Snorkel with Dolphins, Lunch on Benitiers island, Speedboat

The main draw here is the chance to see dolphins in Tamarin Bay, then head across the water by speedboat to Crystal Rock and Ile aux Benitiers. The day mixes wildlife, swimming, island scenery, and a beach lunch without asking you to plan each piece yourself.

I like the small maximum group of 14, and I like that lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and life jackets are included in the $64.79 price. The crew is there to guide you, which matters when you are getting in and out of a fast boat or swimming near open water.

The main caution is that dolphin encounters depend on the animals and the sea. Poor visibility can make underwater viewing disappointing, and the first part may feel demanding if you are not comfortable swimming or keeping active in the water. Ile aux Benitiers can also be crowded, so the island stop is more about the full outing than quiet solitude.

Key points to know before booking

• Dolphin time comes first: Spend up to four hours around Tamarin Bay, with dolphin watching, swimming, snorkeling, and a possible stop at Crystal Rock.
• Crystal Rock is a hands-on stop: If the group wants to get into the water, you can swim close to the rock and possibly touch it.
• Lunch is part of the island stop: Ile aux Benitiers includes a BBQ, salad, and drinks, with about three hours for the beach and lagoon.
• The boat ride adds real excitement: You travel by speedboat through the west coast scenery, with life jackets available.
• The group stays small: A maximum of 14 people makes it easier to hear instructions and get help from the crew.
• You arrange your own way there: Private transportation is not included, and the meeting point is at Blond Boulette, Boulette La Baie, Tamarin, at 7:30 am.

Starting early at Tamarin Beach

Your morning begins at Tamarin Beach, where the meeting point is Blond Boulette, Boulette La Baie. The stated start time is 7:30 am, so plan your morning around reaching the beach on time rather than treating this as a casual late breakfast outing.

The beach itself gives you a pleasant start. A short walk along the sand helps you get your bearings before the boat leaves, and at the end of the day you return to the same meeting point. That simple arrangement is useful because you do not need to find a second harbor or arrange a different pickup point.

The tour lasts about seven hours and 15 minutes. Since private transport is not included, the value depends partly on where you are staying and how easily you can reach Tamarin. If your accommodation is more than an hour away, allow extra time for morning traffic. One useful practical point is that the activity ends back at the starting place, not at a separate island or marina.

The group is limited to 14 people. That is small enough to make the crew easier to reach, especially when you need help with snorkeling equipment or want a clear explanation before entering the water. It does not mean you will have every dolphin or beach stop to yourself, but it should feel more personal than a large boat excursion.

Dolphin watching and snorkeling in Tamarin Bay

The first major part of the day takes place in Tamarin Bay. The schedule allows about four hours for dolphin watching, swimming, snorkeling, and the Crystal Rock stop. The exact time at each attraction can change, so do not expect the boat to follow a rigid minute-by-minute plan.

The dolphin encounter is the reason many people choose this trip. You may watch dolphins from the boat and, when conditions and the group plan allow, enter the water for swimming and snorkeling near them. The crew provides the snorkeling equipment at no extra cost, and life jackets are available.

You should keep your expectations sensible. Dolphins are wild animals, and their position, behavior, and willingness to remain near the boat cannot be controlled. One particularly important detail is water clarity. If visibility is poor, you may see dolphins above the surface but not clearly underwater. That can make the experience feel less like a close snorkeling encounter and more like a wildlife watch from the boat.

The first section also asks more of you physically than the lunch stop. Getting in and out of a speedboat, swimming in open water, and keeping up with the group can be tiring. The activity says most people can participate, but it may not suit you if you are not comfortable in the water or have limited stamina. The crew is available to help and guide you, but you still need to judge your own comfort honestly.

Crystal Rock and the open-water pace

After the dolphin portion, the boat continues toward Crystal Rock. This is a striking natural feature in the lagoon, and the planned stop gives you another chance to leave the boat and swim close to it.

If the group wishes, you can get into the water near the rock and swim alongside it. The chance to touch Crystal Rock gives the stop a simple, physical quality. You are not only looking at it from a distance. Still, the time here is indicative rather than fixed, so the length of the stop can depend on conditions and the day’s schedule.

The speedboat is part of the attraction. It gets you between the bay, the rock, and the island with a sense of movement that a slow boat would not provide. You will also get changing views of the ocean, beaches, mountains, and offshore islands. The ride may be the part you remember most if you enjoy open water and a bit of speed.

At the same time, this is not a quiet sailing trip. The boat ride and repeated water entries create an active morning. If you prefer a calm cruise with plenty of time to sit, read, and watch the coast, this outing may feel busy.

Ile aux Benitiers, beach time, and lunch

The second main stop is Ile aux Benitiers, where you have about three hours. The island has natural vegetation, a white-sand beach, and a lagoon suitable for swimming and some snorkeling. After the active first section, this is where the day slows down.

