Full Day Catamaran Cruise on shared basis to Bénitiers Island

Mauritius saves one of its best day-out settings for the water. This shared catamaran cruise leaves the west coast for Tamarin Bay, a dolphin-watching area, then heads toward Crystal Rock and Bénitiers Island, where you get mountain views, lunch, and time to snorkel.

I like the practical all-in-one setup: lunch, drinks, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment are included. I also like the relaxed scale, with a maximum of 35 people rather than a huge boatload. The main catch is simple: dolphins are wild, and the crew may decide they are too far away to chase safely, leaving you with less wildlife viewing than hoped.

At a glance: what matters most

• Dolphin watching comes first: The boat heads to Tamarin Bay early, but sightings and close viewing are not guaranteed.
• Crystal Rock is your lunch setting: The barbecue is served onboard near one of Mauritius’ best-known lagoon views.
• Bénitiers Island adds a shore visit: You get a short visit to the island as part of the cruise.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: You do not need to bring your own mask and equipment, but you do need to bring a towel.
• The boat leaves at 9:30 a.m.: Meet at Le Morne Anglers’ Club in Grande Riviere Noire.
• The $90.59 price covers the main day: Transfers are not included, so you must arrange your own way to the meeting point.

Leaving Grande Riviere Noire for Tamarin Bay

Your day begins at 9:30 a.m. at Le Morne Anglers’ Club on Colonel Dean Avenue in Grande Riviere Noire. The experience ends back at this same meeting point, which makes planning easier if you are staying nearby. It is not a hotel pickup tour, so you need to account for your own transport in both your schedule and your budget.

The cruise is shared, with a maximum group size of 35 people. That is large enough to give the boat a social feel, but still more manageable than a mass-market vessel packed with far more passengers. If you prefer total privacy or a quiet sailing day, this is not that kind of outing. If you enjoy meeting other people and want to keep the price below a private charter, the shared format makes sense.

The first stop is Tamarin Bay, where the crew looks for dolphins. The listed stop is about 10 minutes, though the actual time devoted to watching wildlife can depend on where the dolphins are and how the crew handles the conditions.

This is the part of the cruise that needs the clearest expectations. You might see dolphins, but there is no promise of a close encounter. In one poor experience, the boat did not go after dolphins because they were judged to be too far away, and the day felt empty to that passenger. That criticism matters because dolphin watching is one of the main reasons many people will book this trip.

At the same time, not chasing distant animals can be the responsible choice. You should treat Tamarin Bay as a chance to see dolphins, not as a guaranteed show. If your entire decision rests on getting close to dolphins, this cruise carries real uncertainty.

Snorkeling in the lagoon

After the dolphin-watching portion, the cruise includes a snorkeling stop. The equipment is provided, which is useful if you are packing light or do not want to bring your own mask and snorkel to Mauritius.

The surrounding waters are described as full of fish, so the snorkeling is meant to add more than a quick swim. Still, the exact visibility, water conditions, and marine life can change from day to day. I would see it as a pleasant water stop rather than a specialist snorkeling trip built around rare species or long time in the water.

You will need to bring your own towel. That is an easy detail to miss because bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, lunch, and snorkeling equipment are included. Pack swimwear and sun protection as well, though only the towel is specifically excluded from the supplied items.

The boat-based format also makes the snorkeling stop fairly easy for casual swimmers. You can enjoy the setting without arranging separate equipment rental. The activity is suitable for most people according to the tour information, but anyone with concerns about swimming or boat access should make their own judgment before booking.

Lunch beside Crystal Rock

The cruise then anchors near Crystal Rock, where lunch is served onboard. This is one of the strongest parts of the outing because the meal is tied to a memorable setting rather than squeezed into a restaurant stop.

The crew prepares a barbecue, with drinks included. That keeps the day simple. You do not have to leave the boat looking for food, and you can spend your lunch break looking across the lagoon toward the Black River mountain range.

The food received especially warm praise in one account, along with the crew’s service, smiles, and general atmosphere. That combination is worth noting. A boat trip can feel ordinary if the meal is poor or the crew is distant. Here, the barbecue and friendly service appear to be central to the experience when the weather and route cooperate.

Do not expect a restaurant meal with a wide menu. The information only confirms a crew-prepared barbecue, not specific dishes or dietary arrangements. If you have food restrictions, ask about them before committing. The included drinks add value, particularly because a full morning and early afternoon on the water can make bottled water and soft drinks surprisingly useful.

Crystal Rock also gives you the main scenic pause of the day. You can take in the open lagoon and the Black River mountains from the boat, with lunch built into the view. That is a more appealing use of time than a long stop at a crowded shore restaurant.

