Mauritius · DOLPHIN WATCHING

The 15 Best Dolphin Watching Trips in Mauritius

63 tours  ·  from $47

Watching from the boat costs less than getting in, and on a calm morning you see just as much. The 15 below are compared on departure time, how far west they run and what happens if the pod does not show.

Île aux Bénitiers: Snorkeling w/Dolphins Boat Tour & Lunch - Speedboat time before the dolphins
Black River Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Ile aux Benitiers Tours, Lunch Experiences, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours

Île aux Bénitiers: Snorkeling w/Dolphins Boat Tour & Lunch

1.Snorkeling w/Dolphins Boat Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,635 reviews · 7 hours · from $115Our pick

Set out early from your Mauritius accommodation with a guide such as Yan, Alex, Lulu, or Kevin, then ride a speedboat from the west coast to see dolphins, snorkel near Crystal Rock, and enjoy a three-course BBQ on Île aux Bénitiers. Expect a full day of sun, sea, swimming, and some fast boat riding.

“Just a lovely day out. Slightly disconcerting as to how many boats were out around the dolphins and swimmers. Something that perhaps needs to be looked at.”

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Black River: Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat - The speedboat ride along Black River
Black River Tours, Dolphin Watching, Speedboat Tours in Mauritius, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Black River: Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat

2.Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 595 reviews · 5 hours · from $129

Set out from Grande Riviere Noire with two skippers and up to 14 passengers. After a wildlife briefing, swim with spinner and bottlenose dolphins, watch whales from the boat, and snorkel over a coral reef. Guides including Globis, Conrad, Alan, Ronaldo, and Fabio have been praised for calm, careful handling.

“The activity was brilliant. We were unlucky with the weather on the original day that we booked but the lovely representative helped us secure spaces on the following day and woke up at 5am to update us on the weather. The guides on the day were amazing. I am 6 months pregnant and they went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable throughout the trip amd enjoying myself. We saw whales and my husband swam with dolphins. I could not recommend this trip more highly, it is a brilliant day out and a great company.”

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Tamarin: Dolphin Snorkel, CrystalRock, ile o Benitiers Lunch - Leaving Tamarin in search of dolphins
Dolphin Watching, Ile aux Benitiers Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tamarin Tours, Tour Reviews

Tamarin: Dolphin Snorkel, CrystalRock, ile o Benitiers Lunch

3.Dolphin Snorkel, CrystalRock, ile o Benitiers Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 511 reviews · from $77

Join an English or French speaking crew at Tamarin Public Beach for a speedboat trip to find dolphins, snorkel in the bay, stop at Crystal Rock, and eat a fresh beach barbecue on Ile aux Benitiers. Strong swimming skills help, and hotel transfers cost extra.

“The guys were amazing, we had great time and a lot of fun together! They care about the marine life”

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Lydia Boat Mauritius :Private boat tour:Whales&Dolphins encounter - Watching dolphins in their natural setting
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Whale Watching

Lydia Boat Mauritius :Private boat tour:Whales&Dolphins encounter

4.Lydia Boat Mauritius :Private boat tour:Whales&Dolphins encounter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 409 reviews · from $225Top rated

Meet the Lydia Boat team at Emba Filao beach for a private speedboat day near Le Morne. Miguel, Navy, Owen, Rino, Theo, or another crew member leads the search for wild dolphins and whales, with snorkeling, Crystal Rock, Benitier Island, and a seafood lunch. The barbecue is currently held on the boat while the island is closed.

“Great private tour with Patrice, we had an enjoyable time and felt very well looked after. We where lucky to see dolphins and turtles, bbq was amazing with plenty of alcohol on hand many thanks”

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Whale Dream ltd - Whales watching and swim with dolphins - Using a hydrophone to find sperm whales
Dolphin Watching, Swim with Dolphins in Mauritius, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Whale Dream ltd – Whales watching and swim with dolphins

5.Whale Dream ltd – Whales watching and swim with dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 308 reviews

Leave Rivière Noire at 6am with Whale Dream’s marine crew, using a hydrophone to locate sperm whales and other wildlife. You can watch whales from the boat, swim only with dolphins, and snorkel in clear water. The private boat includes gear, soft drinks, snacks, and a return around 10am.

“Had the most amazing once in a lifetime experience with Whale Dream. We were lucky to spot an entire family of whales. The best part was that the crew was very respectful of the whales and kept a distance from them. While there are other Read more”

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Black River: Swim with Dolphin Speed Boat Tour with lunch - The speedboat ride across the southwest coast
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dolphin Watching, Flic en Flac Tours, Lunch Experiences, Speedboat Tours in Mauritius, Tour Reviews, Tours

Black River: Swim with Dolphin Speed Boat Tour with lunch

6.Swim with Dolphin Speed Boat Tour with lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 279 reviews · 6h 30m · from $74

Set out from Flic en Flac with a small group of up to 15, guided in English or French by a local skipper. Watch and swim with dolphins when conditions allow, snorkel near Crystal Rock, then enjoy a three-course BBQ, drinks, and beach time on Île aux Bénitiers.

