal Rock. This large rock formation rises from the water and is one of the memorable visual stops on the route.

You may get out of the boat and swim close to it if the group wants to. The wording matters here: the time at each attraction is approximate, and the swim is optional rather than compulsory. If you are tired after the dolphin session, you can treat Crystal Rock as a scenic stop rather than another test of stamina.

Those who do enter the water can swim near the rock and, according to the tour description, even touch it. That makes the stop more engaging than simply photographing it from a distance. Still, conditions and group preference help determine how long you remain there.

The stop also breaks up the morning nicely. You get wildlife, fast boat travel, and a clear natural landmark before the pace slows on Ile aux Benitiers.

Ile aux Benitiers is the slower half of the day

The island stop lasts about three hours, giving you much more time to relax than the short water stops. Ile aux Benitiers has vegetation, a white-sand beach, and a lagoon suitable for swimming and some snorkeling.

Lunch is served on the island. The included meal consists of BBQ food, salad, and drinks, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a separate restaurant booking or carry money for the main meal.

The social side of lunch is part of the appeal. It is described as a convivial meal rather than a formal dining experience, so expect a straightforward island picnic atmosphere. The food is meant to refuel you after the active morning, not provide a fine-dining event.

The beach and lagoon are likely to be the best part for anyone who prefers an easy afternoon. You can swim, walk along the sand, or enjoy the setting without the pressure of keeping up with the boat activity.

There is one important tradeoff. Ile aux Benitiers can become crowded, which may make it harder to find a quiet patch of beach or enjoy the island in complete peace. The island still offers attractive scenery and a pleasant lunch stop, but you should not picture an empty private shore.

The scenery is a major part of the value

This is not only a dolphin tour. From the boat and the island, you get broad views of Mauritius’s western coast, including mountains, beaches, ocean, and offshore formations.

A mountain connected with the history of Mauritius can be seen from a distance during much of the trip. The area has also been classified by UNESCO as an international historical site, adding cultural context to the scenery even though the trip does not function as a land-based history tour.

That combination helps the price make sense. For $64.79 per person, you receive about 7 hours and 15 minutes of activity, a speedboat ride, dolphin watching, water equipment, a Crystal Rock visit, an island lunch, and drinks. Comparable days can become expensive once you add food and gear separately, so the all-in structure is useful.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the whole day. Someone who only wants a short dolphin outing may find the cost and duration more than necessary. Someone looking for a west coast day with several stops gets a fuller package.

A small group makes the boat easier to manage

The maximum group size is 14 people. That is large enough to create a friendly shared outing, but much smaller than a big excursion boat carrying dozens of people.

A smaller group can make practical moments less frustrating. There are fewer people waiting for equipment, fewer voices competing for the crew’s attention, and a better chance of seeing the guide demonstrate what to do.

It does not turn the trip into a private charter. You still share decisions about optional swims and the pace of the stops. The island can also be crowded even if your boat group is small, so the group limit improves the boat experience more than the beach experience.

The crew is described as ready to help and guide you, with life jackets available for safety. You should still listen carefully, especially during the dolphin swim and when moving around the speedboat.

Getting there takes planning

Private transportation is not included. You need to make your own way to the meeting point at Blond Boulette, Boulette La Baie, Tamarin, Mauritius.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. That is convenient if you are already staying near Tamarin, but it means you need to plan both the morning arrival and the return journey.

Allow plenty of time to reach the beach. Traffic can be heavy in the morning, especially if you are coming from more than an hour away. Arriving late could mean missing the departure, so do not treat the 7:30 am start as a loose suggestion.

The meeting point is on Tamarin Beach, where a short morning walk can help you find the right mood and location before boarding. After the tour, there is another brief walk on the beach before you collect your transport.

A mobile ticket is provided, and booking confirmation is received at the time of booking. Those details make the arrival process easier, but they do not replace checking your route to Tamarin in advance.

What to bring and how to prepare

The tour supplies snorkeling equipment and life jackets. You should still bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and anything you normally need for several hours outdoors, though the supplied details do not specify a packing list.

Wear something that lets you move easily around a boat. The morning includes possible swimming, snorkeling, and boat transfers, while the afternoon is more relaxed.

Keep your expectations flexible. Dolphin behavior, water clarity, weather, and sea conditions affect the first part of the day. One person may get a close look, while another may mainly watch from the boat. The crew cannot control those conditions.

The weather requirement also matters. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that number is not met, you are offered another option or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this Mauritius boat day

I would recommend this experience to you if you want several west coast highlights in one outing and enjoy a mix of speed, swimming, scenery, and food.

It is a good fit for:

• Confident swimmers who want a chance to see dolphins from the water
• Couples and friends who enjoy active mornings and relaxed beach afternoons
• Visitors who want lunch and snorkeling equipment included in one price
• People staying near Tamarin who can reach the beach early
• Anyone who prefers a small shared group to a large boat excursion

I would think twice if you want a guaranteed close dolphin encounter, very clear water, or a quiet and uncrowded island. It is also less suitable if you are not comfortable with open-water swimming or the physical effort of getting in and out of a boat.

Should you book the Tamarin dolphin and Benitiers trip?

Book it if you want a full west coast outing rather than a single short activity. The strongest points are the small boat group, the included BBQ lunch and drinks, the Crystal Rock stop, and the chance to see dolphins in Tamarin Bay.

Do not book it solely for underwater dolphin photographs. Visibility can be poor, and the animals may not approach closely. Choose it for the whole mix: speedboat scenery, wildlife watching, swimming, a natural rock formation, and three easy hours on Ile aux Benitiers.

At $64.79, the package offers solid value for a seven-hour-plus day, provided you can reach Tamarin independently and are comfortable with an early start. For an active visitor who wants a social, varied outing, I would consider it a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Blond Boulette, also listed as Boulette La Baie, at Tamarin, Mauritius.

What time does the activity begin?

The start time is 7:30 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Tamarin.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ, salad, and drinks are included and served on Ile aux Benitiers.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available at no extra charge on board.

Are life jackets available?

Yes. Life jackets are available, and the crew helps and guides participants.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum of 14 participants.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.