Southwest of Mauritius: Catamaran Cruise w/ Snorkeling

The best part of this west-coast cruise is the mix of dolphin watching, snorkeling, and island time in one easy day. You start near Black River, pass the striking coast around Tamarin Bay, then trade open water for a calm lagoon, a cooked lunch, and sandy downtime on Ile aux Bénitiers.

I like the roomy catamaran and the generous food and drink service. You get fish, chicken, salads, fruit, local rum, wine, Phoenix beer, juice, soft drinks, and water, with vegetarian choices available. The main caution is the dolphin stop: sightings are possible, not guaranteed, and several boats may gather in the bay. This crew is reported to keep a respectful distance, but the wider scene can still feel crowded.

Key points to know before you book

• Dolphins near Tamarin Bay: Look for spinner dolphins in their natural setting, with no guarantee of a sighting.
• Snorkeling at La Preneuse or L’Harmonie: Bring your own equipment if you prefer, although gear is available on board.
• Lunch and drinks included: The BBQ covers fish, chicken, sausage, salads, vegetables, bread, fruit, and vegetarian options.
• Spacious catamaran: The boat offers more room than many smaller cruise boats, which matters on a six-and-a-half-hour outing.
• Island break at Ile aux Bénitiers: You get free time to swim, walk, sunbathe, or buy a fresh coconut on the beach.
• Easy west-coast schedule: Meet at Le Morne Anglers Club Jetty in Black River and return there around 3:30 pm.

Why this west-coast cruise works so well

Mauritius has no shortage of boat trips, but this one earns its place by keeping the day varied. You are not sitting in the same spot for six hours. The route moves from dolphin country to a snorkeling lagoon, then to lunch and a sandy island stop.

That variety matters. If the sea is calm, you can spend part of the day looking for wildlife, part in the water, and part doing very little at all. I like that balance. A cruise built only around snorkeling can feel repetitive, while a pure sightseeing boat ride may leave you wishing for a swim.

The catamaran format also helps. A catamaran spreads people across a wider deck than a small motorboat, so you have more space to sit, move around, and find a sunny or shaded place. The boat is described as one of the larger craft around the departure area, and that extra room is one of the strongest reasons to choose it.

Still, this is a shared cruise, not a private charter. You will be spending the day with other people, and popular stops can have other boats nearby. If you want silence, privacy, or a highly tailored route, this will not be the right fit.

Starting at Black River and heading toward Tamarin Bay

The meeting point is Le Morne Anglers Club Jetty in Black River. The practical schedule lists a 9:00 am meeting time, with the boat leaving from about 9:30 am and returning at 3:30 pm. Another timing note gives a 9:20 am meeting reference, so I would treat 9:00 am as the safe arrival time and avoid cutting it close.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to arrange your own way to Black River, and that is important when working out the real cost of the day. The cruise itself costs $85 per person, but transport to the jetty may add to that figure.

Once under way, the first aim is Tamarin Bay. The crew searches for spinner dolphins, a regular highlight of the west coast. Seeing these animals in open water is very different from watching a staged marine show. You may see them surfacing, moving through the bay, or spinning above the water, but nature controls the timetable.

That uncertainty is worth keeping in mind. The tour offers a possible dolphin encounter, not a guaranteed one. Sea conditions, animal movements, and boat traffic all affect what you see.

There is also an ethical point here. Dolphin watching in Tamarin Bay can attract several boats, and some operators may get too close or allow people to swim toward the animals. This catamaran has been praised for staying away from that more aggressive behavior. I would still expect a busy scene at times, and you should not plan the day around getting into the water with dolphins.

Snorkeling at La Preneuse or L’Harmonie

After the dolphin search, the catamaran continues toward the lagoon near La Preneuse. The planned snorkeling stop is around 10:30 am, at La Preneuse or L’Harmonie depending on conditions.

This part gives you a chance to see tropical fish and coral in clear, shallow water. The stop is not simply a quick photo break. You can get in, swim, and spend time looking below the surface before lunch.

Snorkeling equipment is available on board, but you can bring your own if you prefer a better-fitting mask or fins. Pack your gear in a waterproof bag so you can reach it without rummaging through wet clothes and towels.

The water can look inviting, but the cruise notes that the captain may change direction if the sea is rough or a route is unsafe. That is a sensible rule, not a flaw. The exact snorkeling location may change, and you should value a safe, usable stop over a rigid promise about one particular bay.

I would also keep expectations realistic. This is a group cruise, so the snorkeling time and location are set by the crew. It is a good introduction to the coast and marine life, but it is not a specialist reef expedition.

A BBQ lunch with a full drinks menu

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran around noon, before the boat continues to Ile aux Bénitiers. The menu is unusually broad for a day cruise. It includes grilled fish, BBQ chicken, grilled chicken sausage, seafood, rice salad, potato and egg salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, garlic bread, bread, and seasonal fruit.