“It was a great experience swimming up close to the dolphins. You can get up to 1 metre close to them.”

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Tamarin: Guided Kayak Tour with Dolphins - Waiting for dolphins in Tamarin Bay
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Tamarin: Guided Kayak Tour with Dolphins

7.Guided Kayak Tour with Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 190 reviews · 2h 30m · from $64

Set out early from Tamarin Beach with an English or French speaking guide such as Theo, Yan, or Gilles. Paddle for about two hours, watch for spinner and bottlenose dolphins, then follow the Tamarin River if none appear. Kayak, life vest, and guide are included.

“We were lucky to see the dolphins, which was amazing. But even just kayaking in the bay and on the river was really nice. We also got a crash course on the island’s mountains and a bit of history. This experience was much more authentic and peaceful than being on a speedboat to watch dolphins!”

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Dolphins Encounter and Whale Watching - Finding dolphins in their natural setting
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Dolphins Encounter and Whale Watching

8.Dolphins Encounter and Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 153 reviews · from $116

Leave Black River at 7 a.m. with a skipper and crew for wild dolphin encounters, reef snorkeling, and whale watching by hydrophone. The small boat carries no more than eight people. Dolphin swims allow two people at a time, while guides such as Alain, Ronaldo, DJ, Julian, or Fabio may lead the trip.

“trip was perfect from the start….despite the long taxi ride across the Island it was worth every penny and minute. The crew were great, we encountered dolphins quickly and I swam inches from them until they out ran me:) Then to the whales - we were very very lucky straight away a school of Sperm 🐳 for an hour we floated and watched with awe. Thank you for the most stunning experience….. go if you can and be lucky…….”

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Dolphin Encounters, Ile aux Benitier & Crystal rock: Full-Day (Lunch & Transfer) - From your hotel to Flic en Flac or Tamarin
Dolphin Watching, Full-Day, Lunch Experiences, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews, Trou d'Eau Douce Tours

Dolphin Encounters, Ile aux Benitier & Crystal rock: Full-Day (Lunch & Transfer)

9.Dolphin Encounters, Ile aux Benitier & Crystal rock: Full-Day (Lunch & Transfer)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 148 reviews · from $111

Travel from your Mauritius hotel to Flic en Flac or Tamarin, then cruise by speedboat to see dolphins, snorkel at Crystal Rock, and spend several hours on Ile aux Benitiers. The day includes a three-course barbecue, unlimited local drinks, and guides such as Avish, Ashish, Oliver, or Brian.

“A lovely morning seeing the dolphins and the beach for the bbq is beautiful!! Ashish the driver and the boys were wonderful!”

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Mauritius: Snorkel and Swim with Dolphins on Speedboat Tour - Watching dolphins before entering the water
Dolphin Watching, Speedboat Tours in Mauritius, Swim with Dolphins in Mauritius, Tamarin Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mauritius: Snorkel and Swim with Dolphins on Speedboat Tour

10.Snorkel and Swim with Dolphins on Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 147 reviews · from $49

Meet your English-, French-, Urdu-, Spanish-, or Hindi-speaking crew at Tamarin Beach for a briefing and a two-hour speedboat trip. Watch dolphins in open water, enter when instructed, and snorkel with provided gear. Captain Jérôme is one named crew member, and light drinks are included.

“The fruit juices mentioned in the service were the only thing missing. But great activity! We were really impressed. An unforgettable moment”

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Speedboat to Ile aux Benitier: Dolphin Encounter & Lunch - What the speedboat ride feels like
Dolphin Watching, Flic en Flac Tours, Lunch Experiences, Speedboat Tours in Mauritius, Swim with Dolphins in Mauritius, Tour Reviews

Speedboat to Ile aux Benitier: Dolphin Encounter & Lunch

11.Speedboat to Ile aux Benitier: Dolphin Encounter & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 144 reviews · 6 hours · from $70

Join a six-hour west-coast speedboat trip from Flic en Flac to see dolphins in Tamarin Bay, visit Crystal Rock, snorkel, and eat a barbecue lunch on Ile aux Benitiers. Pickup is optional, and English or French instruction is available.