Lunch is included and consists of a BBQ, salad, and drinks. That makes the $64.79 price easier to assess. You are not paying only for a boat ride and a chance to see dolphins. You also receive a substantial island meal, beverages, snorkeling equipment, crew assistance, and several hours on the water.

The lunch has a social, picnic-style feel rather than a formal restaurant setting. That suits the setting. You can eat, swim, walk along the beach, and enjoy the lagoon before returning to Tamarin. Drinks are included, which is a useful detail on a long morning in the sun.

The island is not guaranteed to feel peaceful. Ile aux Benitiers may be crowded, and that can reduce the sense of escape, especially if you imagined having a quiet beach to yourself. The island’s appeal is its combination of beach, lagoon, vegetation, and included meal. If your priority is isolation, you may find the stop less satisfying.

You may also have less time than expected for snorkeling here because the day has already included dolphin watching and Crystal Rock. Think of Ile aux Benitiers as the relaxed center of a full-day outing, not as a dedicated island snorkeling trip.

West Mauritius scenery from the water

The scenery is one of the tour’s strongest features. From the boat, you see beaches, mountains, the lagoon, and islands from a different angle than you would on a road trip. The changing view gives the day a strong sense of place.

A mountain connected with the history of Mauritius can be seen during much of the trip. The site has UNESCO international historical status and an important link to the island’s past. The information provided does not make this a formal history visit, so you should not expect a guided heritage talk or time ashore at the site. Still, seeing it from the water adds context to the coastal journey.

This is a good example of why the boat route matters. You are not simply moving from one activity to another. The scenery between stops forms part of the experience, with the west coast, open sea, beach, mountain, and island appearing in sequence.

What the $64.79 price includes

At $64.79 per person, this is a reasonably packed seven-hour outing. The included items are:

• BBQ lunch
• Salad
• Drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jackets
• Speedboat transportation during the activity
• Crew assistance and guidance

Private transportation to and from Tamarin is not included. That is the main extra cost to consider. If you need a taxi or other paid transfer to Blond Boulette, add it to your budget before deciding if the tour is good value.

The price is strongest for people who want several activities in one booking. You get wildlife watching, water time, Crystal Rock, a beach, an island meal, and a speedboat ride. Booking each part separately could take more planning, though this tour also gives you less control over how long you spend at any one place.

The average rating is 4.3 from 23 ratings, which suggests a generally positive but not flawless experience. The most consistent strengths are the friendly crew, smooth organization, the island lunch, and the excitement of seeing dolphins. The main weak points are less predictable wildlife encounters, water visibility, physical demands, and crowding on Ile aux Benitiers.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this outing if you want an active day with a clear schedule and several different experiences. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who are comfortable around water and happy to share the boat with a small group.

It is also a good fit if you want the west coast scenery without arranging separate dolphin watching, snorkeling, and island transport. The crew handles the activity flow, and the included equipment removes one common packing concern.

You should think carefully before booking if you are not athletic or do not swim confidently. The dolphin section can require sustained activity, and the open-water setting may feel demanding. Poor visibility can also limit what you see below the surface, even when the dolphins are nearby.

This may not be the best choice if your main aim is a quiet beach day. Ile aux Benitiers can be crowded, and the morning is built around movement rather than long, peaceful hours on the sand.

Practical details that affect your day

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity has a maximum of 14 participants. Most people can take part, but the physical nature of the dolphin and snorkeling section deserves attention before you pay.

The meeting point is Blond Boulette, Boulette La Baie, Tamarin, Mauritius. The activity starts at 7:30 am and returns to the same meeting point. Since private transportation is excluded, check your route to Tamarin in advance and allow for traffic.

Bring the attitude of someone joining a nature outing, not a guaranteed animal encounter. The crew can guide the boat and help with equipment, but it cannot control the dolphins or underwater visibility. The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Canceling or changing the booking less than 24 hours ahead does not qualify for a refund, so keep the local cut-off time in mind.

Should you book the Tamarin dolphin and Benitiers trip?

Book it if you want a full, active day for $64.79 that combines dolphins, a speedboat, Crystal Rock, an island lunch, and west Mauritius scenery. The small group, included gear, drinks, and BBQ make the price appealing, especially if you would otherwise need to arrange several separate activities.

Skip it if you need guaranteed dolphin snorkeling, clear underwater views, a quiet island, or a gentle pace. The strongest version of this day depends on sea conditions, animal behavior, and your comfort in open water.

For the right person, this is a practical way to see several sides of Mauritius in one outing. Just arrive ready for an early start, a busy water-based morning, and an island stop that may be social rather than secluded.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Blond Boulette, Boulette La Baie, M9FH+62X, Tamarin, Mauritius. It begins at 7:30 am and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately seven hours and 15 minutes. The Tamarin Bay portion is scheduled for about four hours, followed by about three hours on Ile aux Benitiers.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a BBQ, salad, and drinks on Ile aux Benitiers.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included at no extra cost. Life jackets are also available on the boat.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation to and from the Tamarin meeting point is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.