Vegetarians get rice salad, potato salad, mixed salad, seasonal vegetables, vegetarian sausages, bread, and fruit. The listed kids’ menu is the same as the adult menu, which makes the meal straightforward for families.

The drinks are part of the value here. You get local rum, red, rosé, and white wine, Phoenix beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, and mineral water. Cocktails and nonalcoholic options are also included in the overall offering.

I like this setup because you do not need to leave the boat searching for lunch or carry a full picnic. The meal also turns the cruise into a social day rather than a series of short stops.

There is one practical caution: alcohol and strong sun are a poor mix if you are swimming later. Drink water, use sunscreen, and pace yourself. The boat offers plenty, but you are responsible for staying comfortable on the water.

Free time on Ile aux Bénitiers

Around 1:30 pm, the catamaran reaches Ile aux Bénitiers. You have free time until about 2:00 pm to sit on the beach, swim, walk, or simply enjoy the view.

This is a short island stop, not a full afternoon excursion. Half an hour gives you enough time to step ashore, feel the sand, take a short walk, and cool off in the water. It does not give you time for a long exploration.

That limited time is both good and bad. It keeps the day moving and prevents the cruise from becoming dull, but you should not expect an undeveloped-island adventure. The stop is mainly for a change of scene and a quiet break after lunch.

A useful small tip is to look for fresh coconut on the beach. It adds a local touch to the island visit and gives you something cold to drink after time in the sun.

Bring sandals or beach shoes if you have them, along with a cover-up and a change of clothes. You may spend time walking on sand, and wet swimwear becomes uncomfortable during the return sail.

Is $85 good value?

At $85 per person, this is a fair price for a 6.5-hour shared cruise if you plan to use the inclusions. Dolphin watching, snorkeling, lunch, island time, and a broad drinks menu would cost more if arranged as separate activities.

The boat itself is a major part of the value. A spacious catamaran makes a long day more pleasant, especially when you are traveling with children or simply want room to stretch out. The included meal is also substantial rather than a token snack.

The value is weaker if you do not drink alcohol, skip lunch, or already have access to a private boat. You are also paying for convenience and variety, not guaranteed wildlife or a secluded beach.

I would compare this with the cost of a private charter before booking. A private boat may offer more control, but the price is likely to be much higher. For most people who want a full west-coast day without arranging each part separately, $85 is sensible.

Who should book this cruise?

This trip suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who want an easy introduction to Mauritius by sea. An 8-year-old has enjoyed the full day on board, and the menu is simple enough for children.

It also works for people who like a social atmosphere. The crew is described as friendly, energetic, and attentive, with drinks served through the day and explanations along the route. If you enjoy a lively boat rather than a quiet private outing, that is a plus.

The cruise is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, according to the tour information. It is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness. The sea can change, and six and a half hours on a boat is a long time if you do not feel well on the water.

You should also reconsider if dolphin swimming is your main goal. The activity focuses on observing dolphins, and responsible operators should not chase or crowd them. Choose this cruise for the whole day, not for a promise of close contact with wildlife.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack light, but bring the things that make a beach day easier:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof bag or backpack
• Change of clothes and a cover-up
• A light jacket for the return trip
• Your own snorkeling gear if you prefer it

Do not touch marine life or plants, and do not litter. These rules are basic, but they matter in a coral and lagoon setting.

The sun can feel strong even when the boat breeze keeps you cool. Reapply sunscreen after snorkeling, drink water between alcoholic drinks, and keep your jacket handy rather than buried in a bag.

My verdict on Blue Safari Mauritius

I would book this cruise if I wanted one well-organized day covering the west coast without paying for a private boat. The strongest points are the roomy catamaran, attentive crew, generous lunch, steady drinks service, and the useful mix of wildlife, snorkeling, and beach time.

I would book with two conditions in mind: dolphin sightings are never certain, and the island stop is brief. You may also encounter busy waters around Tamarin Bay, even if this crew keeps a better distance from the dolphins.

For $85, it is a strong choice for a relaxed, social day on the water. Bring sun protection, arrive early at Black River, and choose it for the complete experience rather than any single stop.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise begin and end?

The cruise begins and ends at Le Morne Anglers Club Jetty in Black River, Mauritius.

What time does the cruise depart and return?

The listed meeting time is 9:00 am, with departure from about 9:30 am. The catamaran returns to the jetty around 3:30 pm.

Are dolphins guaranteed on this cruise?

No. The crew searches for spinner dolphins in Tamarin Bay, but sightings depend on animal movements and sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is available on board. You may also bring your own gear if you prefer.

What food and drinks are included?

The BBQ includes fish, chicken, sausage, seafood, salads, vegetables, bread, garlic bread, and seasonal fruit. Vegetarian food is available. Drinks include local rum, wine, Phoenix beer, juice, soft drinks, mineral water, cocktails, and nonalcoholic options.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Le Morne Anglers Club Jetty in Black River.