“Très satisfaite de cette activité, j’avais pris le transport avec, il est arrivé à l’heure. Nous avons attendu 10 minutes que tous les monde arrivent. Dans le speedboat, Nous étions une petite +/-18 de personnes enfants inclus. c’était pas surchargé mais il n’en fallait pas plus. Direction les dauphins. On se retrouve en effet autour d’un amas de bateau, mais notre guide a préféré laisser la full passer plutôt que d’étouffer les dauphins. Nous avons eu la chance de pouvoir nager avec. Puis direction le lagon avec de sublimes poissons. L’eau n’était pas très clair car il avait plus la veille mais très satisfaisant quand même, on a nager avec…”

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Mauritius: Ocean Swim with Dolphins - The dolphin encounter in Black River
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Mauritius: Ocean Swim with Dolphins

12.Ocean Swim with Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 125 reviews · 6 hours · from $93

Meet the English or French-speaking crew near Martello Tower Museum at 7:30 AM for breakfast, then take a speedboat to see dolphins, snorkel at the Aquarium, photograph Crystal Rock, and enjoy a BBQ with drinks on Île aux Bénitiers.

“Ich habe mir vorgestellt im ruhigen klaren Wasser dahinzutreiben und Delfine zu beobachten. Die Wirklichkeit ist leider ganz anders . 10 - 15 Schnellboote Jagen die Delphine durch die Bucht und wenn man Na genug dran war , musste man aus dem Boot springen . Es gab 3 Versuche - dann war Schluss . Es war eher eine Jagd , als ruhiges Schwimmen im Wasser . Im Anschluss der Besuch der Insel war sehr schön. Es gab ein leckeres BBQ und man hatte ausreichend Zeit zum Schwimmen , relaxen oder Sonnen .”

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Mauritius Le Morne: Eco-Friendly Dolphin Watching Tour - The dolphin briefing with Ben and the skipper
Dolphin Watching, Le Morne Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mauritius Le Morne: Eco-Friendly Dolphin Watching Tour

13.Mauritius Le Morne: Eco-Friendly Dolphin Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 123 reviews · 2 hours

Meet Ben and his skipper near Emba Filao restaurant for a private two-hour trip to spot spinner dolphins, snorkel in the lagoon, and perhaps see turtles. Early departures help you avoid crowded waters, while the captain explains dolphin behavior and keeps the boat at a respectful distance.

“Amazing experience! Ben & Stefano were fantastic guides. The trip was one of the highlights of our stay. It is definitely worth going early in the morning and on a small, private, more ecological tour like this. It was calm, peaceful and the perfect length. We swam with dolphins, snorkelled and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. A perfect trip. Thank you Ben and Stefano!”

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La Preneuse: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Speedboat Tour - Searching for dolphins in open water
Black River Tours, Dolphin Watching, Snorkeling, Speedboat Tours in Mauritius, Tour Reviews, Tours

La Preneuse: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Speedboat Tour

14.La Preneuse: Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 92 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Meet your skipper at La Preneuse’s Martello Tower for a two-hour speedboat trip in search of wild dolphins. You may swim near them, then snorkel among reef fish, lionfish, stonefish, scorpionfish, and perhaps an octopus. Guides including Feliciano, Andy, and Miguel are praised for calm instruction and strong dolphin knowledge.

“The crew was really nice and we saw lots of dolohins and some whales.”

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2-Hours Dolphin Excursion in Mauritius - What the two-hour route includes
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2-Hours Dolphin Excursion in Mauritius

15.2-Hours Dolphin Excursion in Mauritius

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 76 reviews · from $63

Meet Carl, Allen, or another JPH Charters guide at 7:00 am in La Balise Marina for a two-hour speedboat trip from Black River or Tamarin Bay. Groups are limited to eight, with snorkeling gear, in-water help, and a free reschedule if no dolphins appear.

“Excellent experience. My wife thoroughly enjoyed it being 6 weeks pregnant. Carl and Allen were really professional, kind and helpful to do their best to ensure our experience reached its maximum potential for mother natures conditions. Carl aRead more”

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New in Dolphin Watching

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★ 4.0Ocean Swim with DolphinsFrom $804 reviews
★ 5.0Shared 10 Pax Boat Tour: Dolphin Watching, Snorkelling and BBQFrom $1113 reviews
★ 5.0Guided Kayak 2 Hours Activity with DolphinsFrom $5812 reviews
★ 3.5Full-Day Swimming with Dolphins and Casela Nature Park Tour in MauritiusFrom $1019 reviews
★ 5.0Eco-friendly Dolphin Watching Tour in Mauritius6 reviews
★ 5.0Dolphin Experience in Open Sea and South West Tour of Mauritius including LunchFrom $1545 reviews
★ 4.0Fully Day Tour: Dolphin Encounters, Crystal Rock at Benitiers IslandFrom $10713 reviews
★ 5.0Private :Whales and dolphins watching/Swimming with dolphins3 reviews
★ 4.7Private Dolphin Snorkeling Tour. Equipment available Free.3 reviews
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