A short visit to Bénitiers Island

The cruise includes a visit to Ile aux Benitiers, also called Bénitiers Island. The listed stop is about 20 minutes, so keep your expectations in check. This is a brief island visit, not a full afternoon spent exploring the shoreline.

That short stop works best as a change of scene after time on the boat. You can step onto the island, take in the surroundings, and stretch your legs before returning to the catamaran. If you want a long, independent island walk or a detailed cultural visit, you will probably find this portion too limited.

The route pairs three different settings in one outing: wildlife watching at Tamarin Bay, time in the water for snorkeling, and a scenic lunch near Crystal Rock followed by Bénitiers Island. That variety is the main appeal. You are not paying for a single short boat ride and one photo stop.

The schedule says you will return at about 3:30 p.m., making the cruise roughly six hours from start to finish. That gives you a useful half-day-plus on the water without taking your entire evening. You can still plan dinner or another activity afterward, though it is sensible to leave some breathing room in case the return timing shifts.

Crew service and the feel of the day

The crew is an important part of this experience. One very positive account praised the service, smiles, atmosphere, and the quality of the meal aboard the catamaran Océane. That suggests the human side of the cruise can turn a standard sightseeing route into a pleasant social day.

The balance is worth keeping in mind. Another account described a very disappointing day, with little explanation and no worthwhile dolphin encounter. A friendly crew cannot fully fix a route that feels empty, so you should judge the cruise on both the onboard service and the uncertain wildlife element.

If you enjoy a sociable boat day, the shared format should suit you. You will have other people around, a crew preparing food, and a mix of scheduled stops. If you want a quiet sail with personal attention, a private charter would be a better match, though this tour is not priced like one.

The published rating is 4.8 out of 5, with 95 percent recommending it. That is a strong result, but the one-star experience points to the exact risk you should understand before booking: weather, animal location, and the crew’s safety decisions can shape the day more than the printed schedule suggests.

Is $90.59 a fair price?

At $90.59 per person, the value depends on how you use the included features. You are paying for about six hours on the water, a shared catamaran, dolphin watching, snorkeling, a barbecue lunch, a Bénitiers Island visit, bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and snorkeling gear.

That is a solid bundle for a full half-day-plus outing. If you had to pay separately for a boat trip, meal, drinks, and snorkeling equipment, the total could rise quickly. The price also avoids the extra cost of a private boat while keeping the group capped at 35 people.

Transfers are not included. This is the main additional expense to plan for. You must reach Le Morne Anglers’ Club in Grande Riviere Noire for the 9:30 a.m. start and return from the same place after the cruise.

The average booking time is 21 days ahead, so I would not leave this until the last minute if your Mauritius schedule is fixed. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time, which gives you some protection if your plans change.

The cruise needs suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum group size is not reached. Those terms make the booking less risky, but they do not remove the chance that rough conditions will affect the route or wildlife viewing on a day that still goes ahead.

Who will enjoy this catamaran cruise?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a broad taste of Mauritius’ west coast in one day. It suits people who like combining a scenic boat ride, wildlife watching, snorkeling, an onboard meal, and a short island visit without arranging each part separately.

It is also a good fit for couples, families, and groups who value convenience. Most people can participate, and the shared group keeps the cost within reach for many visitors. The included drinks and meal are useful for anyone who prefers not to organize lunch while sightseeing.

You should think twice if dolphin watching is your only priority. The animals may be too distant to approach, and the crew may choose not to pursue them. You should also look elsewhere if you want extensive time on Bénitiers Island, serious snorkeling instruction, or a private and quiet sailing experience.

Bring a towel and plan your own transport. Keep your expectations flexible on the wildlife stop, and judge the day as a combination of scenery, food, water time, and company. That is the fairest way to assess the cruise.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want a convenient west-coast outing with strong food and drink value, supplied snorkeling equipment, and a good chance to see several of Mauritius’ best-known coastal sights in one route. The Crystal Rock lunch setting and Bénitiers Island visit give the day substance beyond dolphin watching.

Skip it if a close dolphin encounter is essential or if you dislike shared excursions. The route is appealing, the price is reasonable for what is included, and the overall rating is strong, but the wildlife portion cannot be controlled. Go for the whole day on the lagoon, not for one guaranteed animal sighting.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Le Morne Anglers’ Club on Colonel Dean Avenue in Grande Riviere Noire, Mauritius.

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Le Morne Anglers’ Club.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours. The planned return time is about 3:30 p.m.

Is dolphin watching guaranteed?

No. The cruise goes to Tamarin Bay to look for dolphins, but sightings and close viewing are not guaranteed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch prepared by the crew is served onboard near Crystal Rock.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Are hotel transfers and towels included?

No. Transfers and towels are not included, so you need to arrange transportation to the meeting point and bring your own towel.